An Australian Aztec

The DRB Aztec was a project of Dennis R. Bedford, a noted builder of boats and specials in Queensland, Australia. DRB has produced a number of cars of his own design and some notable replicas of the Shelby 427 Cobra, Ford GT 40, Jaguar XJ220 and the ill-fated XJ13 Le Mans racer, as well as the 2004 Ford/Shelby Cobra concept car that is still produced today. 

The Aztec's styling was inspired by the Vision Fact 4 concept car from Zender, one of the premier German tuning houses and makers of aftermarket auto accessories in the 1980's and 90's. The Aztec boasts the same basket handle rear wing, slab sides, and blistered fenders, as well as the overall silhouette of its German muse.

DRB Aztec, front-left quarter

Based on the more widely produced Sabre, it retained similar mechanicals. The bodywork appears to be based on the MK1 version of the Sabre, as the MK2 had more rounded contours in its shoulder line and fenders. 

Mounted on the floor-pan of a Volkswagen Type-3, with an "add-on chassis" incorporating box section steel tubing and integral bumper bars within the body, it also retained the air-cooled VW 1600 motor and adjustable front suspension with disc brakes.

DRB Aztec engine bay

That being said at least one version of the car had a Toyota 4AGE First Generation 1600 twin cam fuel injected motor. This was rear mounted, with Radiator up front and twin fans to aid in cooling. 

The last unbuilt example was started in 1990 in New South Wales, Australia, and was brought to the Gold Coast in 1992, to continue the build. It had sat for many years unfinished and in 2021 the build process started again, being completed in 2022. It was recently offered up for sale on carsales.com.au and appears to have been sold, as of August 2023.

DRB Aztec rear-right quarter

At least 4 units were produced, being finished in red, green, white, and yellow respectively. It is an incredibly rare car, even for kit cars, in Australia.

Photo credits:

carsales.com.au

Facebook Marketplace

DRB Aztec front-right quarter

DRB Aztec left-rear quarter

DRB Aztec interior