What's the Coolest Kit?

Hello Kit Car Fans,

I'm D. Brian Smith, the new editor of "Kit Car." I'd be interested to find out which kit car(s) you've owned and/or built, and why. What made you decide to purchase a certain company's vehicle? What were the deciding factors? Once you purchased your kit, did you build it yourself? If so, how long did it take? Would you build another?

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Best,

Brian  

Hello Brian,
I am new to kit cars, never really researched any info on kit cars, but I would like to find out what kind of exotic kit cars there are.  Would you or anyone mind sourcing me some websites who have exotic kit cars.  Are all replicas available such as a F430 Ferrari?  I would like to build myself a kit car.  I am very knowledgable in the building of a car but have never really looking into a kit car.  Thanks guys  

Hi Gandara,

There are an abundance of exotic car kits. Many companies provide Cobra roadsters, Cobra Daytona Coupes, Ford GT40s, Lamborghinis, MGTDs, Austin Healeys, Jaguars, Porsche 550 Spyders and 356 Speedsters, Grand Sport Corvettes, and original mid-engine supercar creations. Many of these replicas, with advanced engineering incorporated in the kits and modern components, provide more performance than the originals, and at a fraction of the price of an original.

Some of the companies you may wish to check out are: Shell Valley, Unique Motorcars, Factory Five Racing, Superformance, Kirkham, Aldino Car Company, American Supercar Concepts, Backdraft Racing, Cutting Edge Replicas, Shelby American, Sterling Replicars, North American Exotic Replica Cars, Auto Classics, Tatonka, Noble, Custom Automotive Restyling, etc.

I suggest you buy the September '06 issue of KIT CAR from your local newsstand. A KIT CAR buyer's guide is included with this issue. Research replicars in KIT CAR and visit google.com to search for the companies above.

Happy Hunting! Thanks for your question.

Best regards,

Brian  

Hello Brian,
To pick the coolest kit would be impossible,there are so many cool cars out there, the problem most of the time is finish them, personaly I have a Eagle kit built on a 96 porsche 914, It's ok but I wouldn't call it the coolest, my favorite would be our mini cooper/toyota, that is featured on your magazine, and you can see it here on the site on page 5 of "features".
At the moment we have started a new prototipe still based on the same mini body style, but as a roadster, and as a mid engine and a front engine rear drive.
Any chance we could get some imput here as far as interest from kit car people?
At the same time, would like to invite you to come over and take a look at the project anytime.
Keep up the good work. Tony  

AutoSmith:
Hello Kit Car Fans,

I'm D. Brian Smith, the new editor of "Kit Car." I'd be interested to find out which kit car(s) you've owned and/or built, and why. What made you decide to purchase a certain company's vehicle? What were the deciding factors? Once you purchased your kit, did you build it yourself? If so, how long did it take? Would you build another?

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Best,

Brian

Brian:

I would say it would be a Porshe 356 Speedster Replica.  I am a 64 year old lady from San Dimas, CA.  In 2003, I contacted Intermeccanica in Vancouver, BC.  As a teen in the late 50's and 60's, these little bath tubs were my fantasy.  So in 2003, after selling my husband's 1970 9llT, I called Henry.  Told him I wanted a speedster, silver with red interior, 4 wheel disk breaks, oil cooler, 901 5-speed transmission.  But to be on the comfort side, I added roadster seats, air, am/fm/cd, and supplied Porsche badging.
I was on the phone asking questions.  I surely surprised everyone that this little ole lady wanted to look good, be comfortable and go fast.  Since taking delivery on Jan.2
2004, my tub has been to the 50th anniversary of the Speedster in Monterey, *** driven on the Laguna Seca race track and the old pebble beach race course.  I won the 2006 Porsche Speedster Replica over 20K at Knott's Fun in the Sun sponsored by the AHA.  Ian Aire did a photoshoot in 2005 and I believe you are working on featuring my Silver in your Magazine sometime soon.   I have had more fun having this replica built and driving it around So. Cal.  So let's hear it for the little car with a big, big thrill.  

Lancia Rallye 037 stradale/corse(group b)Well under 200 genuine 037 exist in the world today A stradale will cost you 50-80k and a corse 150k+  a accurate kit for the Lancia montecarlo taken from moulds from genuine 037 will cost you 3k  only a handfull of replicas exist in the world HOW EXOTIC AND UNIQUE DO YOU WANT  
www.rallye037replica.com          KITAVAILABLE FEB 07  

I have built a few kit cars in my lifetime.  A Dune buggy back in the sixties (at the time I had a original Speedster).   Ten years ago I built the 180th FFR Cobra kit.  It took 11 weeks to get it on the road without paint.   Took it apart and painted it myself a month later.   Sold it to a guy in Hawaii seven years later.   The next was a Thunder Ranch Ferrari 250GTO.   Built it myself in six months.  Got Past President's award at Knotts 2005 & President's award Club Sandwich the same year.  The next car will be a Active Power 41 Willys pickup with a LS1 engine...if I ever get the kit!!!
Bill G  

The best kit cat by far is the 57 Chevy kit Car. It's convertible and classic. http://www.fresemotorcars.com/  

Whats some good websites for just the kit car body's.  

Hey jlumpkin87,

The best place to check would be our annual buyers guide

2008 Kit Car Buyer's Guide