This is up on barn finds and sure would definitely make a cool project for someone. I definitely think think the Jamaican is a cool looking body design and gives a great pure 60s grand touring look. The other cool part is the many different models and manufacturers this particular example got parts from. And definitely have options of keeping the original engine or probably many options that can work for a swap.
https://barnfinds.com/barn-find-mga-based-fiberfab-jamaican/
One of the few kit cars that got the styling right.
Bill Spohn has one on an MGA chassis with a 3.4 GM V6, I wonder if it could be done on with a peeled-down MGB?
http://www.britishv8.org/MG/BillSpohn.htm
Pete
Another mga based one really gives a great classy look in gold
I guess I am Suprised they are so Cheap, I've mentioned before the car we built in 70, W/AH 3000 frame and 289 ford .Serious B A in 70. One would look good on my old 427 Cobra Chassis. That Gold is Beautiful.
RossD said:Here's another one!
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/d/classic-cars-for-sale/6550511975.html
Did you call on that? I'm interested what he is actually asking...
MotorsportsGordon said:This is up on barn finds and sure would definitely make a cool project for someone. I definitely think think the Jamaican is a cool looking body design and gives a great pure 60s grand touring look. The other cool part is the many different models and manufacturers this particular example got parts from. And definitely have options of keeping the original engine or probably many options that can work for a swap.
https://barnfinds.com/barn-find-mga-based-fiberfab-jamaican/
That's for sale for $1500 in Pandora OH. I feel someone needs to bring it to the challenge under the name "pandoras box"
Man, I'm liking these things way too much right now. Would need an engine that really wails like a vq35 or 4age or even sport bike...
Robbie said:Man, I'm liking these things way too much right now. Would need an engine that really wails like a vq35 or 4age or even sport bike...
Since this is a very light car something like a dz 302 chev build would be a neat combo for this aswell.
1 - the gold one is my car before the restoration. The red car is after the restoration and the removal of all the tacky lights and garbage interior, and the installation of a 3.4 GM V6 and a T5.
2 - The bodies are not easily convertible for use on anything but what they were designed for. The chassis for which you could get bodies were Austin Healey 6 cylinder, Triumph TR-4, VW, MGA, and a custom chassis made by Fiberfab and mostly intended for V8 use. Trying to put one on something like an MGB would be labour intensive and frustrating and you'd end up scrapping almost all of the internal structure of the body.
My car is built on a 1956 MGA chassis. I think I retained the chassis, body and rear end, and replaced everything else. Story at http://www.rhodo.citymax.com/Jamaican.html where there are links to articles on the British V8 site, from the NAMGAR MGA magazine and from MG Enthusiast
3 - the car that is for sale is nice and cheap. Rough shape but the body and glass apear to be mostly present and everything else is pretty easy. IMHO the MG chassis is the best potential handling car, but has limited space for transplant of larger engines. The Healey has been a favourite V8 candidate but handles like an Austin lorry. The Triumph is somewhere in between those extremes. And I say that having owned all three cars.
PS - the space issue is easily overcome by using a modern turbo 4 cylinder engine - there are several around these days. My choice would probably be a 400 bhp Ecotec, but options exist with Ford etc.
Indeed !, you spoke of them in a way I knew you were real, But had No Idea, Awesome.
wonder how they would work on a Miata floorpan?
wonder how they would work on a Miata floorpan?
Probably reasonably well as the wheelbases are only 4" off - Miata is shorter, so you'd need to do some jiggering.
The big reason why this wouldn't work is that the track width is about 10" wiider on the modern car and that would look bizarre - either wide flairs which would look pretty stupid, or splitting the body to widen it and needing to find new glass - the windshield is 1960s Corvette and the rear window is 911.
What is it like living with and driving the Jamaican? I'm really interested in them based on the looks (I agree with you on the best looking kit car I know of - though I would like to see one in person) and the price. Definitely seems like something you can drive/flog and not worry about even though most will think you are driving a classic exotic.
A quick search of rear end ratios seems like that might be one of the biggest differences between them, MGAs are like 4.3 and Triumph like 3.4.
If you find one with an AH underneath you would do well to sell the AH and build your own frame. Heck, that might be worth it on any of them if you buy it cheap enough.
I'll tentatively put a Jamaican in line after the fiat and mgb-gt projects that are currently lined up.
MGA = 4.3 diff (4.1 = Mk 2 MGA)
TR = 3.7
I run a 3.9 (MGB) in an MGA case in my Jamaican, with a V8 T5 box with a 0.65 OD ratio - works quite well, relaxed highway car still able to accelerate even with the long ratio, with the added grunt of the 3.4 V6.
Very low car - from my site:
They are VERY low - at 44", about 4 inches lower than a Fiero, an inch lower than a Ferrari Dino, an inch and a half lower than a Lotus Elise and only a couple of inches higher than a Lotus Europa. Height at 44" compares to MGA at 50". MGA width was 58", Jamaican 63.5". Length - MGA - 156", Jamaican 163.5".
This picture show how far back you recline the Miata seats to be able to drive while not thumping your head on bumps - sort of Italian driving position.
Weather proofing is fairly good - similar to my MGA coupe, and the reclining position quickly becomes pretty comfortable.
How hot does it get in there during the summer? MGA coupes were HOT.
Pete
Funny, but I always preferred the coupe to the roadster for long distance. I installed an insulation blanket on the tunnel and the no draught windows forced air in, and you were protected from the hot blast and baking sun. Believe me, the difference between the coupe owners and roadster owners getting out of the cars after a 500 mile trip was significant.
You are right, though - without putting in some heat measures, it was a miniature Turkish bath.
That is a beautiful car.
wspohn said:Funny, but I always oreferred the coupe to the roadster for long distance. I installed an insulation blanket on the tunnel and the no draught windows forced air in, and you were protected from the hot blast and baking sun. Believe me, the difference between the coupe owners and roadster owners getting out of the cars after a 500 mile trip was significant.
You are right, though - without putting in some heat measures, it was a miniature Turkish bath.
Hardtop mga definitely gives a nice mini or poor mans jag look.
wow! jamaican = 44 inches tall, my mgb-gt = 48.7 (5 inches taller!) the mgb-gt has LOTS of headroom though.
Nothing posted here so far is making me want a jamaican any less though.
Here is a good visual of the difference between the stock coupe and the Jamaican body. My Jamaican also looks wider tracked as I am using AC Cobra centre laced wheels that are 6" instead of 4" wide.
In reply to stroker :
Still a really nice looking shape, even after all these years. That body, a tubular chassis and a Miata or S2000 power train would make a neat car.
Well it's a good thing that I don't have a spare Miata with massive body damage and that car is super far (4 hrs) away..
O CRAP I HAVE that and 4hrs is dangerously close.
Please someone else buy this quickly. I really have to many projects and so I don't need another one.
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