Projects new customer project: Caribee kit car

we unloaded this into the shop yesterday, we are going to do some chassis refinement, wiring, and plumbing. He wants to have it running, and drivable, then he will finish the 'glass work. He has sectioned 5 inches out below the doors, and through the back, and shortened the front end by about the same. He plans on a notch back style rear window to replace the large style the car came with. The motor is an overhead cam 4 out of a capri.

 

Wow, I'm surprised he wants a 4 in that bay- I like what he's done, though!

 

Wow....

 

I knew you would get a kick out of it Alex.

 

5 inches ? got any early pics. that hadto be one odd looking body before he condensed it

 

Yeah man... thats awesome.

Not sure I've seen that body style, but I love it.

Really nice lines...

Those Euro Pinto's are very tuneble.
And there is the 16Valve Cosworth Turbo version if this one starts to feel slow...

What Wheels are those?
They suit the Car well...

 

Man that look's FAST just sitting there! I love the look of it!!

Sure look's like it'll be a LOT of fun when it's done.

 

It reminds me of a Shelby Daytona and a Cheetah all at once. It does look fast just standing still. What a pretty body. I think it just screams V-8 though with some side exit headers. It would make a heck of a cool road racer.

 

from looking at photos of other cars, it is hard to tell that the material has been removed, I had to measure the car to believe the owner.

It seems like not many of these were made, they were built by fiberfab, and initially called the Banshee.

From what I have been told the wheels were made by Weld, and the owner had them powdercoated to look like Mag.





you can see the layered construction like other weld products.

 

Sign of the times eh, great big engine bay and smaller motor...

I like it tho

 

nicely proportioned, and the wheels fooled me...i remember when they came out (the wheels) and i thought they were kinda cool. neat car, all the way around

 

I'm suprised he went with such a small engine. Could be more fun that way though! Almost looks like those Ferrari 265 kits for the Z cars.

 

Needs more motor......a lot more motor!

 

Sweet, I love it! Make it right, like I know you guys will.....

 

Definitely has Ferrari 250ish lines- please keep us informed!

 

p-9's ...sound right..? fooled me , i though halibrand... brandon

 

interesting car , whats the wheelbase now ?

it looks like a pretty big car.....

 

Cool! I had one of those once with a Lincoln 430 with 8 dueces though. Probably not as economical as this one will be. I don't think I ever took any pictures other than the mockup... I"ll see if I can dig them up real quick.

 

I think these are them... my body was stock. The guy that bought the body said he made AC Cobra replicas and was going to reproduce this one too. Wonder if he ever will. It's been two or three years now.

 

I have an extra LS1 aluminum motor that would work perfect in that thing.

 

unclescooby, I remembered seeing those photos in the sports car/ drag car thread, and I dug them up and showed the owner yesterday. He has found about 10 or 12 of these out there now.

The car would be cool with a v8, but everything on it is built light weight, it should move good with the 4 banger, and like Alex and Ryan are saying there is always turbo.

 

At first glance, I thought they were Lotus mags.

I bet with the smaller motor, this thing will actually handle better(?). The other one posted looks to have the same proportions, I'm confused about the alterations to the body.


Any concepts on the finish? Hmmmmmm?! hahahaaaaaa

 

the height on that sheet shows 42 in to the roof, the car measures 37

 

And very expensive I see (not). I heard that in their day these kinds of kit cars were popular with owners of real Ferrari's and Cobras. They could put a V-8 on a 240z chassis and one of these bodies and drive them all over - something they couldn't do much with their too-rare sports cars. Who knows, perhaps one day the owner of a rare 32 roadster will have to build a glas clone of his car so he can have something to drive while the real one is in the museum! Ha. Gary

 

I think it looks awesome sectioned like it has been. Stock it looks kinda thick.

 

I appreciate everyones interest in my project Caribee. I was honestly considering junking it out of frustration when I found the guys at ALWAYS hot rods here in phoenix. Now with all the positive comments from you all I am inspired again. I get it back Moday next week with the frame redone correctly and now I can get to work on the body. I have most of the parts to complete it I jus need to teach myself some rudimentary fiberglass work to make it look just right. (any volunteers to help??) I have already begun by glassing in the non functioning (and unattractive) side and hood scoops. I will vent the engine compartment correctly as part of the body work to come. I glassed in the top to do away with the unusable gullwing doors. I will fill in the back area ala late 250 GTO with small flat back window and a trunk. I took five inches off the entire bottom perimeter, opened the wheel wells to accomodate the longer wheelbase of my custom built frame and took around 8 inches off of the nose. That eliminated the carp-like appearance and opened up the front for more air flow. I have some beautiful custom made leather straps for the hood, aluminum lightweight mirrors, 1965 military quick release belts, and vintage superior steering wheel to compliment the old style appearance. I plan on a vinteage Aston Martin grayish green with cream colored scallops reminiscent of the Reventlow Scarabs. The Weld Wheel Fat 50's with the gray powdercoat were done to be a nod to that era as well. Wish me luck. I'll keep you posted or GreggAZ will. Roll on.

 

Please keep us up to date- it's a great car that's been modified with taste (and a neat change under the hood)!

 

This was the original concept. Kinda a cross between a Daytona and a Cheeta.
I have a pic of one at Jax drags...I do belive the guy was running a 426 hemi. Things was just scary when he hit the pedal.