Rare Component Cars

Rare Component Cars Rare Component Cars covers kit cars, limited production specialty cars, home builds, fiberglass spec The demands of a new career meant it was sidelined.

My name is John Mellberg, I have been a lifelong Car fanatic, artist, writer, musician, and amateur Kit Car Historian. I was among the first to use the internet to promote handcrafted cars, having started in 1997. My website and postings were branded “Rare Component Cars” and the sites were available until roughly 2005. Now, more than 20 years on from when it began I have revived the project here on Facebook, as well as on the internet at https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/.

A Caribbean Queen One of the most revered and storied makers of kit and specialty cars in America, Fiberfab, was founded...
05/24/2024

A Caribbean Queen

One of the most revered and storied makers of kit and specialty cars in America, Fiberfab, was founded by Warren "Bud" Goodwin in 1964. One of their most iconic products was the Jamaican series of kit cars. It boasted styling that would have rivaled anything from the Italian design houses of its era. Classic proportions, with a long dash-to-axle ratio, swept back windshield, and gently curving roof and hood lines. The car had been named for Bud Goodwin's ill-fated second wife, Jamaica. It was a stunning statement and garnered a good deal of attention from the car enthusiast press.

The car was designed by the Beebe brothers, Chris and Russell, in 1967 after they had designed the earlier Banshee...

For the rest of the story go here -
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-caribbean-queen.html

The latest article on Rare Component Cars blog features Chris Humberstone's Rapport Forté, a Jaguar based GT car that ca...
04/12/2024

The latest article on Rare Component Cars blog features Chris Humberstone's Rapport Forté, a Jaguar based GT car that came in retractable hardtop coupe and shooting break versions. It was a strikingly modern design for the period, with a very Italianate wedge-shaped profile and strongly creased curves giving it a sheer, elegant appearance. The car made its debut at the British Grand Prix for a demonstration run, with Mark Thatcher at the wheel. There it received a very positive reception and many potential customers expressed interest. Fourteen pre-paid orders followed in a matter of weeks and Rapport seemed set for success in the venture...

Get the full story here -
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/04/humberstones-forte.html

Just published on Rare Component Cars, an article on the UVA M6GTR, a British development of the classic Manta Montage k...
03/19/2024

Just published on Rare Component Cars, an article on the UVA M6GTR, a British development of the classic Manta Montage kit from the USA.

Here's an excerpt:
"Manta Cars ceased production in 1986, having sold about 1,000 factory-built and component cars. This development prompted UVA to produce their own version of the Montage. Using the aforementioned Montage T, the UK company would shoehorn Rover's small-block V8 into the tail of the beast. Mounted amidships, this configuration would prove more in keeping with the car's McLaren M6GT replica pretensions..."

Learn more here -
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-uva-m6gtr-what-goes-around-comes.html

The latest article on the Rare Component Cars blog examines an obscure, low-volume sportscar designed in France that was...
03/07/2024

The latest article on the Rare Component Cars blog examines an obscure, low-volume sportscar designed in France that was intended to be built and sold in India, the De La Chapelle Roadster.

Making its debut at the 1996 Mondial de L’Automobile (Paris Auto Salon), the De La Chapelle Roadster caused quite a stir. Shown alongside its maker's highly reputed Bugatti replicas, the Atalante and the Type 55 Roadster, it was a brand-new modern design: a mid-engine two-seater convertible. It was a radical departure from the company's prior products which, in addition to the Bugatti replicas, included a bizarre V12 powered "super minivan" called the "Parcours". It was hoped to have a wider appeal in the market.

To get the whole story, go here -
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/03/from-lyon-to-mumbai.html

New on the Rare Component Cars blog; the story of the Maxton GT.Maxton Components, of Englewood, Colorado, is best known...
02/24/2024

New on the Rare Component Cars blog; the story of the Maxton GT.

Maxton Components, of Englewood, Colorado, is best known for its iconic, rotary-powered, "Rollerskate" kit car. That car was widely praised in the automotive press and even featured in a series of episodes on the PBS show, "Motor Week", chronicling its build process. Not resting on its laurels, Maxton intended to follow up with an even more ambitious product in the "GT".

The Maxton GT began its design and development in 1990, during the effort to bring the Rollerskate to market. It was to be an even more ambitious design, a gull-wing coupe, with drivetrain components derived from the Ford Sierra Cosworth series of rally racecars, mounted to a chassis modeled after the classic Lotus Elan. It was to be a high-performance, upscale compliment to the Rollerskate and flagship model for Maxton.

The full story can be found here - https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/02/maxtons-final-act-gt.html

Another installment of the Designer's Sketchpad is now up on the Rare Component Cars blog. Check it out here - https://r...
01/27/2024

Another installment of the Designer's Sketchpad is now up on the Rare Component Cars blog.

Check it out here - https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/designers-sketchpad-taking-on-jamaican.html

The Designer's Sketchpad is a regular feature on RCC that features ideas for customization, personalization, and enhancement of one or more cars. Each include an explanation of the proposed changes, suggestions on how to implement them, and original illustrations by John Mellberg.

The latest article on Rare Component Cars features the Carlton Carrera, a 3-door sports coupe introduced to the UK marke...
01/26/2024

The latest article on Rare Component Cars features the Carlton Carrera, a 3-door sports coupe introduced to the UK market in 1985. Its styling certainly recalled the Jaguar E-Type but was not strictly a replica. The use of the windshield and side-glass from the Ford Capri gave the car a slight resemblance to the classic Datsun/Nissan 240z as well. The design was intended to be more evocative than a mere Jag copy. The result was a handsome GT with classic proportions.

For the full article, go here -
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-carlton-carrera-story.html

The Bolwell Ikara StoryCampbell and Graeme Bolwell founded their Australian kit-car business in 1963. In the next decade...
01/19/2024

The Bolwell Ikara Story

Campbell and Graeme Bolwell founded their Australian kit-car business in 1963. In the next decade, they went from strength to strength, producing some legendary sportscars like the MK7 and the Nagari. However, Australian regulatory changes, made survival very difficult for the company and compliance was financially untenable. So, after a restructuring, the company set about creating a new car called the Ikara. However, the Ikara was not just a new product, it was to be Bolwell's calling card. It was a showcase of their engineering capabilities and extensive experience in fiberglass production. Their design brief, for 1978, was to create a sports car that was fun to drive with none of the compromises of the motor industry’s safe, conventional and boring suburban, designed by committee cars.

Get the rest of the story here:
https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-bolwell-ikara-story.html

Behind the Iron CurtainIn 1977 a low-slung GT car with classic sportscar proportions emerged from the basement of an eng...
01/16/2024

Behind the Iron Curtain
In 1977 a low-slung GT car with classic sportscar proportions emerged from the basement of an engineer in the Soviet Union, one Rafik Ordyan of Armenia. Finished in June of that year, the car boasted one of the lowest profiles of any car at the time, just over 3 feet. Wherever this bright orange car appeared, a crowd of people came to marvel at it. To learn more about his car, the Ordyan GT-77, go here:

https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/behind-iron-curtain.html

A 70's Muscle-Car, En EspañolThe Dodge Serra 3700GT had its origins in a lengthy conversation noted Spanish coachbuilder...
01/13/2024

A 70's Muscle-Car, En Español

The Dodge Serra 3700GT had its origins in a lengthy conversation noted Spanish coachbuilder, Pedro Serra, had with Michel Liprandi, the creator of the LMX Sirex (another car featured on RCC), during a chance encounter at the Barcelona Motor Show in 1970. In ensuing days, they reached an agreement; Liprandi would create a chassis on which Spanish-made Dodge Dart running gear could be mounted, while Serra would be responsible for its Design, fabrication, and assembly. They also managed to get the cooperation of the Spanish branch of Chrysler, which supplied all the mechanical parts, including the engine, which was a 165 hp six-cylinder coming from the most current Dodge 3700. In addition, the Spanish Chrysler would allow Pedro Serra to use the Dodge name for his car...

For the rest of the story, go here - https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/a-70s-muscle-car-en-espanol.html

"Simplicate and add lightness... " The Caterham CSR GT, featured here, is a special, one-off version of the CSR 200. It'...
01/08/2024

"Simplicate and add lightness... "

The Caterham CSR GT, featured here, is a special, one-off version of the CSR 200. It's based on a standard production chassis from 2009, with the optional 200 bhp Cosworth engine. It was designed and developed in 2013 by a former Sauber F1 Team designer in Switzerland. Its assembly was entrusted to HMC, Helvetic Motor Company. The modifications to the original package are limited to the body and interior, the mechanics such as engine, transmission, gearbox, brakes, steering, exhaust and pushrod suspension parts are standard.

Get the rest of the story here - https://rarecomponentcars.blogspot.com/2024/01/simplicate-and-add-lighteness.html

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