Scarab
Scarab Cars, a short-lived yet influential American automotive brand, emerged in the late 1950s as a pioneer in the field of sports and racing cars. Founded by Lance Reventlow, heir to the Woolworth fortune, Scarab Cars sought to challenge the dominance of European manufacturers like Ferrari and Porsche in international motorsport. Reventlow, a passionate racing driver himself, was determined to create a line of American-built cars that could compete at the highest levels of racing. The first Scarab sports car, the Scarab MkI, debuted in 1958. Designed by engineer Warren Olson and featuring a lightweight tubular space frame, the MkI was powered by a Chevrolet small-block V8 engine, which provided an impressive power-to-weight ratio. The car’s aerodynamic bodywork, crafted by Emil Deidt, combined functionality with sleek aesthetics, making it both a high-performance machine and a visual standout. Building on the success of the MkI, Scarab Cars introduced the MkII and MkIII models, each incorporating refinements and innovations aimed at enhancing performance and reliability.
