Could make a great convertible or use a "little" FG resin to restore. Interesting engine and wheels. Must have flipped a few times?
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The best thing that could be done here is to let the crusher finish the job already started.
These Laser 917s have always been hideous, and always will be. The 359 is only slightly less so.
This lotus super 7/Chatterham is pictured in the background (fire damage?). Maybe I could get both on a flatbed tractor hauling trailer?
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@DannyP posted:The best thing that could be done here is to let the crusher finish the job already started.
These Laser 917s have always been hideous, and always will be. The 359 is only slightly less so.
X2. They really are an abomination.
The Laser 917 Story
Gerry Knapp founded Elite Enterprises November of 69 in Cokato, Minnesota. In 1972 Elite Enterprises introduced one of the most popular kits of it's era, the Laser 917. Based on the Le Mans winning Porsche 917 of racing fame, the Laser was designed to fit on a full length VW Bug or Karmann Ghia chassis.
It featured a very curvaceous body penned by the west coast designer, illustrator, and transportation design instructor at Art Center College of Design (in Pasadena CA.), Harry Bradley. While not an exact replica, the 917 was more of a stylized caricature of the original. It was certainly a striking ride. With it's low, wide stance and gull-wing doors it was a guaranteed head turner!
The Laser 917 even attained movie stardom in the 1977 blockbuster, "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo". Driven by mustachioed, German, racing driver "Bruno Von Stickle", played by Eric Braeden. In the film, Stickle’s car was painted in the colors of the German national flag and given the number 17. Unsurprisingly, the Beetle got the better of it on the silver screen…
The kit came in 3 packages with varying degrees of completeness. Some welding and minor modification to the Bug floor-pan was called for, however, an elaborate builder's manual with over 500 pictures and diagrams was included to make things easier.
Elite claimed the kit could be built in 100 hours. That sounds unlikely, to be honest. It was a very solid sturdy kit though, with the body molded in one piece. Only the doors and rear engine compartment lid were left to mount. The interior kit included VDO gauges, adjustable fiberglass bucket seats, and vinyl padded upholstery in 3 color options.
In '79 the complete package was $5,000.
As an aside, Chrysler Motor Corporation actually had to buy the rights to the "Laser" name because they planned to release their own. Negotiations resulted in a Licensing Agreement for the use of the name Laser between Elite Enterprises Inc. and Chrysler on September 13, 1982.
In the mid 80's Elite folded, due to the untimely death of it's founder, and a company called Quint Enterprises took over marketing of the car. Quint soldiered on until 1991. In the end, 679 units were made, which is an impressive run by specialty car standards.
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#17?
The GULF livery colors hide the ugliness of the car - and make you concentrate on the race heritage. It has to have a very low coeficient of friction?
Porsche Club of America in 2017 named the real 917 in the ‘Top 5 Worst Porsche-inspired atrocities of all time’ rankings. It came in at 4th place. It did win Le Mans in 1971 though!
It doesn't offer a very confortable drive!
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@WOLFGANG posted:This lotus super 7/Chatterham is pictured in the background (fire damage?). Maybe I could get both on a flatbed tractor hauling trailer?
Yup, you need another project or two.
Greg, it's coefficient of drag.
And like Bob, I agree. You need more projects...
Bradleys, Kellmarks, Mantas, and Lazers are 100% dependent on the builders. I’ve seen a few of each that were stunning. Probably <1/10 get it right. And like I’ve said before, it’s 90% down to correct ride height and proper wheels.
As far as the subject of this threads goes, there might be ~$1000 worth of parts there as long as you could get it for ~$500. IIRC, depending on manufacture, those 911 fans are pretty pricey. But the body is scrap.
.My first " kit car " one the two Bradley GT's I had , handled great , quiet, great heat, and water tight until.. I would raise the gull wing doors.
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Yeah, come to think of the door shape and the way they open, if it's raining it pours a whole lotta wattah right onto your head!
Aside from the can of contact glue left on the propane heater in his garage, my favorite true story of Alan's was the creation of the plexiglass doors for the Bradley. As he relayed it, he had a friend with a Pizza Restaurant with a large pizza oven. He coerced this friend to let him use that oven "after hours" to heat and bend the plexiglass into shape. I'm sure it was followed by slightly tainted pepperoni pizza and beer. Good thing health department never got wind of it! That would have made a great YouTube.
p.s. the one of buying a Speedster body in New York City (Brooklyn or Harlem?) and hiring the local street gang to carry it down the alley is right up there too!)
@WOLFGANG posted:This lotus super 7/Chatterham is pictured in the background (fire damage?). Maybe I could get both on a flatbed tractor hauling trailer?
Just stack 'em, Greg.