About Kit Cars
Last Updated: 15 November 2025
If you are mad enough to even think about building a Kit Car, you’re in the right place!
Kit-cars, also known as component cars or replica cars, weren’t invented by anyone in particular, but the concept emerged in the mid-20th century as a way for enthusiasts to build their own vehicles using pre-fabricated components. This allowed individuals to create replicas of classic or high-performance cars at a fraction of the cost of buying a factory-made vehicle. The idea of kit cars gained popularity in the United Kingdom and United States, with various companies and individuals contributing to the development and production of these DIY vehicles. Over time, kit cars have evolved, and today, there are numerous manufacturers and enthusiasts worldwide who continue to innovate and create unique kit car designs. Not just for the sake of saving money either, but it’s in creditably rewarding and one of life’s achievements.
Some Kit-Car manufactures like the Caterham Seven provide all the sub-assemblies you need to build your own car from scratch. However, some manufactures need you to source some parts elsewhere like an original production “donor” vehicle, to enable you to strip down and build around the engine, transmission and sometimes a chassis.
1. Caterham Seven
Build Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: £25,000 – £40,000 total (varies by spec)
Build Time: 120-200 hours
Best For: UK builders wanting the original and best
Location: UK (available worldwide)
The Caterham Seven is the original and most authentic version of the legendary Lotus Seven design. When people picture a British kit car, they’re usually thinking of a Caterham. While it’s more expensive than many alternatives, you’re buying into 50 years of refinement, exceptional build quality, and one of the most supportive manufacturers in the business.
What sets Caterham apart is that you’re not hunting for donor parts – everything comes new in the kit. This eliminates one of the biggest challenges for first-time builders: finding a suitable donor car. The downside is cost, but the upside is that every component is purpose-built and fits perfectly. Many builders report the experience feels more like “assembly” than “fabrication.”
Caterham offers a unique “Academy” program where you can build your car at their facility with expert guidance, then take it racing in their one-make championship. Even if you build at home, their customer support is outstanding. You can phone them with questions, and they genuinely want you to succeed.
The Seven delivers driving engagement that’s become rare in modern cars. Lightweight, responsive, and visceral, it’s the purest driving experience you can legally have on UK roads. Residual values are strong, so if you decide it’s not for you, you’ll recoup much of your investment.
Pros:
– Everything included – no donor car hunting
– Exceptional build quality and parts fit
– Outstanding factory support and documentation
– Strong residual values
– Pure, engaging driving experience
– Large UK community and specialist support network
Cons:
– Expensive compared to donor-based kits
– Not weather-proof (it’s a fair-weather car)
– Minimal luggage space
– Can feel cramped for taller drivers
– Running costs add up (insurance, maintenance)
Resources:
Manufacturer: Caterham Cars (caterham.co.uk)
Build Community: LotusSeven.club forum
Recommended Reading: Caterham Seven – The Complete Story (search Amazon)
2. Factory Five MK4 Roaster
Build Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $15,000 – $25,000 (kit only), $25,000 – $35,000 total
Build Time: 250-350 hours
Best For: First-time builders in the United States
Location: USA
Factory Five Racing is America’s largest kit car manufacturer, and their MK4 Roadster is specifically designed with beginners in mind. Based on the proven Mazda Miata donor car, this British-style roadster combines classic styling with modern reliability and readily available parts.
What makes the MK4 exceptional for first-timers is Factory Five’s legendary support system. Their instruction manuals are considered the gold standard in the industry, with clear step-by-step photos and explanations that assume no prior building experience. The online forum is incredibly active, with experienced builders ready to answer questions within hours. Many builders report that following the instructions feels more like assembling high-end furniture than automotive work.
The Mazda Miata donor car is a brilliant choice because they’re everywhere, affordable, and reliable. You can find clean examples for $3,000-$8,000, and because millions were made, parts are cheap and plentiful. The entire drivetrain transfers over, meaning you get modern fuel injection, a smooth-shifting gearbox, and dependable Japanese engineering.
Pros:
– Exceptionally clear instructions with hundreds of photos
– Massive online community with years of build logs to reference
– Mazda Miata donor cars are everywhere and affordable
– Factory support is responsive and helpful
– High completion rate among first-time builders
– Parts fit properly without excessive modification
Cons:
– US-based only, so shipping to UK/Europe is expensive
– Miata engine isn’t particularly powerful (but reliable)
– Requires garage space for 6-12 months
– Still needs paint and finishing work after assembly
Resources:
Manufacturer: Factory Five Racing (factoryfive.com)
Build Community: Factory Five Forum – thousands of build threads
Recommended Reading: The Complete Kit Car Manual (search on Amazon for current edition)
History of Factory Five Mk4 Roadster
In the early 1960’s, Europe dominated the market for top-notch sports cars. However, Americans desired a vehicle of their own to rival the British, Italians and Germans. Instead of starting from scratch, Texan Carroll Shelby, a former race car driver, sought to create a competitive sports car. He approached AC Cars, a British automaker known for their lightweight sports cars and proposed fitting their chassis with a powerful American V8 engine. The outcome was the Shelby Cobra, a car that captured the hearts of car enthusiasts worldwide.
The price of an original Shelby Cobra today is beyond the means of the average enthusiast. Nevertheless, this is an authentic reproduction and is known for its relatively straightforward assembly process. It comes with a comprehensive instruction manual and has a large community of builders who can offer support and guidance.
3. Chesil Heritage Speedster
Build Difficulty: Medium
Estimated Cost: £25,000 – £35,000 (complete kit), £30,000 – £45,000 total
Build Time: 300-500 hours
Best For: UK builders seeking an authentic-looking Porsche 356 replica
Location: UK (now under Westfield ownership)
The fiberglass body is moulded from an original 356, giving it proportions that capture the spirit of the original Speedster. The Heritage Speedster kit is built around a shortened VW Type 1 Beetle chassis, engine, and gearbox , keeping parts readily available and costs manageable. This is a traditional approach that’s proven itself over decades—VW mechanicals are simple, reliable, and easy to maintain.
Build difficulty sits at medium rather than easy. The Heritage Speedster requires more patience than a basic Seven-style kit. The GRP body sits on a steel subframe, and getting doors to hang properly is notoriously fiddly. Fitting body panels with correct gaps, installing trim, and mounting the curved windscreen all demand careful work. That said, Chesil provides everything from a donor VW Beetle through to reconditioned components, new suspension, brakes, wheels, complete fuel system, interior trim, and the painted body. The comprehensive manual guides you through each step, and Westfield’s support network is there when needed.
Many first-time builders do successfully complete Heritage Speedsters, though it’s not recommended as your very first kit car unless you’re comfortable with bodywork and have patience for adjustment and fitting. Budget extra time beyond the estimated hours—particularly if you’re learning as you go.
Engine options are VW-based air-cooled flat-fours, typically 1600cc or larger. They’re not powerful by modern standards, but they suit the car’s character perfectly. This isn’t about speed—it’s about recreating 1950s sports car motoring with the simplicity and charm of air-cooled VW reliability. On winding country lanes with the top down, it excels.
The finished result turns heads everywhere. Owners report never driving a car that generates such positive responses from fellow motorists. Unlike some replicas, Chesils hold their value well—completed cars average around £26,000, with quality examples selling for considerably more.
Pros:
– Highly accurate 356 Speedster replica
– Body molded from original 356
– Uses readily available VW Beetle components
– Strong residual values
– Comprehensive kit with painted body included
– Now backed by Westfield’s support network
– Active community of builders and owners
– Simple, proven VW mechanicals
– Timeless styling that attracts positive attention
Cons:
– Not beginner-friendly—body fitting requires skill and patience
– Door alignment notoriously fiddly
– Longer build time than simpler kits
– More expensive than basic kit cars
– Performance modest with standard VW engines
– Not practical for daily use
– Uses older VW Beetle technology
– Less refined than modern cars
Resources:
Manufacturer: Chesil Motor Company, now under Westfield Sportscars (westfield-sportscars.co.uk)
Heritage Speedster Kit: chesil.co.uk/heritage-speedster-kit
Build Community: Chesil owners section on WSCC Talk forum, various 356 replica forums
Recommended Reading: The Porsche 356 Speedster by Brian Long (search Amazon), Building a Special with Ant Anstead for general kit car guidance
History of Porsche
Porsche is one of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands, with headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche, the company is best known for its iconic 911, which has evolved through seven generations since first going on sale in 1964. Porsche also has a significant competition history, including wins at the Targa Florio and a record 16 Le Mans 24H victories. A close relationship with VW has been maintained ever since Porsche designed the Beetle; this was solidified in 2012, when Volkswagen took full ownership of Porsche.
4. The Burton Car Company
Build Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Estimated Cost: £4,500 (body kit only), £12,000 – £18,000 (complete build)
Build Time: 200-400 hours
Best For: Builders seeking a characterful classic roadster with simple mechanicals
Location: Netherlands (UK distributor – The 2cv Shop Chesil Motor Company)
The Burton is a Dutch kit car produced since 2000 by the Burton Car Company. It is a custom two-seater retro-style fiberglass body on a Citroën 2CV chassis and component. Iwan and Dimitri Goebel designed the Burton in 1998, loosely based on roadsters produced in the early-to-mid-20th century by automakers such as Bugatti, Jaguar, Talbot-Lago, Delahaye, and Alfa Romeo. The Burton Sports Car is now available in the UK from the Official UK Distributor, The 2cv Shop Chesil Motor Company.
The Burton can be built using a donor Citrone 2CV, a beloved French car known for its charm and simplicity; ideally an 80’s model with disc brakes and a 602cc engine. The mechanical simplicity of the 2CV makes this an accessible project—the air-cooled flat-twin engine is bulletproof and parts remain widely available. Weighing only 480kgs, it is an incredibly agile and fun car with very low maintenance costs.
Build difficulty ranges from easy to medium depending on your approach. The manufacturer claims “anyone can build a Burton, especially if you opt for mostly new and reconditioned parts”. The fiberglass bodywork requires some patience for fitting and finishing, but the mechanical side is straightforward—you’re essentially transferring proven 2CV components to a new body. Builders can choose between using a donor car to keep costs down, or purchasing new parts for those with healthier budgets
Body kits come in colour gel coat, with hundreds of RAL colours available. You can choose between classic long fenders or sportier cycle wings, giving the Burton significant visual flexibility. It can be built as an open roadster, a hardtop with gull-wing doors, or a custom convertible.
The end result is a unique and eye-catching automobile that stands out from the crowd, reflecting the builder’s personal style and passion for automotive craftsmanship. Overall, the appeal of building a Burton car lies in the opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind vehicle that combines classic design with modern performance, all while enjoying the satisfaction of building something truly special.
Pros:
– Beautiful retro styling inspired by classic European roadsters
– Simple, reliable 2CV mechanicals
– Very lightweight (480kg) and agile
– Low running and maintenance costs
– Multiple body style options (roadster, gull-wing hardtop)
– Affordable donor cars readily available
– Extensive customization options
– Can be built in stages to spread costs
– UK distributor support available
Cons:
– Limited performance with standard 2CV engine
– Fiberglass bodywork requires patience
– Basic weather protection
– Not practical for daily use
– Citrone 2CV parts becoming scarcer over time
– Less community support than Caterham or Westfield
– Build time varies significantly depending on donor condition
Resources:
Manufacturer: Burton Car Company (burtoncar.com)
UK Distributor: Burton Sports Car UK (burtonsportscar.co.uk)
Build Community: Various 2CV forums and Facebook groups
Conclusion
Car enthusiasts might purchase a kit car for a number of reasons, but (as you might have guessed already) one big reason is to recreate a unique replica classic car.
Obviously building a car from scratch will require a lot of work, specialised knowledge, and free time but can, in certain instances, be extremely cost-effective and fearsomely potent and never less than addictive!
The good news is you have more options than just constructing a new replica car on your own. You may even want to consider trying out a ‘Restomod’ or if you consider yourself a purist, restoring a ‘genuine’ classic car. Consulting a classic car-restoration professional will help you source all the parts.
