| Author | Message | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 108 Registered: 5-2001 |
It would be a go kart with a V8 in it. They tell me that 2 guys can lift up the body/frame assembly. So I would guess body and frame weights about 400 lbs. I bet it is one fast car but cant handle worth a sh_t. Hmmmm, maybe a jag rear end, a aftermarket independant front suspension with disc brakes, rack and pinion steering, and maybe this car will have average handling. | ||
| Martin (Miami348ts)
Intermediate Member Username: Miami348ts Post Number: 2105 Registered: 5-2001 |
At the right price I would buy it too. Looks like fun. Little bigger tires and you can do some real damage on the road. As somebody here said, looks more like a go-kart with a body. YEAH !!! | ||
| Robert Foskett (Robf)
New member Username: Robf Post Number: 36 Registered: 10-2001 |
If anyone wants to know more abouth the Bosley mentioned in one of the earlier postings, the latest edition of Classic and Sportscar magazine has an article on it - what an interesting car! Hard to tell from the limited pictures what this car is, but to me it looks interesting - mayge a homebuilt but a good car is a good car, and who can tell whether this would have been a good car when it was first built from the limited information on this post? I used to have a Westfield Kit car a few years ago, and often read disparaging remarks about it in comparison to a Lotus 7 (which it is a loose copy of), but it drove superbly - a good car to me even if some people thought it lacked originality, everyone has their own opinions.... | ||
| Stephen Patterson (Srpatterson)
Junior Member Username: Srpatterson Post Number: 186 Registered: 11-2001 |
Joe is right. For a true craftsman it is not that difficult to create very complex, curved parts out of aluminum. The people who I know who build and restore vintage airplanes make cowls and fuselage parts that are far from "flat" panels. My disdane for this project is that it seems to lack all originality. Just a bad copy of someone else's designs. | ||
| joe saldana (Ironjoe)
Junior Member Username: Ironjoe Post Number: 69 Registered: 12-2001 |
forming alluminum on a buck is more easier than you think,22,20,18,even 16 guage steel when its the right temyou can be like a kid with playdough,back in Gmund,Germany before the war Dr.Porsche was whackin away on a wooden buck.Enzo,Pin,the beautiful Talbot..ETC.... | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 104 Registered: 5-2001 |
Maybe butchered was a little strong. He may have been on a budget and used what he had. Looking closer at this car, you will notice the body is one piece, front to back with only the hood, trunk, grill and those little doors being separate. I still can imagin this being made from scratch in someones garage. Just seems impossible to form the curves in the body and from what I have heard, working with aluminum is pretty hard. Building and forming the shape of a car, with all its curving lines is different than the almost flat panels used on an airplane. Still hoping someone may have seen a car like this and have some info. Wish I could get a picture on the back of the car but they were not too willing to push it out away from the wall. The back reminds me of a 928 porsche cuz its kind off rounded. | ||
| Horsefly (Arlie)
New member Username: Arlie Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2002 |
Isn't it strange that if it is just John Does' homebuilt car then it is worth little. If the same car turned out to be homebuilt by Enzo in his basement, then suddenly it is an item of great value and awe! But the car isn't a bit different either way. Also, don't underestimate the craftsmanship that can come out of someone's home garage. A few years ago, Hot Rod Magazine did an article about a car called the Bosley that was named after the guy who built it in his garage back in 1953. It was a beautiful fiberglass car that resembled the early Ferraris. A one of a kind. As for the car you've found, I would certainly try to latch onto it if the price was right. Has anybody else heard of a kit car called the Fiberfab Caribee? I have one of those. Resembles a cross between a GTO Ferrari and an early Cobra coupe. I like alot of the weird vehicles that have been forgotton. Could that car be a Doretti, Moretti, or Siata or one of the other etceterinis? | ||
| Stephen Patterson (Srpatterson)
Junior Member Username: Srpatterson Post Number: 185 Registered: 11-2001 |
James, Guys from the EAA (experimental aircraft association) have been building fantastic homebuilt airplanes in basements for decades (with nothing but a set of plans). Welding frames and forming aluminum skins they make airplanes that are pure art. In fact, the quality of many of these craftsmen far outshines any production built machine. You say that the car was butchered by the previous owner; well what was it like before he cut the frame, put on a Volvo front, an Austin Healy rear end, and a Chevy engine? Is there here, or was there ever, anything more than just a collection of parts that vaguely resembles a Ferrari? I'm not trying to be insulting, but there just is not much to go on. | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 102 Registered: 5-2001 |
Here are a couple more pics I got on this car. Will try to get more if I can. Now I never said this car was valuable, collectible or desirable. Just trying to find out what it is. If it is a home grown project or home built, where would the body and chassis come from. Were there companies that would custom make a frame and body for the homebuilder or was someone actually able to make their own body out of aluminum in their garage.   | ||
| Stephen Patterson (Srpatterson)
Junior Member Username: Srpatterson Post Number: 179 Registered: 11-2001 |
I'll be amazed if this is anything more than a home grown project, be it new or old. Just because it's old doesn't make it valuable, collectible, or desirable. | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 101 Registered: 5-2001 |
I will try to get some more pictures of the car. It is a pontoon (hope I spelled that right) fender car. It is unfortunate that it was modified in the 70s, but the body seems to have been untouched. Regardless of what was done to the suspension and drivetrain, at least it has survive and represents the cars of the past, with its fine lines and detail to workmanship. It doesnt matter if its a ferrari, a homebuilt or a volkswagen, it is a part of the automobile past that has been saved. From what I understand, the guy bought the body and frame with no suspension or drivetrain. I remember he said it originally had a straight front axle. Although what he did would now be considered butchering the car, I do have to give him a little credit for getting it back on the road in the late 60's or early 70's. The car has not been on the road for 20 years and is sitting in a garage gathering dust. | ||
| 1989 328 GTS (Vilamoura2002)
Member Username: Vilamoura2002 Post Number: 386 Registered: 9-2001 |
I don't think you can name it a car :-( That's nothing! | ||
| Andrew Menasce (Amenasce)
Junior Member Username: Amenasce Post Number: 69 Registered: 10-2001 |
that looks like whether a 250 MM spider Vignale or a 1953 166 MM spyder vignale . the front also remind me of the 625 TF spider vignale. one of the Spider vignale was stolen last year at the mille miglia .. | ||
| Stephen Patterson (Srpatterson)
Junior Member Username: Srpatterson Post Number: 177 Registered: 11-2001 |
I would have to guess that this is someone's homemade project, kind of like being your own architect. The Homer mobile comes to mind. Front like a 166 Spyder Corsa, body a cross between a 166MM Barchetta and 250TR. Up close, it would take about one minute (or less) to show that this is probably nothing but a bad project. If cars are a reflection of their maker, I would say this is a Bubba Jones. Amazing what someone with a welding torch can do. | ||
| Terry Daniel (Dogue)
Junior Member Username: Dogue Post Number: 56 Registered: 9-2001 |
Looking at your picture again, the hood hinges are suspect. I have never seen a Vignale design with exposed hinges. It might be a fabrication of a Vignale Spider, but considering the Pininfarina styled cars were the more popular cars of the time, it seems odd that someone would copy a Vignale with such care. From what you have described the craftmanship is very nice. I would look for a number on the chassis and look it up on Barchetta.cc Keep me informed if not on the chat via email. [email protected] | ||
| Terry Daniel (Dogue)
Junior Member Username: Dogue Post Number: 55 Registered: 9-2001 |
It would be great to see the rear and side of this car. Marv is right it is very similar to a Vignale Spider They came in various engine configurations from a large 4 cylender (625 TF) to the 3 liter V12 (250 MM). Some more pictures would be great. Many old Ferraris were chopped and given reliable american V8s in the 50s and 60s, If this is an original Vignale body on a Ferrari Chassis it could be worth a lot. Please let us know if you find any other info on the car. | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 100 Registered: 5-2001 |
After closer inspection of the car, it appears the body was fitted onto the tube chassis and then the edges of the body was rolled onto the tube chassis. It this is a homebuilt, who would have made the body cuz it seems symetrically too perfect to be made in someones garage or the guy is one hell of a craftsman working with aluminum. Could this be a 50's kit car? | ||
| Jack (Gilles27)
Member Username: Gilles27 Post Number: 303 Registered: 3-2002 |
Judging by its size, it looks more like an elaborate pedal car, or perhaps a bodied go-kart. I would just be careful not to park it overnight next to the garbage cans. Might be gone in the morning... | ||
| Edward Gault (Irfgt)
Intermediate Member Username: Irfgt Post Number: 1422 Registered: 2-2001 |
It appears to be some homebuilt that no one except the original builder can identify. Even if it is found, a homebuilt is a homebuilt and could be named anything the builder wants. | ||
| Marv B (Mdb69)
Junior Member Username: Mdb69 Post Number: 52 Registered: 4-2002 |
Looks like it was supposed to be a 166MM? spider Vignale. Has that funky hood bulge. Don't know why anyone would make a sorry looking clone though. I doubt if it fools anyone up close. | ||
| Bill Sawyer (Wsawyer)
Junior Member Username: Wsawyer Post Number: 189 Registered: 2-2002 |
Testudo? Powered by Corvair? Woops, wrong thread. | ||
| James H. (Jamesh)
Junior Member Username: Jamesh Post Number: 98 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ok Guys and Gals, Can anyone identify this car. It has a steel tube frame and all aluminum body. I believe it was originally a right hand drive. The car was butchered by the previous owner. He cut the frame and welded in a volvo front suspension, mounted an austin healy rear end, threw in a chev 327 with a powerglide. I do not know what this car is so I would not be able to tell you if your right or not. Disregard the Ferrari badge on the front as it is a handpainted copy.  |