Unless you follow Sprint Cars, you’re unlikely to see a vehicle this small with a 400 cubic inch V8. This Fiberfab Jamaican kit car wraps the oversized SBC (Small Block Chevy) in a voluptuous European-styled body. Thanks to reader Rocco B. who spotted this potent DIY sports car here on craigslist in Sacramento, California with a $10 asking price. I’m nowhere near California, but for sure, I’d pay $10 for it! Joking aside, we have to wonder about the seller’s misguided attempt to make sure this car sorts well compared to all the other Fiberfab Jamaicans near Sacramento. Sellers: unless you want potential buyers to wonder what other tricks you use when selling a car, put a real price on it.
As the awesome anachronistic side pipes suggest, this well-proportioned kit car dates to the 1960s. Fiberfab designed the Jamaican to echo the Lamborghini Miura. I find it not-so-Miura-looking but well-executed nonetheless. You be the judge. Thanks to replicarclub.com for some details. This one rides atop a 1964 Triumph TR4 chassis utilizing Jaguar suspension parts.
Ironically I spent some time this morning looking into scavenging Corvette and Jaguar IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) for other cars, and that’s exactly what this Jamaican utilizes. While muscle cars have long favored solid axle rear suspensions for their simplicity and strength, hot-rods and customs have utilized IRS for improved ride and handling and reduced unsprung weight (thanks to hotrod.com for some details).
As if owning a kit car isn’t strange enough, this one is right-hand drive, presumably thanks to the TR4 donor, so be careful on those tight right-hand corners. The later GM 700 R4 four-speed automatic overdrive transmission and 2.88:1 final drive ratio should yield a good combination for this (estimated) sub-3000 lb two-seater. The 2.88s will help keep you from incinerating the tires every time you tap the gas under 70 MPH, with the additional benefit of reduced highway RPMs. If you dare explore the top speed, it’s likely in the 170+ MPH range. The seller describes this vehicle as “Very Very fast; not for a novice.” Do you have what it takes to buy this unusual home-made road missile?
The price is a bit high, im not sure how strong the Jaguar IRS is and why someone even bothered with an IRS and then put a 4 speed auto in it….
I would grab it as a roller for 3gs (its a kit car-might as well put a modern 5.3 in it)
For 10 grand it would have to be sorted out with atleast decent paint….
@ Poppapork. The Jag rear IRS is VERY strong. Many early Fake Snakes (AC Cobra’s) were built using Jag rear ends.
this looks identical to a SAAB Sonnet
Jeff, are you saying it LOOKS like a SAAB Sonnet? Because 4 postings with the same topic still leaves me unsure if you think so.
Nice car. Looks like a ton of fun to drive just as it is but obviously a handful and not for the faint of heart.
Nothing says build quality like Home Depot mailbox letters
It looks like they were trying to do a “European” style front license plate. I wonder if that’s legal here in the U.S.A.?
Certainly not legal in CA and probably not in any that requires a front plate.
So, if NEIN! When the Gestapo asks for your papers do you suppose they might have a problem with this interior in a rat rod???
Well guys appreciate the interest… there is no place to mount the front plate hence the stickers. It has a clean title as a 1964 tr4 serial number & plate on firewall…that is where the triumph part ends. We fabricated our own Frame from scratch in a garage 1 block from the beach in so-cal (ventura) in 1999. The xj6 was all shortened to accommodate narrow body. It would be a light if it wasn’t thought out completely…. the frame is full of lead shot & resin (as to not shift around). Car needed the weight to use the full advantage of the jaguar suspension. This car can and has driven to east coast from the west coast a few times with no issues. FYI yes the 288 final drive is real….. and more importantly steering isn’t much of a problem after 155 mph…(you can turn the wheel but the car is in charge)..in regards to the comment about the right hand drive aspect when you are building your own car from scratch you make your own rules we Flipped the power steering rack upside down now so cal boys are different… any other questions feel free to reach me directly @916.709.0999😉
Wonder if it goes as fast as the Jamaican bobsled team…….😂😂😂
It probably IS fast! But one issue many dont know when going fast with this body it lifts a lot above 70 mph and can get squirrely,, Used to be a yahoogroup for Fiberfab, and I used to have a Fiberfab Jamaican and still have a Banshee/Caribee which i liked better (More curves).
But we had a member in SoCal who had 2 Jamaicans. One he was building with a BMW 12 cyl??? To replicate an exotic engine and Italian origins. (Not a lot of exotic Italian engines on Craigslist so the BMW was next best option), But his monster was a Jamaican with a Chevy 427 big block. I REALLY wanted to go for a ride in it and he had it running and driving, last I saw it was painted silver with a big hood scoop so you might find pix online. He showed at the Knotts Berry farm car show and some others, But even with all that big block weight up front his lifted easily at high speeds.
The consensus among many is that a air dam or other body effects are needed. Theres a bunch of Jamaicans around, one in BC Canada, at least 2 here in Oregon, and mine is up in Idaho somewhere.
I’m sorry; is there a car in that picture? I definitely see evidence of excessive lift, though.
But seriously, folks… I wonder if a deep chin spoiler on this similarly-shaped 240Z might do the trick. https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1074290_nissan-brings-back-datsun-brand-for-emergring-markets-not-u-s
Grandma!
Todd, Yes, I agree both on the ad and the chin spoiler.
(I regret not saving more material from the Yahoo group. the list owner/moderator shut the group down) Some feel any ground effects or air dams spoil the look. I had planned and sketched out a number of body mods for mins, (Guerny bubbles, Z car headlights instead, and adding a few curves to the body) This upset a few members on that list. I also complained about the original donor car on mine which was a MGA and that ruffled a few feathers as well. I sold the donor car to a restorer for MGs and bought a 1974 260Z in rough shape with a title to use as donor instead.
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When I saw the Fiberfab Banshee/Caribee…..SCREEECH!
Whoa! THAT is cool! There was one for sale up near Boise and I made a deal with the seller. So i went to put my shell of the Muira/Jamaican up for sale and ton of looky lous & tire kickers but the consensus was without a donor it was NOT moving. So I found a cheap deal up in the hills on a TITLED 280Z and Ironically tons of offers on that and
“Throw away that kit car”. It sold a couple years ago to a retired Marine who enjoyed kit cars and built one every year or 2 and was quite prolific.
Last I heard it was completed but said he had trouble with the tall McPherson struts and used a Pinto Rack & pinion in front. I plan on using my 260Z still and my measurements and mock ups show I CAN get away with most of the Z as donor But I am grafting parts of fiberglass body as opposed to ALL of the fiberglass body. Certain parts of the Z I wish to retain, plus the legalities. Technically its NOT a kit car, its a “Restyled Z car” and makes a huge difference for insurance and registration.
So, long winded way of saying Z car stuff is a go-to in my opinion, and there is nice amount of choices for parts and options while using a Zcar donor, MGA? Not so much.
I have been amassing files of material for Z car mods and ideas.
While I love the idea of the gull wing doors on the Caribee/Banshee I suspect they wont be retained and will use the Datsun doors, hinges and windows and reskin the outside with the fiberglass. The Z car rear hatch also resolves a MAJOR problem with the Caribee as well
For the best modified z car information go to Hybridz. There is enough archived information there to keep you busy for a long time.
The XJ wheels and rear lights really look good on that.
Good one Todd, jerk as in chicken. You might want to get a few doubles to go with that!
Right Hand Drive?
Which barn was this found in?
Lamentably, this is as close as I’ll ever get to owning a Muira, but this car has decent proportions on it’s own.
And with real power ( aka not air-cooled pancake crap ) it could be sorted into a potent performer. Hmmm.
P.S. It’s probably registered in the year the kit was sold, so my guess is this is a pre-smog ( 1975 and earlier ) car that can entertain any drivetrain AND never gets safety inspected. Yes, Cali has NO annual safety inspections- and I see a LOT of cars that SHOULD be inspected: bald tires, no tail/brake lights, grinding brakes, etc.
Derek F, you’re probably right. No smog, no inspection, turn the key and start terrorizing! People whine all the time about CA’s emissions standards and it’s just not true. Getting cars inspected and through smog in AZ was way tougher!
Todd I typed out a long answer and comments on the fiberfab cars but it disapeared (Said it was duplicate postings not allowed)
So, yes, Z Cars make excellent donors as mine had a MGA which is not known for suspension, handling or a V8, Z cars are more viable.
One other point is donor cars, Titles & insurance. IF you use enough of the donor car you can title and register AS the donor because kit car insurance is problematic. Varies from state to state & which DOT/DMV employee.
Here is a Caribee/Banshee to compare with. (Fiberfab rules!)
And another pix, (not my car) I feel the Caribee/Banshee is loosely based on Daytona Cobra coupes, but only in passing much as the Jamaican is only tangibly related to the Muira
and one more
Here’s my 69.
Paul, tell us more. What donor car is it? Drivetrain? Any lift on the freeway at high speeds?
Very nice!
Supposed to be a Corvette Windshield, a Porsche back window and I *Recall* Karmen Ghia side windows?? Did you upgrade those at all or any of the interior?
TR4A chassis, worked TR6 engine, cam,flows, LSD, 5 spd supra close ratio gearbox, bmw half shafts, gurney bubble so you can wear a helmet when racing, very fast little car, no lift at high speed, glass as stated, mx5 seats.
Paul, appreciate the update and details, Also love the Gurney Bubble and had planned to do the same on mine.
Ironically ANOTHER Jamaican has just posted on FeeBay, I submitted it as a proposed feature so hoping it makes the cut.
Initial thought from very first photo: Saab Sonnett?
@Sluggo. I think he stutters!
Nice to see Fiberfabs getting some love ! I imported mine from Oklahoma to Scotland. There are very few in the UK – like single figures few.