This rather unusual kit car find was sent in by none other than frequent finder Rocco G. and we thank him for his continued submissions! This 1971 (perhaps that’s the chassis age) Vokaro is advertised here on craigslist for a pretty steep $8,000, only needs your choice of paint to be complete and is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
You are correct if you guessed that the Vokaro is on a Volkswagen Beetle chassis, but you’re also correct if you think it was a little short. 14-1/2 inches short to be exact, which were taken out in an effort to give the Vokaro “sports car handling”. I’ve read some of the original introductory packet material and it appears that the manufacturer couldn’t really decide if this was a sports car or a sporty looking dune buggy. I suppose it could have been either one depending on how it was constructed.
The Vokaro (produced by Vopard Industries, which no longer exists) solved some of the typical kit car issues by dispensing with doors. That’s right, the body was literally one piece of fiberglass with the windshield frame included (that’s a Karmann-Ghia windshield). Supposedly there was an optional top and side curtains but I couldn’t find a picture of a car with one (not surprising as only about 500 were produced).
Needless to say, with what looks like one gauge and dune buggy plastic seats, the interior is pretty sparce. I’m not fond of an un-padded roll bar that close to my noggin either. However, it is certainly clean and simple, and a future owner could add in whatever they wanted to.
We’re told that the business end of the car hosts a 1835 Beetle engine with a four-speed manual transmission. I suppose the exhaust system doubles as a rear bumper — but really, the build quality of this kit judged from these pictures looks pretty darned nice. I’m just not sure of the value — but what do you Barn Finds readers think? Be sure and let us know in the comments!
A cheap alternative to a 356???
I remember when these were advertised and they were on the cheap end of the kit car market. Between taking 14″ out of the wheel base and getting rid of a lot of weight and Having a modified 1835 been modified it probably scoots pretty well, but i am sure it is tiny.
worth 8K?? I really don’t know, my guess is half that
If this had a top you’d have to be a contortionist to get in and out and so would any passenger. Otherwise I like it.
As a kid, I was really drawn to the Vokaro. I still like its looks, though more as a “period piece” as it really hasn’t aged well. Price seems a little high, but is not really out of line with old dune buggies. Not sure that my current-age self could get in and out of it anymore.
I will choose a black blindfold please.
With an 1835 this would be a fun driver… but at about $3500.
I dunno, a lot goes into shortening a bug. 1970 we shortened an oval window . Took out the section between the door jam and the fender well. It took two cars to complete the task. And then the owner had an unexpected growth spurt and could no longer fit!
Go figure..
To each his own, but that exhaust pipe has got to go. If I were to go in this direction I would choose a Manx dune buggy over this.
God bless America
Then, cut that in half again. I can guarantee it will need more than a paint job to consider it complete.
My dad has a 1967 Vokaro that he built when he was my age (18) in red and it is a really nice looking car. Too bad California’s emission laws consider this car illegal. 😖😔
My dad wants me to help him restore it, because it has been sitting in our garage since the late ’80’s. My dad says there’s an EV conversion kit out there for this beautiful car and he wants to put it on his Vokaro. A decent alternative for those in California, I guess.