FEATURED - Corbett Patriot - Exotic road missile

Nov 11, 2013

#Featured

corbett patriot - exotic road missile

the difference between those who dream exotic cars and those who build exotic cars is small but significant. the latter ones are taking actions to materialize their dreams. putting their enthusiasm, efforts, passion and devotion into the project is what makes the difference. results, however, sometimes horrible and monstrous, in other cases – true masterpieces of machinery art - are a subject of experience. this is the core element diving dreamers and this little story is about an experience one – adrian corbett - his works and results such as they were.

it all started in 1986, after the challenger disaster. adrian corbett, a graduate of northrop institute of technology in los angeles, at that time was an engineer in the space shuttle launch team at vanderberg air force base. his previous qualifications included aerospace engineering and management. however, after the catastrophe the program was placed on hiatus and soon he was laid off.

however, corbett’s long-term experience in advanced technologies and know-how of complex objects was not supposed to fade out. towards the end of 1986 he managed to establish his first company – corbett motor cars. based in santa barbara, california, the small outfit took approximately two years to develop its first model – a lamborghini countach replica. introduced at southern california sama show in february, 1988 this was a well-accepted newcomer. just right at this time, countach replicas started to pop up with other manufacturers like afi, elegant, exotic dream machines presenting their own versions, as well. nevertheless, cmc (abbreviation of corbett motor cars, not to be confused with classic motor carriages) countach 5000s was acclaimed for its fit and finish as well as attention to detail.

it is worth mentioning that the body of the corbett’s countach replica was molded as a single part. this ensured smoothness and excellent alignment for hand-laid matte-cloth fiberglass pieces. this kitcar was available in three forms. basic body shell kit included bodyshell with six main bulkheads and pre-drilled steel interface flange. it cost $3900. advanced body kit featured completely assembled and mounted doors, and all window glass installed. to be based on an unmodified vw type i irs chassis, this second option cost $7500. finally, a complete turnkey car was available for $26.500 (approx. $ 51.000 in current dollars).

initially the countach 5000s replica prototype was powered by a vw engine, but very soon corbett recommended mazda rotary, porsche of chevy v6 power aggregates. in addition to that stock drum brakes were replaced by disc brakes all-round. moreover, standard equipment for the turnkey version included doors controlled via console-mounted buttons, hella lights, vdo night design gauge package, digital stereo system, custom wheels and corbeau reclining seats.

it is very easy to notice that corbetts countach replica actually was a sized down, modified reproduction. it was 3 inches (7.6 cm) shorter, 7 inches (18 cm) wider and 1.5 inch (4 cm) higher than the original. interesting point to mention is that it was kindly noted that the corbett countach kit is not for rookies:

“ladies and gentlemen, this kit, as stated “basic”, it requires a lot of material and components to complete and we do not recommend it for the first time builders”.

that’s a very honest and rare note in the world of kits which are “easy to assemble and do not require additional tools & skills”. never so, the story of this first model was not long. interestingly, kit car magazine in their review in 1988 raised a question “will his follow-up cars be as nicely prepared as his prototype?”.

in 1989, adrian corbett sold cmc to a company in florida. having made just 26 countach units (6 turnkeys and approximately 20 kits) he established a brand new company – corbett automotive design – a.k.a. cad. new company was now operating from lampoc, california (just 55 miles from santa barbara) – practically the same place that corbett started to realize his automotive dream. in this destination, it was just the right time for the next model to appear. the answer to kit car’s question was the patriot.

a highly exotic, futuristic sportscoupe had a supercar look and high quality finish. aerodynamic fiberglass bodywork was designed to minimize the drag coefficient and maximize performance figures. at the time, this car was like nothing else on the sportscar market. named after raytheon’s patriot missile, the second corbett model began its story in may, 1989 when a 1/8 scale model was built. bodywork design was done using computer aided drafting and utilizing specific design and structural dimensions of the 1988 pontiac fiero platform. this versatile and customizable basis was chosen in order to achieve final goals for the model: appropriate price, performance and appearance.

at the beginning of the next year a construction of the patriot began. patriot was built on an extensively strengthened pontiac fiero gt chassis. combining advanced styling and latest technology, its bodywork exquisitely finished in fiberglass consisted of 22 molded panels and was mounted onto three high-tech, carbon-reinforced subframes. the first one hinged at the front to give an access to the cockpit while the rear one was for the bonnet which lifted back to open access to the engine compartment. a huge unit composed of what was supposed to be doors as well as windshield and side glasses was electronically assisted by thompson-saginaw ballscrew actuators. the entire canopy lifted up and forward to open a well-finished interior including wraparound panel, momo steering wheel and recaro seats.

the patriot’s 2.8-liter fiero v6 engine received millerwoods stage ii turbo system and the final result of 210hp was then transmitted to the road though a 5-speed getrag/muncie gearbox. the proposed acceleration from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) was just 5.5 seconds. an optional power source was a turbocharged 3.1-liter 350 hp v6. furthermore, the top version named patriot m8 was planned for middle east. it was supposed to have a 345hp chevrolet zz3 5.7-liter v8 engine. the rest was all stock fiero – disc brakes, independent front suspension.

the development of the car continued through year and towards the end of 1990, in december, the complete set of interior and exterior parts was installed. following this, in february, 1991 all subcomponents were added. finally, in june 1991 the patriot was finished with a glasurit base coat and by july, 1991 it was completely ready to take roads. having tested patriot later that year, autoweek wrote:

“the patriot turned-indeed, snapped-more heads than any car we’ve driven in a long time. finish and build quality are top notch”.

initially, corbett’s second model was offered only as a turnkey conversion for a price of $84.500 (approx $141.000 current dollars). later, patriot was offered in three stages of kit component packages. the first one included exterior body panels, interior panels, steel frames and mounting hardware. the stage-3 kit was the most complete and cost $24.995. standard equipment for ready-built model included cruise control, air conditioning, alpine compact disc stereo system and a cellular phone, power windows & mirrors, power seats and four-point harness. knowing that the development and construction of the patriot was completed in 4600 man hours at a cost of $250.000 the final price tag looked quite sensible.

adrian corbett’s initial plan was to make a maximum number of 200 patriots. intention was to produce two examples a month with a third model coming later on. it was supposed to be a 500hp, $250.000 super car, but this never happened.

the patriot’s saga was not longer than its predecessor’s – countach replica. the project ended sometime in 1992. the total production was rather far from the vision, as well. only 12 examples of the patriot were manufactured all in all – 5 ready-built and 7 kits. 2 units of them all were the aforementioned m8s.

nevertheless, adrian corbett has achieved his goal – to develop his own design. what other enthusiasts are dreaming about, a young californian engineer then realized using a well-earned experience and skills in aerospace, combining state-of-the-art technology with latest automotive design and style. the epitome of this was the patriot – a truly unique exotic road missile made in the usa.

ends.

photographs: kindly provided by mr. adrian corbett. other sources include period kit car magazine, kit car illustrated, chrom & flammen magazines.

videos: provided by mr. adrian corbett via youtube, havewegotavideo.