Rat  (Fibre-Fab)

History

Robert Taylor, Anthony Hill and Trevor Pym founded the company Fibre-Fab in Crowthorne in 1970 and began producing automobiles. The brand name was Rat , after the initials of their first names. Taylor and Pym retired in 1972. Hill emigrated to Australia in 1981 . FF Kit Cars & Conversions , led by Tim Cooksey, continued production until 1985. Between 1987 and 1992, Country Volks from Basingstoke under the direction of Stephen Wilson used the brand name. In total, about 420 copies were made as kit or pre built. 

It was exported Worldwide to the Canary Islands , Spain , the Middle East , Germany , Rhodesia , Mozambique , Denmark , Israel , South Africa and the USA . 

On offer  was a VW buggy . It resembled the GP buggy , but with a separate front with low headlights. The basis was the chassis of the VW Beetle . Initially, only one version was available for a shortened chassis. In 1974, a longer version for an unabridged chassis added to the range. In 1979 new forms were needed for the short version because the old mould forms were worn out.

Like most vehicles of its breed, this machine can be an econornical and entertaining So long as they don't mind the wind in the hair and being the centre of attraction wherever they go, up to 4 can be transported in a Rat with a great deal of fun. The quality of body's moulding finish reflects the manufacturer's have beenlong experts in the glassfibre business.

A basic Rat kit will set you back £425 plus VAT for the long wheelbase version, with the shorter variant costing £405 plus VAT. The kit comprises a basic body unit, bonnet, glassfibre dashboard in a steel frame, toughened glass windscreen set in an anodised aluminium frame, a complete set of nuts and bolts and full assembly instructions. Kits can be supplied in either long or short wheelbase forms to suit either the full length Beetle chassis or the shortened version which needs some 1534in chopped out of its centre section. In the case of the latter, the company offers a professional chassis shortening service which includes reducing all the relevant cables, etc. Assembly of the Rat is certainly within the capabilities of any diy enthusiast with an approximate building time being around 100 hours.

OPTIONS

A wide range of body colours is offered including metalflake which will cost an extra £60 or thereabouts. Other items available include bumpers, wheels, Monza petrol caps, seats, roll bars, etc. In fact almost everything you'll need can be supplied. Alternatively, if the pocket is deeper, the company can supply ready-to-go buggies finished with plenty of chrome and custom goodies.