Jim Kellison, former air force pilot, cycled through more entrepreneurial endeavors than you and I could conceive. He left the Air Force to help his father on his farm, then went to work for body shops, started his own repair service, shifted to working at Travis Air Force base, discovered fiberglass, and finally started another venture, this time in California building cars of his own design. That wasn’t all, but we’ll pause here because it was in this interval of Kellison’s life that he achieved at least a modicum of fame, producing cars and kits like the J6 above. The J6 was a turning point, becoming the company’s best seller. For that, Kellison owed a debt to Motor Trend: a 1959 review damned the handling of an early J4 for its oversteer. So Kellison hired Chuck Manning, a race car chassis builder, to rework his cars’ underpinnings. Success finally arrived, with the factory busy enough to expand. This J6, based on a C1 Corvette chassis, was built recently and registered in late 2024; it’s listed here on eBay with bidding at $10,699. We’ve seen other Kellison bodies made decades ago, with the cars completed only recently. It seems that many an enthusiast ordered a kit, but never built it. This owner has done the hard work for you; if you’re keen to own a Kellison, pick it up in Camarillo, California.
The drivetrain includes a 327 cu. in. V8 breathing through a Holley 650 cfm four-barrel and exhausting via ceramic-coated headers through a tuned stainless exhaust. A Shotgun Bill’s Scoop® is mounted atop the bonnet. The engine is paired with a six-speed Tremec, driving through a rebuilt Dana 44 rear end. The brakes are completely new, as are all the hoses. The new aluminum radiator is augmented by electric fans – that small block generates plenty of heat and the minimalist grille needs all the help it can get. The seller doesn’t give us output stats – nor any comment whatsoever about how it drives – but a reasonable estimate from other Kellison builds is 300 hp. The car’s dry weight is under 1900 lbs, so it’s gonna be a handful.
Kellison used Studebaker windshields; this one is surrounded by custom trim. The door locks are electronic. The seller insulated the entire cabin against heat and noise, and installed new carpets, a custom steering wheel, a wood-trimmed instrument panel, programmable gauges, and bucket seats. The carpet and headliner are new. The car comes with side windows, but they are not installed.
The finish on this car is a wrap, rather than paint. I admit a dislike for those overbearingly large turbine-type wheels, and I’m not a shotgun scoop fan, but others are going to love this. Kellison designed several models in the “J” series; my favorite is this BRG J4 – the harmony of its lines is just about poetic. Meanwhile, back to this J6 and what it might be worth: the current bid hasn’t met the reserve, and the seller’s bills from the build are still fresh in his mind. The car failed to sell here in March, with a high bid of $15,500. That’s on the low side for a J6; this outstanding example sold for over $64k a few years ago, and other similar cars have traded hands in the $20k to $45k range. But unmentioned in the eBay listing is that this car is titled as a 1970 GMC – a potential hassle factor has likely restrained interest.
I am building a J6-Panther. I am looking for seats to fit the well opening. What seats did you use?
Any help would be appreciated. Tried many seat combos to no avail. It also would be nice if they reclined to follow the roof line.
Super cool ! They did one on Counting Cars TV show. The current bid is a tad over $10grand. The engine is worth that much. I’m keeping my eye on this one.
Two quick comments: 1- Kinda cute for a kit car, (as well as probably pretty quick) 2- and what appears to be a run of the mill 327 ain’t worth anywhere near 10 K.
Joe, the narrowest “quality” seat that I have found are from a Jag XJ6. The cushion is only about 19″ wide. They also sit low. I’m not sure about the reclining issue however. I really like the style of this body and being kit car fan, I am listing badly.
Check refurbished, late model ‘Vette seats, maybe C4s
Those wheels and tires look goofy for me, and going thru any water you will have splash on the sides.
Vette guy and I kind of dig it. Price is 10.8 now, you could not build this for that price. Seems like a decent deal at the moment. Wonder what the reserve is.
The big problem with this car is there is no overriding theme. It’s just a bunch of random parts spanning several decades thrown at it. The body is based on a 1963, the wheels are mid-1970’s, much of the visible engine parts are either cheap Chinese knockoffs of vintage performance parts or 1990’s through late 2010’s, such as intake and valve covers. Lots of the interior parts are later designs. The Tremec 6spd is always a positive and safety equipment additions are often invisible in the car.
Building a mid-60’s era build isn’t hard to do and wouldn’t be terribly expensive for a smart shopper, lots of that era performance parts are inexpensive but would really make the car stand out. It’s hard to know what the sellers reserve is, but the lack of planning and execution will hamper interest.
Steve R
I really like this car. I’ve been a drag racing fan for decades and while I get that this wasn’t necessarily designed for that purpose it looks like it was to me. It’s definitely over the top design wise for a street car, but I could see it working if it had different wheels and (much) narrower ones on the rear. To my mind they detract from the overall look of the car, and for sure the practicality of driving it on the street.
Steve, I think you are 100% right, the build has no theme, it is just all over the place. Not unusual you see it all the time. However, this car has got a lot going for it and with a little mild makeover committed to making all the bits and pieces blend in, I think it could be a very cool car.
The C1 Vette frame/chassis is nothing special . Antique technology. As is the Triumph / Austin . Maybe C2 , C3 Vette or newer. I love the body design. It would really pop with chrome wires or at least some ’60s or early ’70s mags. Just a shame with the current wheel/tire set-up. I would take the body off the chassis and figure out something else. Maybe convert the complete suspension to Jaguar.
You make corrections on your post and it then reverts back to the screwed up post? What is going on here?
Ended at $12,250.
Reserve Not Met.
“The current bid hasn’t met the reserve, and the sellers bills from the build are still fresh in his mind.”
Ah Michelle, what a way you have with words. You must have a bit of the Britt in you. Your understatement for humor is so appreciated.