1970 DRB Sabre

This DRB Sabre is a rare Australian sports car, based on VW underpinnings, and fitted with a replacement Toyota engine. It is now powered by a 1.6-litre ‘4AGE’ inline-four, driving the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission. This Sabre has been with the seller for the last two years, but was owned by his father-in-law for decades prior to this. It is understood that the DRB Sabre cars were each built on the floor pan of a Volkswagen Type 3. The car is finished in red over a black cloth and vinyl-trimmed cabin. It rides on a set of 14-inch five-spoke wheels, shod with a combination of Nankang and Nexen tyres. Equipment includes a roll bar, VDO instruments, a CB radio, and a Pioneer CD stereo. A fire extinguisher has been mounted in the passenger footwell. Please refer to the photo gallery to assess exterior and interior condition. Specific notes from the seller include: imperfections and roller marks in the paintwork as shown, and some general ageing of some interior elements. The seats have reportedly had covers on them since the car was new. The seller states that the speedometer and odometer have stopped working, the handbrake could benefit from being adjusted, the tyres are old, and the engine is not original to the vehicle. The chassis and fibreglass body are original and have not been modified or damaged. There have been no repairs or damage to the fibreglass body. A safety certificate was reportedly issued on 13 January 2022. The seller has replaced the engine oil and filter twice within the last 18 months. Parts replaced 12 months ago include the brake master cylinder, brake fluid, front brake discs and callipers, rear brake drums, and coolant. The battery has also been replaced within the last two years. The DRB Sabre is a rare Australian sports car that uses a Volkswagen Type 3 floor pan combined with box-section steel tubing, and features styling inspired by Italian classics. This example has been in single family ownership for several decades and should prove to be a solid basis for some cosmetic refurbishment or even a total restoration. It could make for a fun weekend cruiser and an interesting entrant at any local car show or meet. The description of this consignment is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. Potential buyers should view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy. Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible vehicles to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, either to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be undetectable even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork during its life. Furthermore, photographs may not reflect the true colour or full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to satisfy themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy. This includes by raising enquiries with the seller in the comments section. For vehicles, unless otherwise stated, potential buyers should also assume that any cherished registration may be retained by the seller. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details. This vehicle’s VIN has been checked against the Australian Personal Property Securities Register, and there is no security interest or other registration kind logged against the serial number. This vehicle has been checked through the Austroads NEVDIS system, and there are no markers under the written-off or stolen databases