Laser 917s for Walt Disney's Herbie goes to Monte Carlo.

[MonsterMawd]

I'm looking for any information or articles about the Laser 917s built for Walt Disney's Herbie goes to Monte Carlo. My friend, Bill Jenkins from Dune Buggy Supply Co. in Hopkins, Minnesota worked with Jerry Knapp, owner of Elite Enterprises made the Laser 917 bodies in Cokato, Minnesota. Bill built-up the two Laser 917s for the movie and passed away this year. I'm working on a tribute about his career, Thanks!

[hillmotorsports]

Didn't Jerry pass die yrs back?
I spent an afternoon at Elite Enterprises with a buddy back around 1970. Jerry showed us his various projects and products, had a Corvair powered 917 demo that we took for a test drive. My buddy got cold feet, didn't buy any kit in the end, but the 4 day tour looking at the 917, the Bradley GT, Fibre fab, and another that I have forgotten the name of was very much enlightening.
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Rosemarie and Paul Hill
Morrisburg, Ontario

(With way more projects than spare time!)

[isucorvair]

When I lived in MN in 2006 or so, there was a member of Corvair Minnesota that had a yellow 917 kit, I believe.


Eric P.
DeWitt, IA

[BIGMIKEY]

The February 1977 Issue of Hot VW's says that the Herbies in the movie were built by Tom Coy's Speed Unlimited. Nothing is mentioned about the 917's.

Mike T
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BIGMIKEY

Deserter Series 1 project.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=787047&highlight=

1973 Beetle Driver, Marina Blue.

[MonsterMawd]

@hillmotorsports, Thank you for reply, but I don't know if/when Jerry passed.

@isucorvair, Thank you, I will check into that.

@BIGMIKEY, Thank you, I'll see if that shop still exists