Really OT Kit Kar Build

Don't under estimate the capability of a 80 YO design and def don't assume "you got this" if one pulls up next to you in the Tacoma. By far the most rewarding part of building and owning this 66 was shocking some of the punk types when they realize not only don't they "have this", they're getting spanked from an old guy driving a VW.


The 66 in the pic above and the rail below were both noticeably quicker then my 4L Tacoma up to the point where you had no business going that fast in a 55YO vehicle with drum brakes.

It's pretty easy to double the stock motor's HP with just bolt-ons, throw in some old school engine massaging and 150hp isn't unreasonable, stuck in a 1450# Bug chassis gives about a 30% better HP to weight ratio then a 4L NA Tacoma.

 

They used an IRS pan for a donor, that's a significant handling bonus over the swing axle.

 

Having driven both I can absolutely agree.

 

After I hopped up my ‘66 Fastback, I was able to race 2 Liter BMWs on the coast roads. I had as much top end as the BMW and at the same time could corner faster. Once I lightened it a bit, that type three handled almost as well as a bathtub Porsche. Almost . . .

 

Guys it has been 6 mos since I posted on this, but it is still going on. Much “real life” has happened in the time.

I ended up building a full-length frame jig to get this chassis straight. The jig was just welded from random donated steel. Bed frames, office furniture, a steel cart, a power-lift chair, and rails from a broken lathe. A crappy pic of the jig during construction:


So, with the chassis tack welded down to the jig, I could finally cut it in half.


l have fabbed some boxed rails and this forward crossmember, which will cary the master cylinder and steering tube bearing. (Inverted for cleaning, in the vise.)


This will also cap the tunnel and transfer loads from the frame rails.

I am still fitting these rails up, and they are not welded yet. Tiny clamped-on steel pointers locate the bend in the rails.




Everything is set off the string, and leveled electronically.

 

Fabbing the crossmember:

This formed steel plate came from some discarded folding RV steps. Big holes for access and the master cylinder were cut on the drill press with a flycutter.

I made tin access hole covers which will also clamp the fuel and brake lines. They came from a drawer divider of a steel desk. The black square tubing was recycled from Mom’s old power lift chair. Silver tube is recycled from the Brian Wind Trainer. Red plates came from a harbor freight torch cart.



This will eventually hold the steering tube support, replacing this fine u-bolt arrangement. ;-)


It will also add a much needed body mount under the forward cowl edge. There is some sagging there at the edge of the bonnet. That is the forward bonnet…errr…or the boot? Wait… Tesla says it’s the Frunk!

Once again, VW was 80 years ahead…