Need Opinion on Tornado Kit

[Dylan]

Hi guys,

I last posted almost 3 years ago. I've been lurking, and hunting for a kit car within a price range I could afford. Working 3 jobs also saps time away from being able to pursue this stuff.

I found a Tornado kit car from 1989 that has been sitting in a garage for years after a second owner purchased it. The first owner appears to have done some work to rough out interior and bulkhead panels. His work looks decent, and though I might have to tear into some of it, I do not expect to be stripping it back down to a bare frame. The body is UNTOUCHED and has not been drilled or screwed with in any way. I'm trying to assess a rough value on this thing, and I'm at the point where I need to ask some experts here.

Condition:
Frame: Paint is solid, no surface rust that I can see.
Suspension- Minor pitting on the chrome links in the rear. Some older coilovers, no brand name, on all four corners.
Body/Panels- Minor cracks in the gel coat at some corners, zero distortion, no holes at all drilled into it.

Included parts-
Both tanks, still with sticky plastic covering
Audi transaxle of unknown type. (He didn't have it there)
Steering wheel
Pedals
Brake/clutch reservoirs
Radiator
Fans
Throttle cable
Misc smaller dash pieces
Cobra Valve covers

Missing parts-
Pretty much entire interior minus dash shell
Side Windows
Rear Window
Steering Column
Engine (obviously)
All exterior finishing odds/ends.

Any idea on a rough value for this kit? I am falling in love with this thing, it is close to home, and I personally know the owner and he's a great guy. I just don't want to get taken on this deal.

Again, thanks for your input, and hopefully I can be posting in the build thread areas soon!

-Dylan

 

[Dylan]

Here are some pictures. Apologies for the poor quality- my cameraphone is badly scratched these days.

Also, let me preempt you by saying that those wheels will be taken off. And burned with fire. I shall wear rubber gloves when removing them.

 

[Scott Calabro]

Hi Dylan,

Ring me at (413) 977-4408.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[40 Bud]

Check with Andy at Tornado. I believe he made some important upgrades to the rear suspension of the early cars. You would want to add these to your build as they strengthen things up.

 

[Dylan]

Scott, replied to your PM, and hopefully I can get Andy's information off of you as well/talk about the suspension upgrades necessary to make this safe.

I ended up purchasing the car today. I will be disassembling it in the coming weeks, and no doubt have dozens of elementary questions. It is nice to actually have a reason to be on these boards now.