This Fiberfab Avenger GT kit car has been holed up for 30 years, and fortunately, that seems to have been the best thing for it. I speak, of course, of the frequency with which kit cars in general end up in seriously dilapidated condition when left in the hands of first-time builders or overly-ambitious aircooled VW owners. Because this one has been left alone for three decades, it still looks pretty good – and is hopefully a straightforward rebuild. Find it here on craigslist in Goshen, New York, for $1,900.
Out of all the kit cars to emerge in the 60s and 70s, the Fiberfab is one of my favorites. This is due to its fairly sympathetic recreation of the Ford GT40, which inspired seemingly numerous knock-offs over the years. The proportions also seemed to come closest to the real thing, with the Avenger body having the right amount of heft for resembling an American supercar. It still needs a far wider set of rear wheels to fill out those generous arches, but that’s easily addressed. I can’t tell here if those are dents in the fiberglass or just some unfortunate camera lighting.
The interior is in pieces but far from a lost cause. I’m not sure where you’d go for an authentic dash pad, but it also looks like you could just bring it to an upholstery shop and have them make a new one around the remains. Obviously, wiring was either never finished or messed with in the process of a restoration attempt, but it has to be pretty simple given the basic construction of the car. Door panels look cheesy by today’s standards but were probably quite luxurious for a 60s-era kit car, and it looks like the original buckets are now covered in shag carpeting or cheap sheepskin.
There’s no title, but it does come with a VW-sourced engine, which is more than you can say for most kit cars sitting for years. Though it’s impossible to say for sure, the chassis looks reasonably sound in this photo. While it wouldn’t be the end of the world if it needed a new pan, taking on a project like this usually means accepting the end result won’t be worth what you have into it – so the less work the chassis and drivetrain needs, the better. Still, at least with a Fiberfab you’re getting the kind of looks that justify the expense. Thanks to Barn Finds reader David L. for the find.
If I didn’t have so many projects now….I am an air cooled VW owner and have always liked the GT 40. It could be made faster than a Porsche! (912-914). I would have to find or make headlight covers. A good fun entry level car.
Headlight covers can be obtained through Mark Clapp on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011040421730&__tn__=%2CdC-R-R&eid=ARAs5Vo-y8e7caPaCtg1sp_gP2DsPHEjESSvJ2J4nsUkeb9SoDUeDrZRjpq6AFlZCRfAVcQSb6TfAIDX&hc_ref=ARSmk8FXkBAO4ZnShS69TtWisi51jx69h2NPzfeNE8Ity56Whh0twPm_iYsryDi6fwo&fref=nf
I took my drivers test in one just like this…except it was blue.
Was it easier the second time around, in the blue Hudson ?
@Darrun. I thought I was the only one to notice.
Parking it for another 30 years should be just right. I will be in the ground and never have to see one of these again. Hell for me will be finding out I am an Uber driver with one of these for eternity.
Needs a purpose-built tube chassis and Subaru power.
Looks like they repurposed the interior from a ’70s cruising van…yikes.
Interesting how it has C3 corvette taillights and a C2 rear license plate frame.
Jeff, these cars are frequently awful and the designs are bizarre but this is appealing. I’m often tempted by VW powered kit cars because they could be a lot of fun and certainly unique. I have several restorations underway so I would not consider this but I think it would be an interesting project. And don’t worry about the investment. You are not here for investment devices.
I think its neat, I’d love to own it, it wouldnt take much to get it running & finish it, if it was a N.Y. car 30 years ago you wouldnt need a title, just an old registration. N.Y. only requires titles for ’73 & newer vehicles. $1900 bucks seems dam reasonable to me.
I like the driving stance (straight arms/legs), the body lines, but no trunk or boot/hood make it tough. A tube chassy sounds like better handeling/suspension, but now I’d re-source a straight 6 (MB/jag/beemer/ford?) and try’n get that darn stick into a better hand position (a wcT5, ZF?)….
These things R just endless…
I wouldn’t Want it!! In my opinion I think it’s disgraceful useing a VW engine in a GT40 style car which is one of the most iconic American sports cars ever!!!
Needs a Corvair engine!
No, a rotary motor!
Wait, make it electric!
I give up. Let it sit another 30 years. 🤣
Disgraceful indeed,air cooled VW engines should never be used in Tai-pan-wanie, wacky knock-off fiberglass bodies of any sort! They are much more at home in original sheet metal.😁
Side note: The kids or grandkids must have had a ball pretending to drive coast to coast in it,hope they finished their Swedish fish…Oh the memories of driving and didn’t move an inch.Great times!
Owner one in ’80-81. Performance was excellent on the VW but the bright yellow and black paint attracted too much attention. Finally painted it cream and that cut down on the attraction. Wipers broke through the fiberglass and the doors were impossible to keep working properly. Also the drum brakes would randomly decide which one would be stopping today. Never did solve that problem. Drove it 1000 miles a week for most of a year, very uncomfortable seats but definitely fun to drive.