What kit car should I get?

"Funktheduck" (funktheduck) 01/15/2015 at 14:13 • Filed to: None

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50

Photo credit to car and driver

NOTE: I AM NOT ACTUALLY BUYING A KIT CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SOME DAY

This is more of a thought exercise and a way for me to learn about cars I may have never heard of.

Let's assume I win the lottery and I buy a garage with a lift and all tools needed to build a car. What should I buy to build?

GhostZ > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:15

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Factory Five Cobra.

Or a Factory Five Type 65 Coupe.

DrScientist > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:16

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would one need to win a lottery for a caterham to be feasible?

i thought these were quite attainable... like sub 20k. or am i remembering incorrectly?

f86sabre > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:17

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I want to build an Exocet. Half Atom and half Miata.

http://exomotive.com/exocet/

Sn210 > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:18

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Factory Five Type 65 Coupe, because legendary racecar

Scary__goongala! > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:21

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If you want something old school and with a V8 id go with a factory five cobra. Otherwise id look at the kits flyin miata has to offer.

CalzoneGolem > DrScientist 01/15/2015 at 14:22

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I think its mostly the garage lift and tools.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:22

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Fierorrari

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:22

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DrScientist > CalzoneGolem 01/15/2015 at 14:24

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actually, looks like 33,900 for the most economical option. and that doesn't include the drivetrain?

and its not even painted?

anyway... i would go for one of these.

Brian Silvestro > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:24

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917 or nothing

http://www.race-car-replicas.com/rcr917.html

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:25

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Lister Bell STR

#becausestratos

CalzoneGolem > DrScientist 01/15/2015 at 14:27

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Locost. http://www.locostusa.com/

Justin Hughes > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:36

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I'd build my own three wheeler. Use the back half of a bike, drivetrain and all, and build a cockpit for two people in front. How hard can it be?

BJ > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 01/15/2015 at 14:41

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Is that actually a kit? Does Morgan sell them as kits to get around safety & emmission tests, etc?

Funktheduck > DrScientist 01/15/2015 at 14:42

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Exactly. The point of the lottery part was to imply money is no option. $33k isn't a ton of money when it comes to cars but it is a huge sum for something that equates to a toy.

jariten1781 > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:42

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I always liked Superformance's replica GT40:

It shares enough interchangeable parts with the original that at one point they were going to make it eligible for historic racing events (don't know if that ever happened).

TotallyThatStupid > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:43

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My wife wants me to build her a Cobra. I have a few years; we originally said for her XX birthday, but money/time/kid being with they are, it will likely be for her YY birthday. I've been researching Factory Five, and I think that's who I'd go with.

However, since you've won the lottery, I'd recommend Kirkham Motorsports for one of their aluminum-bodied Cobras. Personally, I prefer the 289 body. But it's your choice, really.

http://www.kirkhammotorsports.com/

Funktheduck > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 01/15/2015 at 14:43

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Does this fix the off set peddle issue?

Funktheduck > TotallyThatStupid 01/15/2015 at 14:45

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I've wanted one of these for a long time. I've made a couple models of them. Likely as close as I'll ever get to the real thing. One of the prettiest cars ever.

I would do a twist. Instead of a 427 or some other big block I'd go with something smaller and build it up for added lightness and better handling.

Funktheduck > jariten1781 01/15/2015 at 14:46

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Y'all are making this hard on me

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > BJ 01/15/2015 at 14:47

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They sell them as kits, yes.

Not sure, but I suspect yes.

Apparently there is a Morgan dealer in Morgantown, WV of all places.

http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/dealer/morgan-…

TotallyThatStupid > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:47

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I think the 289 car could be that. It's just such a clean shape, and I can't recall seeing another modern replica of the smaller body.

Jayhawk Jake > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:48

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I plan to do an Exocet someday. Get a salvage titled NA or NB miata, drop the Exocet shell on it, done. LS swap for bonus points

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:49

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These are all valid suggestions, but there is only one right answer to this question. The Factory Five 818.

1,800 lbs, 250-300 hp, $10k+$5k for a wrecked WRX or STi. It's a Subaru engine, so mods are available with far more hp, though it can be too much in such a light car. You can get a cloth top for it now, too.

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > TotallyThatStupid 01/15/2015 at 14:50

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"My wife wants me to build her a Cobra." You won.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:51

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It sort of depends on how you want to use the car?

Want to go fast? Get a Shelby or Lotus Kit

Want to show off? Get some kind of Fiero based thing....Just don't attempts to race it, you will just be a sad, sad man at that point.

Want to get funky? Pretty much anything with a VW pan.

BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:55

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No, but it will make it around Top Gear's test track without breaking down.

uofime > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:57

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I would love to try to build a "midlana" some day, its basically a mid engine 7esque thing. Guy wrote a book with plans to make it mostly your self and and there are a few people actively building them on their forum.

midlana.com

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:58

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If you want badass, Factory Five '33 Hot Rod.

If you want scalpel-sharp, but still useable, get a Factory Five 818

Fiberfab Valkyrie if you want something race-inspired and cheap.

Jake Huitt - Two Alfas And A Nissan, Not A Single Running Car > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 14:58

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http://pilot-and-car-guy.kinja.com/looking-for-a-…

Anyone help?

Funktheduck > Justin Hughes 01/15/2015 at 15:05

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I would personally prefer not creating a frame. The rest probably wouldn't be too bad.

Funktheduck > BmanUltima's car still hasn't been fixed yet, he'll get on it tomorrow, honest. 01/15/2015 at 15:08

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good to know

Funktheduck > Sn210 01/15/2015 at 15:08

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I just wish the back was a little smoothed out.

Funktheduck > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/15/2015 at 15:09

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Oooh. Is it AWD or just use engine and tranny?

Funktheduck > f86sabre 01/15/2015 at 15:12

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Good choice

Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 15:13

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It uses the front drivetrain for the rear wheels. There's a little plate that goes over the back of the transmission where the center diff normally would. Since boxer engines tend to sit in front of the front wheels, it makes a perfect mid-engine platform.

WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 15:14

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Factory 5 Daytona Coupe Type 65 as previously mentioned by others.

Funktheduck > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 01/15/2015 at 15:15

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Not too keen on the 33. They're not as common now but when I was a kid those style cars dominated the scene. It would have to be really unique for me to get excited for one. The other two: yes.

Funktheduck > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. 01/15/2015 at 15:17

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Nothing fiero or big based. More like tube frame. Something quick and handles well.

Funktheduck > uofime 01/15/2015 at 15:17

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I'll check it out.

Funktheduck > Andy Sheehan, StreetsideStig 01/15/2015 at 15:19

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Interesting.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 15:22

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G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 15:28

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The Valkyrie is $8400 for the kit.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 15:34

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Find you a nice 7 or Ariel Atom clone kit, then.

Funktheduck > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 01/15/2015 at 15:56

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That seems too cheap. What's the catch?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 16:00

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You have to pay more if you want any real suspension. Figure around $18k fully assembled, with engine, trans and paint.

Funktheduck > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 01/15/2015 at 16:17

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ah. Still not bad all things considered.

CPT Speedbump > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 20:01

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I'd go with one of thhhesseee , but that's because it's local, and I have a lot of mutual friends with the owner. Also..it's awesome, also, race car.

Roadster Man > Funktheduck 01/15/2015 at 23:22

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Everyone else's ideas are LAME.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Funktheduck 01/16/2015 at 07:09

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Ariel Atom