Scarab155

Do your calipers look like these ??

When you mix and match parts from an older Scarab kit with custom parts as well as the Hooker headers (which did require the Hooker engine mounts) trouble is bound to happen... Since Scarab Engineering sold (literally) thousands of Kits from 1974 through 1981... The only parts that were unique to the "factory" VIN cars were the valve covers, Scarab lettering and Scarab emblems. Everything else could be found in the Scarab kit or as options to the Scarab kit. So fake parts are rare .. I've seen someone try and use the Wellcraft Scarab boat decals as Scarab Z lettering -- wrong -- I've seen a single set of "bugs" that were fake --and a few valve covers that were suspect. Scarab had Edelbrock cast 200 sets of valve covers for "factory" cars only.. They look like those in the first photo.. In the early days (1976) Scarab mocked up about a half dozen sets of valve covers for use in the magazine photos. These were later swapped for ther Edelbrock covers. Those early covers were sold off at the bankruptcy sale and show up from time to time.. see second photo. Hope that helps... I've seen folks who want the T5 transmission use the JTR mounts -- apparentely Scarab mounts place the T5 in a bad spot. Craig

Hi: Glad to see that going to restore the car ... You're correct that it is kit car but appears to be one where the original owner bought both the Scarab kit (engine & trans install, suspension and parts kit) as well as the optional body kit ... I keep the registry for "factory "VIN" numbered Scarabs and have access to a lot of Scarab information and parts that were NOT listed in the Installation Manual or Scarab literature -- for example -- the clutch slave cylinder is from a 1974 Datsun B210 4-speed -- (that's for free !) But hoses, belts and others stuff... So consider me a resource as you begin the resto.. Good luck -- Craig Sparkes Scarab # 155

My 1972Z donor had the expansion tank removed when I acquired the car. I could only fill the tank half way until I replaced it. There are 5 lines from the expansion tank that go to the fuel tank (3), return line and filler tube. All these must be capped and then you're looking at a mess. Why replace something that works ? The system that directs vapors to the crankcase cna be spliced to the PCV if you want.

Those FIA calipers were standard equipment on factory Scarabs. Here's a sot of the specs on them and a photo. Craig sparkes

Carl: Thanks for your considerable experience in buying/selling collectible cars. As I stated in my post, I am by no means billing myself as the final authority on factory Scarabs... However, when the selling dealer contacted me and asked my opinion on the authenticity of the car, I told him what I have posted here. Of course when it comes to collectible cars .. it is always "Buyer Beware" ... but if the buyer and seller check out what ever resources are available.. then so much the wiser. As far as posting my research, I gladly share this with actual owners... which is why (when all the posts on the blue # 153 started I joined the list) I am putting my contact information on a public list. Since I have a real passion for these factory cars. I am somewhat unwilling to state the "factory only" things that can help identify a real Scarab from a Kit. While these parts are virtually unobtainable, someone could try and replicate things to fool an unwary buyer. Fortunately, factory Scarabs (with the single exception of the # 0001 "Sliver" car) are not in the same price/demand league as Hemi Cuda's or Boss 429 Mustangs or Yenko Cameros. So the prices (while higher than a nicely done Hybrid Z) are still within the reach of the average person wanting a bit of automotive history. This is why I try and help buyers determine the origin of their cars. Afterall, he made less than 200 and about 10% seemed to have survived. But, please keep sharing your experiences in this field and help all of us (old dudes and rookies alike) with "keeping our eyes wide open" when thinking of buying a collectible. Craig

John: 1979 was a very interesting year at Scarab Industries. They had moved from Campbell to San Jose... In addition to the two # 153 cars... Brian built two "track cars" ... He was in the midst of the EPA lawsuit and had made the first of his Turbo factory cars. .... This year was a "high water mark" for the company... He published his only catalog that had a lot of important data and option packages described. He took in a bunch of odrers for 1980 production. By 1981, while he continued to build superb cars... his business world was closing in on him. In mid-1981 he went bankrupt. Had a huge "fire sale" to pay debts and disappeared. A real bright footnote in Z car history. His factory cars are very rare today. In 12 years I've found but less than 20.

To the list ... There are a lot of cars that are "collectible" or desirable models that simply do not have a "paper trail" to verify from original owner to the present. That is why there exists many sources that try and act as impartial experts of authenticity. The Marti Report; Galen Govier, The Pontiac Owners Club, etc. No such source existed for Scarabs when I purchased mine in 1996. So i've taken it upon myself to track down and learn all I can about these cars and the history of the company -- Scarab Industries --. In no way am I placijng myself in the company of the above experts. but I've spent 12 years (every day) searching out Scarabs and data about them. I've also torn apart my car and examined every part that is not "stock" Nissan So the purpose of this post is to say that factory Scarabs have many unique charasteristics that are not easily duplicated (or even known) Also, the "build dates" on the factory serial #'s are not in the public domain. So when I see a "Scarab" -- I try and contact the owner a verify what it is.. Believe me ... this is not an easy task... To the point -- there were only a few deviations on the blue # 153 car that were not "factory" -- the owner freely admitted to modifying them . The engine/trans mounts; transmission and radiator. Without the valve covers that makes up about 15% of what a Scarab is all about. The photos show the rest. I saw this car 4 years ago and took considerable time "authenticating it. I also saw (in photos) the red # 153 car about 3 years ago. So, everyone is correct, it does not have "papers" .. but if it was "cloned"... the owner left out the easiest parts to find and put in the "un-obtainable parts" -- makes no sense. So go easy on yelling FAKE -- it could have cost an honest owner a few $$$ I'd be glad to corrrespond with anyone on Scarabs..

Carl: Here's a shot of the door plate on the Stage II car

Carl: Yes, I purchased # 155 from Jorge Vera in 1996. He and I worked together in two tech start-ups in the Bay Area. Car was all there but in sad shape -- not crashed or rusted -- just "rode hard and put away wet" .. Took me more than 4 years to restore it. Started looking for other factory cars then. Must have talked to hundreds of people who had or thought they had a "factory" car. Fortunately, I'm in the Bay Area and have talked with eople who worked at Scarab or supplied them. Also, I was with TRW for a while and they supplied a lot of parts. I've found 1 "Stage 2" car. Was built in Feb 1978 when Scarab was still in Campbell, CA. So obviously they were built prior to the bankruptcy in 1981. We just found Scarab # 0003 the only other car featured in the magazines. All there but very rough. Keep in touch

John: Thanks, I'm the one who authenticated both cars. I keep the registry on factory Scarabs. The dealer contacted me before taking on the consignment. I first saw the blue car about 4 years ago and ran across the red car three years ago. Took some sorting out to conclude that Scarab duplicated VINs. Long story with lots of back checking. (The new owner of the red car --Scarab 153 -- confirmed my research).

Hello to the list. My name is Carig Sparkes and I own Scarab # 155. I've been following the list for some time now and decided to formally introduce myself to everyone. My real passion is documenting and registering authentic factory built Scarab Z's. I found mine in 1996 and been searching for and looking at cars ever since. My good friend David Sommers (nwa240z) has been posting on my behalf recently but I wanted to join the list. If you think you may have a factory built Scarab (not a conversion kit car) please contact me. I really want to know you and your car. To those who have parts, please do let me know. I'm always looking for real Scarab parts. BTW: Scarab # 155 is built on a 1972 donor Z and is one of the "track cars" that Brian Morrow built in 1979. In addition to all the usual Scarab stuff, it has a "Bowtie" Trans Am race engine (Yes, a 302 !!) During the rebuild I did not use the 11.5 to 1 pistons so I could run on pump gas. Also, the crank is so valuable I put in a 1970 LT1 350 forged crank. But the rest is as Brian built it. Glad to be a part of the list. --- Craig