This 1979 Kelmark GT Mark II is a VW-powered fiberglass project car that has been with its current owner for 34 years. The GT was manufactured outside of Lansing, Michigan, and was available in a variety of kit or fully constructed forms in the 1970s and 1980s. This example is built on a VW Beetle chassis and 1500cc drivetrain, and has spent the last 26 years in covered indoor storage. The car is largely complete and presents well from the outside, but is not currently running. Extensive corrosion is present underneath and will need to be addressed. The sale includes some early records and a Wisconsin title.

At 72 inches, the GT’s fiberglass body was was five inches wider than the Ferrari 246 GTS upon which its design was loosely based. The car was involved in two collisions within its first 10 years, with quality repairs reportedly performed by Kelmark in the rear and a Menominee Falls hot rod shop in the front. Non-functional front bumperettes were removed during the repair process for a cleaner look.

A custom blend of Corvette and Porsche reds was applied with three layers of clear coat over the repaired panels. The finish still presents well and shows a high overall shine thanks to 26 years of covered garage storage. Flaws include occasional chips, a scratch and scrape detailed in the gallery, and swirl marks visible in bright light. Minimal trim looks straight other than a bent headlight ring.

Unlike on some contemporary kit cars, Kelmark provided an externally-accessed trunk between the interior and engine compartments, and conventional doors were fitted with glass roll-down windows. A glass sunroof was added in the 1980s, and can be tilted open or entirely removed. A flush-mounted, lockable marine-style fuel filler cap includes two keys. Staggered ET turbine wheels are affixed via five-bolt Chevrolet adapters and still wear their original white-letter radials.

Some interior items were upgraded during the work in the 1980s. A four-point roll bar is fitted over deep sliding bucket seats. Fabric and vinyl upholstery shows signs of use and fits loosely on the seats and dash pad. A blacked-out dash panel includes a locking glove box along with vents for fresh air. Heat is supplied by inline fans drawing from VW heater boxes.

The small-diameter “Formula 1” racing wheel is in good shape and rests in front of simple Lucas rocker switches, one of which appears to have been replaced with a newer item. Matching period VDO “jet cockpit” gauges show some hazing and include a speedometer replaced in 1985 after the original failed. 28k miles are shown, but the seller believe s the car to have about 51k miles.

The Volkswagen 1500cc single port flat-four is not currently running, but appears largely complete and turns freely as of July according to the seller. The last service was a comprehensive tuneup in early 1990, and the seller recommends the fuel tank be flushed and new filters installed if the motor is to be run again.

The four-speed manual transmission is also Volkswagen-sourced. Fluid leakage is evident underneath and is said to emanate largely from around the engine’s pushrod tubes.

The car sits on a chassis from a 1969 Type 1 Beetle, which shows significant corrosion and will need to be at least partially replaced according to the seller. A replacement pan is included for the rusted-through battery area. Front “select-a-drop” suspension and disc brakes were added in the 1980s.

Included in the sale are a maintenance diary and receipts from the car’s early days, along with other pertinent records. The seller says the car might take little work to get up and running, or would make a good candidate for transfer to a fresh chassis. The sale is due to an impending move, and a Wisconsin reconstructed title reportedly indicates the “custom built” replica status.