What is this Car I Found!????

redfarmer84 · #1 16th July 2013, 22:01

The best I can tell from the pictures (I saw this at someones hosue that recently passed, and didn't bother to remove the tarp to try and not lurk too much), this is a kit car. I know the daughter that owns all this now lives around 600 miles away and most likely wants to sell/clean the place up. I went there looking at a tractor and saw this gem. Wish I would have looked closer. I have reserched "kit cars" online and with little info it's been hard to try to see what exactly it is. The closest thing I have found is a car called an Aztec 2. It looks close, but not exactly. I would love to know more about it and what it is worth....I am thinking about making an offer on it if you guys think it is worth it. Also....the only reason I am posting on the VW site is becuase I heard alot of kit cars used the VW engine. Surely someone on here knows what it is. THANKS!

I can't figured out how to upload images, so my email is ihfarmallrtr@gmail.com

Nike55 · #2 17th July 2013, 15:46

Hi redfarmer84

Don't know if anyone else has emailed you, but I just have.

If you email the pics to my email address I'll try and load them for you (or will find someone who can)

Nike55 · #3 17th July 2013, 17:44

Thanks for the email: the pictures you posted whet the appetite, I particularly like the Mustang rear light clustters.

The 'AllCarIndex' US website confirms this as an Allied Fiberglass/Astra VW GT 2+2.

The AllCArIndex website below only has limited info.

http://www.allcarindex.com/main-inde...rglass--Astra/

If anyone can add anything please do...

(This might make a nice stable mate for Ribbles' Colanii replica)

redfarmer84 · #4 17th July 2013, 19:03

what do you think she is worth?? I might buy it to fix up, or re-sell. Definitely not gonna leave it to go to the wrong home (or junk)......that is if the current owner's daughter is willing to sell! I'm going today to get more info and see what is under the tarp! Hopefully it isn't just a body shell.

Viatron · #5 17th July 2013, 20:00

interesting reading here:
http://www.kellisoncars.com/Green_Sp...talog_1969.pdf
Would seem to be VW based so I agree it would fit with Ribbles other thing nicely, on top of that I actually like the look of this! (no offence Andy)

Viatron · #6 17th July 2013, 20:04

have a good look at the body, fibreglass that old that has spent years under a tarp could be a right mess, look for delamination and areas that have become porous. Even if its not brill it might be good enough to take moulds off.

oxford1360 · #7 18th July 2013, 10:39

That is really nice, and I expect there is a good story for someone to bring a kit over from the US.

It does look like a GT40 / Dino cut-and-shut......which isn't a bad thing.

redfarmer84 · #8 18th July 2013, 18:30

Went back yesterday with some help and took off the tarp to take a closer look. The door opened and closed good and tight. The interior will need to be "redone" but that would be one of those things you could go as far as you wanted to. The exterior looked good and solid that I could tell from looking quickly. I noticed the fiberglass seemed rough in places such as the front (hood). It was almost as if it had 3-D webbing effect to it. Before it is painted, it would have to be real smooth. I'm used to painting sheetmetal but not fiberglass, so i'm not sure what all would need to be done. Third, I opened the engine hatch and saw the VW engine and it looked to be complete. I was able to turn the crank pulley by hand, there fore the engine isn't frozen up. The back window (plexiglass from Allied) had a peice missing/broken, so that will have to be replaced. I couldn't tell much about rust on the floorpan by where it was sitting and I didn't want to get snake bit or have to stick my head in the tall grass. All in all, I'd say its in pretty decent condition and very "restorable". Here are some more pictures.....

photo 1.JPG

photo 3.JPG

photo 2.JPG

Nike55 · #9 18th July 2013, 20:58

Thanks for the extra pictures, for a VW inspired kit car it's very well designed.

As its VW based it shouldn't be too difficult to restore, there are known failure areas in respect of the floorpan but in the USA there is a big VW custom scene and a lot of original (NOS) or modified parts are parts are available.

It seems you have a complete car so it should be a hopefully straightforward restoration.

The webbing effect you mention is probably the tissue matting where the gelcoat (top 'shiny' layer) has worn away - very repairable.

There are a load of kit car sites in the US including one or two that specialise in the '60's / 70's market. I don't know the production figures for the GT 2+2 but it might be becoming rare.

It seems only 20 might have been made.

I'm assuming this would have been a fairly simple 'Remove-Beetle-body (bolted to chassis) - prepare chassis-bolt-on-fiberglass replacement.

Check this out:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allied-Fiber...-/181157147924

Viatron · #10 18th July 2013, 22:33

complete rebody in 12 hours.....allegedly!

Nike55 · #11 19th July 2013, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Viatron

complete rebody in 12 hours.....allegedly!

...bit like a G46 then!

redfarmer84 · #12 19th July 2013, 18:03

Does anyone happen to know the production numbers on the car?? I've tried looking and have found nothing for sale like this anywhere. Wonder what the value is "restored" or "refurbished". ???

Nike55 · #13 19th July 2013, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by redfarmer84

Does anyone happen to know the production numbers on the car?? I've tried looking and have found nothing for sale like this anywhere. Wonder what the value is "restored" or "refurbished". ???

I think you might need to find a specialist within the US kit car community for production numbers - which will be low.

As to value - whatever the market will stand. They are rare, but not to everyone's taste. If you find a member of the Trump family who might have owned one back in the day and is keen to ride the nostalgia trip then you will get big bucks.

With the advent of emissions regs you might find this car falls out of the onerous requirements due to its age - another selling point.

Try and find a local chapter of kit car members in your State - they'll be able to advise re refurbishment, local fiberglass suppliers, costs etc.

Good luck with the project.

redfarmer84 · #14 23rd July 2013, 15:51

Today is the big day guys..........hopefully picking it up~!!!

Nike55 · #15 23rd July 2013, 21:01

Great news..don't forget let us know how you get on with the project!

redfarmer84 · #16 1st August 2013, 21:06

well..........I got it!!!!!! Ended up paying $650 for the Astra VW GT Car, a 1950s John Deere A tractor (parts tractor), and a 1966-68 VW Beetle (complete, stuck engine), plus some extra doors and rear hood for the VW. Thought I got a fair deal. The VW engine in the Astra car is loose, all wheels/rims are rusted through and the rears are frozen and won't roll. The body seems solid and not "beat up". Found out a little story about it.....in the late 60s the Previous Owner bought it and built it himself. He was a pilot in the Air Force and flew in WW2. In the early 70s, he had (2) tours overseas. For both tours, he shipped the Astra GT car over to Germany and he and his wife toured the countrysides in Germany, Switzerland, and other countries. The odometer (assuming it worked) shows just under 10,000 miles. I also got a service mans book for working on VW engines. Inside, I found a MINT, perfect reciept from a VW dealer....like a service ticket or something. I couldn't tell you what it is becuase.....it's all in GERMAN!!!! Both the print and the handwriting. The ticket is date stamped September 1971....which holds up to the story the daughter told me! He must have taken the car in for service over there! I told her before she tosses anything in the trash, to be on the lookout for ANY other papoerwork, pictures, or manuals regarding the Astra GT car. It would be awesome to have some pictures of it overseas! The previous owner is still alive (93 years old), but has severe demensia and doesn't know anything. It is ashame I couldn't talk with him about his car.

I'm planning on doing a full restoration....hope it doesn't break the bank!

redfarmer84 · #17 1st August 2013, 21:18

Here are some pictures from when I picked it up!

redfarmer84 · #18 1st August 2013, 21:22

and more....

redfarmer84 · #19 1st August 2013, 21:23

more......

Viatron · #20 1st August 2013, 21:24

Thats certainly a project! But sounds like you got a good deal.