The Fiberfab company has a long history of making some of the world’s (still) most desirable kit cars, despite going through a massive downward spiral when it was still in its infancy. The company was quickly gaining a reputation for building high-quality fiberglass sports cars, and unlike many other builders of replica sports cars, Fiberfab actually stuck high-performance engines in their lightweight chassis, making it a highly capable performer when stacked up against pricier, OEM-built sports models. This is a 327-powered Fiberfab Valkyrie listed here on craigslist for $29,000, and it looks like a far more economical entrypoint to owning a Ford GT40.
Now, this particular car is let down mightily by these tacky chrome wheels. The first photo shows it on some period-correct aftermarket wheels, but there are numerous options out there that make far more sense if you want to capture the spirit of a GT40. Regardless, that can all be sorted out later; I’m more letting the seller know he could likely ask for more cash if the car simply presented better. The other change I’d make? Look for a set of headlight assemblies that are a single rectangle in design to get a bit closer to the original GT40 appearance.
The styling from the rear looks a bit unfinished, but I do like how the tires stick out from the rear arches. Speaking of unfinished, that’s a good way to describe how the Fiberfab company in its original form came to its demise. The founder, Bud Goodwin, went to prison and died of a heart attack while there after fatally shooting his wife, who he suspected of infidelity. The company was bought and sold numerous times, with every attempt thereafter seemingly pushing the company further away from its founding concepts, making original cars like this one all the more desirable.
Claims of it being one of the world’s fastest production cars were not without merit, as the range of engine options could propel this GT40 replica to impressive speeds. The 327 in this example likely gives it at least 300 horsepower and 360 lb.-ft. of torque, but that’s just a guess. The 427 was the engine option that gave it the performance referenced in this advertisement, and if the next owner makes the car shown here look like the illustrated version, I would salute that initiative. Have any of you ever driven an original Fiberfab creation? Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for the find.
I have no experience with these cars, but it looks like a rocket. I wonder what transmission it uses. And wow, even after subtracting the plug wires, that fuel injection needs a ton of wiring and plumbing!
The transaxle is a 66 or up Corvair. The wheels are horrible. The 8 stack is awesome, it is in the long term plans for my mid-engine Corvair.
Header wrap or not, I’d sure move that fuel filler somewhere else.
I can’t recall seeing a header setup like that before. 4 into 2 into 1 on each side. I wonder how it sounds?
They’re called Tri-Y headers and they boost low-midrange HP more than 4 into 1s.
Transaxle looks to be a 66-69 Corvair with the Saginaw 4-speed. Crown made a Corv-8 conversion that adapted the front of the transmission to a standard Chevy input shaft and bellhousing.
I built one back in the day on a VW chassis
Drove it a couple of times, got an offer on it and sold it..
Looking at the headers, I would think that would choke up the motor somewhat? Get that thing breathing correctly and take it for a spin!
Wrongo. Tri-Y headers are great for a street car, better than 4 into 1.
The Tri-Y headers is what Shelby uses on the GT350’s. They are an excellent header that builds good low end torque
Many years ago, (around 50) one of these sat under a barn overhang East of Kenton, Ohio. It also had a 327 Chevy with two four-barrel carbs and an unknown to me brand of transaxle. It was the wildest thing I had ever seen up to that point. After a couple of years, it disappeared and no one I knew had any idea what had happened to it.
Interesting but that exhaust system needs to be rethought.
A guy shows up at local car shows with a ratty rattle can sprayed one with a corvair engine in it. I always liked these but the Kelmarks were my ultimate favorite . My brother Built a Bradley GT. As his first project car.
I have never driven one of these. But I was given a ride in a Kelmark with a very hot SBC. Ii was FUN!
Everyone here is going nutso over the Tri-Y headers. Check out Doug Thorley’s units and compare hp & torque figures against 4 into 1 for street use.
I agree. I always tried to find tri-Y headers for every street vehicle I modified before breaking down for “standard” headers.
Yeah they are hard to get for some vehicles. I couldn’t find any for mu 67 Impala 327 with power steering ~ would have had to switch to manual steering.
I know, but alot has to do with primary size. When space is an issue, and a tri-Y is available. And total horsepower output is not the ultimate goal. It is hard to beat a tri-Y for the street.