Kit cars seem to divide opinions. While many people view them negatively, they have the potential to let their owner slip behind the wheel of a vehicle that looks exotic, but won’t break the bank. This 1964 Fiberfab Jamaican is a perfect example of the breed, recently emerging after twenty-five years in storage. It is a “what you see is what you get” proposition, but it is also a blank canvas for anyone willing to let their imagination off the leash. The seller has listed the Jamaican here on eBay in Port Orange, Florida. Bidding has raced to $960 in a No Reserve auction.
Formed in 1964 in Palo Alto, California, Fiberfab began operations producing panels for cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette before branching into kit car manufacturing using fiberglass bodies. Its first kits emerged during the following two years, with the company also offering turnkey creations for buyers unable to complete the build themselves. The Jamaican broke cover in 1968, bringing us to an interesting point about our feature car. It is titled as a 1964 Triumph, with the body originally mounted on a ’64 TR4 chassis. The chassis and drivetrain are long gone, but the panels and glass are intact. Washing away the dust has revealed paint that looks imperfect but holds a healthy shine, although it is the fiberglass that appears to be the star. There are no obvious signs of significant stress cracks or other problems, suggesting that it may only need minimal surface preparation if the buyer plans to return the car to active service. There is a touch of Lamborghini about its styling, and with an appropriate chassis and drivetrain slid beneath the lightweight body, this Fiberfab could be a rocket.
As stated, this Jamaican features no mechanical components, although it was originally pure Triumph TR4. The interior is a bare-bones affair, featuring a dash, some gauges, door trims, a tilt column, and a rather gaudy sports wheel. Whether the door trims could be salvaged is unclear, but the buyer will need to assemble a long shopping list before the vehicle returns to the road. Seats shouldn’t be a problem, because aftermarket items would work well. The biggest challenge could be carpet, because I wasn’t able to locate any during an admittedly brief online search. Having a custom set cut and stitched might be the only solution.
Fiberfab has a long history as a kit car producer, with the company passing through many hands since its inception in the 1960s. Its website suggests that it still operates, but since it hasn’t been updated since 2003, I doubt it is producing many new products. The Jamaican is an exotic-looking vehicle, and this one could make a bold statement if returned to active service. Is that a challenge that you might accept, or aren’t kit cars your cup of tea?
If I was younger——
These were a Lambo Miura replica loosely. With high output transverse engines and transaxles now available this could really be something. The Lambo was laid out like that with the engine right behind the seats. These came out just after I built my first Kellison so I was not ready. My skills were not up for that much at that time.
I’m with you on that ” If I was younger” intro.
paint, Torch red, tan interior and
I would source out a frame to accept a chevy small block V8
and some ” torque thrust” style rims, tilt front end and chrome those
rear bumpers.
I don’t see any similarity to the mid engine Miura. What do you see?
I’m in the “love” kit cars group. I like to build/modify my own vehicles. This would be a very cool project to me. Unfortunately current project list, and funds say no. It’s a good thing that it’s on the other side of the continent from me. Otherwise I would have to rejuggle my current status. I have always like this body/kit. And will be looking again when I’m done with the current project load.
Wow, how cool is this. Almost tempted but got to many stokes in the fire.
Good to see that the glass is intact. The windscreen is C2 Corvette, doors Karmann Ghia and rear early Porsche 911/912, all junkyard sourced in the times these were manufactured. Front and rear may be commercially available but the door glass and the regulators might be unobtainium.
Had one of these on a TR3B chassis, once complete and running but in need of more TLC than I could afford, what with my currently stalled Sprite and Herald projects. My son was also getting antsy about it sitting on a trailer in his driveway, with the Sprite and my TR3 in his garage.
He figured that he really didn’t owe me THAT much, so it had to go.
It’s somewhere near the geographic center of Florida now, I think.
I happen to have a couple of TR3 chassis and drive trains as well as a complete, but very rusty TR3A that could work with this.
There isn’t room for an engine behind the seats in Jamaican, despite it looking a lot like a Miura. Unless you want your forehead up against the top of the windshield it just doesn’t work. The Jamaican was supposed to fit MGA, TR3, TR4 or big Healey frames. Better to get a TR4 or a big Healey chassis and go from there. The Healey can handle front end weight better and putting an LS motor in there would be a strong runner. A good fabricator could do a tube chassis and then either an LS or Nismo v6 would be good choices. For a Triumph chassis the Nismo would be a bit lighter but not a powerful (“only” 370 hp) In any case it’s going to be a lot of work but might be worth it if you used an existing frame.
I don’t know how the dimensions compare to the Miura which is a tiny car but they “fit” a V12 in there sideways originally and another custom one with an LS3 transverse. A few of those exist apparently. I think it really depends on how badly you want to do it and if your skills or checking account is up to it.
See https://www.rcnmag.com/garage/ferocious-bull
Also, the seats need to lay down for headroom and maybe do what I did to my Kellison. That is to locate the seats a few inches off the road by straddling the seats with the frame. I now now have enough headroom for a 6′ 1′ driver with a helmet or a cowboy hat while driving.
Remember, these cars were designed by short guys.
I’m glad this isnt close to me.
I could build a chassis and so many 4-600 HP engines available…it’s tempting.
Reality:im already committed to living well past 100 to finish the projects I have.
I imported a Jamaican from Oklahoma to Scotland a few years ago. It took a long time to build properly. Unfortunately, I really am too tall for it 🤢
Mine is Healey based, there was an option for a VW one
rallye, I KNOW THE SITUATION. I have to complete the build of my new house before I can get to the projects lined up. I too feel like I have the rest of my life planned in the garage. BUT I LOVE IT!
Wayne, Racing 3-4 times a year here at home and crewing for a friend in club racing doesn’t help the projects. Maybe I love it but after almost 70 years of driving my ass off and no thoughts of not driving, it could just be an addiction.
I don’t think I’ll race till fall this year. I have a nasty hernia. I’d be slow getting in the sedan. Slow getting out could be fatal or extremely painful. Been blown up, burned up, busted up and more (None from motorsports) and now I avoid pain as much as possible.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4095595207180448
Amazing cars with awesome history check out the facebook group above.
SOLD for $2,025.
Rallye, I understand. My racecar partner of 15 years decided he wanted out. Since I’m still in the process of building my new house, I couldn’t buy him out. So had to sell the race car a few months ago. (Very sad day) It will be a year or more before I have something again to do some track days. So I’m going through serious withdrawal right now. Avoiding pain sounds like a very narrow minded but understandable attitude! (lol) What do you run and where?
Rallye, I understand. My racecar partner of 15 years decided he wanted out. Since I’m still in the process of building my new house, I couldn’t buy him out. So had to sell the race car a few months ago. (Very sad day) It will be a year or more before I have something again to do some track days. So I’m going through serious withdrawal right now. Avoiding pain sounds like a very narrow minded but understandable attitude! (lol) What dobyou run and where?
Wayne, narrow minded? If when I had 3rd degree burns on both hands and wrists (didn’t know how much use I’d get of my hands for weeks) the same time my pelvis was busted ( was in the OR for 12 hrs getting my pelvis put together with plates and screws) I could tell ya which hurt more. I was walking in 6 months. Those things were 25 years apart.
Road America with Volvo 1800E and lately the Amazon (122S) vintage/historic. I don’t have any one to tend the critters.
Dozen years ago? I put softer springs and snow tires on the 1800E and ran one of the rallycrosses that Dave Parps ran at Gravity Park in Chilton (beat the stock cars in my class). I should see how/if he’s doing.
Rallye, if you noticed that I included an (lol) tongue in cheek comment. I know about a beat up body. Being 72 years old, I would love to run a pro rally car again. But I know that my body would not tolerate the beating. So I will go. Back to track days. The Amazon would be great on a rallycross. We had some in the area. But the guy who put them on is now buried in the Pro-Rally scene. Being a Volvo guy, did you know Lester Fahlgren from Schaumburg Illinois?
Wayne, gotcha by 3 years. I’d drive stages if the funding would appear. NOT codrive! I retired from in car instructing on the track close to 20 years ago. High speed, Pass. seat in a street car with bombs in the dashboard, no more. I require a really good cage. The road race Amazon wouldn’t be good for Rally cross. Massively modified for pavement. Want to put an Amazon together for winter and that’d be a car for rallycross too.
Maybe Josh could connect us?
I bought IPD stuff from him in the 70s when he had a Volvo shop and Lotus dealership. He usually comes up here when Rob K is racing an F/P 1800.
I have not seen him since about 1975 or 6. Just tell him that Wayne from the Honda dealership said hi! (He used to set up the distributors for our “performance packages” on our Hondas. ) You can also tell him that Kern Fischer passed away about 6 weeks ago. If you do set up an Amazon for offload fun. Make sure the rear bumpstops will actually stop the rear diff. I have seen several that did not and broken shocks and mounts were the penalty. For offroad/rally stuff I prefer FRONT WHEEL DRIVE. It’s just what I’m used to. Pro-Rallyed a Scirocco and Ice raced a Scirocco and Honda Civic. I understand the right hand seat issue. I instructed DEA agents in high speed pursuit and used to sell cars and right hand drove test drives up the mountain towards Lake Tahoe. People get power under the right foot and go nuts. I once had a little old lady come in and wanted to drive the fastest Caddy SUV. So off we went in the rain full speed up the hill. She was very good! Never put a wheel wrong, had proper hand positioning and even did a couple of four wheel drifts. (2 lane in each direction with a concrete divider in-between. ) By the time we reached the top her speed was about 125 mph. Once I was comforted by her car control . I relaxed a little. But was always really concerned by the speed. I have been known to reach over and turn off the ignition on some goof balls.
Who is Josh?
I also volunteer for instructing at Street Survival classes. (Teenagers in their own cars, car control) which is very rewarding. Fun to see the light bulb go on over their head on the skid pad when they figure out turning with the throttle.
I’ll contact Lester.
I have a dist machine.
Hadnt seen or heard of Kern in many years. Lots of dealing with F&W. Had a falling out when he was slow paying.
Do you know the name of the guy that loaned Kern the Datsun 610 rally car?
Amazon racecar has 3 link, coilovers, halibrand and Jacobs ladder.
Winter Amazon will be a bit like a rally car from the day
Even a welded diff.
I prefer Right Wheel Drive. I have left footed VW Golf gti, Saab and others.
I’ve had ABS interfere with left footing on ice.
I require the driver controls be off when I drive a customer or friends really fast car. Try to not get too crazy on the street. Audi S8 has the record through the esses on my road in the wet and somewhere in triple digits, I was sure the Bentley Continental GT
Would make its claimed top end.
Josh is a barn find owner.
Past winter grandson mentioned kids can’t do doughnuts on snow parking lots due to modern rides.
I was Kern’s first employee back in the ’70s. He shut down the business, sold his house in St Charles and moved to MO. About 8 years ago. I visited him there MO a couple of times. Your Amazon’s sound really cool. I was running a Spec Racer with 130HP GTA engine with a close ratio 5 speed for track days. I really miss my Rally car living out here where rally roads are everywhere. I might build a kind of rally car to go out and play in the desert one of these days. I really miss driving a front wheel drive car, so I need to do something about that.
It’s been nice talking to you!