Dick Blakely dove into the kit car business well after the full bloom of the trend had put many a kit car into many a garage already. He was an active oval racer, and particularly fond of the Lotus Super Seven, so his first design attempted to capture the Seven’s charms in DYI form. Blakely preferred component donations from the Ford Pinto or Mercury Bobcat, including rack and pinion steering and front disc brakes – but the chassis and portions of the suspension were Blakely’s own. He introduced the Bantam in 1972; production lasted through 1980. Blakely and his designer Denny Myelle soon devised the Bearcat, with a locking trunk and doors, and plenty of room for two passengers. In 1977, Blakely sold his company to Art Herschberger, who dabbled in a variety of pursuits (anyone know what rare Chevy Herschberger is associated with?) Herschberger upgraded the Bearcat (which became the “S” version) and later produced the Bernardi, the company’s most refined vehicle. T.J. found this 1981 Bearcat for us, located in Kansas City, Missouri.
At the time of publication, an engine photo was not available (stay tuned, we’ve corresponded with the owner). This hood-open shot was as close as we could get. The engine is Ford’s SVO turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder with about 9000 miles on the clock – but the seller removed the turbo while refreshing the mechanicals. It runs but needs fiddling. Meanwhile, the four-speed manual transmission has a new clutch and throwout bearing, and the flywheel has been replaced. The brake booster is new.
The interior needs new carpet, though most of the upholstery has been replaced. The weather equipment is all present; we found some Bearcats wearing hardtops but this example doesn’t seem to have that option. The seller notes that all the factory literature is available with the car, including instructions for assembly. The bodywork is gel-coat with its color sprayed into the body mold before the panels were made. The color is easily damaged; this blog supplies suggestions for its care and feeding.
The Bearcat received a modicum of fame via the young adult book, The Car, written by Gary Paulsen and published in 1994. The storyline involves a teenager who puts together his father’s Bearcat kit car and drives it across the US, collecting adventures along the way. To buy this already-completed 1981 Bearcat S, consult the seller’s advertisement on craigslist, where this example is listed for $9000. It’s a mild project, but considerably less expensive than this glitzy ’79, priced at $18,995. Have any of you owned a Blakely – a Bearcat or otherwise?
Nice kit car. Surprised that being American it only has a 2,3 litre engine though.
I owned a Bernardi. I was the 5 th owner of the car. The 1st owner had been building the car and had a heart attack and died. His son took over the project got the car up and running, he had a heart attack and died. His cousin bought the car and pushed it into his garage where it sat for a couple of years. The cousin decided to finish the car….. well you got it! He had a heart attack and died.
This brings the car to my buddy ( neighbor) Bill. Bill finally finished the car. In the process he had 3 heart attacks but lived! I fell in love with the car. 2.3 ford 4cyl. 4spd and lots of fun, I bought the car from Bill with the agreement if I was to sell the car he would have 1st dibs on it.
I took the car to many local car shows and drove it to work during good weather.
2 years into owning the car I was feeling bad at work, took the rest of the day off, wound up in the hospital with heart palpitations and severe chest pains, NO HEART ATTACK! 2 months later I sold the car back to Bill, he never drove it again and sold it to the muffler shop down the street for less than $1000.00 . This was the 1 sign of Bill with Alzheimer disease.
To cut the story short Bill passed away and on night I was out in Lees Summit Mo. Visiting my daughter and her husband took me to a little car lot. There it is my old Bernardi, they want $20,000.00 for it. I told them if that’s the case I would sell them the building manual for $10,000.00…… we are in negotiations as to what the real number on the car will make both of us happy
Could have been worse John. Like if you had all just hanged yourselves.
Geez, just reading this raised my risk of getting a heart attack!
I also own a Bernardi. Mine was converted to an EV with 82hp and 42 miles of range. I am converting it back to gas with a 3.2liter AMG32 motor. No time to work on it though and it mostly just sits in my garage. Mine is red and titled as an 89 (no idea why).
It has the look of a British hill climbing special. Were I in the market I’d grab it. Art Herschberger’s modified Corvairs were called the Solar Cavalier.
Excellent, you are correct! He used the “Cavalier” name because it was part of his wife’s name, I believe.
Do I get a T shirt or bobblehead? I was a Corvair nut way back then, as was my father. I looked into buying one, but they were too rich for my blood. I had a 65 Corsa convertible with a turbo at the time. I put a 2 barrel carb on it.