This may be a kit car, but it’s a darn good looking one that does a half-decent job of replicating a fairly pricey Ferrari Dino. The Kelmark GT has been around for decades and we know it well around these parts, but it seems to take a variety of different forms that make it more convincing of a clone depending on what iteration you find yourself looking at. This is a 1974 Kelmark GT listed here on craigslist with a targa-style roof and flared fenders to give it an aggressive look that does a half-decent job of imitating a Dino. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
So here’s the thing: this is every bit of a kit car. You have to accept the fact that it will never be considered a Ferrari Dino, no matter how compelling the replica is. The seller’s car at least has fat flares in the right places and staggered wheels that make it all the more convincing, at least proportionally. The wheels are not going to be mistaken for anything found on a vintage Ferrari, as they resemble when I have on my 1989 Isuzu Trooper: a set of Enkei Gamblers. Awesome wheels, but not very Ferrari-like.
And then there’s the powerplant: a flat-four, sourced from an air-cooled VW. Now, it weighs just 1,800 pounds thanks to its fiberglass construction, so it’s not the end of the world that this Ferrari replica isn’t very powerful. But it would be infinitely cooler if this Kelmark had something more sporting under the hood, such as a flat-six from a vintage air-cooled Porsche. Sadly, the days of finding a cheap engine from a long-hood 911 are long gone, so you’re not going to increase the prestige on the cheap.
A black leather interior, Ferrari-branded floor mats and seat belt covers, and a steering wheel with a real-deal Dino badge all make a valiant attempt to convince the uninformed this is a real-deal Ferrari. It’s not, but at least this Kelmark copy does a better job than most of looking like an genuine piece of vintage exotica. When I sold a Kelmark GT years ago off my friend’s property in Georgia, I had people contacting me for years afterwards looking to see if it was still available, so there’s clearly a loyal following for these cars. Do you think this Dino replica is worth the asking price?
Almost 20k is it worth the price me personally I have been looking for one of this Kelmark it’s however I want the hard top. Again for me the price is about 5 thousand more than I would comfortable paying. But who knows so ones else may pay that kind of price.
Turbo the VW and have a ball
Im pretty sure that’s Bugsy’s car. He just had a Birthday- anyone know how old he is now?
CORVAIR ENGINE WITH A 390 HOLLY 180 HP
will give close to 180 hp
and weights less than a 6 cyl porsche engine
and is 2 inches shorter
Assuming you had a 140 HP Corvair engine and added a 4 barrel setup you would end up with approximately the same HP. You might see a change in the torque curve, and it may perform better at high RPM. 180 was the factory HP rating for the 1965-1966 Turbo engine. The single 4 barrel can also be finicky in areas with cold winters. The 4 carb setup is the preferred setup for road racing, autocross, street performance. But again, a simple conversion to a 4 barrel setup alone wont get you to 180 HP
The MidEngineering chassis for these was designed to use an Olds Toronado drivetrain. THAT’S the way to build it.
Amen!
Exactly. An Olds 455 fwd powertrain would make that run like a scalded dog!!!!
The seller’s copy in the CL ad really needs to give up on the Dino comparisons and Ferrari references. Sell the car for what it is, not what it isn’t.
The Ferrari emblems are also a distraction, and totally bogus. I’d never take this anywhere with those tacked onto the car. Get some nice Kelmark badges made and wear them proud. Then it’s an honest presentation.
The guy has a decent Kelmark. It might even be worth close to his asking price. Sell it as a nice Kelmark and be done.
I just looked at the Wikipedia page on the Kelmark. Wow, that had a lot of engine options, over its lifetime. I assumed they were all VW based. They were really trying to make that kit car as good as the Ferrari.
Sure they were.
That is quite the ad. Very off putting. You don’t need to do an engine swap.
Getting horsepower and reliableability out of that VW engine these days is easy and cheaper than an engine swap. Those Type 4s can reallly be built up.
I agree that all that Ferrari nonsense needs to go. Otherwise it looks pretty good. Maybe some different wheels.
I owned and played with at least 20 Type 1 VW, over the years, and you’re right.
Although you can build a Type 1 with the newer “big block” cases and really turn it up, as I’ve done a few times, the Type 4 already has the space, and can finish nicely over the Type 1.
Either way there are many ways to extract great horsepower from a VW set up and scare the pants of some unsuspecting V8s. Don’t tell me it can’t be done.
Anything from a 2189 to a 2335 will get you there fast. And that’s without turbos or blowers.
I owned and played with at least 20 Type 1 VW, over the years, and you’re right.
Although you can build a Type 1 with the newer “big block” cases and really turn it up, as I’ve done a few times, the Type 4 already has the space, and can finish nicely over the Type 1.
Either way there are many ways to extract great horsepower from a VW set up and scare the pants of some unsuspecting V8s. Don’t tell me it can’t be done.
Anything from a 2180 to a 2335 will get you there fast. And that’s without turbos or blowers.
Or even better, do the Subaru engine swap that is so common nowadays.
Many years ago I remember seeing a Mid-Engineering Kelmark in Lansing, MI. They had stopped in a parking lot and were flipping up the rear section to look at something in the drivetrain. Way cool.
I am with BLUESMAN . Give up the Ferrari comparisons…. you not gonna convince anyone but a water head teenager . And quit trying to convince yourself with all those Ferrari flags and such. If you had invested all the money you wasted on the fripperies , you would be a rich man !
What an absolutely PUTRID ad.
tune-able racing chassy might B a better spend ?