For Christmas in 1975, I received a book called “Weird and Wonderful Cars” written by Mike Hill. The significance? On page 39 of that book, there is an illustration of one of these (only finished in Tangerine). As a 10-year-old boy, I never thought that I’d see one. Barn Finds reader Dean referred this little beauty to us. Located in Crescent, Oklahoma and listed here on Craigslist is this wonderful little compact with a clean title. Merely hand over $9,950 and you will own one very distinctive little car.
Firstly let’s state the obvious: This is not a muscle car. This little device is designed to be fun and not to be taken too seriously. It was the brainchild of Dick & Leroy Shorette who owned the Kar Manufacturing Company of Monson, Massachusettes. They designed and built 5 Camaros between 1971 and 1975, and this one is the Z28 model. It was featured in a number of books and magazines, as I can attest.
The fiberglass body appears to be in good condition. There are no obvious signs of cracking, and the shine on the paintwork is really good. Being based on a VW, the gas tank is at the front. This one is housed under a tilt front, which is quite cool. The seller describes this as being a mid-engine, but since there are no photos of the engine provided it is hard to tell whether it is truly a mid-engine, or whether the engine is located in the usual VW spot, behind the rear axle.
The interior is all that you would expect from your average kit car of the 1970s. It is clean, tidy and appears to be free of obvious rips and tears. It is never going to compete with a Rolls or a Cadillac for fit and finish, but it does its job. If you want to compare it with its competition of the era, you need to look at the Manx Meyer or similar buggies. There are no doors, so entry and exit is exactly the same as with a Manx. This is up and over the side, which is never elegant if you are a ” larger gentleman” like me.
As stated, there are no photos of the engine. The only information on it is provided in the text of the ad, and some of it is a wee bit confusing. To quote the seller: ” Mid Engine – 1600 VW (ungraded to unknown 1600cc- 1835cc) and drive train”. That’s not helpful…or very confidence inspiring. Nonetheless, there has been a fair amount of work done. The old generator has been consigned to the bin and the car now sports an alternator. The car also has a new brake master cylinder, fuel pump, carburetor, plug wires and alloy push-rod tubes. The seller states that everything on the car works as it should.
Putting a value on a car like this is nearly impossible. Any price will be considered as too low by some and too high by others. Any price would probably need to be guided by values for dune buggies of the era. An online search sees them ranging anywhere from $10,000 upwards. Would I consider it? The first thing that I’d want to do is try to sort out what the engine is, and what work has been done on it. If it all checked out as mechanically sound? It’s in a book from my childhood, so of course, I would!
You will definitely be the only kid on the block with one. Neat little car. Irritates me when people back in to diagonal parking spaces. :-)
In Syracuse NY, they are designed to be backed in and not pulled into… In NYS its illegal to back into traffic…
In Chico CA, all of the downtown diagonal space are ‘back in’ only.
The 1835 should push it very well down the road. Alternator change is quite common. Would be fun to drive.
Meyers Manx, not Manx Meyers.
I stand corrected. Thanks for that Alexander. It’s interesting how many are actually advertised as Manx Meyers.
Still just a POS V-DUB.
You sure would be the only one at cars & coffee with one. When I got one of my first cars at 17 that had been passed through my 3 older sisters it had a dent in the drivers door so it wouldn’t open, it was a vert so I had to either slide across the seat from the passenger side or jump over the drivers door. That got tiresome real quick. A friends dad seen me do this a few times and helped me remove the door panel and take a 2×4 with a big hammer and beat the dent out enough to get the drivers door open and was I happy. No cars that I have to do the Dukes Of Hazzard routine especially now at my age.
It is still rear engine. (Rear “seat” area is a give away)
My second favorite kit behind the Laser 917. The built stroker motor in my bug would be a nice fit in it. Not to mention it would surprise quite a few people when launched! I would love to have this in my driveway!!!
At least you didn’t call it a “Baby Corvette”
Imagine this with a 2185 or even more, even an 1835 done up would get up. Never underestimate VW power.
Never seen or even knew they made these, it’s definitely different.
I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I actually sort of like it, I think it would be great fun to drive to shows and such, at least for a while. My main criticism is that I don’t like the way the flairs have been executed, the rear ones seem especially awkward.
So how do you access the engine – pull the body? Is there a door in the “back seat” area?
“In Chico CA, all of the downtown diagonal space are ‘back in’ only.”
Ha…..wouldn’t the lines then be painted on the opposite angle?
That’s a One Way street in the photo. The other side of the park has another One Way street…going the opposite way of course
None of the cars parked in that photo are backed in.
Go to Google Maps and to City Plaza, Chico CA. Satellite view is early morning and there appears to be 5 cars parked there…4 cars and1 truck. 2 on side of the Plaza and 3 on the other and they are all backed in.
Very cool for what it is! I think that it would be a blast to drive around in! If you could put some more power in it, I certainly would tho!
You guys must not read your inbox mail much anymore, This car has been on ebay several times and I sent you guys a write up on it a week and a half ago, I thought it would be an awesome feature and was dissapointed you passed on it. It was relisted and now 2 days to go and up to $6950 w/38 bids and a BIN of $10,000
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See: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Replica-Kit-Makes-Kar-Camaro-Z28-Full-length-Funtastik/292651707271?hash=item442366ab87:g:Lr8AAOSwz2JbVWqj&vxp=mtr
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1973 Kar Camaro Z28 Mini (Super Rare)
1973 Super Rare Kar “Funtastic” Camaro Z28 Mini
Rare very few ever made this maybe the only one ever made with a tilt hood
The kit was built by KAR Manufacturing Company in 1971, of Monson, Massachusetts, owned by Dick & Leroy Shorette, who — back in the day — were as big as Bruce Meyers and George Barris in the dune buggy industry, from the 60′s until 1975. They said they only made 5 Camaro’s and this one is the Camaro Z28 Model which has appeared in many Car Magazine Aticles over the years.
Fiber Glass Body – Excellent Shape
Camaro Themed Red with White Stripes in excellent shape (original vin lost when repainted -new vin and Title issued in 2017)
Front End raises forward /up
Mid Engine – 1600 VW (ungraded to unknown 1600cc- 1835cc) and drive train
Motor has new and newer parts (pictured) like fuel pump, carb, alt. oil filler, aluminum push rod tubes.
New battery and battery cables
Aftermarket Alternator and not the ole generator
New Brake master cylinder and brakes bled
New plug wires
Standard transmission
Stereo & speakers
Fuel, volt, speedo, tech, oil pressure (1extra) gauges
Wipers work, turn signals work
Gas tank in the front
Air blower under the dash
Gas tank area and underneath spray coated
No doors climb in like a Dune Buggy
Does not have the T -Tops
Front tires P205/75R15
New Rear tires R295/50-15 Deep dish Rims
This is more stylish than any dune buggy out there and a lot better looking than most “kit
On Jul-28-18 at 01:15:52 PDT, seller added the following information:
This is a street legal dune buggy with a camaro fiberglass body it has all the head lights tail lights turn signals horn and seat belts
This cool ride can be driven everyday if you wanted to
Seller Notes: “1973 Kar Camaro Z28 Mini (Super Rare)1973 Super Rare Kar “Funtastic” Camaro Z28 Mini The kit was built by KAR Manufacturing Company in 1971, of Monson, Massachusetts, owned by Dick & Leroy Shorette, who — back in the day — were as big as Bruce Meyers and George Barris in the dune buggy industry, from the 60′s until 1975. They said they only made 5 Camaro’s and this one is the Camaro Z28 Model which has appeared in many Car Magazine Aticles over the years. Fiber Glass Body – Excellent Shape Camaro Themed Red with White Stripes in excellent shape (original vin lost when repainted -new vin and Title issued in 2017) Front End raises forward /up Mid Engine – 1600 VW (ungraded to unknown 1600cc- 1835cc) and drive train Motor has new and newer parts (pictured) like fuel pump, carb, alt. oil filler, aluminum push rod tubes. New battery and battery cables Aftermarket Alternator and not the ole generator New Brake master cylinder and brakes bled New plug wires Standard transmission”
I remember these in the ads back in the day.
Funny that you show a picture with all of the cars pulled in forward.
Looks nice if you are under 4′ 6″
I always thought that one of these would be fun to have.
“Go to Google Maps and to City Plaza, Chico CA. Satellite view is early morning and there appears to be 5 cars parked there…4 cars and1 truck. 2 on side of the Plaza and 3 on the other and they are all backed in.”
Those lines are painted the correct direction to do so.