Kva mkiii

hello, i found a real "genuine" KVAMKIII replica in the true spirit of KVA. and its is in my garage since this morning

build 1982/83 rear VW brakedrums, ford cortina front , citroen gearbox essex v6 radiator mounted at the back , airconditoning and porsche wheels on it. Moris marina doorhandles, marina steering colum
car interior complete with cobra seats

question should i restore as KVA MKIII 1983 or an rebuild with new specs?

personnaly i googeled around a bit and noticed similare cars in beautiful condition. with same motorisations /gearboxes .
what do you people think?

Paul
 

Attachments

  • 20160528_180157_resized.jpg
    20160528_180157_resized.jpg
    290.3 KB · Views: 1,336
was stored in a box since 1985 ..... and need to be rebuild completely;

rust on chassis,but seems not perforating .

as i work overseas i have two years still to retirement and to think a bout it getting bits and parts togheter before i start restoration or a rebuild

while driving in the UK on the backwindow of a british mini: IN RUST WE TRUST

semms to be my case
Paul
 

Attachments

  • IMGP3850.jpg
    IMGP3850.jpg
    176.4 KB · Views: 1,015
  • IMGP3823.jpg
    IMGP3823.jpg
    559.1 KB · Views: 1,280

Keith

Moderator
Awesome! Not for them the complication of running a front mounted radiator, just bung it in the back!

Do you know which chassis type this is? The latest KVA was 'C' type. The original was not really worth bothering with as it had an awful rear suspension arrangement (think VW Beetle). You can obtain a modern complete rear end from SGT.

Personally, I like the MKIII especially the front clip arrangement. Whatever you decide, you know you're going to strip it right down and replace everything! It's the nature of the beast, but personally, I would sell the V6 to a friend who has a boat, upgrade the chassis and obtain a nice 302 SBF..

Good luck with your project...
 
Hello, its one of the very first KVA chassis A type, with trailing arms in the back from VW with drum brake still.
i found trough this site,copy of the original "build-manual" from kva and the car corresponds in every detail to the buildmanual .

it is the grandmother of all GT40 replicas in some way , this car.

according to Ken Vincent Atwell , only the first seven of his builds had side windows fixed with a metal frame screwed to the doors. this car is one of them.
 

Keith

Moderator
An 'original replica' :laugh:

Wow that is a find. I remember when I was looking at acquiring one, that was exactly what they looked like although I believe the car Ken finished first perhaps had a Ford Escort engine. Can't quite remember now - it was a long time ago...
 
An 'original replica' :laugh:

Wow that is a find. I remember when I was looking at acquiring one, that was exactly what they looked like although I believe the car Ken finished first perhaps had a Ford Escort engine. Can't quite remember now - it was a long time ago...

XR3i engine if I remember correctly, think I have an article from Alternative Cars in the roof. I will see if I can locate it.
 

Ian Anderson

Lifetime Supporter
XR3i engine if I remember correctly, think I have an article from Alternative Cars in the roof. I will see if I can locate it.

Correct
1600cc XR3i motor
I looked at buying the original replica (Ken's own car)when it came on the market about 10 years ago. I missed the final e may auction time and my bid was beaten. (Around £8250 from memory) and it then appeared about a year later with a good bit of polishing and not much else and the person wanted over £20k

Ian
 
Well I found a May 1983 Alternative Cars which said the original article on Ken's car was in the Nov/Dec edition, which of course I can't find.

However, I then found a 1983 copy of the Motor which had another article confirming the XR3 engine, and explaining how you could now buy a kit for £6000 which was a considerable saving over the £80,000 needed for an original.
 
The first KVAs I can remember were the type b chassis', it used a Renault transaxle anyway, I think he kinda got the UK super car replica scene going but was soon overtaken by better ( laughably bad nowadays) engineering of competitors, it was all badly welded Duttons, Contessa ( really ugly Countach) and Novas until then.

Wasn't even Tornado started with a beetle chassised McLaren M6 lookalike? Or am I thinking another company? I nearly placed an order for one, ended up building a beach buggy as it was cheaper.

We used to do the UK kit car shows each year and supply the industry, it was rare to see the same manufacturer 2 years running as they went out of business as fast as they made cars. It is quite amazing to see a complete survivor like this still around though.

Anyway, I would rechassis that one. Probably less work than restoring it as well as a better car at the end.
 
according to Ken Vincent Atwell , only the first seven of his builds had side windows fixed with a metal frame screwed to the doors. this car is one of them.

Bonjour Paul, nice to see you've finally find something of historical value ! Some work to do, but unless you seriously improve the chassis, you'll end with something you'll have to drive very carefully to say the least (given a GT40 of any kind could ever being driven else than carefully).

Bon courage !
 

Howard Jones

Supporter
I am curious. Because its so "historic" I am thinking at what price would I be temped to leave it just as it is and own a piece of history. I also don't want to ruffle anyone's feathers but if you don't mind, how much was it.

Really a cool find. I wonder how many GT40 replicas were about when this KVA was sold. Less than a couple of dozen I would guess. We have come quite a way haven't we? I remember when GTD's were pretty much state of the art. Then of course everyone changed all the parts. Someone once said on this forum "GTD's are great cars once you change all the parts". Anyway a part of me thinks it would be sad to take a old lady like this one and gussy her all up with a modern look.

Just a thought....................
 
very small update: an c8 6015a 302 found and 1 good steering wheel which is not as per original but suits me fine
 

Attachments

  • ford 1968 302engine for gt40.jpg
    ford 1968 302engine for gt40.jpg
    189.3 KB · Views: 722
  • volant pour gt40.jpg
    volant pour gt40.jpg
    194.7 KB · Views: 641
Hi folks, I remember the first one well. It was 1600cc and Ken had a VW gearbox in his. It was Ray Christopher who first used a Renault box. Before I saw that I was going to use a Citroen DS gearbox. If it was mine I would rebuild it in its current spec and enjoy it for what it is. Don't put a 302 in it unless you are going to upgrade everything else. Just my opinion, cheers
 
For what its worth I ordered a mk3 KVA back in 83 because that is the only version they did. While I was waiting I was offered the chance to change my order to a mk1 so I did. The suggested components were Ford V6 and Citroen DS gearbox, needless to say I went for 302 Ford and Renault gearbox like Ray had done in the first GTD. I wouldn't worry about the rust as the chassis box section is very thick. Rear brakes were later changed to Granada drums and then discs on the C type I think. Rob Bloom built a nice mk1 using KVA suggested V6 engine so it can end up being a very nice car. Enjoy.
 
Back
Top