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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 11:30 am Post subject: VW Kit Car Resources |
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Due to a resurgence in popularity of kit cars in this forum, I have volunteered to write a sticky thread about Volkswagen-based kit cars and resources for owners, builders and enthusiasts.
A thread that is a directory of defunct manufacturers and defunct kits is in the works as well.
This thread contains a list of all current VW-based kit car manufacturers (excluding dune buggies, sandrails, Baja Bugs and Formula Vees), a list of suppliers of parts needed to complete and accessorize a kit car, and some websites of interest to kit-car owners, builders and enthusiasts.
Most manufacturers of VW-based kits are doing Porsche replicas nowadays, but there are still a few doing something other than “P-cars” and buggies out there.
I will add more links to suppliers, manufacturers and kit type-specific enthusiast sites when I find them.
-Manufacturer Directory-
Beck Development/Special Edition, Inc.:
Manufactures Porsche 356 Speedster, 550 Spyder and 356 Cabriolet replicas, as kits or rolling chassis.
http://www.beckspeedster.com
BGW Spectre, Inc.:
Manufactures a Hebmuller-replica conversion kit for VW Beetle and Super Beetle convertibles, several different kinds of roadster, pickup-truck and coupe conversions for VW Beetle and Super Beetle, also makes two kinds of van bodies for Beetle and Super Beetle (one with dual rear doors and Corvette-type taillights, basically the same as the 1970s/80s Vandetta, and the classic BGW Special Delivery, resembling a 1930s panel delivery), a woodie wagon kit, and numerous 1930s and 1940 Ford and Rolls Royce-inspired hood and fender sets that go well with the above van, wagon, coupe and pickup kits.
http://www.bgwspectre.com
Kinetic Automotive:
Manufactures a fiberglass substitute body for a full-custom split-window VW Beetle, for a VW pan or their front-engine V6/V8 chassis, so a genuine split-window VW body doesn’t have to be sacrificed for a hot rod or custom, or simply to save time and money on customizing a later body.
http://www.kineticautomotive.com
KoobleKar Skunkwerkes:
Manufactures replicas of the World War II-era Kubelwagen, Kommandeurwagen and Schwimmwagen military vehicles, as well as conversion kits to make any Beetle or Super Beetle into a pickup truck styled after the World War II-era KdF Lieferwagen light truck.
http://www.kooblekar.com
Perry D’s, Inc.:
Manufactures a replica of the Porsche 550 Spyder to go on an unaltered VW pan.
http://home.earthlink.net/~perryds/html/ieindex2.html
Sterling Sports Cars:
Manufactures the classic Sterling exotic car for VW chassis, an electric-power option or their custom tube frame for mid-engine installation of transverse front-engine powertrains (a water-cooled VW powertrain other than a Wasserboxer is a definite possibility here, a VR6 or a TDI would be great in this application.) A full range of new and used parts is also available.
http://www.sterlingsportscars.com
Thunder Ranch:
Manufactures Porsche replicas exclusively (356 Speedster, 550 Spyder, 718 RSK, 904, “Phantom” wide-body custom 356 Speedster). Formerly produced the “Riot” VW-based sports car kit, for which parts may still be available.
http://www.thunderranch.com
Wombat Cars:
Manufactures a Humvee-inspired SUV kit for VW pan, all Baja Bug chassis and powertrain upgrades/modifications are compatible with this kit. A hardtop and compatibility with the Super Beetle are in the works at the time of writing.
http://www.wombatcar.com
-Parts & Accessory Suppliers-
Holden Classic & Vintage:
A must for anyone building an MG, Gazelle, Bugatti, SS100, Fraser Nash, Tiger Roadster or other classic-styled kit. Seats, hardware, lights, switch gear, Smiths gauges, racing decals, bonnet (hood) straps, many other things for the neoclassic builder.
http://www.holden.co.uk
JC Whitney Everything Automotive:
VW mechanical, brake, exhaust and chassis parts, sound systems, weatherstripping, soundproofing, many different varieties of accessories, steering wheels, shift knobs, carpet, headliner and upholstery materials by the yard, hood ornaments for classic kits like MG, Bugatti and Gazelle, many other things
Free catalogs, great website, 1-year guarantee on most items.
http://www.jcwhitney.com
Kennedy Engineering, Inc: An established leader in transmission adapters to run Subaru, Mazda Wankel rotary, water-cooled V6 and other engines in VW-based cars.
http://www.kennedyeng.com
Mid-America Motorworks:
A major supplier of VW parts of all kinds, but best suited to mechanical/chassis/brake/electrical stuff, tires and wheels, hardware and trim pieces for kit cars. Free catalog.
http://www.mamotorworks.com
Speedway Motors:
While this supplier is mainly for non-VW street rods and race cars, they offer a wide variety of hardware, mirrors, bumpers, 1920s/30s-style accessories, “Ah-Ooga” horns, handles and latches, lights and other things well suited to builders and owners of classic-styled kits like Gazelles and Bugatti, Jaguar SS100, Fraser Nash, MGTD and Alfa Romeo Monza replicas. An excellent straight-axle conversion kit for VW chassis is also available, this will add a more authentic look and feel to a classic-styled kit. A choice of tube or beam axles is available, both with transverse leaf spring and radius rods. Free catalog.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com
-Websites of Interest-
http://bradleygt.proboards.com : Temporary forum for Bradley Car Club. (Bradley GT and GTII). Regular forum is infested with viruses and other malware. Information on replacement Plexiglas for Bradley GT and Datsun 280ZX windshield conversion for GTII available here.
http://www.kitcarclub.com : Website of America's only currently published kit car magazine, Kit Car Builder. Subscription info, links, club directory, newsletter info.
http://www.kitcars.com : Classified ads and forums for kit cars of all kinds.
http://www.laser917.net : For owners, builders and enthusiasts of the Laser 917 kit produced by Elite Enterprises, Quint and several other companies. Registry, body type glossary, picture and literature galleries, forums, classified ads.
http://www.nationalsterling.org : For Sterling, Sebring and Cimbria owners and enthusiasts. Classifieds, US and UK forums, pictures, registry, links.
http://www.priceofhistoys.com : Blog containing information on many kinds of kit cars.
http://www.speedsterowners.com : For owners and enthusiasts of Porsche Speedster replicas. Forums, registry, picture galleries, links to Porsche badge and trim suppliers.
http://www.spyderowners.com : For owners and enthusiasts of Porsche 550, 718, RSK and RS60 Spyder replicas. Forums, registry, picture galleries, links to Porsche badge and trim suppliers.
http://www.tdreplica.com : For owners and enthusiasts of MG replicas. Forums, pictures, classifieds, links, manual and literature downloads.
Last edited by Thanatos on Wed Apr 07, 2010 9:06 am; edited 1 time in total |
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DanielDG Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2007 Posts: 1 Location: Phoenix
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 11:13 am Post subject: Re: VW kit car resources |
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Thank you... always admired your kits.
I'll PM Everett or Russ about getting your info added into my list, since I don't think I can edit it in there this long after the original post. |
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Wolfgangdieter Samba Member
Joined: June 25, 2008 Posts: 1958 Location: FL Panhandle
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Porsche 356 Speedster replicars -
http://speedstershop.com/ _________________ CMC '57 Porsche Speedster Replica and Dolphin boat tailed full pan VW MOD-T Street Buggy |
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Due to popular demand, I will add a dune-buggy parts supplier, but many of their offerings will be of use to kit-car builders if they have a high performance-type kit like a Riot, McLela, Manta Montage, Marauder VW-powered Can-Am car, Crosby Formula Fun or Pelland:
http://www.appletreeauto.com/
Buggy parts, high-performance/lightweight stuff, reasonable prices and a free catalog. User-friendly website. |
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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http://www.kitspeed.com
Blog and classified ads for all kinds of kit-built/plan-built vehicles, including cars. Kit car fans who also like VW-engined boats, motorcycles and airplanes (me included) will likely enjoy this site.
http://www.rqriley.com (Robert Q. Riley Enterprises)
Plans to build recreational vehicles and 70s-retro cars, many using VW chassis. Home of the Minihome, Town Car, Boonie Bug and Phoenix. For the diehard DIY-er who has a rebuildable bug or bus chassis and enjoys dated styling, this is a great resource. Really more of a handcrafted car site, but fiberglass and VWs are still involved.
Note on Robert Q. Riley Enterprises: The Town Car kit is intended to be a gas-electric hybrid on a VW pan, but modifying the design slightly to accommodate a VW engine will make a more usable car, and the foam for the bodies of many designs can be tough to find. |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 3:16 pm Post subject: |
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This is something I am currently working on www.vwkitcars.com . I have a rather large collection of kit car related material and I am working to archive it. I will also be allowing submissions if people want to have they car on the site. |
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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kitcarguy wrote: |
This is something I am currently working on www.vwkitcars.com . I have a rather large collection of kit car related material and I am working to archive it. I will also be allowing submissions if people want to have they car on the site. |
Thanks for the reply... your site will be a great resource to the VW kit car community.
Any info on the Antique & Classic Automotive 1934 Frazer Nash replica? I threw all mine away after I built it 30+ years ago. |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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34FraserNash wrote: |
kitcarguy wrote: |
This is something I am currently working on www.vwkitcars.com . I have a rather large collection of kit car related material and I am working to archive it. I will also be allowing submissions if people want to have they car on the site. |
Thanks for the reply... your site will be a great resource to the VW kit car community.
Any info on the Antique & Classic Automotive 1934 Frazer Nash replica? I threw all mine away after I built it 30+ years ago. |
I do have a bit. I have one of the sales brochures with the entire line, a business card, advertisement, and a 1980 price list.
Give me a few minutes and I will get them scanned and uploaded. |
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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kitcarguy wrote: |
34FraserNash wrote: |
kitcarguy wrote: |
This is something I am currently working on www.vwkitcars.com . I have a rather large collection of kit car related material and I am working to archive it. I will also be allowing submissions if people want to have they car on the site. |
Thanks for the reply... your site will be a great resource to the VW kit car community.
Any info on the Antique & Classic Automotive 1934 Frazer Nash replica? I threw all mine away after I built it 30+ years ago. |
I do have a bit. I have one of the sales brochures with the entire line, a business card, advertisement, and a 1980 price list.
Give me a few minutes and I will get them scanned and uploaded. |
Very cool... |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks... brings back lots of memories. I had the Standard Kit. |
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Thanatos Samba Psychopomp
Joined: October 14, 2009 Posts: 1729 Location: Earth
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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I just thought I'd add that I have PDF build manuals for numerous Fiberfab VW kit cars, including the Gazelle, 356 Speedster, Clodhopper dune buggy, Aztec, Jamaican, and Avenger GT12, and Aztec 7 manuals as a ZIP file. PM me for my e-mail address if you want a manual for a kit car project, I will send you one for free.
I will update this if/when I have Vagabond, MiGi and non-Fiberfab assembly manuals available. |
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jlbower05 Samba Member
Joined: February 15, 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Oregon
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject: How about an electric kit car? |
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Check out www.eco-evdesigns.com and www.venus-ev.com. Building a VW pan that has an electric drive system using VW suspension and bolt patterns so using a VW style body kit will fit right onto the electric pan.
For more info call Jay at 541-250-2825 |
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tatcat Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2011 Posts: 16 Location: pcbfl
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Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 6:06 pm Post subject: |
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there's mg magic. they have parts for the fiberfab midgi [email protected] phone# is 954 680 2010. i have dealt with them before and will again |
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coolrydes Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2004 Posts: 1573 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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I would watch your back and look for another place to spend my money then with this guy.....
Thunder Ranch:
Manufactures Porsche replicas exclusively (356 Speedster, 550 Spyder, 718 RSK, 904, “Phantom” wide-body custom 356 Speedster). Formerly produced the “Riot” VW-based sports car kit, for which parts may still be available.
http://www.thunderranch.com _________________ Kevin "Coolrydes" Zagar
COOLRYDES So-Cal CUSTOMS
MENDEOLA SUSPENSION
THE HOME OF STYLE AND PERFORMANCE
www.CoolRydescustoms.com |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Hey Everyone,
I just thought I would take a few minutes to let everyone know that I am working with Shannon at priceofhistoys.com on getting that website back to its glory days. Shannon no longer has the time and I am going to take it over from him.
It will be a few days but you should see that site speed increase and new posts showing up .
Thanks |
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Letterman7 Samba Member
Joined: March 14, 2004 Posts: 3198 Location: Downingtown, PA
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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Nice that you were able to get a hold of him, Paul. I was wondering what had happened... the last we spoke via email he was having some "difficulties" with the local authorities and was going to be out of touch for a while . But that was several years ago. Always enjoyed that site - good to see it'll be reincarnated! |
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kitcarguy Samba Member
Joined: May 06, 2007 Posts: 431 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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Just like all of our projects at one time or another life has gotten in the way. I think I emailed him at the right time because he said he was looking for someone to take it over . He will retain the domain, and all the files are going to be hosted on my end. I am uploading files now and man it is a lot. Hope it will be all set by Monday or Tuesday.
On the end user end it will appear that nothing ever changed except the speed and updates. |
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schmitty44 Samba Member
Joined: May 18, 2007 Posts: 15
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:29 am Post subject: |
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This is great news. I bought a couple of cars I found from the price of his toys website and always enjoyed reading about obscure old kit cars.
Thanks for bringing it back! |
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