The Beginning

Dave Klym started FABCAR in Costa Mesa, California, with the help of Fred Carrillo of Carrillo Industries. Dave was chief Mechanic for Fred’s Indy Car sponsored by Carrillo Connecting Rods, a division of Carrillo Industries.

On August 17, 1977, FABCAR Engineering, Inc. first opened its doors. Its first check was from McLaren Racing, who broke a part while testing at Ontario Speedway.

FABCAR’s first major project was the construction of eleven Wheeler Super V race cars. Most of these cars, which were designed my Gary Wheeler, were pre-sold before they were even built. The first six cars where built solely by Dave Klym. Only after that did FABCAR hire its first employee, Craig Campbell, as it began picking up miscellaneous fabrication and machine shop work.


Dave Klym, far right, was crew chief for Fred Carrillo’s “Spirit of Orange County” Indy Car team in 1975.


Fred Carrillo (left) and Dave Klym (right) during a test session at Ontario Speedway.


Gary Wheeler (left) discusses construction aspects of the Wheeler Super V with Dave Klym (right)


At FABCAR’s Costa Mesa shop, from left to right, Karl Thees (FABCAR’s second employee), Craig Campbell and Dave Klym pose behind one of the eleven Wheeler Super V’s build by FABCAR.

FABCAR’s second major project was the construction of two Shakee CAN-AM cars for Tom Spalding. These cars were deigned by Roman Slobodydinskij, who designed the successful Dan Gurney Eagle Indy Cars.

The gang’s all here…assembled around the Shakee CAN-AM chassis are the people who made the project happen. Noted aerodynamic expert Dr. Robert Liebeck (L), Dave Klym (2nd L), Tom Spalding (In car), designer Roman Slobodydinskij (Next to car), unidentified machinist (in background) and FABCAR employee Dennis McCormack (background right)

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