Chalon Kit or GT kit Which one ? Feedback Options

[Larmo63]

"Shalom"

LOLOLOL.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif)

[Mark Henry]

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to convert every 1.7L car I find into a 3.2L six cyllinder with a chalon kit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

There's a 2.7 rayco around here that was for sale for $10K not long ago.

[ConeDodger]

The GT is a mod with a real world purpose. The Chalon changes what was a 914 into something that looks different but doesn't add any driving enhancement.

Brett

I owned an '84 RX-7 GSL-SE and whenever I see a Chalon, I know what inspired them to design the Mazda... Not a bad looking Mazda. Terrible thing to do to a 914...

[Rand]

Shall (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif) The shalooof... ShaLame....shall (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) was always questionable, and when it was the least-questionable, was some time ago.


The GT style has always been awesome and will remain timeless.

[Steve]

Shall (IMG:style_emoticons/default/icon8.gif) The shalooof... ShaLame....shall (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) was always questionable, and when it was the least-questionable, was some time ago.


The GT style has always been awesome and will remain timeless.

I liked the shalom and rayco conversions back in the 80's, but I always liked the GT style better. I just hated fiberglass fenders and couldn't afford the steel GT flairs. Thanks to everyone's best friend at AA, we now have lower cost steel replica GT fenders. Say what you want about George, but I'm happy he made the GT steel flairs happen. People say they will never sell there car, but crap happens. A rayco or shalom, will be a lot harder to sell versus a GT clone.

[boxsterfan]

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to convert every 1.7L car I find into a 3.2L six cyllinder with a chalon kit. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)

There's a 2.7 rayco around here that was for sale for $10K not long ago.

I'm still waiting on my winning lottery tickets. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[AZBanks]

Resurrecting an old thread.

I realize I am in the minority here but I like the Chalon kit. The problem is that almost none of them are done right.

The wheel openings are bigger than the factory 914 openings but people typically use the same size wheels and tires as they would on a normal 914 and it makes the whole car look like a clown car.

Here are a couple Chalon kits. One that looks like a clown car and one that does not.





The project I am building with my son will have a Chalon kit on it. All four corners need serious body work and it will be cheaper and easier to remove the trouble spots and install the kit than it will be to fix all the issues the car has now. I've included a picture of how it looked when I bought it so you can see that "diminishing the value" is pretty close to impossible with this car.




The plans I have for it will be unlike any Chalon conversion done in the past. I know I am not going to change most peoples opinion but I guarantee it will be different than any Chalon you have seen before.

[motorvated]

Resurrecting an old thread.

I realize I am in the minority here but I like the Chalon kit. The problem is that almost none of them are done right.

The wheel openings are bigger than the factory 914 openings but people typically use the same size wheels and tires as they would on a normal 914 and it makes the whole car look like a clown car.

Here are a couple Chalon kits. One that looks like a clown car and one that does not.

The project I am building with my son will have a Chalon kit on it. All four corners need serious body work and it will be cheaper and easier to remove the trouble spots and install the kit than it will be to fix all the issues the car has now. I've included a picture of how it looked when I bought it so you can see that "diminishing the value" is pretty close to impossible with this car.


The plans I have for it will be unlike any Chalon conversion done in the past. I know I am not going to change most peoples opinion but I guarantee it will be different than any Chalon you have seen before.

Does anyone know how large and wide a wheel a 5-lug 911 converted Chalon bodied car can accept? To eliminate that Clown Car look.

[barefoot]

Resurrecting an old thread.

I realize I am in the minority here but I like the Chalon kit. The problem is that almost none of them are done right.

The wheel openings are bigger than the factory 914 openings but people typically use the same size wheels and tires as they would on a normal 914 and it makes the whole car look like a clown car.

Here are a couple Chalon kits. One that looks like a clown car and one that does not.

The project I am building with my son will have a Chalon kit on it. All four corners need serious body work and it will be cheaper and easier to remove the trouble spots and install the kit than it will be to fix all the issues the car has now. I've included a picture of how it looked when I bought it so you can see that "diminishing the value" is pretty close to impossible with this car.

The plans I have for it will be unlike any Chalon conversion done in the past. I know I am not going to change most peoples opinion but I guarantee it will be different than any Chalon you have seen before.

I know it's blasphemy to like Chalon kits, but I'm with you here.
Here's mine which has been modified somewhat by deleting the accordion bumper extensions and adding air scoops in front of rear wheel wells (like this when i got it)
I've put the external oil cooler behind the passenger side air intake. Made the plumbing very easy. Now with 17" wheels:

[Steve]

I don't dislike the shalom, but I like the GT look better. Plus the GT is steel versus fiber glass and it's factory designed / race inspired.

[cali914]

GT for me Chalon kit looks like an old RX7. It's all about how you feel. It's all about the mind though if you feel like your the man in the Chalon kit then go for it. Do what you like.

[AZBanks]

Does anyone know how large and wide a wheel a 5-lug 911 converted Chalon bodied car can accept? To eliminate that Clown Car look.

I don't have that information now but I will be doing a lot of testing once I have the kit installed and a 5 lug conversion completed. I've seen pictures of a Chalon with 18" wheels from a 996.

I don't dislike the shalom, but I like the GT look better. Plus the GT is steel versus fiber glass and it's factory designed / race inspired.

I like the GT look as well.

[AZBanks]

I owned an '84 RX-7 GSL-SE and whenever I see a Chalon, I know what inspired them to design the Mazda... Not a bad looking Mazda. Terrible thing to do to a 914...

That would make the design progression look like this:

930 Slant Nose -> 914 Chalon -> RX-7





It's an interesting theory but I disagree. The rx-7 was a copy of the 924 and the second gen rx-7 was an almost line for line copy of the 944 Turbo.

[boxsterfan]

I owned an '84 RX-7 GSL-SE and whenever I see a Chalon, I know what inspired them to design the Mazda... Not a bad looking Mazda. Terrible thing to do to a 914...

That would make the design progression look like this:

930 Slant Nose -> 914 Chalon -> RX-7



It's an interesting theory but I disagree. The rx-7 was a copy of the 924 and the second gen rx-7 was an almost line for line copy of the 944 Turbo.

I'd take that 914 Chalon any day of the week....except I would lose the paint stripes. That particular car shows that if done right and the right attention to detail, that the Chalon kit can look quite well.

Who's car is that by the way? And is it for sale? ;-)

[AZBanks]

I owned an '84 RX-7 GSL-SE and whenever I see a Chalon, I know what inspired them to design the Mazda... Not a bad looking Mazda. Terrible thing to do to a 914...

That would make the design progression look like this:

930 Slant Nose -> 914 Chalon -> RX-7



It's an interesting theory but I disagree. The rx-7 was a copy of the 924 and the second gen rx-7 was an almost line for line copy of the 944 Turbo.

I'd take that 914 Chalon any day of the week....except I would lose the paint stripes. That particular car shows that if done right and the right attention to detail, that the Chalon kit can look quite well.

Who's car is that by the way? And is it for sale? ;-)

I/we will not be doing stripes. I am thinking about smoothing/removing the three vertical/curved lines from the sail panel area.


I don't know who owns the one it the picture. I found the image doing a google search for "914 Chalon". There are several pictures of it floating around and I think some of them come from a "for sale" post somewhere but I have no idea how old the post is. Sorry I can't be more help.

[porschetub]

If you have a good running junk car with issues in all four corners ,go for it...really dated conversion now.
Really (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) if you look @ it for too long,not everyones taste.

[canaus]

Resurrecting an old thread. Is anyone out there?

Looking at purchasing a 914 with a Chalon kit. The car is in good shape but I would have trouble sleeping at night with its Chalon looks.

Yes find another car is an option, but not many around and this one is in good shape.

What needs to be done to return the car to body lines or maybe there is a halfway compromise. Leave the Chalon fenders and replace the front & rear bumpers. The scalloped sail would need to go.

Has anyone done anything like this? Just trying to get an idea of the extent of work.

[Rand]

Many have tried to undo the shame of the chalame. It's not the best starting place.

Since you are in a place where it's hard to find a good car.... I see your dilemma. A good chalon could have good bones. Either way, it's a lot of work. Are you up for it? It will be a huge amount of metal fab and body work. What's your background on such?

[canaus]

Many have tried to undo the shame of the chalame. It's not the best starting place.

Since you are in a place where it's hard to find a good car.... I see your dilemma. A good chalon could have good bones. Either way, it's a lot of work. Are you up for it?

Not knowing how the Chalon body bits were installed and trying to figure out how to remove them.

Fenders - are the Chalon fender glassed onto the original metal fenders and sheet metal cut out?

Bumpers - front and rear should be easy to remove as I would think they are bolted on. But there looks like a valence, between the pop up head lights
And under bumper cowling
And returns on the ends of the bumper, where the rubber accordion is.

The Chalon sail looks like it would require cutting out

Yup, bit of work.
Can anyone shed anymore light on the matter?

[jcd914]

If it were a good rust free chassis, then putting stock fenders or quarter panels could be cheaper than fixing a rusty chassis.
Rust free doesn't really exist and a chalon is not a likely place to find it.

Buy the best condition 914 you can find/afford and enjoy it.

Jim