Need help identifying vehicle

Recently I was given a 2 seater car and I'm having problems identifying what it actually is. Front fenders have metal logos that say PORSCHE 1600 and on the front and back it says PYTHON. It has a fibreglass body, rear mounted air cooled engine with manual transmition. It has a Porsche logo on the glass headlamps as well as on the shifter itself. All gages appear indentical to late 60's Porsche. As far as I know Porsche never made fibreglass body cars, but I could be wrong.
Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

Porsche did make a fiberglass car, the 904. But that was mid-engined and is not as you describe.

Maybe a Brazilian replica?
angela

The pics in your profile? Looks like someone was trying to make an E Type and stuck P logos on it...

His pics are here.
http://speedsterowners.com/files/thmblist.asp?sf=/Kuba

I just peaked into your pictures, Eugene. I don't know what that is, but I think it's kinda pretty. Looks like an MG windshield, some other british styling cues.

I think that would look pretty darn nice cleaned up and with fresh paint.

angela

Definitely an MGB windshield. None of the rest of it looks remotely familiar. Gotta be some kind of kit in a VW pan.

Eugene, we're still scratching our heads here. How about some more pics? Like the rear end, engine and interior/dash layout.

~WB

REALLY neat car ! !

Definitely an MGB windshield along with lengthened MGB front fenders, that swage line is the give-away. The door might well be re-contoured MGB as well.
The nose and roof look like re-styled TRV 2500 ( http://www.pbca1.com/show2005/images/pbca2005-23.jpg ) pieces, or at least modeled on them.
The rear, of course harkens to the E-Type or even the later Jensen Intercepters ( http://www.greatescapecars.co.uk/images/library/files/Jensen_Interceptor04sml.jpg )
Wheels are 356, front blinkers are early Karmann Ghia ( http://www.volkstorque.co.uk/vt/imagehosting/139048298e5807f69.jpg ).
The "bumper" trim pieces are obviously 356 stuff as are the blank moon caps.
Front splitter looks like an Alfa or even TR6 piece ( http://www.classicandsportscarparts.com/spoiler1.jpg ). Pretty much any factory or MG MITTEN item from the mid 70's.
Hood either comes from, or was modeled after the one from an MGA ( http://www.britishv8.org/MG/SteveBowen/MGA-MX5-TwinCam-A.JPG ).

A few shots of the back end and we'll have this sumbitch wrapped up and ready in no time.

I will post more pictures in a couple of days, let me know which pictures will help you. I do not know what to look for to help you.
Big thanks to everyone replying.
Eugene

I found drivers and passengers windows inside the trunk and they are both sliding windows along with interior upholstery trim.
The fibreglass roof has wood for bracing and it it finished with black leather that matches both seats.

Cool find! Never seen one like it. If a one off then someone had lots of spare time on their hands and some apparent skill. Do you have a title for it? - curious to see how it was registered. Is the roof removeable? Wonder what back window it would take? Would be great to see more pictures.

The back glass is a posser. What's that from a Xk-E ??? Its a nice styled car,

I like it. But it's the first one I have ever seen.. that says((RARE))!!!

The back glass could be done in Lexan. My daughters friend is a rod builder and he would shape/form Lexan (? plastic anyways)into compound curves for windshields, back windows etc. It really looks great, this guy has mad skills and is now welding alum docks in Hawaii for big bucks.

I have seen many unique cars over the years in museums etc. but this one, surely baffles me. ~Alan

I don't have title for this vehicle, it came as part of estate that my sister purchased and we are still sorting thru all that was left behind hoping to find some paper trail. We found out that this vehicle came to Winnipeg about 20 years ago from Vancouver BC or Seattle WA, that we learned from the neighbour of the fellow that had owned it before. As far as the roof goes, no it is not removable.

Vancouver? I'm wonderin' if Henry would have some insight on this one.
The front sorta resembles the IM Italia.

~WB

It makes me think of a Volkspar kit., But I do agree maybe Henry knows.

I have never been fond of lexan . I'd try Alcapp glass in New York before that. I'd make a cardboard resin coated template so they can compare curved glass work.. I'd bet they can match it.. and tell you what fits it..

Hi Bill,

I noticed that you reside in Harrisburg, PA. I'm located in Maryland and considering purchasing a 356 wide body Speedster. Could you tell me more about the leaking problem? Is there anything that can be done to fit it? I also was informed that heat is limited, being that you are in Harrisburg, what should I expect/

Thanks,
JP

James, I like to say that these cars can be made leak resistant as opposed to leak proof. I liken my car to a four wheeled motorcycle and don't go out of my way to drive in the rain. Mostly my fun in the sun car. I use the Buick for rainy days. Most leaks occur from poor sealing when the body is mated to the pan/frame but this can be remedied. As for heat, if you have good heat exchangers you can get decent heat. I can drive pretty comfortably down to about 45 degrees. It can be a bit better if an aux. blower is fitted to the exchangers as opposed to using the engine blower. This is on my to do list. There are gasoline heaters that can be fitted for the ultimate in the heat dept.
BTW, There is a growing crowd of car owners down your way.
If you're not in a real hurry to pull the trigger, I'd suggest a trip to our meet in Carlisle, Pa. in the spring and check out all of our cars. As you can see in this pic from Carlisle, there's a few of us around.

~WB
(click on the pic)

Hi,
I found back window for this vehicle, it is glass and it is tempered.
For whatever reason previous owner removed it and stored it in the rafters of his garage.
As far as additional pictures, I'm waiting for warmer weather so that I can take the tarps off and snap some more pics of the interior, trunk space, engine compartment and whatever pictures you guys will find helpful to put a name on this car.
I checked with my insurance agent and if I needed to register this vehicle it would be registered as "KIT CAR/HOME MADE VEHICLE" and it would be no problem getting title for it.
Does anyone have any idea what this thing is worth as is?
I've never restored a car before so I'm not sure if this is beyond my budget and skills.
Please be patient with my photos as our winter in Manitoba can be very cold and long and this vehicle is stored outside for now.
Any reply is greatly appreciated.

Eugene

Hemmings SPORTS & EXOTIC CAR monthly magazine Has a LOST & FOUND section where they post pictures for readers to comment on. A few good pictures might help to identify your find as a rare prototype or a mutt. It's a great magazine if you are into 60-70 sports cars.

www.hemmings.com

You need to go on over and pester these guys:

http://www.shoptalkforums.com/viewforum.php?f=33&sid=87bca194f3b024bad54c4f9d8e69ec33

They know almost EVERYTHING about the whys and wherefores of kit cardom.