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Purchased: 1967 AMT Piranha - Need parts

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Carguy1965, Jun 7, 2011.

  1. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    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!
     

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    Last edited: Jun 22, 2011
  2. F&J
    Joined: Apr 5, 2007
    Posts: 13,222

    F&J
    Member

    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.
     
  3. 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
    .
     
  4. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    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.
     

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  5. 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. :eek: 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. :D
     
  6. ClearSpot
    Joined: Aug 20, 2009
    Posts: 941

    ClearSpot
    Member
    from Michigan

  7. dragsta
    Joined: Apr 11, 2010
    Posts: 589

    dragsta
    BANNED

    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!
     
  8. aircap
    Joined: Mar 10, 2011
    Posts: 1,746

    aircap
    Member

    I remember the Pirahna dragster kit - but not the coupe on Man From UNCLE.
     
  9. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 23,673

    Deuces

    That's a very cool site!!! Thanks for posting it!!! :D:):D
     
  10. agtw31
    Joined: Apr 27, 2009
    Posts: 362

    agtw31
    Member

    looks like a Lotus Europa to me
     
  11. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    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.
     

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    Last edited: Jun 10, 2011
  12. wvenfield
    Joined: Nov 23, 2006
    Posts: 5,580

    wvenfield
    Member

    Wow, and here I thought you bought one of the model kits. Pretty cool.
     
  13. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 23,673

    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....
     
  14. carcrazyjohn
    Joined: Apr 16, 2008
    Posts: 4,843

    carcrazyjohn
    Member
    from trevose pa

    Looks like youll need to build a frame ,Look into chevette suspension parts ,Fiero is the same
     
  15. BOWTIE BROWN
    Joined: Mar 30, 2010
    Posts: 3,252

    BOWTIE BROWN
    Member

    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"
     
  16. jimmitchell70
    Joined: Aug 6, 2009
    Posts: 230

    jimmitchell70
    Member
    from CT

    Deuces - Robert Vaughn is still kicking and lives about 25 minutes from me in CT.
    I agree w/ the post #10.
     
  17. Kripfink
    Joined: Sep 30, 2008
    Posts: 2,040

    Kripfink
    Member Emeritus

    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
     
  18. 6t5frlane
    Joined: Dec 8, 2004
    Posts: 2,399

    6t5frlane
    Member
    from New York

    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 ??
     
  19. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    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.
     
  20. dragsta
    Joined: Apr 11, 2010
    Posts: 589

    dragsta
    BANNED

    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"
     
  21. Was offered that car a couple years back but passed on it...dumb. Good score. Here's photos from the show...
     

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    Last edited: Jun 9, 2011
  22. Is that corvair powered?

    Cool find, i was a big Man from Uncle fan.

    Illiya is alive and kicking on NCIS every Tuesday night.

    Sounds like you need to get with Mr. Winfield on all the particulars.
     
  23. 6t5frlane
    Joined: Dec 8, 2004
    Posts: 2,399

    6t5frlane
    Member
    from New York

    Carguy Pic of poster sent
     
  24. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    Thanks 6t5frlane.
     

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  25. scrubba
    Joined: Jul 20, 2010
    Posts: 939

    scrubba
    Member

    Such a shame that such a rare car or one of the few Pirhanas that did make it out of A M T's Phoenix plant to be cut on like too many other so called "Ole Cars ....... " scrubba
     
  26. frank spittle
    Joined: Jan 29, 2009
    Posts: 1,672

    frank spittle
    Member

    This is the dragster in '66 with Walt Stevens driving. Don Garlits owns it now.
     

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  27. The37Kid
    Joined: Apr 30, 2004
    Posts: 30,583

    The37Kid
    Member

    Robert Vaughn has lived here since the mid 1980's, has a early 1960's Lincoln convertible he drives around once in a while. If I see him I'll ask him about the "Man Fron Uncle" car. :)
     
  28. Find Frank Zucchi he races one in San Francisco Region of SCCA


    Poverty leaves an impression
     
  29. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    UNCLE fan and collector Robert Short located and beautifly restored the rebuilt "Man from UNCLE" car. The car resides in southern California.
     

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    Critical Mass likes this.
  30. Carguy1965
    Joined: Dec 14, 2008
    Posts: 168

    Carguy1965
    Member
    from Illinois

    Here is a shot of the restored Piranha dragster in Don Garlit's museum in Florida.
     

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