Kit cars always have an aura of mystery about them, which has a lot to do with the fact that these were limited-batch vehicles without the same sort of factory support that would lead to robust record-keeping. The Fiberfab brand of kit vehicles was one of the more established companies in terms of offering a few different models with a higher degree of engineering behind them which lead to the development of some very competent road cars. The Fiberfan Jamaican is one such example, and while the seller of this project-grade example here on craigslist seems to think it has a Lamborghini connection, this dirty kit car is far less exotic than that, especially with Triumph TR4 running gear.
The seller doesn’t expand on his mention of this being a “…1966 Lamborghini” in the listing, and while you may pause and consider this possibility owing to the exotic looks of the Jamaican kit, there’s also only a handful of models it could possibly be from Lamborghini’s limited line-up in 1966. Once you consider all the possibilities, it becomes clear that there’s no way this is some forgotten prototype of an Italian sports car. The seller may just be referring to online commentary that the Muira served as inspiration for the Jamaican, but that’s as close as it got to a Lamborghini connection. The good news is this Fiberfab creation has many of its likely obsolete trim still attached, from the taillights to the gas filler cap, and the body itself seems reasonably intact.
The interior is another dead giveaway that this is a Fiberfab Jamaican kit car with that center-mount instrument binnacle. The dash still looks to be in decent condition and the same can be said for the gauge cluster. While the Jamaican appears to be suffering from years of neglect on the outside, I am mildly encouraged by what I see elsewhere. Usually, forgotten kit cars are a major basketcase to take on, but this one doesn’t appear to have been hacked up despite its obviously many years of inactivity. This is just a small detail, but it’s impressive seeing cut-outs for what I presume to be speakers in the door panels of a small-batch kit car offering.
The Jamaican came with genuine wire wheels with knock-off hubs, and is an example of how Fiberfab aspired to build kit-based models that transcended the typical quality control for vehicles that could be assembled in your garage. The Jamaican was even offered in a V8-powered configuration, with a Corvette-sourced V8 under the hood and fully independent suspension. The Fiberfab story has plenty of twists and turns, but the Jamaican remains a highlight in the history of a kit car builder that clearly had its sights set on big goals in the sports car world. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Gunter K. for the find.
Jamaican me crazy.
I almost submitted this but concluded it was too roached for the asking price of $9,500. What say you Jeff?
He needs to drop a Zero off the end.
There was one of these for sale on one of the large online sites in the last 2 years. It was on a Healey chassis, finished in green. And it was very very well finished, which is unusual for these as they almost always seem half done. It looked fantastic, frankly. Sort of like an Apollo, but even sexier!
cheers,
bt
Another guy who thinks he has an original Van Gogh in his back yard. There is one on FB marketplace on a Healey chassis in even worse shape asking a hysterical 50K and recently reduced to a laughable 25K. Most of these abandoned projects have been sitting in the sun for years and the gelcoat is all gone, leaving just the glass fiber exposed. The Jamaican was one of the better designs and a finished one is pretty attractive, but in the end you are still driving around in an old Healey or Triumph with a lot of shakes and rattles added to the pain of Lucas electrics and oil leaks with none of the camaraderie of those enthusiasts.
Great looking kit – but the Corvette front glass, the Porsche rear glass and the knock-offs are about the only thing with any real value – seriously this thing is so dogged out – the time and effort to go through the entire car to get it road worthy you’d be upside down. I’d rather spend my $9K on something else.
This is the first time I’ve ever seen an actual built Jamaican. They DO exist! Before this? I only remember the ads that FiberFab used to run in the car magazines.
This is a real Fiber Fab Jamaican, sure nuff ! It’s a complete fiber glass body attached to an existing frame. The TR-based body is depicted by the twin “scoops” seen centered on the bonnet. The power-train, wheels, running-gear, gauges and all appear to be from a TR-4 A.
The only Lambo connection here is the flavor of design/style of the body, tried to capture some Ferrari and some Miura / Bertone design traits in the shape/style of the body.
As an ex owner and builder of a Jamaican I can assure you that most of the rattles and electrical problems are very easy to remove. Yes you do have the problem of the small width tires but that can be fixed as well. These kits were very well made and the fiberglass and gelcoat from the factory was excellent. They could have been a huge success if they had just hung the doors and put in the side window and door handles and locks. That is generally something that is beyond the skills of most kit builders and in general most of the mechanics that I have met over the years.
I was very lucky knowing some automotive restorers and aviation FAA certified mechanics and fabricators who helped me. As for the wiring just buy a teflon coated wiring loom and most of your problem will go away.
From the inside these are comfortable cars with good vision out and if they had put in a lift up glass a wonderful GT car. I would wonder about high speed lift with the front end but at normal speeds it was great fun. Now if you wish to put in a more powerful engine the TR-4 frame can easily take it just make certain that the brakes and tires are up to the additional horsepower. I had to sell mine to pay for additional University classes and it is a decision I regret to this day. This one my look terrible but if you do it right they are very beautiful and I would recommend a dark color to be painted on the body. I agree the owner has it priced about double what it is worth in this condition especially as it seems that the side windows and door handles are not installed.
They are growing in popularity and really good ones will fetch serious money. I imported my Healey based one from Oklahoma to Scotland and am slowly building it to a high standard
$9,500 for this? Better hurry posted 29 days ago.
Maybe “1966 Lamborghini (R)” means it’s titled as a Lambo (reconstructed ? rebuilt?)
I built up the Jamaican on a TR4 chassis, in 1974 and still have it. Now that I am retired, I’m in the process of restoring it after it’s been unused for 20+ years. It stills runs great, but I had to replace the complete braking system and it needs to be repainted when the weather breaks The only major modifications that I made. was adding TEE tops and another hood scoop.