Welcome to Our Work Shops

Introducing the

R A V A N A

-----A few years ago a couple of gearheads in Western North Carolina were sitting around drinking beer and watching Speedvision (now Speed Channel), they were showing a program and it had some clips of Devin sportscars ,Bill Devin copied one of the most charismatic sports car shapes ever designed. According to an article in the Mar/Apr 1991 issue of Vintage Motorsport Magazine, Bill Devin told the author, John Paulding that he pulled some 'splashes' off of an Ermini, which was made by Pasquino Ermini -(SEE PHOTO AT RIGHT) which was basically a scaled down version of a Scaglietti designed Ferrari two-seater. This car was also known as a Ferrari Monza.-A few months later, while I was racing at beautiful Virginia International Raceway, Steve Steers brought his beautiful Chevy powered Devin-bodied Echidna (one of three made). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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The Echidna's were built in the--Golden Age of Sports Cars when most sports car designers still beleived that "weight is the enemy and air resistance is the obstacle." -------------------------------------(click on photo for larger image)---

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-I looked on with envy as Steve hit the starter switch. There was a brief whirl from the starter motor right before the thunderous V-8 came to life. Steve tapped the throttle and dark exhaust gasses hurled out of the sidepipes. I kept my eyes glued to this car all weekend, as Steve drove his quick and agile masterpiece around Virginia International Raceway. That was when I decided I had to have one, but they only built three Echidna's. So we decided to build our own. -We figured that with all the stock car fabrication places in Western NC, building a chassis would be no problem. --Sergio Scaglietti is the one who is responsible for this design. One of the most distinctive, outrageous and sublime shapes ever designed. The car's stance is aggresive yet delicate. It's shape is curvaceous and gorgeous. It is delicately drawn around the cockpit, yet the rakish exhaust pipes passing down beneath the door adds menace.-

We have adapted and changed Sergio Scaglietti's design to fit around a simple chassis of our own design.

.And the RAVANA was born.------------------

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The crew (Standing from Left to Right) are Bill Deiderich-Fiberglass Fabrication Specialist. Tom Larson-race car fabricator, currently employed by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Steve Morris-owner Morris race cars, mechanical engineering degree from GA Tech., designer of the chassis. Sitting--Piet van Rossum-sportscar enthusiast, vintage racer, and owner Silver Star Restorations, which is where these RAVANAs will be built.

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The RAVANA chassis design authentically recreates the spirit of the great sports car builders of the late 1950's and early 1960's. Our chassis was developed using the same tools and techniques the great sports car builders out it California used back in the 1950's. ------- A level concrete floor, framing square, plumb bob and a tape measure. The starting point was a small block chevy engine.

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--- There is nothing fancy about our chassis. The RAVANA will have NO ABS, NO traction control. But let's be realistic, stuff a 300 + HP small block chevy in a car that weighs around 1900 pounds and you have a recipe for serious rapid forward motion. So the RAVANA does have disc brakes up front to slow this beast down. A simple tubular a arm front suspension, coil over shocks at all four corners, -------------------- (click the photo for larger image) a bullet proof Ford 9-inch rear end. The rack and pinion steering reacts quickly. The wooden steering wheel feels like it is directly connected to the front wheels. .The bucket seats are molded into the bodyshell. Trimmed out in your choice of the finest leather. The dash face is machined aluminum and houses the speedometer, tachometer, fuel, oil pressure guages. (Sorry, no cup holders.) -----------------------------------

Classic Sports Cars will be hand building several RAVANA's per year. All will be custom built and taylored to each clients individual needs and wants. You pick the colors, the engine HP rating, the leather for the interior and we will painstakingly hand build your custom RAVANA sports car.

The RAVANA is currently under development Keep checking back for more current information.