Eureka

last fairlane · 14-10-2009, 10:12 PM

Hi all
I hope this is the right place to ask about a Purvis Eureka
Ive been looking on Ebay and found a few that went for 3 to 4 grand
and since they look the goods does anyone know if they would make a good project or anything about them all I know is they were out in 1973 and were dearer than a Falcon or Holden at the time and as far as I can recall they sat on a VW 1500 chassis
do you think this would be a worthwhile project if I can find one
shouldnt be too much rust probs as they had fibre glass bodies
anyway like I said Im interested as they are a bit different to run of the mill sports cars
can some one give me some advice and/or point me in the right direction to find one
thanks John

**ebxr8240** · 15-10-2009, 12:31 AM

Better than the Dart..Too many broken threads..

BTW I use to live in place called Eureka..
Means "found it"..

Airmon · 15-10-2009, 01:06 AM

Very odd looking cars, pains to get into!!
Check out a few of the VW shows if they have any in Brissy, they usually turn up to those.
There might be a few on flatfours or other VW sites.

Based on a beetle (like a fair few other fibreglass cars), so if you're planning on working the motor to any extent be prepared to pay.

trick_xd · 16-10-2009, 03:48 AM

I had a type 3 Sports with electric roof and a escort 1600 motor and 4sp in it
Great cars but the fiberglass cracks EASY the wireing is a pain as a heap of people have hacked at it over the years and Parts are so dear ya need to sell a liver to get a new roof or front end .

I sold mine as I had to get a "Family" car
Should have kept it
in 1996 I payed $16,940 in total for mine drive away ... I sold it a few years later for $19,500 and all I did was put in a better tape deck and amp .

Like most things ...... DONT buy a cheap one .... it will sting ya heaps to get going if ya cant do it all your self.

**Elks** · 16-10-2009, 07:27 PM

Check this out.

Eureka Car Club

There is also a Purvis Eureka MSN group. But don't ask me how to find it.

Rev28K · 16-10-2009, 10:30 PM

A few people did rotary conversions (12a?) on them.

I don't know how many of the Free Spirit Purvis sold - newer design that used a Ford Laser drivetrain transverse and mid mounted.

Someone correct me if this is wrong - The Eureka was a development of the British Nova (?) that was developed over the years to be better and better. Alan Purvis sold out in the late 80's/early 90's and an oldish woman took over running it. It staggered on for a few years and I think it is almost comatose now.

The owners clubs are great at keeping things running - I knew a few guys in the Bolwell club and they were very proficent and enthusiastic about keeping their babies going. Hopefully the Purvis club is similar.

last fairlane · 19-10-2009, 09:17 AM

Surely someone knows something about these cars
thanks John

Rev28K · 19-10-2009, 05:27 PM

Send me your email address via PM and I'll send back a couple of pages that I can scan from a book on Aussie sports cars and specials (written by Mike McCarthy - who as well as doing Wheels was also editor for the defunct and much missed by me Australian Sports Car World)

skubz · 20-12-2009, 01:31 PM

I've been interested in these for a long time, almost bought one that was half complete about 8 years ago and they only wanted $3000 for it... but iwas in high school and just didnt have the money at the time.

the kits bolted onto the VW Beetle chassis (non-spuer bug) and usually used the VW running gear. With the conversion kits out today for beetles it wouldnt be hard to swap in a WRX EJ20T, there are multiple companies doing adaptor plates for subaru to VW trans now. I think if you could find a cheap one that needed finishing and did a suby swap you'd end up with a nice little rare car and have some go to match the wild looks.

Auslandau · 20-12-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by last fairlane

Hi all
shouldnt be too much rust probs as they had fibre glass bodies
anyway like I said Im interested as they are a bit different to run of the mill sports cars
can some one give me some advice and/or point me in the right direction to find one
thanks John

Having a fibre glass body panels doesnt mean they don't rust, chassis is still metal and fibre glass can destort and crack as said. Just means all different sort of problems but would be a good project and a fun car

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4VCLEVO · 20-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skubz

I've been interested in these for a long time, almost bought one that was half complete about 8 years ago and they only wanted $3000 for it... but iwas in high school and just didnt have the money at the time.

the kits bolted onto the VW Beetle chassis (non-spuer bug) and usually used the VW running gear. With the conversion kits out today for beetles it wouldnt be hard to swap in a WRX EJ20T, there are multiple companies doing adaptor plates for subaru to VW trans now. I think if you could find a cheap one that needed finishing and did a suby swap you'd end up with a nice little rare car and have some go to match the wild looks.

The Eureka car club had a show here a few months ago, alot of them were already changed to subaru motors.
Strange looking things with there lift off roof/doors.