- Kelmark Engineering
Kelmark Engineering was an auto shop based in Michigan, that focused on the production of rear/mid-engined
kit car s. The kits were built by hobbyists or professional mechanics manually.The cars are all "rare" models, but the Kelmark GT body style was the most popular. It was featured in the magazine Car and Driver in 1977 [
Car and Driver magazine, November, 1977.] and 1979 [Car and Driver magazine, "Going for it", 1979.] . The car had exterior styling that was distinctive for its debut in 1969. The styling was reportedly influenced by Ferrari and a Corvette concept car. [ [http://bugoholics.com/kelmarkhistory.html "Kelmark History at Bugoholics"] ] The "Independence" model was a fiberglass body kit for a Volkswagen chassis, while the "Liberator" model was more customized, and could go on a tube frame, Porsche or VW chassis, or even a custom combination [Company marketing brochure, scanned copy available at [http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad1.jpg] and [http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad2.jpg] .] .Kelmark also produced a unique car for the time period: a V8 powered Volkwagon Beetle [Company marketing brochure, scanned copy available at [http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad1.jpg] and [http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad2.jpg] .] . It was marketed as a sleeper, meant to look like a stock Beetle. There was also a mid-engine conversion for the Chevy Corvair. [Company marketing brochure, scanned copy available at [http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad1.jpg] and [http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad2.jpg] .]
Sources
*
Car and Driver magazine, November, 1977.
*Car and Driver magazine, "Going for it", 1979.External links
* [http://www.priceofhistoys.com/category/kelmark/ Kelmark gallery at priceofhistoys.com]
References
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