TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:40 pm

Hey Guys,
I've looked and looked but can't seem to find where I initially saw this vehicle. i think it was a couple years ago that I saved these images to my computer. Does anyone know what it is, or anything about it... or heck, anything that looks similar. From reading about the off road rails, it seems like handling (turning specifically) isn't one of their strong points.

Thanks

Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:14 pm

the frame design is pretty close to an arial atom (google it) but regardless i would love to have it pretty trick.

Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:39 pm

Same basic design as the atom but using VW suspension design. I toyed around with the idea in photoshop a few months ago after seeing the chop top rail frame. My opinion street rails don't look too bad and would be a blast if the front end would stay down:

Sun Mar 08, 2009 1:41 am

Wow - I remember those license plates...!!

Michigan - from 1976 if I'm not mistaken....

Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:57 am

I seen it in a issue (car show pic) in hot vw"s or vw trends. Its been a while.

Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:04 am

This is actually the mid-engine chassis from www.sterlingsportscars.com
They cost about $11K.

Sun Mar 08, 2009 9:21 am

burn-z wrote: This is actually the mid-engine chassis from www.sterlingsportscars.com
They cost about $11K.

Nope, different chassis setups between the two. SSC's chassis is not all tubular like this one amongst other things.

Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:53 am

Saw this buggy at Greensboro NC SEVWA indoor show a couple years ago - didn't catch name of owner...

bnc

Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:46 am

Thanks for all the responses.
57streetrodbuggy - I'm all too familiar with the atom--it's what prompted me to look for a vw version (which should be a little {LOT} cheaper)

vpogv - I did a little searching on the forum for that chop top rail but I can't seem to find anything. It looks pretty awesome from your pics. Was that chop top frame something you saw on this forum? Going the Mid Engine route would help keep the nose down a little right? How many of you guys have or have driven the mid engine rails? I guess I could always add some sort of wing up front to give some downforce while at speed.

burn-z - Those sterlings are pretty nice--If I can't find something else then maybe I'll go that route.

If anyone has pictures, or thoughts on how to increase the handling for the road then I'd greatly appreciate the info.

Mon Mar 09, 2009 7:43 am

In my opinion it's all about weight distribution. Get the tank and battery up front, get some weight up there.

Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:26 am

tabell2001 wrote: vpogv - I did a little searching on the forum for that chop top rail but I can't seem to find anything. It looks pretty awesome from your pics. Was that chop top frame something you saw on this forum? Going the Mid Engine route would help keep the nose down a little right?

Digging around one day found the chop top frame here. Took it then shortened and dropped it to see how it'd look. There are the originals from thebuggyshop.50megs.com.

Mid Engine would help but as Glasser suggested throwing a bit of weight up front would take care of things easily.

Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:56 pm

That is Mr. John Zwack's teal rail
He was at the last Greensboro Indoor show, but I do know it was for sale. I recall someone calling me about it not to long after that.

Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:33 pm

Hi, to all who have viewed this rail and to all that do, it belonged to and was built by my uncle Johnny(John Zwack Conway, South Carolina) he spent many hours custom bending the upper bars to which have many bends in them with different radius's in which they match each other, FAST oh yeah the 4 speed would really reach out and touch "YA" !!!! To all concerned he has passed a few years back in which I miss him dearly, he was one of my mentors as I was his biggest fan, so for any with questions contact me and we can go from there. Thank you all for looking and admiring his work and perception of something extraordinary, Rick(nephew)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fri May 08, 2020 10:52 am

Butanehot wrote: Hi, to all who have viewed this rail and to all that do, it belonged to and was built by my uncle Johnny(John Zwack Conway, South Carolina) he spent many hours custom bending the upper bars to which have many bends in them with different radius's in which they match each other, FAST oh yeah the 4 speed would really reach out and touch "YA" !!!! To all concerned he has passed a few years back in which I miss him dearly, he was one of my mentors as I was his biggest fan, so for any with questions contact me and we can go from there. Thank you all for looking and admiring his work and perception of something extraordinary, Rick(nephew)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick, what a neat piece of kit!

Did you take ownership of the car after your Uncle’s passing?

Sat May 09, 2020 5:57 am

Those pics were taken at Farmington Dragway. Message Kathy Jacobs from SEVWA, Im sure she can get you in contact with the owner. She keeps all info on car show and racer participants.
Ive seen that thing before, it was clean.

Sat May 09, 2020 7:17 am

gbaker wrote: Those pics were taken at Farmington Dragway. Message Kathy Jacobs from SEVWA, Im sure she can get you in contact with the owner. She keeps all info on car show and racer participants.
Ive seen that thing before, it was clean.

Butanehot (Rick) has already managed to establish who the owner was as per above.

Sun Jun 21, 2020 12:00 am

Tried PM-ing Rick, but no reply.

Anyone know where the car could be?

Keen to get some more photos of it.

Sun Jun 21, 2020 5:14 am

NatedoggAZ wrote: Wow - I remember those license plates...!!

Michigan - from 1976 if I'm not mistaken....

Yep, Michigan '76 plate. Have a few tucked away. Why? Lol

Tue Jun 30, 2020 3:57 pm

it seems everybody remembers that car...

Fri Jul 03, 2020 8:47 pm

mark tucker wrote: it seems everybody remembers that car...

Everyone remembers, but then it simply disappears. 😭