Like to introduce myself -- Scarab owner

[Scarab155]

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

[Oiluj]

Welcome!

[DeesZ]

Welcome aboard Scarab155!

You will find an interesting thread on #153 in the recent archives.... seems that there are two of that number, and one just sold on ebay.

[Scarab155]

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).

[Carl Beck]

Hi Carig:

Good to see you join the group. I've been meaning to drop you, Larry, David and Trevor a note.. but just too many other things keep grabbing my time lately.

Did you get #155 from Jorge Vera? He had it For Sale around 96.

Did you ever get in touch with John Ursel? He reported finding Brian and talking to him around 1998, but I haven't heard from either one for quite some time. {the older e-mail address don't work any longer}

How much information do you have on the STAGE II Scarab's?... were they the cars built after Brian sold the company and before it went Chapter 11?

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Scarab155]

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

[Scarab155]

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

[Carl Beck]

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.

Oh... yes... da.. I forgot about that..

There is a Silver Stage II in "Import Automotive Parts and Accessory Magazine" as of Nov. 1978 as well.

FWIW,

Carl B.