August 2009 Kit Car Builder Sneak Preview

We thought we'd tease you a little with this sneak preview of the August 2009 issue of Kit Car Builder. We just put the finishing touches on it and must say that it's brilliant. You'll have to wait a little for it to arrive in your mailboxes (subscribers should probably receive it around end of June and on the newsstands July 7).

If you like engine stuff, you'll love this issue as it includes a special section on motive power--everything from electric and alt-fuel talk to 550-hp Ford V-8s. It'a also our 2010 Preview Issue with lots of new cars that you'll be seeing soon. We have coverage of the two largest kit car shows and a bunch of surprises thrown in just for fun. Now a little break, then it's onto the next issue. That is after we hit the London Cobra Show at the end of the month. Enjoy!

Keyless Ignition

KIL Products has introduced the new Keyless Ignition Lock for specialty cars. This innovative system uses a push-button code with an ultra secure four-digit pin code that completely does away with the need for keys of any kind. It’s a clean and simple system that takes about an hour to install. The unit can custom fit most anything with a 12-volt ignition system.

Simply insert a four-digit code, press the green button for “start” and press the red for “off.” The two extra buttons in the kit are “reset” buttons. If someone tries to pick your lock and hits a reset button the code is “reset.” It’s virtually impossible to pick. The introductory price for the KIL Car Kit is $190.

For more information contact KIL Products at (612)251-6366 or visit www.thekil.com.

American Gasser Spinoff

American Gasser, Inc. recently completed its spin-off from Active Power, Inc. The new company aims to become a full-service, period-correct reproduction Gasser Coupe fabrication shop. The primary platform, the 1940-1941 Willys Coupe, was exhibited throughout the 2008 show season and has now become the preferred builder for the National Geezer Gasser organization.

American Gasser’s Coupe body/chassis configurations include the following hand fabricated boxed frames, parallel leaf spring/straight axle configuration, rear coilover shocks, ladder bars, and Panhard bar; Ford 9 in. rear end, Hand Laid 4-layer fiberglass body, glass, and hardware.

Nostalgia drag racing has dramatically increased in popularity in recent years. This grass roots level of affordable fun has grown in scale every year with NHRA and the Goodguys Rod and Custom shows, each hosting multiple nostalgic drag racing events.

American Gasser is presently working on a 1933 Willys Coupe and has plans for a 1948 Anglia product this summer. For more information visit: www.americangasser.com.

Check out more great news stories like this in the newest issue of Kit Car Builder magazine.

New GT In Town

Tornado Sports Cars has been producing GT40 replicas for more than 20 years in the UK and now once again has representation in the U.S. in the form of Scott Calabro, Tornado Sports Cars USA, in Southwick, Massachusetts. The Belgian Racing Yellow car shown here is Chris’ RHD demo model that features a 385hp 289cid small-block topped with a set of Weber 44 IDFs and coupled to a UN1-26 transaxle. The car is additionally outfitted with the typical bundle-o-snakes headers, chrome suspension links, lightweight starter, anti rollbars, lightweight alloy radiator, alloy shocks, Wilwood four-piston caliper brakes at all four corners, oil cooler, and BRM knock-off wheels. The car will soon receive the company’s new lightweight cast rear uprights as well. For more details on the car, contact Scott; (413) 977-4408, www.tornadosportscars.com.

For more photos check out the April issue of Kit Car Builder magazine.

Rocky Mountain Replica Roundup

Aside from the great venue -- Heritage Square amusement park in golden, Colorado -- the friendly folks and the laid-back atmosphere, one of the coolest things about the Rocky Mountain Replica Roundup is the wide variety of cars that show up. The show is not dominated by one single marque, except perhaps this year, with an abundance of dune buggies, most from Renagade. The Replica Roundup is the annual event hosted by the Rocky Mountain Handcrafted Automobile club, and specifically its tireless organizer, Chris Guenther and his family. (That's his venerable Aztec 7, that won the People's Choice award this year). We have to brag a little too as QueenBee Youngs' Regal Roadsters T-Bird replica took home the Best of Show honors. You'll be seeing more coverage of this fun event in an upcoming issue of KCB.