The 'Making A Car From A Kit!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in the showroom of "Horsepower" which is located at the corner of McGovern Ave. and North Prince Street in the north end of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  

"Horsepower" at the corner of North Prince and West McGovern Ave. 

I have made many stops over the past dozen or so years to write about some of the most beautiful vehicles I have ever seen.  As a child I lived about a half-block from what at the time was known as Mohn Bros. Buick.  

View from the Prince Street side.

During summer months I would often visit to talk with the mechanics as they worked on the monstrous cars of yesteryear.  When I purchased my second car at the age of 17, a 1955 Ford hardtop, I dropped by and asked if they could paint my pink and white car a beautiful black, since all my friends were making fun of my pretty pink car.  A few weeks later it looked great with a shiny coat of black paint.  Still was made fun of since they couldn't do anything with the pink and white interior.  Wasn't long before I bought a 1958 Chevy Impala convertible with a bright red interior; a real chick magnet.  Eventually the Buick ceased production in 2010 and the corner car dealer was opened as Horsepower Enterprises which specialized in restoration and bodywork.  Today the business is just known as "Horsepower" which tells it all.  The showroom is always filled with some of the most gorgeous cars you'd ever want to see.  I still live in the area and constantly pass by the tall glass windows as I head into the town of Lancaster.  Shortly after it changed hands, I made a stop to view one of the cars in the window and came upon one of my former students who happened to be standing in the showroom.  I had Dave as a student many years ago and we had a great time talking about all the cars that he and his co-workers transform into masterpieces of metallic, mechanical artwork.  Well, today I made another stop to take a closer look ata car I had never seen in the past.  It was a car made from a kit which was a 1929 Mercedes replica.  The car is known as the Gazelle and is available as a completely finished car or in kit form.  The kit is designed to be build using Ford Pinto or VW components.  

Page from the book you get in the kit.

The VW version can be built using any Volkswagen Beetle chassis.  It utilizes the full size pan; there is no lengthening, shortening or welding involved.  The kit is designed for the person of average mechanical skills using ordinary tools.  Construction is easy and simple by following the detailed assembly manual.  Your new car should be assembled in two or three weekends.  The front engine version, which was what I saw today, uses Ford components and is for the more mechanically inclined and will take approximately eighty to one hundred hours to complete.  

The ID on the automobile.

The Pinto Gazelle is still within the capabilities of the experienced hobbiest.  When finished the car is completely weather proof and can be equipped with a heater or air conditioner.  The car sitting in front of me in the showroom is an off-white and light brown in color with a brown interior and fantastic pin-striping which was all done at "Horsepower."  I was told that the kit costs somewhere near $10,000 to purchase. After I took a few photos of the car I checked out the other cars in the showroom and loved the paint job on the 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner.  

Front view of the car.

The car is a two-door full-size retractable hardtop convertible that was made by Ford Motor Company from 1957-1959.  The paint just glistened.  Can't imagine how long it took Dave and his crew to complete the job.  I talked with Dave for a short time and then got to meet the new General Manager, Peter Traborelli.  We talked about stories I have written in the past and he tole me I was welcome whenever I wanted to visit.  After we talked he told me I could walk through the large garage and take a look at the many cars and trucks that are currently under construction for customers.  A few of the cars in the garage were a '67 Lotus, '82 Jeep Scrambler, '66 and '60 Thunderbirds, '74 Firebird, '68 Camaro, '97 Saab and a few that carry names that weren't familiar to me.

Rear view of the car.
   

This view shows the engine compartment and the interior.

All were in different stages of restoration with a few having visible brand new paint jobs which I believe Dave does.  Some are being refurbished for resale while others are being done by the owners in hopes of having them for many more years to come.  Stop in sometime and take a look at some of the neatest cars on earth.  You better bring along your wallet, since I know from experience it is tough to walk out without taking one with you.  I have made it in and out quite a few times without buying anything, but it is extremely hard to do so.  Tell them you read about the place at this blog site.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.  PS - Thanks Peter for the license plate and key fob.  

Two workers work on the trunk of a 1957 Buick.

New bed is being installed in a GMC pickup.

Front of the same truck.

A Ford Streetrod awaits the workers.