Kelmark Engineering
Kelmark Engineering was an auto shop based in Okemos, Michigan, that focused on the production of rear/mid-engined kit cars. The kits were built by hobbyists or professional mechanics manually. Until 1986, Kelmark Engineering built kits and complete vehicles which were either Volkswagen-based or on tubular race car style frames. The outfit gained its name from the two co-creators who started the operation, Russ Keller and Randy Markham - hence KELMARK.
The cars are all "rare" models, but the Kelmark GT body style was the most popular. It was featured in the magazine Car and Driver in 1977[1] and 1979[2]. The car had exterior styling that was distinctive for its debut in 1969. The styling was reportedly influenced by Ferrari and a Corvette concept car.[3]The "Independence" model was a fiberglass body kit for a Volkswagen chassis, while the "Liberator" model was more customized, and could go on a tube frame, Porsche or VW chassis, or even a custom combination[4].
The final body design ended being 5 inches wider than an original Ferrari Dino 246GTS in order to allow it to fit over a VW chassis. The windshield came from a Ford Pinto, and the side glass was the REAR windows of a Chevelle turned backwards.
Kelmark also produced a unique car for the time period: a V8 powered Volkswagen Beetle[5]. It was marketed as a sleeper, meant to look like a stock Beetle. There was also a mid-engine V8 conversion for the Chevy Corvair.[6]
[edit] External links
Kelmark GT Owner's Group : kelmarkgt.com
Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelmark-GT-Owners-Group/170840576260554
[edit] References
- ^ Car and Driver magazine, November, 1977.
- ^ Car and Driver magazine, "Going for it", 1979.
- ^ "Kelmark History at Bugoholics"
- ^ Company marketing brochure, scanned copy available at [1] and [2].
- ^ Company marketing brochure, scanned copy available at [3] and [4].
- ^ Company marketing brochure, scanned copy available at [5] and [6].
![[1]](http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad1.jpg){kind=link}
![[2]](http://www.bugoholics.com/kelmarkad2.jpg){kind=link}