Florida has always been a hotbed for kit car companies. Some say it's where the industry got its start. Being the Sunshine State, there are also quite a few automotive enthusiast related companies in general that have their corporate headquarters in Florida. Given these two facts, KIT CAR Associate Publisher Angela Schoof, KC Account Executive Brenda Frias, and I had sufficient ammunition to convince our colleagues that a trip to Florida made perfect sense. When we mentioned that we could visit several companies and I could also cover a multi-day driving, showing, rallying, and racing event called Reptile Roundup, we had the makings of a whirlwind tour. The total area of Florida is 65,768 square miles, with 53,997 of those on land. We had some panning and driving to do!
For Part 2 of our whirlwind tour, we stopped in at Street Beasts, in Miami, on two separate occasions. For our first afternoon visit, General Manager Steve Levin spoke with us and talked about the various replicars that Street Beasts produces: a '34 Coupe, a '34 Cabriolet, a '33 Vicky, a '41 Willys Coupe, a '66 Roadster, a '66 Roadster Coupe, and a '55 Speedster
Steve gave the three of us a quick tour of the immense factory, where pretty much the complete kits are manufactured, from creating the fiberglass bodies, to welding together the frames, to stitching the upholstery, to developing rolling chassis. In a new expansion based on customer demand, Street Beasts now also has the ability to build a car from start to finish paintwork, for those clients who don't desire doing the building and finish work themselves.
Later in the week, we paid a repeat visit, so that I could get a more lengthy tour of the facility and snap some photos. Street Beasts' Plant Manager Gene Cruncleton met with us and gave me a great perspective of the factory. Those who know me are aware that I'm not shy about asking questions. Having worked at Street Beasts for many years, Gene answered all my queries with great detail. He also introduced me to many of his colleagues in the different production departments, so that I might ask them a question or two.
Angela, Brenda, and I came away from our two tours of Street Beasts aware of why the company is doing so well. Street Beasts handles all facets of the production, as well as financial, marketing, and personnel issues within one huge facility. Raw materials come in the receiving bay just a bit quicker than the completed kits and fully built cars get delivered to customers.
So that we could make it to our next destination on time, we thanked our helpful and knowledgeable tour guide, Gene Cruncleton, and followed the printed Google Maps directions to company No. 3. Read all about it in the September issue of KC!
Sandable gelcoat is applied...
Sandable gelcoat is applied via spray gun once the mold has an even Simonize coat of wax. Here, an employee sprayed the gelcoat into a decklid mold.
The Street Beasts' blanks,...
The Street Beasts' blanks, or molds, are all one-piece. To make sure the bodies pop out of the blanks, the molds' surfaces are thoroughly and uniformly Simonize waxed as the crucial first step.
The sprayed-on gelcoat is...
The sprayed-on gelcoat is allowed a couple hours of curing time before another Street Beasts' technician begins applying the fiberglass. A chopper gun is used (as shown), as well as hand-laid applications.
Once the body and body components...
Once the body and body components are free from their molds, Street Beasts bodymen prepare the bodies further by sanding them. Street Beasts also offers optional Pre-Assembly Service, which entails two entire exterior surface sanding passes, one with 400-grit and the second pass with 600-grit sandpaper. By selecting this optional service, less body prep time is required at the paint shop, or in your home hobby shop's paint booth.
Another technician worked...
Another technician worked on a '33 Vicky body. All bodies include bonded-in steel supports throughout.
In the metal shop, all frames...
In the metal shop, all frames are hand-welded by certified welders in Street Beasts' custom-built frame jigs.
New rear axles await installation...
New rear axles await installation in rolling chassis.
If customers wish to paint...
If customers wish to paint the frame themselves, they can select one in red oxide primer. Street Beasts can also ship one in bare metal, should the customer prefer having the frame powdercoated.
Another alternative is to...
Another alternative is to order a completely assembled and painted rolling chassis.
A '33 Vicky body is finished...
A '33 Vicky body is finished and ready to be crated and shipped to a happy customer.
A complete upholstery package...
A complete upholstery package is available from the Street Beasts' upholstery shop, from the convertible top or headliner, down to the carpet.
Here, a '66 Roadster Coupe...
Here, a '66 Roadster Coupe is in its shipping pallet/crate. After being wrapped in shipping plastic, it will be ready for pickup by the customer or for shipping.
Stacked to the rafters, other...
Stacked to the rafters, other kits await pickup or delivery.
Street Beasts has also recently...
Street Beasts has also recently offered true one-stop shopping. In other words, they'll build your car from start to finish, if you so desire. Whether you wish to construct your replica, or have them complete the project, Street Beasts can help make your dream car a reality.