(first posted 9/28/2017) Kewanee, Illinois is recognized as the “Hog Capital of the World,” and actually was just that back in the late 1940s when the town processed more of ‘the other white meat’ than anyone else. The town puts on a pretty good car show every year, and as I was working my way past all the ‘so-clean-you-can-eat-off-the-valve-cover’ street rods, this VW-based (apparent) kit car caught my eye and I had to swoop in for a closer look.
Dennis, the owner’s father, happened to be close by and stepped in to offer some details on the car, which his son had purchased only a day or two before the show. They did nothing more than give the car ‘a lick and a promise’ cleaning, secured plates and insurance and drove it in. Dennis didn’t know too much about the car – only the basics that his son had found online – so I offered to research it and send him a letter with the details (he doesn’t do computers or even smartphones, which is refreshing this day and age!).
Bremen got its start around 1965 building Citation dune buggies out of a chicken coop in Bremen, Indiana, and they’re still around, although today they primarily manufacture aftermarket fiberglass accessories for trucks and SUVs. Realizing at the time that they could make a go at factory-built conversions, they eventually moved to larger facilities and offered five different vehicles, including the Citation, Sebring, Creighton, Maxi Taxi and of course, the Mini Mark.
The Mini Mark was based on a VW Type I chassis and running gear, usually purchased directly from Volkswagen, but donor cars were occasionally used to keep up with production demand, after having been carefully inspected for fitness. Sales literature also references the Mini Mark being available using the Ford Pinto platform.
The front ‘grille’ on the Mini Mark is a faithful copy of the 1976 Lincoln Mark IV’s grille, and in fact, the center sections from the Mark IV supposedly will slip right in, should the Mini Mark owner so desire.
While our subject car is registered as a 1981 (the year of manufacture by Bremen), it’s powered by a single-port VW engine (1970 or earlier) rocking a generator and air conditioning compressor. I’ll hazard a guess that this particular Mini Mark started life as a donor VW as opposed to using new components.
The interior is tidy, with substantially more switches and dials than that which came with a Beetle. No blank-out plates, though.
Here’s another peek in the ‘trunk,’ in which there’s precious little room for storage, given all the air conditioning paraphernalia.
The Bremen factory unfortunately burned to the ground in 1975, but was rebuilt on the same site, and new molds were created. Production of their conversions continued through 1984 when one of the partners left to pursue another opportunity. The molds were eventually hauled off to the dump, leaving us with just over 100 known surviving Mini Marks today, out of an estimated 300–400 produced.
When I was a youngster in the late 1960s / early 1970s, it was always a thrill to spot a VW-based kit car – the MG knock-offs were probably the most popular, but variations abounded, limited only by their creator’s imagination. While not technically a kit car, the Mini Mark represents the era well, and it was a pleasure to learn a little more about this example for its owner.
More recently, the Pontiac Fiero, with its “mill and drill” space frame and plastic body panels seemed to be a popular kit car platform, but they’re getting scarce on the ground these days. So what modern automotive platform best serves as a kit car platform today?
Related Reading: QOTD: VW Types I & II – Most Modded Vehicle Platforms Ever?
Wow, Ed. Here I am the Northern Indiana Car Boy and I don’t ever remember hearing of these. Of course, I was never into the kit car thing, but still.
Even with their birthplace being near and dear to me, I can’t say that I have any great affection for these. I like (not love) VWs but once we get into the fiberglass re-bodies, they kind of lose me. And that 1970s-style take on a 1920s classic leaves me totally cold. But taking it just as it is, the owner has certainly found something unique.
A BIL has a VW-based Frazer-Nash kit car that was built in the 70s. It has not run in over 30 years and he seems disinclined to do anything with it. As kit cars go, it is very nicely done, one of the better jobs I have seen. As for modern platforms for a kit car? I would think that one of the old body-on-frame Ford Rangers or Chevy S-10s would be a good start.
I remember Car and Driver doing an article on a ’32 Ford-a-like kit car in the late 90s that was based on a 2-door S10 Blazer frame and running gear. It was red, and not very fast, and cost quite a bit if built for the customer. I’m thinking $32k-ish in around ’97 or ’98.
I wonder if someone could use the frame and mechanicals from a short wheelbase Nissan Frontier today. Not much else around that is BOF and sized on the smaller end. All factory SWB Frontiers have the 2.5, but I’m assuming the 4.0 VQ would fit easily, and Lord knows there’s an aftermarket for hopping that engine up.
In fact, the F-Alpha platform shared with the Armada/Titan/QX also included the Pathfinder, which was pretty much a Frontier wagon, and it had the big 5.6 VH engine optional. Now I’m thinking…
I seem to remember that article in Car and Driver. My favorite part of it is that they basically lifted the S10’s dash and interior as-is and dropped it right in. Which of course looked totally out of place with the rest of the car.
That’s the Caroselli Rodster you’re thinking of: http://www.rodster.com
After 30 seconds of research, apparently the 5.6 is a common swap in offroading circles for the Frontier, and several companies make plug and play wiring harnesses. Further, the Infiniti M56 had a 420 hp version of said engine tuned more for a road car than an offroad truck.
Someone should get on this, stat.
Great article and a truly unique find. For what it is, not a bad-looking vehicle, either. I’ve certainly seen worse. As far as a base for modern kit cars goes, that’s a tough one. Maybe a Sprinter chassis? I’ve seen a lot of variations on those, so a creative company might be able to do something interesting.
This particular contraption leaves me very cold. It just has a certain awkwardness about it proportions that I can’t get past. I never cottoned to the idea of kit cars when they were still commonly being built. As a matter of fact back in ’87 while I was driving a ’75 Midget as a daily driver a close family friend ordered an MGTD kit car with a Porsche 914 engine that he was very proud of. It irked me no end at the time, as he treated this thing as if it were a prized classic, in spite of its tacky accoutrements, including those 80s-tastic K-Mart quality wire wheel covers (as seen above) that started rusting even while his pride and joy sat under its custom cover in his garage.
Fast forward 35 years, and I’d actually consider owning a well done MG kit car today, as the advent of airbags, antilock brakes, safety cages and computerized everything has me longing for an occasional walk on the wild side, driving a carbureted deathtrap with nearly zero “tech”. In light of the prices of actual vintage iron, I might like to own a weekend runabout like that. For the sake of (some semblance of) authenticity though, I’d have to have my wannabe MG on a pinto frame, and for crying out loud, no slushbox, thank you.
Yeah MTN. I agree, The mock MG style of VW kit car always annoyed me. Like Beetles with fake noses to look like Ford and RR’s. Now in the posted photos, The SEBRING doesn’t look too bad. At least it looks like it was designed to be a rear engine car. So was the MYERS MANX, and BRADLEY GT. Both designed to have VW motors. But don’t put a VW Motor in something that was designed to have a motor in front…Just don’t!
Actually, as this sort of thing goes it’s not too bad – until you put the roof up. Then it loses its sense of proportion and becomes ungainly.
Well that is a slice of American cheese alright. As much as that doesn’t do it for me, it’s good to see one that is well cared for. Like everyone else I’d never heard of these.
From a business standpoint you’ve got to hand it to Bremen Sport Equipment Inc. for staying in business, I’d guess that most kitsch car manufacturers flamed out rather than finding other more profitable business lines. Apparently more long lived than DeLorean’s expansion into cocaine, but I digress.
The Bremen Sebring looks a lot easier on the eyes, I imagine that fellow is saying:
“Well my dear, we’re stuck in the sand and the tide is coming in, so let’s finish this Merlot before we have to get out of here”
“Stuck on the beach. Do you think we’re doomed, my dear?”
“Well, sweetheart, they make boats out of fiberglass, and they float; our lovely car is part Beetle, and they float as well. I’d say our chances are doubly good. Break out the picnic and let’s get hammered, dearest!”
I was wondering when you’d get around to this one. The Excalibur of VWs!
It was good to see you at the show too. 🙂
Hi Tom! Long time no read
+1!
Likewise, Tom!
I kept looking at how wide the “Radiator shell” was and picturing the front, but couldn’t remember what it was. I detailed one of the damn things periodically back in the 80’s, the guy who owned it had a thing for VW powered “kit” type cars. He also had a fairly authentic looking Bug”atti type 35 in blue, factory built. His MiniMark was bright Lime green. Later he added built copies of Austin Healey 3000 and Jag xk120′.
Well, that’s one I’d forgotten about, or even ever knew of. More like one that I would have repressed even if I had known about it.
The kitsch car era was pretty amazing; there were so many of them.
I’m waiting for a RR Phantom kit to be built on a Suburban chassis.
Or vice-versa.
“I like the Suburban look, but the chassis dynamics aren’t quite haughty enough.”
As a kid, well-intentioned relatives would, for birthdays, give to me model cars. They hadn’t been able not to notice my toy choice or mouth-farty noises on other visits. Good relatives handed over proper Lesney Models of Yesteryear. They were entirely correct miniature reproductions, which, in my hands – or mouth – even sounded so.
Less generous players gave lesser gifts. As a polite child, I did not express my horror when these non-proportioned grotesqueries were unwrapped. I smiled, and the thing itself became impolitely dusty by time of their next visit. I suppose they weren’t to know that I knew what it wasn’t (indeed, why would they, when they clearly didn’t?). I simply could not play with a fat-wheeled low-topped sparkle-painted…shoe which had the temerity to call itself a “1938 SS Jaguar” on the underside. There was no point to the existence of it, being neither a convincing copy or an interesting piece in its’ own right. Tasteless, then, as well as pointless.
I will say, with the same fixed smile politeness of childhood, that if given a Bremen Mini Mark today, mine would become dusty. Very dusty indeed.
Growing up in Bremen in the late 60s and 70s I was very aware of this company knowing one of the founders. I was also involved in a motor home company who used fiberglass bodies provided by Bremen Sport. There is nothing like a 27′ motor home in lemon lime metal flake.
Saw a few kitsch cars growing up in my small Ohio town. I suppose I liked more than disliked them because my dad was into VWs then for his commute. Never really wanted one, though, because most of the ones I saw had open style cockpits similar to the Mini Mark — not practical as a four season car.
Agree on the unfortunate proportions on the featured car. Kind of Mustermobile meets MG meets JC Whitney. (Still enjoyed seeing it, though!) 😉
It seems that another Buckeye has chimed in with my exact thought; Munstermobile meets JC Whitney. And poor old JC had a baaaad hangover that day…
The comments so far are pretty consistent in their opinions of the Mini Mark’s styling, and I’d say I have to agree. But to put things in context, this is, after all, a product of the 1970s, and as a number of the wrong guesses to the Clue post show, the MM was not alone in having kitschy styling during this era.
What’s more fascinating to me is that the Type I platform enabled so many folks to turn their dream car into reality, only some Fiberglas skills needed… it’s almost like the proliferation of ‘horseless buggy’ manufacturers around the turn of the century. Dozens of manufacturers, who had the automotive equivalent of ‘one hit wonders.’
That’s the reason I pose the question of what platform exists today that enables the same opportunity to would-be specialty car manufacturers. Sure, you have DeLorean and more recently, Tesla, but also look at the huge investments needed for production facilities, not to mention meeting regulatory requirements…
So while the MM falls more in the ‘face only a mother could love’ category, it represents a unique time in automotive history, largely enabled by a car designed in the early 1930s that happened to enable creation of custom offshoots with very low barriers to entry into the market.
And for that, I think it’s worthy of recognition, even if the styling is representative of some of the worst the ’70s have to offer.
Yes, I was surprised to see the sheer number of defunct manufacturers from the early years; dozens if not hundreds. Lots of people trying to get in on the early automotive game, just like the start of the PC business, I suppose.
Even the godawful Fiat 850-based Siata Spring looks better than this.
Oh and BTW, scrolling down this posting, without reading it first, I saw the Lincoln, and thought NOOOOO….not a VW kit car Lincoln! Blasphemy 😉
Those cheap JC Whitney wire wheels just refuse to die. They look awful anyway, but nothing like having a shiny hubcap visible through them to make them look like a fake version of a fake, and these often show rusty through.
I learned plenty from this, Ed! Yesterday’s exchange (below) hinted at this sort of thing, but doubt I ever heard of Bremen, except perhaps some car mag ad I scanned momentarily in the 1970s. Alas, somehow I *knew* it would be a midwestern firm, for better/worse.
Thanks! That was one of the more fun Clues I’ve done, even if it took more hints than normal. Usually when I find something I think is really obscure, someone guesses it right off… (c:
Any idea of this same company made a MG like car? I briefly owned a MG T-series inspired kit car. Mine was powered by early MG B mechanicals bit it looked like one could have made an air cooled VW work too.
Don’t think so. Other than the Sebring, their other offerings appear to be similar in styling to the Mini Mark.
Anyone remember the Bradley GT – another VW chassis kit car of the 1970s?
The Bradley was an oddball (particularly in metalflake colors that seemed more suitable for a drumkit) but at least it tried to be modern instead of neoclassic.
Yes! I was racking my brain trying to think of Bradley GT when I posted earlier about the VW kit cars I saw in my youth. I think there were more than one of these running around my small town. In particular, the owner of the Sohio gas station had one for awhile.
Did someone say “Bradley GT”?
https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-american/curbside-classic-197-bradley-gt-lamborghini-dreamin/
Its terrible but fascinating, it looks like they sawed a MG lookalike kit car in half widened it lincolnised the radiator shell and that will do, Ive seen quite a few VW based kit cars but other than the dune buggys none ever appealed to me, This must be quite a rare car now.
The has to be a way to have some fun making a kit car out of a Miata.
It is a common donor for a Lotus Seven style car.
I’d love to see a 1929 Stutz Model M by Lancefield on a modern Ford Expedition Max (LWB) chassis.
It has the correct wheelbase of around 130″ with 4-wheel independent suspension. Plus room for a 435hp Coyote V8, with readily available supercharger to take it beyond 700hp.
Let me present this for your consideration…
http://www.aptuned.com/blog/bentley-continental-supersports-replica-body-kit-for-a-chrysler-sebring-convertible.html
The many versions of the Meyers Manx based dunebuggy were very common at one time during the 1970s then they sort of disappeared. Kit cars of the MG, Mercedes SSK, Jaguar SS100, all seemed to look the same except in minor details. The Bugatti copies were quite the hoot. The Bradley GT, Sterling types, were at least a little more honest. Baja bug conversions aren’t really in the same league as they retain the same body shell. These are my favorite though, the Porsche 917 copy Laser! I would buy this in a heartbeat if i wasn’t bogged down with too many other projects. They’re only asking 2,500 bucks! Currently on sale on SF bay CL.
Here’s the rear view.
oops try again. I think it is V-6 powered.
I found something similar in Auburn, IN this past Labor Day weekend, it was in the car coral area.
I had to find out what a “Maxi Taxi” is? I wasn’t disappointed.
For the man who needs a family car but wants a dune buggy.
Crap! I can’t attach the pic. Google it.
Recalling those miserable, cartoonish, neo-classic kit and replicars of the 1970’s and 1980’s just returns that queasy sour feeling I used to get in the pit of my stomach for them then.
Worse is now when some simpleton with too much money and no discernment who added one of these to his ‘classic car collection’ now finds these pieces of four wheeled feces in his estate auction presented as something worthwhile and special for the uneducated to waste more money on. Yes, its true, I really despise any of this ruck.
Hi, I’m the guy who runs the blog and Facebook page on the Mini Mark, they are an amazing car, and lost over the ages. Well ahead of their time considering they were around $14K when new. You could buy a few Mustangs for that. Glad to hear of another on the road and you did a great job re-capping the info on the car.
Cool and thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I have taken possesion of a mimi marc in June 2017 and am restoring it to a new condition.I was wondering if someone knew where to find the back lights,spoke hubs to go on chrome 14inch mags and maybe a transmission for a 1973 1600cc vw engineG
G
Well, I’ve heard it said to “never read the comments”. Wish I would have headed that warning. My father co-founded Bremen Sport Equipment and designed the cars. He is the definition of self-made. Taught himself to weld on his lunch breaks as a teenager when he didn’t have enough money in his pocket to buy a 10 cent cheeseburger. Built the first Bremen Sport car (Citation dune buggy) in a chicken coop and turned it into a prosperous business that took care of our family and countless others who were employed by the company. If any owners of Bremen Sport cars would like rare info, pics or history, I would be happy to provide. Our family continues to find and rebuild these cars to this day. Including one I have proudly parked next to my Dodge Viper. People tend to be far more interested in it than the Viper. I’m proud of what my dad created and our family legacy. I’ve taught my sons that even if something isn’t their taste, they can appreciate it. Enjoy the Mini Mark and, if you ever want to sell it, I have multiple people looking for one.
Jason, your dad has a great eye for styling in all the cars Bremen offered!
Oh, dear. Some people aren’t very thoughtful on stuff like this, and so they say what amounts to That car is stupid and meritless and mockworthy; it sucks, and so does everyone who ever had anything to do with it when what they really mean is I don’t like this car or I don’t like the fashion trends that gave rise to cars like this. I try to mind the difference, but I’ve probably made errors like this myself. Thanks for speaking up and justifiably squawking back, and for your good-spirited offer of info and history.
The cars are unique and like many other regular production cars well ahead of their time. The fiberglass is around four times the thickness of a Corvette, no seam lines, bonding strips. And have survived the years since production. You may not like the look, that’s your choice, many still do like it!
Hi, Timothy – Fancy seeing you here! Thank you for your comments. Dad still has pride to this day regarding the quality and craftsmanship of the Bremen Sport cars. Just recently, he stood on the running board of one of the cars and bounced up and down to show strength, Brought back memories of seeing people do that as a selling point.
yes Jason, he told me on a visit that you could actually jack up the car with a jack on the fender lips. Never tried it but believed him.
Hi Tim: i think it a great vehicle The one I’m looking at has no title. I am trying to figure out where. The vin # is stamped or located on these vehicles. i have looked in all the usual spots.
darinmichl@gmail.com
thank you in advance
I don’t agree with the “ahead of their time” part. This car is very much “of its time”. That time seemed to fade out around 1985, perhaps. That’s not a good or bad thing; it just… is. As I mentioned in a comment below, another car that rode in this realm was the Shay Model A, which was built with Pinto components. There aren’t any Pintos being built on Focus platforms today.
I think I want the Sebring. That’s more my style.
Thank you, Daniel. I appreciate your reply very much.
I agree that we might see cars that are not appealing to us, but as long as their owners enjoy them, that’s all that counts. We can honestly say, “I don’t get it” but we should leave it at that. No need to make derogatory comments about the owner or other fans of the marque. All of these “different” cars add some spice and interest to the hobby.
Hi Jason. i like the vehicle cool design however. The one I’m looking at has no title. I am trying to figure out where. The vin # is stamped or located on these vehicles. i have looked in all the usual spots. No luck yet.
darinmichl@gmail.com
thank you in advance
hi Jason: i love the car.
I am trying to figure out where exactly is: The vin # is stamped or located on these vehicles. i have looked in all the usual spots. no luck yet
just bought my 81 mini mark in november 2022 only has 5667 original miles it is in perfect condition i love the styling of the car
hi Richard: i love the car The one I’m looking at has no title.
I am trying to figure out where exactly is: The vin # is stamped or located on these vehicles. i have looked in all the usual spots.
The VW chassis number should be stamped at the rear on the inside close the the little access cover for the shift rod.
Or is that one of the usual spots?
G,I am telling you that i have owned a 1982 MiniMark 20 years ago,my car is very well recognized here on my island Puerto Rico,currently my wife and I travel throughout the island in our MiniMark ,we participe in different car activities ,we enjoy ourselves a lot of walking in the MiniMark since many people when they see us also enjoy it ,the thank Bremen Motor for creating such a beautiful jewel ,long live MiniMark it is a unique experience only those who have driven or traveled in a MiniMark will understand me.
I’m looking for a wind shield frame for my mini, any ideas please respond to my message. MAX RIVERA, Tallahassse Fl.
hi Jorge: i love the car The one Im looking at has no title. I am trying to figure out where exactly is: The vin # is stamped or located on these vehicles. i have looked in all the usual spots.
darinmichl@gmail.com
thank you in advance
hi Jorge: i love the car The one I’m looking at has no title.
I am trying to figure out where exactly is: The vin # is stamped or located on these vehicles. i have looked in all the usual spots.
I’m trying to help a friend out putting a mini back together. we are in desperate need of a windshield frame, can I get some help on where to find one.
Wow, dissatisfaction with the Lincoln Mark VI must have been really great for people to have bought one of these instead…
Actually, although admittedly faint praise, this is one of the more tasteful offerings of this sort. Maybe it’s just me – probably it’s just me – but I see more than a hint of Jeepster in its lines and shape, which I like. Imagine a CJ-5 grille instead of the Mark grille on this and you’ll see what I’m seeing.
These cars are an interesting excursion that sort of leaves me grasping for words. It’s a ~40 year old car that was, when new, a mashup of what was then a ~40 year old car, rendered in modern-ish parts. Does anybody remember the Shay Model A? It was a decent replica of a Ford Model A from this time built with Pinto guts, which I *think* was sold new at Ford dealerships.
I remember kit cars and kitsch cars kicking around here and there in my childhood… The instantly identifiable, splattery sound of an air cooled VW engine in back, juxtaposed against a big radiator grille up front. I do like the instrument panel on this one… it has a sort of industrial feel. The vacuum fluorescent clock on the right is pretty nifty. Also, are those panel mount fuse holders just under the speedometer all the way to the left? That would surely beat standing on my head to access the fuse panel on my daily driver!
Cheech and Chong did it better