Pull up to any local cruise night in America in a flashy red Fiberfab Jamaican, and most folks would be hard-pressed to identify the car. It might not help even if you explain that it was made in Silicon Valley in the 1960s.
As it turns out, Fiberfab was one of the most prolific kit car manufacturers of the 1960s and 1970s. It’s perhaps best known for its Avenger GT and Valkyrie GT40 replicas. The company was founded by Warren Goodwin, who passed away (in jail) late in 1968 while serving a voluntary manslaughter sentence for the tragic death of his wife. Her name was Jamaica, the car’s namesake.
At the time of the Jamaican’s production, Fiberfab was based in Santa Clara, Calif. The company originally designed the Jamaican to use a VW Beetle, Triumph, MG, or Austin-Healy frame, although it eventually built its own chassis to accommodate a V8 engine. This example is fitted with the Fiberfab V8 frame.
Sparky’s Machines—a specialist in classics, muscle cars, hot rods, and restomods—sold the Jamaican today for $31,900 - opens in new window or tab..
This Jamaica features bright red paint with ghost flames and extensive pinstripes. The door handles have been shaved and magnetic door poppers installed. The running gear uses rack and pinion steering and four wheel disc brakes. Weld Racing wheels are wrapped with Mickey Thompson Sportsman Pro radials. The rubber out back is wall to wall and the dishes are deep.
You’ll find a monstrous Ford 460 V8 lurking beneath the hood of this beast, stroked and bored to a whopping 514 cubic inches. The big V8 is mated to a C-6 automatic transmission and fed by a honking Holly carburetor. Spent gases are channeled through a set of headers into a dual exhaust with glass packs. Ignition chores are handled with MSD components and Accel wires. The nine-inch posi-traction Ford rear end is equipped with 3.73 gears.
Purists will raise an eyebrow at the modifications performed by a previous owner. A gaping hole in the hood currently accommodates a Summit Racing Velocity-Stack Style air cleaner. Four NACA ducts surround the portal. A pair of bulbous scoops have been plastered on the nose and the distinctive inset headlamps have vanished beneath the fiberglass.
The red and black cabin is clean and functional. The dashboard features a set of VDO gauges (tachometer, oil pressure, water temperature, amps, and fuel level) along with an AutoMeter Carbon Fiber Ultra Lite Speedometer. The Hurst shifter is topped with a ferocious Cobra head shift knob.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.