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Post by itfitz98 on Feb 20, 2013 20:58:00 GMT -5
ok, got her home today. now the fun begins....get the honey do list done before I start messing with the car. more to come.  |
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zaucy
Full Member
Posts: 127
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Post by zaucy on Feb 21, 2013 4:21:22 GMT -5
looks legit!
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Post by Charlie on Feb 21, 2013 18:04:08 GMT -5
That's wild looking!
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Post by Dan MacMillan on Feb 21, 2013 18:41:55 GMT -5
They look better with the headlight covers and with the louvers removed  Nice project, start a build thread and keep it updated. |
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Post by horen2tas on Feb 21, 2013 20:17:14 GMT -5
Is that an ass bucket hanging down below??
That's gotta hurt going over a curb or a bump!!
wow! Ridiculous!
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Post by itfitz98 on Feb 21, 2013 21:09:41 GMT -5
They look better with the headlight covers and with the louvers removed Nice project, start a build thread and keep it updated. I like the headlight covers which I will eventually get my hands on, but we have a long way to go for that. The louvers I like, but who ever put them on did a nuts job as they dont line up at the ass end. they are about an inch to far forward. I really wish I could find some assembly instructions for this car so I dont have to go on an expedition to figure out where things are. |
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Post by jspbtown on Feb 21, 2013 21:14:43 GMT -5
Even if there was a manual you wouldn't get anything from it.
A big section would be how to remove the bug body. After that you basically wire it (it is HIGHLY unlikely the wiring is anything near what it should be) and bolt the body on.
With no doors, no windows, no real body panels its about as close to a dune buggy as you get (much like the Bradley GT)
You need to decide if you are doing a full resto or not. For a full resto, pull the body, rehab the chassis, fix & paint the body, rewire the car, bolt the body back on and install an interior.
If you are just going to fix it then its pretty much all bug and the best of luck with the wiring.
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Post by itfitz98 on Feb 22, 2013 1:12:39 GMT -5
the body needs to be pulled to do this right....or even half right it needs to be done...
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Post by kitcarguy on Mar 2, 2013 21:40:43 GMT -5
What a shame. Every time I see an invader I cant help to think of how good of a design it was before Bruce Weeks stole and and hacked it up. The David Loring car that started that design was so much better.
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Post by itfitz98 on Mar 4, 2013 0:56:46 GMT -5
ok, so what was it called or can youpost some pics?
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Post by Dan MacMillan on Mar 4, 2013 5:27:42 GMT -5
priceofhistoys.com/category/mantis-aegean/Dave Loring’s Kit Cars Frog Pickup, Loring Mantis, Mantis Aegean, Mantis GT, Mantis GT Pickup, Mantis Habau | Sun, 21 Dec 2008 Posted by : Shannon Larratt Schmitty who owns the Mantis Aegean a few entries back sent in this set of amazing brochures from early kit car designer Dave Loring, whose designs are said to have been ripped off by the Invader GT and the Kellison Shark. I especially love the cab that he designed for the Aegeon — I hope someone modifies their Invader to include something like that!    
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Post by kitcarguy on Mar 4, 2013 16:46:21 GMT -5
Thanks Dan,
I have a good bit of info on my site (priceofhistoys.com) I write back and forth to David Loring (now in his 70s) When I say write, I mean he does not email so it is all letters and he is a nice man. As with most kit cars his story is not different then many builders of the day. What was unique is all of his designs started with mud from the bay.
3 designs of his were stolen, and then with a little re-tooling they were rebadged . The Invader of Bruce Weeks started with the above cars, and every change Bruce made just made the invader worse. Roy Kaylor jacked a set of molds from David for electric cars (that Roy never did get off the ground, but is a so called pioneer in the field of electric vehicles)
The one that was shocking to me was a Car David had called the Gezelle. It went to a trade show or something to show off some new wheels and Jim Kellison had his way with the car and later called it the Shark.
Interesting history from a really nice guy
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Post by Dan MacMillan on Mar 4, 2013 17:13:37 GMT -5
Hope you don't mind me grabbing the pics from your site, just makes it easier for the guys.
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Post by kitcarguy on Mar 4, 2013 17:35:15 GMT -5
Hope you don't mind me grabbing the pics from your site, just makes it easier for the guys. Oh not at all. That is what it is there for. I have some really cool photos of some of the remaining Dave Loring cars but am going to write him and see if he approves of my posting them...lol Also I may acquire part or all of what he has left if we can reach an agreement |
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Post by itfitz98 on Mar 5, 2013 1:30:53 GMT -5
Your definately right, that design is a lot better.
I think the biggest problem with the invader is the doors...they are just so friggin big that is kills the lines. as I saw some one write someplace..."you have to shoot (take pics) of it from the right angle or it looks like a monstrosity"
I should have her into the garage by mid next week...the honey do list is about done, I just need to clean up my half of the gargae to make room for her.
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Post by itfitz98 on Mar 10, 2013 10:34:22 GMT -5
Started doing some of the tear down the other day. Got the louvers off and the fuel tank out along with some other odds and ends. This is going to be interesting, thats for sure. Doors off:  louvers off, showing fuel tank  before, middle and after fuel tank removal. And yes, they used 2x4's to frame around the fuel tank, apparently so it wouldnt hit the transaxle:    |
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Post by whcgt on Mar 10, 2013 19:03:39 GMT -5
Good work, I know the exact same thing that taking down a dirty neglected kit is like. Looks like your car was originally a gelcoat blue color.
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Post by itfitz98 on Mar 12, 2013 8:24:45 GMT -5
Thanks, I like to refer to it as "Crack house blue". Since it is a father/son project I try not to do a whole lot (that he will notice anyway) when the boy isnt around, but the body is about ready to be popped off. A
ll the body bolts are out, but I still have a few odds and ends to get loose before I start prying it off, then the chassis gets rolled out and we will work on the body since it will be relatively cheap, leaving the more expensive stuff for down the road.
Going to Bugapaluza in April and hope to find some engine parts there as well as be able to look at some other kits to figure out how to make the doors not only look good, but work right as well.
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Post by whcgt on Mar 12, 2013 13:36:57 GMT -5
A little bit here, a little bit there & before you know it...you will have a nice Invader GT. Here are a few pics for you to look at. Showing what your model of Invader GT can look like with doors & without the louvers. Also, a raked windshield Invader GT, to show that although not everyone's favorite looking kit car. Truth be told, a finished Invader GT can be pretty d**ned good looking. Remember..you can see the world's largest collection of Invader GT photos at: www.photobucket.com/whcgt |
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Post by whcgt on Mar 12, 2013 13:39:03 GMT -5
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Post by itfitz98 on Mar 12, 2013 13:39:50 GMT -5
I got that piece of 2x2 vertical steel out today. once I pulled it, the front of it sagged a bit. I have to believe that the seam that goes across the car was not the greatest idea and the piece of steel was there to hold everything up.
I am looking forward to the bug show in East Ridge, TN hoping there will be some bradleys or similar there that I can get a good look at.
The body is loose for the most part....I still have to deal with the stuff on the drivers side to get her completely free.
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Post by whcgt on Mar 12, 2013 13:44:52 GMT -5
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Post by whcgt on Mar 12, 2013 13:46:30 GMT -5
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Post by whcgt on Mar 12, 2013 13:47:51 GMT -5
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Post by itfitz98 on Mar 13, 2013 0:03:28 GMT -5
do you have any pictures of the door detail? I like that a lot better than those huge gull wings...
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Post by whcgt on Mar 13, 2013 1:48:25 GMT -5
The red Invader GT with the butterfly opening doors, is the raked windshield version of the Invader GT. Merely door skins with a plexi window attatched. Very light & hinged at the front, probably just a simple rod is used as a standoff, to hold door in open position. Now then, the Yellow Invader GT that you have, is not the raked windshield version. You have the large door version, you will have to look at the photos that I have of those type of Invader GT. Probably going to have to keep your doors in the gullwing fashion, with lift supports.
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Post by whcgt on Mar 13, 2013 2:06:37 GMT -5
Hey, you want an Invader GT, that you can make into a butterfly opening door type car? Well, it just so happens, I know the whereabouts of a raked windshield version of the Invader GT. Now, this car is located in your neck of the woods(Beaver Dam, KY), for only $400. It will need a ton of work, much like the yellow one that you are working on. But for only $400, it might be something for you to look into. Here are pics of that actual Invader GT. Let me know if you are interested & I will give you the contact information.
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Post by whcgt on Mar 13, 2013 2:07:55 GMT -5
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Post by whcgt on Mar 13, 2013 2:09:03 GMT -5
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Post by whcgt on Mar 13, 2013 2:10:07 GMT -5
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