Are kit cars just lame wannabes or do they deserve more credit?
Ducati Minor
Kit cars haven't come a long way in terms of appeal since the 1950s, but they have in scope and technology. When we think of kit cars, we think of fake Cobras and GTOs. But do they deserve more?
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tbmshark
The term "kit car" covers such a broad range that its hard to say. Certainly a Fiero Diablo fake deserves zero respect, but the Caterham R500, CAV GT40, etc. are serious, well engineered performance cars that anyone would love to own.
Reilly Brennan
I don't think I've owned enough in the way of excellent production cars yet to delve into the kit world. As TBMSHARK points out, there is a range of vehicles within that definition. All the same, I have no garage to assemble such a kit!
Chris Paukert
I'm with TBMShark on this one. I applaud the initiative and the creativity of anyone who attempts to build their own vehicle, even if I wouldn't necessarily want one of their finished products for myself.
Generally speaking, I find kit cars that are unique designs based on existing componentry to be more interesting than actual replicas. That said, if they get the shape right and stay very true to the original aesthetically-speaking, I think it's a nice way for people to live out their dreams at lower costs and give bystanders the joy of seeing these designs on the road... even if they aren't originals.
Chris Paukert
Editor-In-Chief
Winding Road Magazine // NextAutos
Ziggy
I Built a 356 Drauzs replica from a non rolling kit.. All the refinements and upgrade made to the car, make for a very sturdy and impressive automoble and every bit as much fun to drive as rusty real one. It is a more bang for your buck deal and very well worth the outcome I love this car..
christianttt
Hi Chris,
you have a point.
Kit cars are great, you can assemble them in your shed and customize them all the way!
All the Super Seven cars, Cobras and not to forget the Ultima GTR are great. You can put great crate engines in them starting with a Corvette LS1 and than switch to blue-printed ones. The aftermarket is yours and the sky the limit.
A Cobra or Ultima GTR with curb weight of max 1000kg and an engine from 500-1600HP will smoke any of the other street-legal factory built supercars, and for a fraction of the price, with the remaining balance to a Bugatti Veiron, Porsche GT, Ferrari, Lambo - one could build say two or three spare Ultima GTR's or Cobras plus eneugh change for insurance, taxes and petrol.
I whish I had the time and money to build a fleet of them and race them !
Say 3 Cobras starting with 500hp crate 7,0lt Corvette engine, next 1000 same engine supercharged and the third 1500HP Turbo with nitro as the saturday night driver...
You should make a test of the best kit cars in different engine versions 300HP ,400 , 500 and up.
This would be interesting.
Seasons greetings!
Phil Berger
I think if the us car makers paid more attention to the kit-car and the orphan car clubs they would have a better idea why many people are not satisfied with the cars they are offering to sell.
People will spend more fixing up their older cars because they can no longer find what they want in the newer cars.
I like the Pontiac Fiero but since I can no longer buy a new one, I will spent money fixing my 1987 Fiero GT. Often people will try to upgrade their original car so that it can become the car it should have become if the
car companies had not abandoned the model.
BikerVoodoo
You're right - how can anyone call a Meyers Manx or Caterham Seven a lame wannabe? These cars used existing components to build dream machines!
Ducati Minor
Perhaps I should consider my own Dino 246 knockoff, but build it on a Fiat Dino chassis and use the Ferrari V-6 inside. Anyone know where I can find an aluminum 246 replica body?
BillS
If you figure it out, be sure to advertise it. I'd be interested if you made a good car (Noble, Caterham, Superformance, etc). But why do a Dino? Can't I have a 275 GTB/4? I want a Bugatti Type 57 too while you're at it.
Ducati Minor
Ha ha!
The 246 is a favorite of mine, despite it being vastly overrated and misunderstood. In my mind, using a Fiat chassis and an authentic Dino V-6 from a cheap Fiat Dino coupe is more realistic than me spending the value of an XKE cabrio just for a 246 body.
If I could find a handcrafted aluminum body of fine work, I'd very much consider the 246 knockoff. It would be a mutt, but have some degree of authenticity and roots than your typical Factory Five.
BillS
I think you're on to something with the idea of some authenticity. For example, what did you think of the Cheetah that was based on the original but I believe was completely re-created from the group up (not a continuation using found parts)? Bill Thomas authorized it. Was that "authentic" enough?
Ducati Minor
I've been thinking of that.
I posted in the $500K garage topic my desire for a Lynx Motors XKSS. Lynx is a specially licensed builder of replicated aluminum-bodied Jaguars using actual plans and donor E-types. Because the core of the product is itself part of the brand, I hold it as being more authentic that your run-of-the-mill fiberglass kit car.
On the Cheetahs...no. Shelby settled with SuPerformance and licensed the latter's Cobra and Brock (Daytona) coupes. The SuPerformance vehicles are quality-made and have Peter Brock's and Carroll Shelby's names behind them. Yet, I don't accept them as authentic.
BillS
When you say "On the Cheetahs...no" did you mean "On the Cobras...no"?
Ducati Minor
No, I just failed to clarify. I was remarking about the endorsement of a replica-builder from the original creator.
Lear
I'm mostly with Ducati on this one. I don't mind the endorsement, but I think the real test is a) high quality across the board (congruent with the type of car) and b) continued engineering development.
I think Superformance and Factory Five have done pretty well on item a) but I don't know about item b). If you think you are in the replica business, item b) seems off limits. Caterham, to me, has done it right. Stick to a core concept, but make it better and better.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the Noble M14(?) that now is a US based deal. Anyone know what the word is on that (sorry, I forget what they call it now). That is a modern car, with a solid performance envelope, that could be devleoped further.
Ducati Minor
http://www.rossioncars.com/pages/models/models.html
BillS
Just speaking for me, I was happy enough with the Cheetah. I really didn't care that Bill endorsed it; what mattered to me was that it was a) faithful to the original, b) reasonably priced and c) paid some attention to modern improvements (a lot of older cars didn't have great brakes and to me there's no point in adding risk to a fast car just for authenticity.
Kar Krazy
As much as this middle-aged “kar krazy kid” would love to finally get his dream hot rod, I can’t imagine actually driving it more than a few times, just for thrills. And once I lost my license, that would be that.
In an auto world where the most fun cars cost as much as a small island nation, I think any car I bought only for a brief spot of entertainment would have to be a comparatively inexpensive kit car.
Jason Salcido
I like the idea of these kit cars. I would definitely consider one for my next car. I like driving around in something unique, as I've only seen them at local car shows. What a hobby to have.
econfer@eriez.com
The best part of a kit car aside from saving money and having your dream car is making it yourself. Making it yours. The detail items that represent you. Colors that aren't available for the authentic models, the right leather or wood finishes, A/C in some cases, anything that is an extension of your personality or even needs. It can be so beautiful!
Sure, there are the purists that believe kit cars are an insult - they're also the typically uber rich. But what percentage are they amongst the masses? We're ENTHUSIASTS (the majority). We live for sweeping turns and coastline drives. We turn wrenches because we don't need to take our wives car to the mechanic (heck, we can get an extra 15 hp by doing it ourselves!). There's a pride that's involved in a kit car!
I will do my own someday, not just yet, but I will. And I will love her just like a real GT-40 (or the likes) except I'll be able to drive her without the worry of tarnishing her value. And I will drive that b!tch like she needs to be driven, hard in the twistys and WOT in the straights!
Go KITS! But if you can afford the real deal, congrats and more power to you!
Happy Motoring and Merry Christmas All!
Anonymous
Take a look at www.javansportscars.com for a new hi-tec component car !!!!.
dratts2
I'm building two of them. One is a fiero based ferrari 355 spyder with a northstar engine. The other is a murcielago roadster with a 350 small block. The murci has ten thousand dollars worth of suspension and brakes. There's not much left of the fiero in it. If built right they can approach the performance of the original with easy to maintain parts and cheap insurance. Not to mention the pleasure and pride of something you designed and built yourself. You will end up designing your own parts on any kit. I tell people that my murci is the mid engined corvette that gm never built with that great italian styling.
Ducati Minor
Screw the lot of you. I want my aluminum 246 GTS body!
Jack Reynolds
Follow this question with "Why don't you need a Kit Car"? Have owners tell their horror stories. Be careful what you wish for.
Anonymous
The horror story issue depends a lot on the kit you buy and your expectations. If you want a kit car to be like building a barbeque grill, forget it.
Tom Martin
Done. I assume you meant "Why you don't need a Kit Car"?