Kellison J4 Is The Sweetest 60's Kit Car You've Never Seen Before

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 08/29/2014 at 12:16 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog

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In the late '50s an entrepreneur by the name of Jim Kellison starting living the ultimate car builder's dream. He started selling his own car body design called the Kellison J-4 that was designed to use Corvette running gear to complete the build.

Today's example has been heavily modified by various owners and sports a Pontiac drivetrain, but looks like a totally awesome and unique ride for anything near the current bidding price. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! currently bidding for $8,100 with 5 days to go on eBay, located in Romeo, MI.

The Kellison J-4 was built and sold as a kit from 1958 to 1963 according to various internet sources (like !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! from Kitcarmag.com). The early Kellison J-4s used a box frame with solid axles front/rear, but later examples used an X-frame that permitted installation of an independent suspension from a Corvette. This one has a Jaguar XK120 front end with torsion bar suspension and an unknown rear end with GM axle and semi elliptical spring.

Image from !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

This Kellison has also had some significant modifications from a roofline perspective. Gone is the original !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and in its place is a front window from a C2 Corvette plus a custom T-top setup. It actually works quite well and makes the car look like something ready for an early 60s road race. The title on this one lists it as a 1973, but the original body was probably from at least a decade earlier - kit cars sometimes take some time to get built and titled.

Power in this one comes from a 389 cubic inch Pontiac V8 mated to a 4-speed manual gearbox. Lacquer thinner can is an optional upgrade from the Home Depot catalog. A big Pontiac V8 in a fiberglass sportscar should make for some fun times!

The steering wheel swivels over to allow the passenger to drive when the driver needs to refill his scotch on the rocks or change his pants. The 60s were an odd time.

See a cooler kit car that isn't a rip off of another car? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

ZiptieMcBumper > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 12:33

2

I actually prefer the green one to the low-roof model. Ditch the louvers in the back and this thing is dead sexy.

Bonus points for jerry can in the engine bay.

RallyWrench > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 12:43

1

There's a J4-R sitting in a field near here, been there for years. I've gone out to check it out, I think it had a 327 in it. Pretty impressive silhouette.

945T > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 12:48

4

WOW

I need this in my life

BeaterGT > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:05

2

Lightweight, Big V8, 4 speed, and that green. What an awesome little car.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:09

4

I am thinking that this one feature right here makes this the ultimate "road sex tourer."

Mike > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:11

0

I do believe that I need to own one of these at some point....

candi_iiyaa > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:13

0

last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour's sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out.

This is what I do,,,,,,,,,,

www.N­o­o­b­J­o­b­s.CoM

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:14

0

How on earth did the swiveling steering wheel not catch on with other cars?

jsn081 > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:17

1

Been a big fan of these for years. Absolutely stunning cars!

boo-gotti > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:20

1

This is 15 minutes from my house. I should go check it out!

RadioRadio > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:22

2

This is really well designed for a kit car.

I hoon, therefore I am > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:22

7

The steering wheel swivels over to allow the passenger to drive when the driver needs to refill his scotch on the rocks or change his pants. The 60s were an odd time.

This.

primalzer > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:22

5

Looks kind of Cheetah-esque...

TxBrumski > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:23

0

For a second, I thought that was a Spitfire with a bodykit. Wow, such a sexy little car.

DailyTurismo > ZiptieMcBumper 08/29/2014 at 13:35

0

Who doesn't use old paint thinner cans for overflow bottles?

DailyTurismo > The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin 08/29/2014 at 13:36

3

Sloth called it the ultimate in "ultimate confusion starter at a Labor day DUI checkpoint."

DailyTurismo > primalzer 08/29/2014 at 13:37

1

Yeah, the Kellison needs more side pipes.

ZiptieMcBumper > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:44

0

You're right; it is a paint thinner can. That got me thinking: how many modern cars could you do that with, even if you wanted to?

Bandit > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 13:55

0

The 79-81 Trans Am steering wheel is a nice touch

Aaron James > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 14:01

0

This thing is dying for an aluminum LS motor to replace that big fat pig of a Pontiac motor.

monkeypawwankelgoodness > The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin 08/29/2014 at 14:17

0

The tilt-away steering column was a factory option on some Ford and GM cars in the early-mid 60s - T-Birds and Rivieras come to mind.

chucchinchilla > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 14:22

0

Looks like an exaggerated Apollo GT which I would much rather have over this...in Thorndyke Special livery.

David E. Davis > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 14:23

1

I would think this allows the driver to get in the car, then swing it over to drive.

OppositeLoctopus > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 14:49

0

mmmmmmmmmm... them louvres...

philipilihp > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 15:12

1

I LOVE 60's fat tires with big sidewalls. None of that riding on blades BS.

HlDymh5cE5hWLKD > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 15:26

0

last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour's sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out.

This is what I do,,,,,,,,,,

www.netjob40.CoM

C to the J > primalzer 08/29/2014 at 15:30

0

That looks awesome...Viper-ish.

Sian > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 15:50

0

I think I saw one of these on a flatbed by the side of the road just the other day.

3MMM > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 15:55

0

Kellison FV

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 16:37

0

"The steering wheel swivels over to allow the passenger to drive when the driver needs to refill his scotch on the rocks or change his pants. The 60s were an odd time." Cracked me up, right there.

HlDymh5cE5hWLKD > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 16:54

0

last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour's sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out.

This is what I do,,,,,,,,,,

www.netjob40.CoM

JGrabowMSt > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 17:38

4

I love how this body style was a thing.

Etegg8YY1VjNQs3 > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 18:29

0

last pay check was $9500 working 12 hours a week online. My neighbour's sister has been averaging 15k for months now and she works about 20 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out.

This is what I do,,,,,,,,,,

www.netjob40.CoM

BrittoneyoIle > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 19:08

0

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signinsrlame > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 20:35

1

that car is gorgeous, like it does not have a bad angle, can we have some details on the person who designed it?

sadfasdf > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 21:05

0

I think that may be to allow entry through those tiny fucking doors.

Lisa S. Person > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 21:15

0

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

 www.jobs700.com

RaggedMile > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 08/29/2014 at 21:29

1

Wow! Your girl can give head and steer at the same time?

She's a keeper.

RaggedMile > 3MMM 08/29/2014 at 21:30

0

Sweet. What's it powered by?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > DailyTurismo 08/29/2014 at 22:34

0

Poncho mill is an odd choice - you'd think a Chevy or Ford SB would be the one to use?

Maxaxle > DailyTurismo 08/30/2014 at 01:21

0

Everything about the proportions on this thing is weirding me out.

Maxaxle > DailyTurismo 08/30/2014 at 01:21

0

"I can't see anything!"
"Yeah, but you look really cool!"

Stuttgart Shuffle > DailyTurismo 08/30/2014 at 03:30

0

The low slung roof kind of makes the car, what they've done is butchered it.

Mister Win Blames People, Not Guns > DailyTurismo 08/30/2014 at 09:08

4

WOULD YOU RATHER???

crowmolly > I hoon, therefore I am 08/30/2014 at 12:32

1

I like scotch that's old enough to order it's own scotch.

laurs_ospabr > DailyTurismo 08/30/2014 at 14:29

0

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