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Posted by: 914rrr Sep 30 2026, 08:01 PM

I just purchased a Fiberfab Aztec 7 Kit Car.

I bought (traded for ) another Aztec 7 in the early 80's. It was my daily driver in college for a couple of years before it caught fire and was totalled. I've always been half looking for one since and just missed out on a yellow one last year.

I was browsing FB Marketplace and found this one. Contacted the seller and purchased it last weekend.

It's based on a 72 VW Beetle with a 1600 dual port engine, a 2bbl Holley Weber, header exhaust and AC (weird looking AC compressor), etc. In true 80's style it has (had) a CB/AM/FM radio unit (missing) with a "deluxe" mic that has the channel changer, volume dial, etc. built in. It sort of looks like a mini voice recorder at first glance and also has a retractable CB/AM/FM antenna (broken).

Of course it has the obligatory "Turbine" wheels on it. IIRC, they're 14 x 7 ET's on a "Unilug" 5 x 4 3/4" Chevy pattern on adapters with brand new / 40+ year old raised white letter "letter size code" tires on it. The tires still have nubs on the treads.

One big upgrade from the original kit was curved laminated glass side windows, as the OG ones were plexiglass. They're currently out of the car in storage

The engine had some odd looking gizmos hanging off of it and wondered what they were. I climbed in the car and looked up and spotted it, an aftermarket push button cruise control system panel mounted in the overhead console! That also explained why there were these weird beaded chains dangling from the clutch and brake pedals. I don't ever remember seeing a cruise control system on an air-cooled VW.

Here's a few pics.

Posted by: Shivers Sep 30 2026, 08:43 PM

When you hit 88 mph do you go back to the 80’s.

I’ve never seen one. Looks like a dodge front side marker.
Nice looking car.

Posted by: infraredcalvin Sep 30 2026, 08:56 PM

I read Aztec (Aztek) and kit car and I really didn’t want to like it, but it does look kind of cool…

Posted by: sixnotfour Sep 30 2026, 10:03 PM

I agree,, I like it.. Have Fun...Think Telsa Powered...

Posted by: rick 918-S Oct 1 2026, 08:19 AM

Needs an air dam. Twin Turbo Subie 6 There are adapter kits for that VW setup. Easy swap

Posted by: Root_Werks Oct 1 2026, 04:58 PM

That's one of the nicer ones I've seen. Nice find!

Posted by: SirAndy Oct 1 2026, 05:27 PM

That nose will force a metric shit-ton of air under the car at speed!

Posted by: 914Sixer Oct 1 2026, 06:41 PM

Maybe where the Bricklen came from LOL.

Posted by: wonkipop Oct 1 2026, 07:14 PM

@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=874

type 3 suitcase engine or is it an upright fan type 1?

has a low rear decklid from looks of photos, unusual for beetle based kit cars of old with upright fan engines.

quite a nicely proportioned body. never seen or heard of one before.
very interesting.

love the single wiper. very citroen.

Posted by: JamesM Oct 1 2026, 08:41 PM

I'll believe that when I see it

Posted by: pfreiburger Oct 1 2026, 10:40 PM

Very cool, I like it! One of the more stylish and well proportioned kit cars of the era. Good advice above on the spoiler. What does it need or what do you have in mind for changes, if any?

Posted by: Tonyooc Oct 2 2026, 03:47 AM

Let's see the 57 in the garage...

Posted by: Retroracer Oct 2 2026, 05:25 AM

That's completely brilliant. Well done on the purchase! Potential Radwood star entrant!!

Any interior shots you can post?

- Tony

Posted by: rick 918-S Oct 2 2026, 06:19 AM

More please

Posted by: 914rrr Oct 2 2026, 02:38 PM

Believe it or not, my previous Aztec 7 showed 95 mph (subject to speedo error) with a 1600 stock single port and a Monza style exhaust. Think about it, the car weighs almost nothing and has near zero aerodynamic drag. A stock Lotus Europa only has 10-18 more HP than a 1600 bug.

Vehicle Specs:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1981/1016570/fiberfab_aztec_7_1600.html

Fun Fact: The roof of the Aztec 7 is low enough to pass under most parking gates without stopping (one of my favorite car tricks!).

Posted by: 914rrr Oct 2 2026, 02:43 PM

Upright fan 1600 dual port 1600, fits just fine under the rear deck. Wouldn't mind a type 4 upgrade eventually...
Single wiper, cool. Rigid wiper blade off a truck / bus, not so cool. One of the first upgrades in the works.

Posted by: 914rrr Oct 2 2026, 05:04 PM

Update:

It needs a bunch. Whatever it takes to get running first. Fixed the intermittent "no spark" issue by fixing one bad / intermittent connection on the positive lead to the coil. I

t currently turns over and runs on starting fluid or if I pour a teeny bit of gas in the carb., then runs out of gas. It's getting (some) gas to the carb and the intake / inlet screen is clean and it has a new(er) fuel filter but I think that line between the tank and the carb may be restricted and also the float needle imay be gummed up / sticking. The carb is a 2 bbl Holley Weber progressive.

I disconnected the fuel line, turned it over without the coil connected and collected the gas in a bottle. It didn't seem like very much. What are likely places to check for fuel clogs, restrictions, etc. if the car sat for 10+ years?

The gas smells kinda off, but it's good enough to start / run the car until the gas in the carb runs out. It looks like the tank has already been removed and cleaned./ painted.

I like the turbine wheels but low profile 14" tires in 215 - 235 width are hard to find and $$$$. Any leads on 14" tires would be appreciated.

Posted by: 914rrr Oct 6 2026, 10:35 AM

Interior pics, hasn't been cleaned yet. Needs new gripper / bulb door gasket on door opening. I think the carpet was silver at one time.

Any idea what these seats came out of? Really wish the seats backs would move / recline. Currently fixed in a laid back position out of necessity due to low roof. Seats move back and forth, maybe 4" total. 914 seat adjusters might be a better solution.

Also could use help identifying the steering wheel to find a spacer, if possible (waay too far away for my short arms) and a horn button for it.

I think the CB radio is still present under the dash. Love the CB mic!

I think the shifter / linkage has been modified / moved back, as my last Aztec 7 had the shifter MOL in the bottom of the dash console.

Posted by: 914rrr Oct 6 2026, 12:23 PM

Engine bay pic. It has a Motorcraft / Holley 2 bbl carb kit on it, nice cast aluminum valve covers vented to a K&N breather, a 009(?) centrifugal advance dizzy, oil temp and pressure senders, external oil cooler with deleted stock cooler and remote filter, what's left of the cruise control components, stock heater boxes with aftermarket glass pack exhaust, etc. Still has a functioning bellows thermostat, which seems kind of odd given the lack of surrounding tin and the oil cooling mods.

I'm guessing that the engine might have a few mods / upgrades given all the extras on it.

This VW also has an R-12 AC system using a (2 piston?) compressor that I don't think I've ever seen before. Anybody know anything about this compressor?

Posted by: Shivers Oct 6 2026, 01:04 PM

The city of Industry, not surprised. Back in the day there was a lot of fiberglass and race cars coming out of Industry. A type 1 is a good sign. I am a little surprised with its own frame that it didn’t end up mid engine

Posted by: 914rrr Oct 6 2026, 02:29 PM

Engine bay pic. It has a Motorcraft / Holley 2 bbl carb kit on it, nice cast aluminum valve covers vented to a K&N breather, a 009(?) centrifugal advance dizzy, oil temp and pressure senders, external oil cooler with deleted stock cooler and remote filter, what's left of the cruise control components, stock heater boxes with aftermarket glass pack exhaust, etc. Still has a functioning bellows thermostat, which seems kind of odd given the lack of surrounding tin and the oil cooling mods.

I'm guessing that the engine might have a few mods / upgrades given all the extras on it.

This VW also has an R-12 AC system using a (2 piston?) compressor that I don't think I've ever seen before. Anybody know anything about this compressor?

Posted by: ctc911ctc Oct 7 2026, 11:24 AM

Design has great symmetry, shades of Pina Farina, nice execution - reminiscent of the Bricklan (SP)


Much better than this,,,,,,or is it........??

Posted by: worn Oct 8 2026, 05:43 PM

What a score. It has a vibe that fits with a 914 World, if there ever was such a place.