1955: Build A Car in 4 Hours

1955: Build A Car in 4 Hours

When I was a kid, I despised kit cars. I can remember reading Road & Track and seeing the little ads in the back that promised a trick looking wide-body 356 Porsche with hardly any investment at all. You might need a little cash for the kit, a Pontiac Fiero or maybe a VW, and a week or two of labor. Even at that tender age, I knew it was bullshit and the scam disturbed by understanding of ethics.

The whole industry started in the 1950’s and while I’m certain less than 20% of these kits were ever completed, I’m not so certain it was as scandalous back then. Like most everything else from the era, the little industry seemed to have some kind of honesty behind it. Or maybe it wasn’t honesty… maybe it was just hope. The 1950’s, after all, is described by most social authors has a great time of hope.

That aside, Geoffrey Hacker sent over a great video the other day. It’s based around a TV program that took calls from viewers and answered questions as literally as the format would allow. This episode features the construction of a Woodill Wildfire fiberglass sports car build on the pinnings of a ’47 Ford. The crew does the job in just under four hours.

Enjoy.

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