BritishV8 Forum

General Category => Other Cars (British & British-Inspired) => Topic started by: mgb260 on May 05, 2010, 01:16:09 AM

Title: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 05, 2010, 01:16:09 AM
Originally a German  Fiberfab kit car for the VW beetle. It was bought by ACM and Seraph motors in Britain and redesigned for the Ford. In Britain it was known as ACM Excalibur(not Crusader) and later Seraph 3000. It looks like a cross between a GT40 and  a Mustang. Here are a couple of pics:
145x110_1253374669-seraph-003.jpg
145x110_1253374789-seraph-005.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 05, 2010, 01:30:53 AM
Here is another pic:
bonitonose.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 05, 2010, 11:17:56 PM
Seraph still being made in Britain. No website but, if interested call Gary (WSCars)at 02476336798. Here are a couple more pics:
BonitoFront1_thumbnail.jpg
P4270091k_thumbnail.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 05, 2010, 11:22:12 PM
One more pic,Other than the wheels; a beautifully proportioned car. It kind of reminds me of the Honda NSX in profile.:
4222211397_fa54581c3f.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: Moderator on May 06, 2010, 11:46:47 AM
Pretty bodywork.

Jim, what did you mean by "redesigned for the Ford"?  Doesn't the body still sit on a VW bug chassis?

I wonder if one has made it to North America yet?  

There must be at least a thousand different models of British kit cars...
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 06, 2010, 01:08:02 PM
Seraph LTD. developed the front engine version. Cortina,Sierra parts. Ladder frame. The Seraph 3000 has a raised hood with a Chevy style cowl induction. Some racecar versions used the Rover V8. In the first pictures you can see the hood. There have been a few in America on EBay. There was a guy looking to buy the original molds on a message board. I would love to get a hold of one.In the early rear engine one I would use an Audi transaxle and V8. The newer front engine  a street rod type(Mustang II) front suspension and V8.For the V8 either Buick/Rover or Caddy 4.9.
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 06, 2010, 01:16:44 PM
Curtis, I sent the board an E-mail about a magazine article on this subject. You can use what I found and probably find a lot more info. Kind of like your Ginetta article.
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 06, 2010, 02:26:15 PM
Holland Bonito club picture and another red one. Looks good except rear bumper.:
BonitoIndex.jpg
home.jpg
002.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: roverman on May 06, 2010, 03:04:40 PM
Jim, I thought you liked, x-ways ? Audi x-way ? I like Toyota MR 2 T-axle, x-way. Ford Escort rear bumper ? Needs 77' Celica mirrors, and of-course Caddy or Rover power. 2 cents.
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 06, 2010, 06:31:19 PM
Audi 5 speed is longitudinal, used in GT40 kit cars. Good to about 450HP. Needs steel sandwich plate in middle like Supra trans. Porsche 944 4 pinion posi. Kennedy adapter to just about anything. Look in Lambo Lounge web site and GT40.com for info. I just love the looks of this bodystyle.
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 06, 2010, 08:43:18 PM
White one and black one:

519666.jpg
P9180015.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 07, 2010, 12:01:25 AM
90% of these must be red.
bonito_menu.gif
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 07, 2010, 10:15:51 PM
Most beautiful one yet. Yes, it's red!
bonito2.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 08, 2010, 01:00:36 AM
Link to instruction manual for VW Beetle version in German and English.http://www.fiberfab.de/bonito-anleitungen/bauanleitung-bonito.pdf?PHPSESSID=9fcbad84110def7120fecf268635a05d
fiberfab-bonito-manual-1-150x150.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 13, 2010, 10:54:47 PM
Black primer one that is on European EBay, starting bid of 15,900 Euros.
Bn8-5fgBGkKGrHqQOKiYEtln4Og7BLlmquGT3w_35.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 13, 2010, 10:56:35 PM
Finally one that isn't red! Yellow. I think they look a little better with light covers. I would love to splash a mold off one. I think they would sell pretty good in the states.
bonito.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 14, 2010, 01:48:23 PM
More pictures from the manual. Notice it is a one piece body. See the picture of it in the back of the VW truck!
fiberfab-bonito-manual-3.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 14, 2010, 02:09:20 PM
Here's my new favorite! From the many Holland Club pictures. The rear is modified for access to a larger than Beetle motor.
HR000003.jpg
HR000020.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on May 16, 2010, 08:33:58 AM
A couple of more pictures:
bonito3a.jpg
bonito10a.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: mgb260 on June 19, 2010, 04:38:07 PM
A new one:
eigen6a.jpg
Title: Re: Bonito
Post by: NickBourne on May 06, 2012, 02:22:32 PM
DSCF1182.JPG

Hi
Would you be interested in the attached project KIT Car

See link attached

Cheers

Nick Bourne

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150810627070?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649