Autodynamics Hustler, 1967. Autodynamics was formed by Ray Caldwell in the early 1960’s as a racing car maker. They also diversified into making replacement fibreglass body panels for the Lotus Elan. At the New York Auto Show they revealed the Hustler, an Elan replica (it was larger than the diminutive Lotus) based on a VW chassis and rear engine. The business was doing well with Formula Vee and the VW-based ‘Deserter’ dune-buggy so the Hustler was really a side-project and less than 50 were made before production ended in 1968.