Pondering a kit car

wdb · 12-19-2020, 04:03 PM

Not this winter, but maybe next, I am pondering the thought of building a kit car. I'd be interested in hearing others' experiences with a project like that.

I have the mechanical skills, tools, and a place to work. But maybe there's something I don't know or haven't anticipated... let me know.

The first one that pops into my mind is a Caterham, because I've always wanted one. Cobra would be another but that has been a dream car of mine since they were new so I'd be fussy about keeping it true to the originals, i.e. $$$. There are Subaru based beasties around, and I think there are Porsche Speedster kits out there too. That is by way of letting folks know what sort of thing I'm considering.

So, what have your experiences been?

overcoil · 12-19-2020, 04:25 PM

Caterham I'd researched for fun. I seen some of the American distributors close up over the years. Without googling I think a base kit to my door was 30,000 USD with wheels and my own tires but without drivetrain and maybe without rear diff and obviously not painted.
I think completed I calculated about $40,000 in parts. That was low end suspension. Really a base build.

The__J__Factor · 12-19-2020, 04:43 PM

Lots of options out there. Don't forget there's plenty of kits that use miatas as the base running gear, suspension , brakes ect which make them easy and cheap to build. There are lotus 7 / Caterham look a likes at varying prices if your ok with other brands.

Exocet also looks like a cool cut price Arial atom.

I'd love to build a kit car some day too. Good luck.

chenry · 12-19-2020, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The__J__Factor

Lots of options out there. Don't forget there's plenty of kits that use miatas as the base running gear, suspension , brakes ect which make them easy and cheap to build. There are lotus 7 / Caterham look a likes at varying prices if your ok with other brands.

Exocet also looks like a cool cut price Arial atom.

I'd love to build a kit car some day too. Good luck.

I like the Exocet - that would be a great little track car

Steeler · 12-19-2020, 04:57 PM

Built 2 kit cars in my time.

Ferrari F355 Spider based on a Fiero and Factory Five Cobra.

The Fiero build required an enormous amount of custom fabrication and many hours of bodywork to the fibreglass to get it to my satisfaction. There are no instructions with the "rebody kits".
The Cobra was basically a bolt together kit. Well documented from the supplier.

There are lots of groups on FB for whatever you may be looking to build.

If I was to do it again, I would be looking towards a Jag XJ13 or Lister style of car.

wdb · 12-20-2020, 05:43 AM

Thanks everyone for their thoughts and replies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarton62

If I was to do it again, I would be looking towards a Jag XJ13 or Lister style of car.

Heh. There's a partially finished E Type "Project" on BaT right now, and oddly enough it is in my part of the world. I used to wrench on English cars so that might be an interesting way to dip my toe in.

3798j · 12-20-2020, 08:39 AM

I'd be tempted to look at Beck...the 356 & 550 porsche speedster kit manufacturer. Every May at the Carlisle Import + Performance Nationals show there's a good number of them in attendance and there are always a fair number of kit manufacturers displaying their products...Superformance is my favorite (but they only sell rollers). Take your M Coupe, enter the car in fun field ($40), park with the other BMW's..then enjoy walking the fair grounds and looking around. One of the nicest little (comparatively speaking) Carlisle shows.

freakystyly · 12-20-2020, 11:22 AM

Saw an Ultima kit car parked on the street once. Definitely had to do a double/triple take as to what it was. It's quite a bit more flashy than your usual kit car but it's on the very cheap side for a hyper car looking thing.

Small block V8 mid engine rear wheel, light weight.. yes please!

bucketfoot · 12-20-2020, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chenry

I like the Exocet - that would be a great little track car

There is one out here that runs with NASA Rocky Mountain. It's a little beast!

TSM330i · 12-22-2020, 11:07 AM

For me, if I'm going to build something, I'd want it to be unique and exotic.
I'd get a kit from RCR. They make great kits with very good performance.

http://race-car-replicas.com/buying-guide
http://www.superlitecars.com/

robertm · 12-22-2020, 12:06 PM

Have always had a soft spot for Shelbi Cobras. There are several very good kits out there. Would love to build one with my son(s) one day.

IllSic_Design · 12-22-2020, 12:51 PM

I have really been considering a kit car also. I have been looking at Factory Five mainly, I want to build their new model that hopefully they come out with, the F9R, won't be cheap though lol.

https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-ne...percar-update/

Their 818 built off a WRX drivetrain is pretty cool also, Matt Farah did a one take with one.

12-19-2020, 04:03 PM	#1
wdb dances with roads 4718 Rep 4,096 Posts Drives: '07 E86, '02 996, '95 Seven Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: the perimeter iTrader: (4)	Pondering a kit car Not this winter, but maybe next, I am pondering the thought of building a kit car. I'd be interested in hearing others' experiences with a project like that. I have the mechanical skills, tools, and a place to work. But maybe there's something I don't know or haven't anticipated... let me know. The first one that pops into my mind is a Caterham, because I've always wanted one. Cobra would be another but that has been a dream car of mine since they were new so I'd be fussy about keeping it true to the originals, i.e. $$$. There are Subaru based beasties around, and I think there are Porsche Speedster kits out there too. That is by way of letting folks know what sort of thing I'm considering. So, what have your experiences been?
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12-19-2020, 04:25 PM	#2
overcoil Major General 3074 Rep 5,577 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Caterham I'd researched for fun. I seen some of the American distributors close up over the years. Without googling I think a base kit to my door was 30,000 USD with wheels and my own tires but without drivetrain and maybe without rear diff and obviously not painted. I think completed I calculated about $40,000 in parts. That was low end suspension. Really a base build.
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12-19-2020, 04:43 PM	#3
The__J__Factor Major 88 Rep 1,090 Posts Drives: ///M Coupe Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gold Coast, Australia iTrader: (0)	Lots of options out there. Don't forget there's plenty of kits that use miatas as the base running gear, suspension , brakes ect which make them easy and cheap to build. There are lotus 7 / Caterham look a likes at varying prices if your ok with other brands. Exocet also looks like a cool cut price Arial atom. I'd love to build a kit car some day too. Good luck.
	Appreciate 1 wdb4718.00 Quote

12-19-2020, 04:57 PM	#5
Steeler Colonel 2428 Rep 2,704 Posts Drives: Built not Bought 04 Z4 VF Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kitchener Ontario Canada iTrader: (2)	Built 2 kit cars in my time. Ferrari F355 Spider based on a Fiero and Factory Five Cobra. The Fiero build required an enormous amount of custom fabrication and many hours of bodywork to the fibreglass to get it to my satisfaction. There are no instructions with the "rebody kits". The Cobra was basically a bolt together kit. Well documented from the supplier. There are lots of groups on FB for whatever you may be looking to build. If I was to do it again, I would be looking towards a Jag XJ13 or Lister style of car. __________________ W2A Intercooled Vortech V3Si, custom ducting, Alpha N, 60# Bosch,2.62 pulley, multi port WMI, Severn Tuning(pokeybritches), Tial, magnaflow,SS race muffler, 42 design,3.91LSD, H&R, Hotchkis,ST coils,Konis, Megan camber arms, AKG SS, Nylon mounts, Poly bushings, Carbon interior, CF Aero.APEX Last edited by Steeler; 12-19-2020 at 06:09 PM..
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12-20-2020, 08:39 AM	#7
3798j Lieutenant Colonel 11406 Rep 1,794 Posts Drives: E86 3.0si Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Susquehanna Valley iTrader: (0) Garage List '55 Ford F100 [0.00] '08 Z4 3.0SI [8.50] '66 Triumph TR4A [0.00] '85 Corvette [0.00] '64 Corvette [0.00] '68 Triumph GT6 [0.00] '19 VW Golf "R ... [0.00]	I'd be tempted to look at Beck...the 356 & 550 porsche speedster kit manufacturer. Every May at the Carlisle Import + Performance Nationals show there's a good number of them in attendance and there are always a fair number of kit manufacturers displaying their products...Superformance is my favorite (but they only sell rollers). Take your M Coupe, enter the car in fun field ($40), park with the other BMW's..then enjoy walking the fair grounds and looking around. One of the nicest little (comparatively speaking) Carlisle shows.
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12-20-2020, 11:22 AM	#8
freakystyly Lieutenant Colonel 2984 Rep 1,795 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Saw an Ultima kit car parked on the street once. Definitely had to do a double/triple take as to what it was. It's quite a bit more flashy than your usual kit car but it's on the very cheap side for a hyper car looking thing. Small block V8 mid engine rear wheel, light weight.. yes please!
	Appreciate 1 wdb4718.00 Quote

12-22-2020, 11:07 AM	#10
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport 878 Rep 3,699 Posts Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA iTrader: (2)	For me, if I'm going to build something, I'd want it to be unique and exotic. I'd get a kit from RCR. They make great kits with very good performance. http://race-car-replicas.com/buying-guide http://www.superlitecars.com/ __________________ 2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course 2015 GTI S 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar Last edited by TSM330i; 12-22-2020 at 11:23 AM.. Reason: added SLC link
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12-22-2020, 12:06 PM	#11
robertm Major 450 Rep 1,358 Posts Drives: 2020 M2 Comp Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: dfw iTrader: (0)	Have always had a soft spot for Shelbi Cobras. There are several very good kits out there. Would love to build one with my son(s) one day.
	Appreciate 1 wdb4718.00 Quote

12-22-2020, 12:51 PM	#12
IllSic_Design Colonel 2124 Rep 2,758 Posts Drives: 09 E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Northern California iTrader: (1)	I have really been considering a kit car also. I have been looking at Factory Five mainly, I want to build their new model that hopefully they come out with, the F9R, won't be cheap though lol. https://www.factoryfive.com/whats-ne...percar-update/ Their 818 built off a WRX drivetrain is pretty cool also, Matt Farah did a one take with one.
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