---- Specifications ----

Price

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Production

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Engine

1.6 liter inline-4
Weight

1500 lbs
Aspiration

natural
Torque

119 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm
HP

162 hp @ 7800 rpm
HP/Weight

12 lbs per hp
HP/Liter

101.3 hp per liter
1/4 mile

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0-60 mph

4.2 seconds
Top Speed

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http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/ghij/2008-Grabercars-La-Bala-Front-And-Side-Tilt-1-1280x960.jpg
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/ghij/2008-Grabercars-La-Bala-Rear-Angle-Tilt-1-1280x960.jpg
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/ghij/2008-Grabercars-La-Bala-Side-Angle-1920x1440.jpg
(from GraberCars) La Bala is a low-compromise, from the ground-up, new car. It is built using an early model Toyota MR2 powertrain. The reality is that there are many other donor choices available that may actually be better suited to lightweight vehicle construction. At this point though, construction is far along and won't change in the original prototype. The idea is to make the car as inexpensively as possible and yet make it look like a million bucks and go like stink. I am doing this by thinking creatively and doing much of the work myself.

What inspired me to build la Bala? Ferdinand Porsche, when asked about why he started building cars said, "I couldn't find the car of my dreams, so I decided to build it myself." Well, I simply have not been able to find a car sold stateside that combines light weight performance motoring with good looks AND low cost. Light weight, looks good, costs little and goes like stink... Can you name one? Didn't think so.

It seems to me that lately that production cars are really suffering from "feature-creep". Every year the manufacturer assumes that they have to add more "stuff" to last years model so that the people feel that they are getting an improved model. Just look at the Mitsu Eclipse or the Miata... They are perfect examples of feature creep. You can certainly buy an economical car, but it's a slug in every sense of the word. You can't buy an economical car that provides what sport bike riders get doses of every day; Big performance with bare essential trimmings. I just want a car that looks good, is extremely light, has race level safety features and goes like stink. And while I'm at it, it should get close to 40mpg around town.

I want a vehicle that feels connected to the road, that vibrates and gurgles and reacts to my thoughts. I want to create a visceral experience out of steel and rubber. I want to grin from ear to ear as I enjoy the beauty of a perfectly carved line up some back canyon road. Reason enough? I think so. Who designed and is building the Bala? This car is designed by me and is being constructed by myself - alone - in my 2 car garage on weekends and some weekday evenings. Every custom part has been designed by myself and then fabricated using simple hand tools. The chassis is my design, the suspension is my design, the body is my original design. I used the book "Tune to Win" by Carroll Smith as a guideline for the suspension geometry and with assistance from Alan Bertwistle. Alan has been a true inspiration and great help. Even though we are across the country (USA) from each other, he has always been willing to answer my questions with truly useful information. Check out his car, the Meerkat. The only custom fabricated part not made by myself are the front suspension balljoint pucks, which were machined on a lathe by a local machinist. I also find that the Locost_Theory and Locost_North_America Yahoo Groups are a great source of inspiration and camaraderie with like-minded folks. What other experience do I have with cars? My Velo Rossa was the first experience I had with car building. After that project made the cover of Kit Car Magazine and won some trophies, I spent many, many hours of my personal time answering technical questions and providing valuable sales support for John and the beautiful Velo Rossa Ferrari 250 GTO replica. You would not believe the amount of interest my participation in the Velo Rossa project back in 1999 still generates to this day! You can check out John's business at www.kitcarz.com. I hope you all enjoy my website.

You can find out more about the La Bala at www.grabercars.com

This car looks very interesting. It looks good, I like the yellow. Fast and light is great.

looks pretty nice and is fast considering its build...would be pretty fun to own one just as a track car...and would be much better with another engine.

I think this is probably one of the ugliest cars I've ever seen

I've seen this before... I love the idea behind this car.

The styling is just a little too boring though. I guess it does stay true to the name though (La Bala is The Bullet in Spanish)

This could be a great base for a lot of things though.

And I wouldn't mind a different engine... I love what he mentions about feature creep though -- so true, and i hate it.

I think that is why I love my car so much. It's got all the safety features i need, seatbelt and air bags, a cd player with a tape adapter for my MP3 player, a clutch, gas and brake pedals, shifter, engine and four wheels.

I am just a simple man of simple pleasures. I think the car looks good. Keep in mind all you critics, this guy is not using multi million dollar design plans formulated by years of testing in GM's wind tunnels.

I like it, its a nice car. Maybe I am weird but the body looks like the cross of a Lotus and an NSX, but i pretty sure its just me.

stupid question time

did darkcivic01 make that? I didn't know if its a post he saw or if it IS the holy creator of la bala

Yum, yum... I don't care how this thing looks. Its supposed to carve up corners. As long it does that. I'm satisfied. This thing is probably like a small rocket off the line. I like it. May not be the best looking of the bunch, but it will do. Compact, lightweight, N/A. Nice combo

Performance > Styling with this. Its a kitcar anyways... I wonder how much this costs...

stupid question time

did darkcivic01 make that? I didn't know if its a post he saw or if it IS the holy creator of la bala

No. Although I suppose it wouldn't be impossible. So stupid question forgiven. :D

I like the looks of it, and the performance is good, so I'm giving this car a thumbs up...

The photos look like a render.

it's like a Lotus combined with a... box.

The photos look like a render.
is it me or has everyone on this forum become a photo expert?

The photos look like a render.
indeed it does. The lack of anything tying it to the surroundings puts you off...and they missed a few bits with the shadowing.
is it me or has everyone on this forum become a photo expert?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/2365167051_bb2e044365.jpg
I can tell from some of the pixels, and from shopping quite a few shops in my time.

You might not have been here when this was a photoshopping hotspot, but a few people still are.

The thing that makes me think this isn't a chop is that the car actually looks like it does in the pictures. So. I guess I'm doubting it's a chop.

http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/5717-2/La+Bala+KBF+07+011.jpg
http://www.grabercars.com/gallery2/d/5749-2/La+Bala+KBF+07+028.jpg

... Looks the same. So why chop?

From what i'm seeing i think that the car is quite good. Exterior is very nice.

Considering its engine and weight i can say that it will be fast.

Dunno about the pics.

indeed it does. The lack of anything tying it to the surroundings puts you off...and they missed a few bits with the shadowing.
you're a self proclaimed photoshopper yet, you know absolutely NOTHING about photography.

the shadowing is messed up because they were using a reflector. which is used to give off those kinds of shadows. photographers (like me) use them ALOT.
http://www.knitgrrl.com/images/altfibershoot/nancybeach.jpg

I cannot believe they finished that thing. It was ok as a one of project, but as a kit, they should have spent more time on the body. At least put some money down on it, the DP guy over at dpcars.net at least had custom molds and sells you his kit with full carbon shells, which also has some CFD analysis behind it.