Purchased: 1967 AMT Piranha - Need parts

[Carguy1965]

After years of thinking about it, I finally bought a basket case 1967 AMT Piranha from a guy in Ft. Wayne, IN. The car needs a lot of work and parts but I think it will be worth the effort.

First of all, the car was built by Gene Winfield, twice. The chassis was originally used for the TV "Man from UNCLE" car and belonged to Marbon Chemical.

After the show was cancelled, Marbon wanted the car back. Winfield wanted the car for the show circuit so he arranged to strip all the spy stuff off the car and rebuild it on another chassis. This car was then rebuilt into a stock, street Piranha and sent back to Marbon Chemical in Michigan.

The rebuilt UNCLE car went on the show circuit and was eventually sold, lost, found and restored by Robert Short in California.

The car shown here eventually ended up in private hands and later disassembled.

The gentleman I got the car from obtained it from Michael Kollins, an auto historian in the Detroit area. He had planned on mounting the car on a Lotus Europa chassis and cut away some of the fiberglass tub/chassis to make it fit. The chassis is now useless and will need replacing.

If anyone knows of ANY Piranha or Marbon CRV parts out there, please let me know! Thanks!

[F&J]

Thanks for the history lesson. I don't recall the car in the TV show, so I wouldn't have known the Winfield part. I like seeing the work from the famous custom guys. That's pretty wild.

[seesko]

I have the model of both cars. bought them both new. Love the Man From Uncle car.
Good luck with your project.
I don't know if you know Mark Moriarity or not but he's restored a lot of show cars from the 60's. the Dream Rod, some of Roth's cars. Built his own Roth inspired bubble top. He might be a good source. He's a HAMBer
.

[Carguy1965]

Here is a photo of the "Man from UNCLE" car. That is Gene Winfield kneeling but the car, and actor Robert Vaughn driving. Note the enlongated rear deck.

[ClayMart]

What the hell!??!! I live in Ft Wayne and I've never even heard any rumors of anybody in this area having a car like this. Though I can think of a couple people who might have.

Do you know how many of them were built? I'd be surprised to hear that there were more than one or two. The Piranha doesn't look anywhere near being a 40+ year old design. A nice find that should be well worth your time and effort.

[ClearSpot]

Cool.A guy I work with has one too.Unlikely that there are parts out there.But I can check with him.

Here's a great site for reference...

http://www.c-we.com/piranha/index.htm

[dragsta]

that's amazingly cool. i'd love to have that car... if you don't mind me asking; what did you have to pay for it?


Clearspot: i couldn't help but notice your 67 Cougar avatar.... my grandmom had a white one with a black top that my granddad bought new in 67. she sold it to my dad for $2,000 and sent my 21yo butt to florida to drive it back to Grand Prairie, Tx. it was perfect. my dad's wife kept nagging him to get rid of it and he sold it to some dudes who just inquired one day. pissed me right off!

[aircap]

I remember the Pirahna dragster kit - but not the coupe on Man From UNCLE.

[Deuces]

Originally Posted by ClearSpot

Cool.A guy I work with has one too.Unlikely that there are parts out there.But I can check with him.

Here's a great site for reference...

http://www.c-we.com/piranha/index.htm

That's a very cool site!!! Thanks for posting it!!!

[agtw31]

looks like a Lotus Europa to me

[Carguy1965]

Marbon Chemical had 5 or 6 built by Centaur Engineering, one of their divisions. AMT built 5 or 6, including the Dragster and UNCLE cars.

The first photo below is the Marbon CRV - 1. Metal tube chassis with Sunbean Alpine engine.

The second photo is the first coupe made called the CRV-IV. Note the Porsche rear grilles in the deck lid.

The third shot is the first production 1967 AMT Piranha. Instead of sliding side windows, it had small, hinged little doors in the side glass. Also note the "Gurney Bubbles" in the door tops for more head room.

[wvenfield]

Wow, and here I thought you bought one of the model kits. Pretty cool.

[Deuces]

So, what's the story on the actor Robert Vaughn??? Is he still alive and kickin'??? It be great to see him and the U.N.C.L.E. car together again....

[carcrazyjohn]

Looks like youll need to build a frame ,Look into chevette suspension parts ,Fiero is the same

[BOWTIE BROWN]

Total awesome...don't remember the car in the show. BUT THERE IS ALOT OF THINGS I DON'T REMEMBER FROM BACK THEN.
"AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"

[jimmitchell70]

Deuces - Robert Vaughn is still kicking and lives about 25 minutes from me in CT.
I agree w/ the post #10.

[Kripfink]

As a huge man from uncle fan(second favourite ever show, just behind the original Star Trek series) and a huge Winfield fan I am insanely jealous. Are you going to restore it to the Winfield version?
Paul

[6t5frlane]

I have a very cool poster from 1966 showing the car racing against Darrell Drokes Mustang. Not sure how to post. Can I E Mail it to someone to post ??

[Carguy1965]

Yes, my initial thoughts are to restore the car to the second version which was painted a light metallic green with black seats. The car still retains the original lower front valance from the UNCLE car. The holes for the two flame thowers have been covered and patched.

[dragsta]

kripfink: i found a perfect "man from uncle" t-shirt at the goodwill store one fine year. i was wearing it while playing rough with my pitbull doggie. that was the end of that shirt.... but i never knew what "U.N.C.L.E" stood for until i found that shirt. "United Network Command for Law and Enforcement"