Topic: Solved - NEH 3988: Kellison VSR with Crusader body

[nicanary]

I'm probably going to kick myself when the answer is revealed. I can't think of many German-built chassis of that era which were not Porsche powered, and finished up in the US of all places. It's not one of the hillclimb specials, and too big to be a Martini.

The allocated race number tells us the approximate engine size, but it's the camber on the rear wheels which puzzles me. Tell me I'm wrong - is this thing VW powered?

[Wendax]

NSU-based?

[Carnut]

I'm probably going to kick myself when the answer is revealed. I can't think of many German-built chassis of that era which were not Porsche powered, and finished up in the US of all places. It's not one of the hillclimb specials, and too big to be a Martini.

The allocated race number tells us the approximate engine size, but it's the camber on the rear wheels which puzzles me. Tell me I'm wrong - is this thing VW powered?

Yes it is, and it uses VW suspension although believe much of the chassis is bespoke, though I do need to check that.
This answers Wendax's question too I think, as there are no NSU bits.

[nicanary]

Is this anything to do with Okrasa?

[Carnut]

Is this anything to do with Okrasa?

No, nothing.  It seems to be VW-based and doesn't use a bespoke chassis.

[nicanary]

Is this anything to do with Okrasa?

No, nothing.  It seems to be VW-based and doesn't use a bespoke chassis.

When you say "bespoke", does this mean that the puzzle car has a proprietary chassis, i.e. a well-known marque?

[Carnut]

Is this anything to do with Okrasa?

No, nothing.  It seems to be VW-based and doesn't use a bespoke chassis.

When you say "bespoke", does this mean that the puzzle car has a proprietary chassis, i.e. a well-known marque?

It sits on a VW floorpan, i.e. is VW-based; I thought maybe it was offered with a chassis made by the maker.

[nicanary]

Well, after much thought and research, and panic, I can't find that actual image, but I reckon it could be a circa 1964 Crusader VSR built by Chuck Tatum. They used to run VW engines up to 1800cc+, which would account for the SCCA class designation.

[Carnut]

Well, after much thought and research, and panic, I can't find that actual image, but I reckon it could be a circa 1964 Crusader VSR built by Chuck Tatum. They used to run VW engines up to 1800cc+, which would account for the SCCA class designation.

Aha, progress!
You're on the right track and I believe a Crusader VSR body was actually used in the photograph, so technically you're right.
But that's not actually the answer I'm looking for;  it was advertised by someone else who was preparing to offer the ex-Crusader body as one of their own products.  Who?
I'll lock it for you since you're so close.

[nicanary]

It was being sold by Kellison as one of their own products, although the Crusader body was slightly modified. Here's another photo of the car.

[nicanary]

And to save you the trouble, here's the original ad.

[Carnut]

Well done!
Your persistence has paid off..

Here's another picture of the same car, but not purporting to be a Kellison!: