Manufactured by one of the most storied makes in the world of kit cars, FiberFab's Aztec 7 was introduced in the early 1970's. It was loosely based on an Alfa Romeo concept car from 1968 called the Carabo, which was designed by the legendary car stylist Marcello Gandini during his time with the Italian design house Bertone.
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The Aztec 7 body components, which mounted
to a shortened VW Beetle chassis
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While the Carabo was based on running gear from Alfa Romeo's classic, the Tipo 33 Stradale, the Aztec 7 used a humble VW Beetle as its donor. The body mounted directly to the Bug's floor pan and required some modifications to be made to the steering box and shift linkage for proper fitment.
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| The Aztec 7, with doors and rear clamshell open |
One notable "feature" of the kit is its windshield, which was sourced from the Lamborghini Miura. Not a cheap item, to be sure.
The Aztec 7 also differed from the car that inspired it by eschewing the "scissor" doors of the Carabo for an equally unconventional set of "gull-wing" doors, not unlike a DeLorean or Mercedes 300SL. The overall look of the car was very exotic and definitely made an impression.
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| The Aztec 7, with pop-ups exposed |
It was definitely a product of its time, with a wedge shaped profile and large front and rear overhangs which were common for cars of the day. When the challenge of making one was taken on by a skilled builder the results could be truly beautiful.
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| The Aztec 7 |
The car was sold, in kit form, throughout the 70's until around 1983 when its maker was sold to FiberFab's main rival, Classic Motor Carriages. It was very popular, with many examples being featured in Petersen's Kit Car magazine and shown at events like the Kit Car Nationals at Knott's Berry Farm. There was even a steam-powered land speed record car made in 1977, by FiberFab and James Crank's JDEX Company.
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| The Aztec 7 based, steam turbine record car (via Hemmings) |
It could be said that the years from 1975-1985 represented a "Golden Age" of kit cars in the US. The Aztec 7 holds a prominent place among the cars of that era as a true classic.
Sources:
Hemmings Motor News
Various eBay listings
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| The Aztec 7, pop-ups exposed (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7 at rear (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7 in profile (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, head on (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, rear 3/4 view (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, interior (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, rear 3/4, in red (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in red (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in white (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in white, doors and clamshell open (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in red (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in red (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in white (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, in red |
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| The Aztec 7, engine detail (via eBay) |
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| The Aztec 7, mild custom |
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| The Aztec 7, front 3/4 view (via Aztec 7 Blog) |
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| The Aztec 7, front/side view (via Aztec 7 Blog) |
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| The Aztec 7, front view (via Aztec 7 Blog) |
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| The Aztec 7, interior (via Aztec 7 Blog) |
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| The Aztec 7, in profile (via Aztec 7 Blog) |
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| An Aztec 7 advertisement (via RCC Archive) |
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