MadaboutKitcars

1960 stands out in history as marking two great events. Firstly, the birth of Carol Vorderman


And secondly, the design and production of the acknowledged Worlds First Series Kit Car, the Colani GT, designed by Swiss born, German Industrial designer, Luigi Colani (Google his name, you’ll see some Awesome stuff he’s done).


Now, 53 years later, Ribble Kits are very pleased to pay homage to that event by releasing our Ribble Colani GT, a faithful reproduction of his creation which has not seen the light of day for so long. All the moulds and jigs are ready for production and here, as promised, are a few photos taken of our demonstrator just prior to going off to the paint shop. More will follow:







Walk Around Video - Click photo below


Based on the humble Volkswagen Beetle running gear, modified or not, in our eyes the Colani GT makes for a stunning vision on the road. (This car is very much a ‘Marmite’, splitting people into those who just Love the lines and those who really dislike it). You will notice that our demonstrator is a Left Hand Drive model (Reproducing the original) but we do, of course, offer a Right Hand Drive option.

Our kit includes:
• The Three main GRP portions, Tub, Engine cover and Bonnet, each laminated to a high quality and strength with a high gloss Gel finish (Grey as standard to give a good base for paint or at extra cost, we would add pigment, not only in the Gel but in the underlying resin coats)
• GRP Inner rear wheel arches in similar fabrication to the main GRP portions
• Rear steel frame which supports the Engine cover and also provisions the battery tray
• Front steel frame which includes hinge for the bonnet and support for the fuel tank

We will be offering other accessories such as Screens, headlight covers and seats to help complete your build. Turnkey and partial builds to your own specification are also an option with immediate effect.

Cost of the Ribble Colani GT:
• Basic Kit as described above - £3400
• Addition of a pigmented Gel finish (Including underlying resin coats) - £150
• Headlight covers (Shatterproof UV Resistant Polycarbonate) - £120
• 4mm Perspex Screen - £60
• Pair GRP Seats (Uncovered) with suitable runners - £150
• Upholstered Seats – Ask for details
• Full Turnkey (UK Registered and MoT) – Starting at £12,000

Very many congratulations on the new design and good luck with the venture, which is very 'retro' and harkens back to the 'Sixties and 'Seventies when designers of low volume fibre glass kit cars were not afraid to take bold leaps into unknown territory....

Being Beetle based it would make a great amphibian and an all electric swimming version could be called the Coloni-C..

A quick google search throws up some very nice original cars (and some not so nice!) but this is one of my favourites

I think Carol vorderman would get it, wow shes hot

... of course if the amphibian version skidded into a Norfolk drainage ditch there might be some on this site who would consider it Coloni-c Irrigation..

You crazy man you have an interesting imagination , makes me laugh mate.

Are the export versions going to be called Coloni-al?

Does the vehicle bonnet depict the General Arrangement of the 'Duck Billed' version for the export market? If so this must be the 'Coloni-al GA Daffy' marque...

(Cheers Mike!)

I dont want to be a spoil sport but I thought that I would point out that its a ColAni which doesnt realy have the same comedy value.

Stop it im in stitches .

I must confess that when I saw this first photo I thought it was a "curvy" Batmobile.



Don't get me wrong, that would be a good thing in my books.

I look forward to seeing it in paint and with the grille fitted.

Good luck, Paul.

PS
Will someone please give the wheels and tyres a clean!

I was thinking where the stray O came from too!

They are transport wheels. The ones we have for it are rather special!

...then there's the special anniversary chrome plated version:-

The Duck Billed Plated Plus......



'..dont want to be a spoil sport but I thought that I would point out that its a ColAni which doesnt realy have the same comedy value...'

Yeah Gaz it does - if you say 'Colani-c' in a very heavy American accent!

Nike do you do stand up by any chance ound:

so many people are doing that right now

Paul, its not just you, I also thought Batmobile when I first saw it as did others.

The wheels are from the donor, the car will have new wheels and tyres going onto it as soon as it comes back from the paint shop.

Not a prayer!!

Joking aside, its a great shape, a bit TX Tripper-ish..

I hope the designs patented or it might get copied by an Australian..then it'd be a Colaniozcopy...

(Sorry Gaz)

Or maybe somebody could just put a wheelbarrow on the bonnet and take a mould eep:

Nike what is tk tipper ?

Hi gaz , If you look on my options i sell the single wheel , so not so bad

here's a teaser of it in paint.....




official video to follow....