In the 1960s and 1970s, the automotive world had a love/hate relationship with kit cars. On the one hand, the varied body kits offered dreamers the chance to build an exotic-looking car with their custom touches. On the other hand, most builders discovered how difficult it is to turn a fiberglass shell and a cast-off chassis into an integrated, sophisticated vehicle. This Fiberfab Banshee or Caribee (the seller doesn’t designate which one it is; Pontiac bought the name “Banshee” from Fiberfab causing the kit’s name change) looks like it almost was complete at some point but now requires either restoration or finishing.
The Banshee/Caribee was designed to fit MG, Austin-Healey, and Triumph chassis. This particular car was built on a 1959 Triumph TR3A chassis and is still powered by the four-cylinder wet-liner engine. As you can see from the period advertisement above (after the car had been renamed), it’s pretty easy to see the external resemblance to a Cobra Daytona coupe. I’d like to hear how Fiberfab decided on the gull-wing doors; from what I can see online, entering and exiting the cockpit is quite challenging!
I feel like I should know where the wheels come from, but even with all the TRs I’ve seen I don’t remember this type–maybe from a Datsun/Nissan? Perhaps a knowledgeable BarnFinds reader can fill us in? Unfortunately, the paint and body finish don’t look as nice up close as they do in the picture above. Here’s a close-up of some of the issues around the door hinges.
Sharp-eyed readers will note that the front wheels are on caster mounts in this picture–the added height allows the hood to tilt farther forward. I have the same issue with my Fiberfab Jamaican project–it’s almost impossible to properly access the front of the engine compartment without jacking up the front end!
The interior utilizes some very basic bucket seats and the TR3A gauges. Is that an 8-track player on the right side of the dash? Note the shifter position up under the dash; I would recommend converting to a TR250/TR6 shift lever for some backward bend and easier access.
Here’s the TR3A engine. I’m puzzled about the carburetors; the seller states that the engine will turn over but they have not gotten it to fire. Perhaps a set of SUs or even Strombergs from the later TR4/4A would help. Thanks go to reader Ed for sending us this find–are any of you interested in the “flowing aerodynamic lines” of this project? You can find it here on craigslist out of Niagara Falls, New York, and the seller is only asking $4,500! Have any of you ever driven or owned a Fiberfab-manufactured kit? Let us know what you think of this design in the comments!
Whoever buys this car,paint it another color this white does nothing for it,and of coarse change the wheels and tires!
I can’t imagine trying to get all 6’1, 320lb of me through that door. I could probably sell tickets to that performance. If I did manage to get in, someone would probably have to cut it apart to get me out.
The wheels resemble the optional aluminum wheels on the ’84-’88 AMC Eagle, but that’s not what they are.
That shade of white I thought it was prime. Definitely not the most flattering color choice.
But it does look like a fun project
When I was 16 years old and living in Honduras, I would have given all of my net worth to buy this car. Things change. Now, oddly enough, I view it as a piece of my past. Fun, but stupid.
Still, it does ring some memories of Hot Rod Magazine, and such.
I was soon living in a flat-blue Corvair in Dalton, Georgia.
I painted it myself with a very high-end brush.
The orange shag carpeting was in keeping with the times.
I will bid on this car.
I do not even recognize those carbs from these pics, and as for “Condition: Good”, that seems like a bit of a stretch, but whatever, an interesting ride. Think I’d prefer the TR3.
As a 12 y.o. This looked pretty cool but now at 62 , it looks hideous !
I can easily slip in my z3& corvette c4 without an issue
So it has nothing to do with that, i simply find it fugly
who would design a car with a hood you can’t open all the way?
The shape of this is screaming for a snarling V8!
I’ve posted before stating my admiration for most if not all of Fiberfabs creations. I found a rumor the company actually exists in some form or other in a small town in Washington named Washougal. Surprisingly, I happen to live in Washougal. If I can chase them down, I’ll repost if they are OK with that. Small world huh?…
Well I like the Kellison and I like this,
The biggest question would be how strong the fiberglass is.
While I only had my 61 vette a few years I was amazed by how the door shut with authority.
Close to the Mercedes 123.
At the end of the day, it needs to be tough,or you end up with Swiss cheese
Back in the early 70s I bought a AustinHealy 3000 from a guy that had a backyard garage with British cars. He was a great guy,I was wondering if you are that guy. If so send me a email, I’d like to catch up
My brother, Russ, drew/designed this car for Fiberfab in Santa Clara, Ca. He poured his best design ideas and abilities into it but the mold-maker damaged it all by putting his own flavors into it, obviously … the teeny doors, slab-sided, heavy and oddly-swelled lines, all horrible in our eyes. Due to this enormous mistake, we were allowed to make/shape the mold for our Jamaican design which followed. It was very close to what we strived for.
I have only a drawing/rendering of the original design, find it still a fulfilling and handsome shape.