No Reserve: 1965 Fiberfab Banshee

We’re no strangers to unfinished projects at Barn Finds, with some showing greater promise than others. However, when it is a kit car, opinions can be divided. This 1965 Fiberfab Banshee is a perfect example of the breed. The seller needs it to head to a new home to free up workshop space. This isn’t a build that can be completed in a weekend, but the lightweight body and Ford V8 engine could transform what is a pile of parts into a potent performer. If you are already wavering, the auction’s low opening figure and No Reserve status might make it irresistible.

Fiberfab commenced operations in 1964, producing fiberglass body additions for some of America’s most iconic vehicles during that era. It diversified into kit cars, a growing area within the automotive landscape. One of its earliest models was the Banshee, with various resources confirming that Fiberfab only produced twelve kits. We’ve seen a few at Barn Finds, with our feature car joining that list. Describing it as an unfinished project would be to state the obvious, but the critical components are there for someone to create something genuinely special. The fiberglass body has a few imperfections and minor issues, with none looking bad enough to warrant the attention of a specialist. Every panel is intact, although it is unclear whether the deal includes smaller exterior hardware items like handles. The seller states that they have most of the glass, but the buyer needs to source at least one side window. It is worth remembering that the body currently isn’t attached to the frame, meaning the winning bidder must consider their options when shipping the Banshee from its current location to their workshop. Kit cars typically sit on Volkswagen frames and floor pans, but this Banshee breaks that mold.

Hiding below the fiberglass body isn’t anything from Volkswagen, with the frame starting life beneath an MGA. It has been stripped and painted, making it a sound foundation for the build. The suspension and steering are from the same marque, with the rack-and-pinion steering rebuilt and new front calipers and discs installed around ten years ago. The seller also includes a selection of new rear brake components, but it is the drivetrain that could be this car’s defining feature. The featherweight body and frame won’t require much power and torque to move rapidly, meaning this 289ci Ford V8 and five-speed T-5 manual transmission should be easily up to the challenge. The specifications and condition of the engine are unclear, but even if it only produces the 200hp and 288 ft/lbs found in a C-Code Mustang from the period, this Banshee could be termed rapid transport!

Kit car interiors are a lucky dip, with the finish quality determined by the builder’s skill level. The seller planned on transforming this Banshee into a track day car, so kept it pretty simple. The buyer receives a set of body-hugging racing seats and a collection of gauges. There are no other trim pieces or carpets, which is unsurprising in this case. Rectifying those shortcomings shouldn’t be difficult, although the buyer might decide to keep it light and simple to improve the car’s performance potential. There are no hard and fast rules in this case, allowing the buyer to tailor the trim combination to their taste.

I’m under no illusions because I know that kit cars don’t appeal to everyone. This one needs work, but it could represent an affordable foundation for a rapid track-day car. The seller listed it here on eBay in Lake Ozark, Missouri. They set their No Reserve auction to open at $2,750, but have received no bids. However, with eighty-four people placing it on their Watch List and a healthy three-figure viewing history during the past day, it makes me wonder whether there might be a few people biding their time on this one. I won’t be surprised if nothing happens until the auction’s final minutes. Would you consider that approach, or doesn’t this Banshee appeal to you?