Could the older Stalkers be a wise purchase ?

[preventec47]

I am considering a local purchase of a Super Stalker kit that was acquired in about 2004.   based in the wikipedia summary of the company         I am concerned that this example may still be using some of the Chevy S10 components ( I dont know what they were ) and also perhaps using an early series 1 or series II   GM supercharged 3.8 liter motor.   I am normally 100 percent against super and turbo chargers  as I feel they are expensive and difficult maintainence (expensive) items but I dont get to choose the deals that cross my path.     The last best version of the 3.8 motor was sold in 2008 so I wonder if I had the earlier version motor if I could even find and acquire the supercharger related or fuel or ignition components I would need when things break.   Too bad the Brunton company went bankrupt a couple of years ago as it would be nice to contact the technical authorities regarding what they sold and how to repair or replace items as they fail.     With this message I am trying to guage the level of risk I would be taking if I acquired this vehicle.     Unfortunately there was a good website for the Stalker cars but with the demise of the company the website is now  closed to new messages since about 2018.   It would be terrific if this website had a special  section for just the Stalker owners.

[JohnCh]

3 hours ago, preventec47 said:

It would be terrific if this website had a special  section for just the Stalker owners.

 

Given the small community of US & Canadian se7en owners, and their wide range of knowledge that spans makes, it is a conscious decision to avoid model-specific forums.  If we did take that approach, we would have them for Caterham, Birkin, Superformance, WCM, Westfield, Brunton Stalker, Locost, and others.  Although that may make researching a specific make easier, it reduces eyeballs on an issue as many people gravitate towards what they own, and some may intentionally avoid a specific brand forum.  e.g. A Westfield owner with expertise on the crossflow, may miss a question posted to the Caterham forum about a crossflow problem because, well...it's a Caterham.  Our belief is that the community is best served if we pull together and try to help each other out rather than build unintentional brand barriers. 

 

Hopefully someone -- who may or may not own a Stalker -- will answer your question.

 

-John

Edited July 5, 2023 by JohnCh
Oops, it's US & CANADIAN owners - international incident averted?

[speedwagon]

they are like homo sapiens, more alike than different, but there are very few twins.  I have found that my knowledge increases with the added exposure.

[MV8]

I didn't join their forum. As I recall, it was an owners only thing but maybe that changed at some point, plus a falling out as I made comments about the toe link mod to the s10 spindles that didn't go over well with a few bubbas who joined the locost forum just to troll, which was quickly shut down before I could respond (probably for the best). No issue with Dennis as I would see him at Road Atlanta during the Mitty.

 

If you'd like to discuss, PM me. I'm localish. Possibly close enough to take a look but I'm not looking to buy right now so no competition.

[IamScotticus]

Edited July 7, 2023 by IamScotticus

[Croc]

11 hours ago, JohnCh said:

 

Our belief is that the community is best served if we pull together and try to help each other out rather than build unintentional brand barriers. 

 

 

I would also point out that the search function works quite well to filter out what you need.  

 

 

12 hours ago, preventec47 said:

I am considering a local purchase of a Super Stalker kit that was acquired in about 2004.   based in the wikipedia summary of the company         I am concerned that this example may still be using some of the Chevy S10 components ( I dont know what they were ) and also perhaps using an early series 1 or series II   GM supercharged 3.8 liter motor.   I am normally 100 percent against super and turbo chargers  as I feel they are expensive and difficult maintainence (expensive) items but I dont get to choose the deals that cross my path.     The last best version of the 3.8 motor was sold in 2008 so I wonder if I had the earlier version motor if I could even find and acquire the supercharger related or fuel or ignition components I would need when things break.   Too bad the Brunton company went bankrupt a couple of years ago as it would be nice to contact the technical authorities regarding what they sold and how to repair or replace items as they fail.     With this message I am trying to guage the level of risk I would be taking if I acquired this vehicle.     Unfortunately there was a good website for the Stalker cars but with the demise of the company the website is now  closed to new messages since about 2018.   It would be terrific if this website had a special  section for just the Stalker owners.

 

 

My recollection is you are correct on the S10 components.  Shane @xcarguy - do you know the answer?  

 

Even though the Stalker business may be defunct, the family behind it are still around doing autocross in FL - calling Bob to the discussion @Anaximander

 

 

 

[xcarguy]

That’s correct on S-10 components. Items were from first gen trucks (82-93). Components used were:

- front spindles and brakes

- rear axle housing and brakes

- bell housing

 

Also used a Camaro 5-speed tranny.

[Anaximander]

 

xcarguy knows a lot about flying airplanes and Stalkers. What he says is true about Dennis Brunton using inexpensive USA sourced parts from relatively inexpensive cars to create kits that were both cost effective and performed surprisingly well. 

 

Stalkercars.com is an entity that is still in business although they did have a reported rough patch where they had to declare bankruptcy at one time which has already been mentioned. Scott Minehart is the owner and designs all of what are called M-Spec cars which is shorthand for Minehart spec'd cars. Scott and his entire family (parents, child, brothers) are all involved in high-performance automotive activities. Scott a couple of years ago participated in one regional weekend qualifying event for Nationals and then went to Nationals and was fourth fastest in E-Modified in SCCA Solo racing that year with only two days of competitive driving that year. His brother Jason, is generally considered the second fastest driver in that class nationally and drives a Stalker AXR. I recently completed a partially completed kit that Scott and his father Glen provided significant technical assistance to help me complete the car. It is now running quite well and I placed in the top quartile of a local 100 person autox event with my Stalker AXR which I had never hoped to do before driving this very easy to drive car that I have.

 

Scott knows more about Dennis Brunton's original designs than anyone in the country because he worked as the chassis fabricator and eventually bought the business. He has a shop in Central Florida where you can get him to rehab older classic Stalkers or to fabricate from basic kit to completed cars, one of 4 designs he is currently manufacturing when an order is placed. He reportedly is working on an updated website to facilitate an easier buying process for prospective customers. Something like what other specialty car companies do. I have included a picture of Scott (above with me in the car) coming to my home with his digital corner weight scales to setup my Stalker AXR. I also included a picture of me with my most successful performance to date in the completed car.

Edited July 7, 2023 by Anaximander

[Anaximander]

One thing I forgot to mention on the older classics is that there is a front suspension upgrade that is critical to the safety of the original Brunton Stalkers. If this bracket is missing, you would certainly want to take it to Scott and have it installed. Secondarily, it would be worth the money to have Scott fully inspect the car and check all of the connections so that you know that the car is properly assembled. Some folks did not accurately follow the build instructions and so they are less safe/reliable than if everything was adhered to. Brunton Stalkers also came with a build DVD that you might want to look at if the owner has it in their possession.