Verifying a Butler

[hkmp5]

Where can I get the history of the Butler cars and
how do I verify I have one.
Thanks,Mike

[joyridin']

I am going to go out on a limb here and say you haven't read any of the posts in the Arntz/Butler forum have you?

Many people wrote a LOT of great info. It should give you every answer you need including where the VIN is located on a Butler.

Good luck!

[SoTxButler]

As Joyridin posted...there is a wealth of information on the Arntz/Butler forum.

Tell us a little about your car....2x4 ladder frame? MG front suspension? Jag rear end? engine set back about 8" or so? BRI________ number on frame (driver's side just aft of the overrider mount under the front fender. Pictures would really help.

There are some extensive threads on the forum dealing with BRI numbers and distinguishing features of the Butler cars.

Jason on this forum...n60pv...is our resident expert. I'm sure he will help.

Hope this helps. Let us know what you find.

[hkmp5]

It is titled as a 1980 "cobra" (will check frame for the BRI stuff)
The guy I got it from told me a story that it was a Butler kit.
He said that Butler was Carrol Shelbys crew chief and then started doing his own. Said he filed bankruptcy and the judge made him finish the car but poorly. I think the sellar meant the guy building the kit not Butler as I have done some googleing. Now to the car.
When I got it it had....
Matching #'s FE427 high rise man. with auto trans
Halibrand knock offs
Jag rear end with inboard discs
Coil overs (Koni I think)
Rack & pinion (not known)
Smiths guages
The wood steering wheel (Molito or something)
3 wipers
Had 0 miles on it

Sat for a while and had Doug Jenkins finish it out. I was ass raped and the car
was still not close to being wright.
I added new paint Candy blue with white stripes (SC style)
Roll bar
Tremec 5 speed
Hood scoop (didn't have original)
Visors & wings
They supposedly reinforced the frame in the rear end area drag links
I want this to be trick and correct.
Has been sitting for 5 + years and might sell or make it right with CC's help.
Thanks,Mike

[SoTxButler]

Yep, it sounds like you have a Butler. Ron worked for Shelby from 1964 to 1970. He went to LeMans 5 times with Shelby...did a lot of wrenching and dry sump development work. He also was a chassis guy.

He was crew chief for Ken Miles and also worked on all the cars...they all did.

As for your car...a lot of 427's with high rise heads showed up in the Butlers...mine is one of them. The Jag rear and your front suspension is more than likely MG. Most of Ron's cars came with toploaders or 5-spd Doug Nash transmissions.

Bet your engine sits back somewhat to where the valve covers are actually sticking under the cowl a little.

Yep, sounds like you have a Butler. Check out the serial number and let us know. Sorry about all that ass raping and stuff, but trust me, you will have lots of fun when you get it done.

[SoTxButler]

One more thing....Ron is still around. Never filed bankruptsy. A lot of history there.....read the forum...lots of good stories there. Ron was the good guy and still is. He built 104 Butlers and the frames for a lot of Arntz cars.

[hkmp5]

Will have the chasis info in a few days.
Was he the only builder of "Butler" kits?
The condition and way it was put together doesn't seem like
Mr. Butler actually built the car but I don't know.
Thanks again,Mike

[joyridin']

He was the manufacturer of the kit, not necessarily the car. He did build actual cars, but if you look through some of the posts, you will see a few people from a few years ago still working on assembling their kits. If I recall, there was one on Ebay a few years ago that had not been assembled at all.

Do you have have some pictures to post? I'm sure we would all love to see what it looks like...good or bad.