I wanted to share these old promotional pictures from the now defunct Autokit Industries of Oakland, California (the last I heard, and this was some time ago, Kaylor Kit, who specialize in electric vehicles held the molds for an updated version). Anyway, it’s of course a VW based kit, and could be bought factory built for $4,300 (1976), or in kit form for $2,895.
Like I said, I think it’s actually a pretty car, but you have to shoot it from the right angle because it’s a monstrosity otherwise… You gotta love the posed pictures though.
Frank from the Netherlands sends in this Fiberfab classic… It’s got elements of the Avenger series, and I think that’s what it is, but the roofline and windshield looks a little unusual to me. Anyone recognize the model?
Part of me thinks it looks weird with this roofline, but the other part thinks it’s kind of classy.
EDIT: It’s a FiberFab Bonito.
A friend of my friend Penski sent me this sighting… we’re pretty sure it’s a VW Beetle based Charger kit, but I’m filing it under “mystery cars” until someone can confirm for me. It’s one odd looking car, don’t you think? My personal theory by the way is that it’s loosely based on the old Aston Martin Bulldog prototype (the rightmost photo; designed by William Towns who also designed the Lagonda).
What do you think? Am I right or wrong with these theories?
Sorry I don’t have bigger pictures (you can click to zoom the collage) of John from New Bedford, MA’s Avenger. It’s the 1969 GT-12X model, and he started restoring it in 1994 and finished three years later with a trophy winning car. It’s built around a Karman Ghia chassis (from disc brakes, etc.) and a 1600 cc engine that’s been worked over with twin carbs, a dual header exhaust. The car also has custom 5″ offset 14″x7″ wheets, adjustable air shocks in the rear, and an overhead stereo system (very cool in a car like this; my Laser 917 had that originally).
“It turns more heads than any screwdriver,” he tells me.
Checking eBay right now, there are three Sterlings for sale right now! Let’s start with this conender for the worst paint job (ok, it’s far from the worst, but I really hope this is just some primer issue or something), item #4634666497, an engineless Solid Sterling currently sitting well below its reserve. I’m guessing it won’t sell this time around…
Then there’s this awesome classic looking 1976. It’s built on a beetle transmission with a build bus engine, as well as Karman Ghia front disc breaks, and more. I love this one, it’s really gorgeous, and currently ending in one day and is currently at about $5,000. Item #4632774902:
Then there’s this old beater Sterling that’s at $2000 with two days left. It’s definitely a project car (although very do-able), but what makes it interesting is that it appears to be built around not a VW, but around a Corvair chassis. Looks like it’s been sitting in a field for about five years? Item #4633247100.
But it’s cool what you can still find at a low price! Sure, you can pay $90,000 for a used first-gen Diablo, but with $10,000 to spend, you can do some amazing things in the kit car game.
Bud Short is well known for having some of the nicest classic kit cars out there. Long ago (it’s been far too long since I talked to most of my kitcar friends) he sent me this letter and pictures,
“I refused to use any VW parts on the Avenger. Since the chassis is Corvair, I use all Corvair suspension, trans, engine and all the related stuff that is attached. The windshield wiper assembly, instrument cluster, dash switches, defroster, horns, engine compartment hinges, most of the headlight assembly, side window roll up mechanisms, door latches, door handles, and tail lights are Corvair, (of course the windshield and windshield chrome are Corvair). I used early 80’s GM rearview mirrors and Harley Davidson front turn signals, I looked long and hard at a lot of mirrors and front turn signals before I decided that this was the best way to do it.”
Original build pictures:
After that build:
Bud, if you see this, please update me as to what you’ve been working on the last few years!
George Parker’s Laser 917A is serial number 005 (thus not only is if the first of about five variations on the car’s design, but it’s the fifth Laser 917 of any sort to ever roll out of the Elite Enterprises factory).
(If you’re not familiar with Lasers, compare this to the model shown below — and I’ll post some other models later as well).
Recent Comments