Would You Ever Buy A Kit Car?

"JR1" (type35bugatti) 04/21/2016 at 16:20 • Filed to: Question

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Superperformance Shelby Daytona

Or would you rather spend your hard earned cash on something authentic? For me the only way I would ever buy a kit car (and the only kit car I would buy would be a Daytona) would be after I own several other cars I have always wanted.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:22

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LANCIA STRATOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JR1 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/21/2016 at 16:23

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They make kits of those?

jjhats > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:25

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yes. Porsche speedsters sell routinely for 20-30k and are the classic car bargain of the century.

crowmolly > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:26

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Cobra. No question.

I want to be able to beat the life out of this car:

jminer > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:26

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Yep, without thinking twice about it.

I likely won't ever be able to afford a Shebly Cobra, but I can sure as hell afford a kit in my lifetime.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:26

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http://www.listerbell.com/

SURE DO

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > crowmolly 04/21/2016 at 16:27

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Gotta be careful, it may try and beat the life out of you.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:27

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Absolutely...

and emphatically...

NO!

As far as I’m concerned, kit cars/replicas are only useful for destroying in movies when the real thing is too valuable. That being said, I don’t consider cars like the Eagle Speedster, Singer 911, or Icon Bronco to be replicas, so I’m okay with cars like that.

crowmolly > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 04/21/2016 at 16:28

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I am up to the challenge.

Justin Hughes > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:28

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I still want one of these.

And it’s a kit car I might actually be able to afford. Jetta/Golfs of this era are cheap. The kit is $3500, and the company is local to me - I’d pick it up at the factory. One day.

WiscoProud > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:29

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I've always wanted to build a kit car, mostly because I love building things. At the moment I'm drooling over the Factory Five 818. But I seriously love the Daytona kits.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:29

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Yes there are two good ones, one improves the seating position and the other is pretty much exactly the same. Real Stratos owners get body parts from them. One is called Hawk in the UK I think and I forget the other. You can choose Alfa or Ferrari engines among a couple others if I remember correctly. I would build a 78' San Marino livery Stratos if I had the means!

atfsgeoff > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:29

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A kit car is the ultimate gear head’s project car. For anyone who likes to wrench as a hobby, what could be better than assembling a car from the ground up?

Furthermore, a modern kit car like the GTM is an impossibly fast car for the money it costs to build one (about $50k on a budget, closer to $80K if you want an LS9 or similar engine and components). It has all the modern go-fast components with none of the sound deadening, insulation, air bags, crumple zones or any other weighty prerequisites of new factory consumer vehicles. 640 horsepower, 2400lb street car? Yes please.

And if something breaks, you have only yourself to blame!

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:31

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I guess it depends, if it was a very good copy like the Stratos or maybe one like the Daytona that was not a production car and the race cars were very crude to begin with. I really like the replicas like Per Sang but that’s past kit car.

CalzoneGolem > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:31

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There are plenty of kits I’d buy. A Factory 5 33 Hot rod would be sweet.

Thomas Donohue > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:34

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Yes. Yes I would....

JRapp: now as good as new again > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:34

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Kit Car maybe, Replica, probably not, with the possible exceptions or the Cobra, Daytona, Bathtub Porsche, and such.

coelacanthist > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:37

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I want a 356 kit.

A. I will most likely never be able to afford a real one.

B. If I were able to afford one, I would be terrified to let it out of the garage.

For Sweden > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:41

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I would absolutely buy a kit car. They aren’t making any more Shelby Daytonas that aren’t kits.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:44

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But does Superformance make kits? I thought they only made turn key reproductions, since my uncle bought a Daytona and a Cobra from them, which look finished to a factory level.

Sam > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/21/2016 at 16:46

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But the thing is, these kit cars keep the cars on the road in spirit. If you were to go out and buy a real Daytona Coupe, you’d be paying upwards of $10 million. A real Cobra, same story $1 million+. That means that it will go into a collection somewhere and sit. Nobody is going to drive a real one anymore, except at Goodwood.

Kailand09 > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:47

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100% yes. The replica grand sport corvette, ultima GTR, and GTM are all cars I lust over.

Why the replica? Because I could never afford the real thing, and even if I could I wouldn’t be able to drive it for fear of an accident.

Sam > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 04/21/2016 at 16:49

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They only recently started making turnkey cars, when the ‘replica’ bill passed. Before that, you got a rolling body and a drivetrain and you had to be involved in the process of mating them.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Sam 04/21/2016 at 16:51

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Ah I see, that explains the level of finish then.

Pickup_man > JR1 04/21/2016 at 16:52

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Definitely, because I love the look of a classic hot rod, but don’t need it to be a %100 authentic experience. I like some modern safety, engine, and suspension/handling options, all without having to pay the already high entry fee into classic Fords, not to mention what it would take to upgrade all of that. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the hell out of an authentic traditional hot rod, but this is the way I’d have mine. Purists be damned.

Alex Zapata > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:02

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Daytonas, Stratos and 718 make a great case for kit cars.

At the same time if you are willing to spend to get a proper kit car there are lots of fun cars to be had for that amount of money that could be worth your while.

I would probably get like a Caterham before a kit car.

Although, are Caterhams kit cars? Sweet lord I think they are...

Shane MacGowan's Teeth > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:06

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Let’s take your Cobra Daytona example. A real one is A) ridic expensive, and B) part of history. I would prefer to buy one of those perfect repro kits to thrash and tear apart and screw around with, rather than to commit the unforgivable sins of modding or crashing an original. I think buying a kit as a trailer queen and acting like it’s the real thing is lame, but cheap(er) access to a classic that you won’t be hated for crashing, and not acting like it’s an original, is pretty much a no-brainer.

My bird IS the word > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:07

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My bird IS the word > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:10

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Yes. I want a caterham 7, an ultima evolution, a lister bell str, and some sort of factory five product. Considering I could get all of these at the same time for less than the price of a lamborghini aventador, I consider them a little more cost effective IMO.

Brian, The Life of > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:12

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HELL YES! I am lusting over two on Hemmings right now, as a matter of fact.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/de…

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/de…

vondon302 > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:13

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The right kit car hell yes. Most anything by factory five or a locost are on my list.

crowmolly > Sam 04/21/2016 at 17:16

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That means that it will go into a collection somewhere and sit. Nobody is going to drive a real one anymore, except at Goodwood.

Exactly.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Sam 04/21/2016 at 17:22

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That’s fine for some people, but if I had, let’s say $50,000 to spend on a car, I’d rather spend it on a car that normally costs around that much rather than on keeping alive the spirit of a much more expensive car just because I know I'll never be able to afford a real one

just-a-scratch > JR1 04/21/2016 at 17:31

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Yes, yes, and YES!!!
Daytona Coupe is one of the best replica/kit choices out there.
I'm partial to Exocets and Caterhams. Under 2000 lb curb weight, with 200 whp sounds about right to me.

WiscoProud > Justin Hughes 04/21/2016 at 17:55

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Um. What exactly is that?

WiscoProud > Brian, The Life of 04/21/2016 at 17:56

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That spyder is goddamn gorgeous. Yes please

Carbon Fiber Sasquatch > JR1 04/21/2016 at 18:13

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If I could get a C2 Stingray split window looking body on a C7 chassis, that would probably be the only kit car I’d be interested in. Kinda like a Singer Corvette

CaptDale - is secretly British > JR1 04/21/2016 at 18:31

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http://www.listerbell.com/products

CaptDale - is secretly British > JR1 04/21/2016 at 18:37

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Yes I want to mix

and add

to make a reliable and super powerful Cobra Kit. I mean it is already a kit car. So who fucking cares? I would DD the shit out of this and be happy with the rock chips and scratches and bug smudges cause it my car. I made it. I didn’t ruin an original. Plus ease of parts would be great too.

If it fits, it sits

JEM > JR1 04/21/2016 at 19:30

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HELL. YES.

My one and only dream car is a Factory Five Daytona Coupe replica.

Tapas > JR1 04/21/2016 at 19:41

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Yup....I’d buy them if they were amazing for the price and/or if the originals costed millions (Jag D-Type and XKSS, Ferrari GTO...)

Die-Trying > JR1 04/21/2016 at 19:45

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if it has a good combination driveline...then maybe . ex. big block + manual 4 speed + posi . but it would have to be something special, im already about project poor. +1 on a stratos, or manx meyers

BJ > JR1 04/21/2016 at 19:54

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Yes, unreservedly.

Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition > JR1 04/21/2016 at 20:40

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Yes, but I would probably get something like this.

A mid engine STI minus AWD. 1800 lbs. minus driver, and tons of aftermarket support for the drivetrain. Kits start at 10K.

http://www.factoryfive.com/kits/project-8…

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > JR1 04/21/2016 at 21:21

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I hope so! Because it’s not like I can afford a real one.

JR1 > For Sweden 04/21/2016 at 22:24

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Very true.

JR1 > Brian, The Life of 04/21/2016 at 22:24

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It's so beautiful!!!

JR1 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/21/2016 at 22:25

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I totally agree with this. My only exception would maybe be the Daytona but it is a big maybe

JR1 > Justin Hughes 04/21/2016 at 22:27

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That's a coach built body in my mind

JR1 > Shane MacGowan's Teeth 04/21/2016 at 22:28

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That's a great point and when there is only 6 I guess there is no really harm

JR1 > atfsgeoff 04/21/2016 at 22:28

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That is a great point. Building something yourself would be the ultimate reward

JR1 > CaptDale - is secretly British 04/21/2016 at 22:29

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No! No! No! Putting a Chevy engine in a historically Ford vehicle is just wrong

JR1 > Alex Zapata 04/21/2016 at 22:29

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Caterham isn't a copy cat though

JR1 > Pickup_man 04/21/2016 at 22:30

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That is great point but couldn't you do that with a restomod hot rod?

JR1 > BJ 04/21/2016 at 22:30

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I can get behind the open wheel maniac

JR1 > WiscoProud 04/21/2016 at 22:31

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The 818 isn't a copy cat so it is pretty cool

JR1 > Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition 04/21/2016 at 22:33

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That is an interesting car. I didn't know factory 5 made that

JR1 > Kailand09 04/21/2016 at 22:33

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The accident part is a very great point

JR1 > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 04/21/2016 at 22:34

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Per Sang is in a totally different level

JR1 > Carbon Fiber Sasquatch 04/21/2016 at 22:34

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That's kinda different than a kit in my opinion

JR1 > JRapp: now as good as new again 04/21/2016 at 22:35

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Good distinction. I would do a Caterham for example but not a replicar

JR1 > JEM 04/21/2016 at 22:36

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They do look amazing

JR1 > just-a-scratch 04/21/2016 at 22:37

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Those would be wondeful

gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun > JR1 04/22/2016 at 00:46

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Heck yes I would!

My big debate right now is between buying and modding the snot out of a C3 Corvette, or building a Cobra kit...

Sneaky Pete > JR1 04/22/2016 at 01:47

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I’d love to buy a Superperformance GT40. I’d offer a ride to $kaycog too!

JR1 > gergey - Wishes vette was Datsun 04/22/2016 at 08:53

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Mod the snot out of the Vette! The C3 is just awesome

JR1 > Sneaky Pete 04/22/2016 at 08:54

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What a gentleman

Justin Hughes > WiscoProud 04/22/2016 at 09:06

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http://www.smythkitcars.com/

It’s a kit to convert a 99-04 VW Golf/Jetta into a ute. I want one. :)

Pickup_man > JR1 04/22/2016 at 09:53

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You could, but I have a feeling this would be much cheaper, and much better. The complete Factory Five kit runs just shy of $20K, and you need to supply an engine, trans, rear end, wheels & tires and paint. So depending on how conservative or crazy you go with the drivetrain, this can probably be built for around $30k - $40k? Probably cheaper if you do your shopping right. The market on hot rods is pretty hot right now so I suspect it would be nearly impossible to find one for close to that price, especially one that’s had all of the restomod work done to it. Plus this way you get exactly what you want from the start, instead of having to start with someone else’s dream car and changing it to your tastes.

Alex Zapata > JR1 04/22/2016 at 09:54

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Not in and of itself, they do have the actual rights and I think tooling from Lotus to build the Seven, but they are not the actual, real thing made by Lotus either.

I think maybe the Caterham is the real deal, but there are Seven kit cars, so maybe the Caterham 7 isn’t a kit car after all.

CaptDale - is secretly British > JR1 04/22/2016 at 10:35

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Ah, but see it isn’t a Ferd!!It is a Shelby. Just think if He had gotten a sbc instead of the Ford motor when modifying an AC Cobra? Would he have then gone on to build Camaros and Firebirds instead of Mustangs? This build wouldn’t be so strange in that world and personally if I am going to make a kit car, I kinda want to piss of the purists that think they have to make it to spec of the original. Why? It is yours to build and make your own off of an iconic design.