WARNING! Cheetah kit car an interestingly odd vehicle

[drcoastline]

So this crazy kit car popped up on FB Marketplace this morning. Not sure why but it did. At first it caught my attention due to the Gulf Livery, but then it just became more and more odd. It has styling cues from all sorts of 1960's cars, I see the GT40, 904, some Daytona coupe and even some 917. It's almost a caricature of a car something from the movie Cars.

The oddness of the car a side the fit and finish is quite nice someone spent either a lot of time or money on this car.

[masraum]

Weird, yeah, odd amalgamation of cues from various cars from the 60s.

It's not ugly, but it's not a 917 or GT40 or 904. The super low profile tires aren't doing it any favors. I tihnk the biggest aesthetic issue is the huge bulge over the rear tires that seem to be there just because someone thought "I like big butts and I cannot lie."

Is it mid or rear engined? The two side scoops seem inadequate for cooling and combustion air intake. There seems to be no other intakes of any sort, so I'm guessing not much power since there doesn't seem to be a way to get rid of heat or get lots of air.

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by masraum

Weird, yeah, odd amalgamation of cues from various cars from the 60s.

It's not ugly, but it's not a 917 or GT40 or 904. The super low profile tires aren't doing it any favors. I tihnk the biggest aesthetic issue is the huge bulge over the rear tires that seem to be there just because someone thought "I like big butts and I cannot lie."

Is it mid or rear engined? The two side scoops seem inadequate for cooling and combustion air intake. There seems to be no other intakes of any sort, so I'm guessing not much power since there doesn't seem to be a way to get rid of heat or get lots of air.

1968 Volkswagen Beetle

Seller's description
Volkswagen Cheetah
1776cc dual weber carbs
Automatic transmission just serviced
Porsche 914 front disc brakes and steering
New shocks front and rear
New tires
New seats
Back up camera
Runs drives would drive anywhere
12,500 cash
Possible trade for street rod pickup

I am assume VW by the description says 914 brakes but not the power.

[Nostril Cheese]

Type 1 engine from the pics.

Might be something fun with a more powerful drivetrain

[javadog]

$12,500$

Is this a deal for two cars and the Benx E500 AMG isn't shown in the photos?

[astrochex]

When I hear Cheetah, I think of the V8 monster.

Same guy?

[ted]

Originally Posted by astrochex

When I hear Cheetah, I think of the V8 monster.

Same guy?

Agree, this blue kit car is a pedal car converted to VW power.

[herr_oberst]

Interesting. Not pretty, but not 917 Lazer ugly, either. With that front end and giant rear spoiler, (not to mention the all that weight hanging off the rear axle) my first thought is understeer. Heck, with some real power that shape might be capable of a Mercedes CLR Peter Dumbreck LeMans style blowover!

Original VW fan and fan shroud (and oil cooler) are gone. I wonder how well engineered and effective the replacement fans are.

I'll bet it's a lot of fun to drive for short periods of time.

I'd run $7500 up the flagpole and see if he salutes. It's gonna need new wheels and tires with some sidewall instead of those o-rings.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by ted

Agree, this blue kit car is a pedal car converted to VW power.

that's what I thought this thread was going to be about.

They should have made the kit car on a 914 chassis.

$12500?!?

For $12.5k, I think I'd rather have this
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/73113240

[1990C4S]

The interior of the kit cars is the deal killer for me...I could drive that car otherwise.