About Kit Cars
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
A Caterham is a complete car in kit form – based on the very rare British Lotus classic car design.
The process of constructing this iconic sports car offers a unique and rewarding experience that sets it apart from other vehicles. The Caterham Seven is renowned for its lightweight design, exceptional handling, and exhilarating performance. If you have some experience in mechanical things, you can build one, with just a simple set of tools and 70 hours of free time!
The concept of returning to simplicity may seem redundant when it comes to purchasing a sports car, but that’s precisely the philosophy behind the entry-level Caterham Seven 160. What makes it intriguing is that they have managed to achieve this by incorporating surprisingly modern technology. Under the hood, you’ll find a tiny three-cylinder 660cc turbo engine borrowed from Suzuki. With a modest output of 80hp, it may not sound like much. However, considering the Seven 160 weighs a mere 490kg, it proves to be more than sufficient to accelerate from 0 to 60mph in a swift 6.91 seconds.
2. Factory Five MK4 Roaster
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.
There are two ways to build a Factory Five Mk4 Roadster.
- You can use parts from a Ford Mustang ‘donor’ car (Base Kit)
- Or you can get all-new parts direct from Factory Five (Complete Kit).
3. Westfield Chesil Motor Company
The Westfield Chesil Motor Company in Bicester, England specialise in replicating classic cars, particularly the iconic Porsche 356 Speedster and offer a range of models that are designed to be easy to assemble at home, as the kits come with detailed instructions and all the necessary components. Chesil provide excellent customer support and assistance throughout the building process too.
Their kit cars are known for exceptional craftsmanship, attention to detail and performance, with detailed instructions and all the necessary components, making the assembly process straightforward. They provide excellent customer support and assistance throughout the building process.
The Heritage Speedster is based around the chassis and running gear of a Volkswagen Beetle, which was originally designed by Ferdinand Porsche in the 1930’s. The similarities between the donor Beetle and the original Speedster mean that in construction, dynamics and performance it is a true replica of the 1950s original. They even retain the period black and silver number plates of your Volkswagen donor car!
It has been in production since the early 1990s and is available as a turn key factory built car or kit.
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
The Burton Car Company from the Netherlands has been producing unique sporting cars like the Citrone 2CV-based BV since 1978.
They offer several versions of kits as well as a turnkey, plus ‘donor’ vehicles on their website.
The Burton is a modern interpretation of the classic Citrone 2CV, a beloved French car known for its charm and simplicity. The appeal of building a Burton lies in the opportunity to create a vehicle that combines vintage aesthetics with modern engineering. Assembling the chassis to fitting the body panels; every step of this build offers a hands-on experience that fosters a deep connection with the vehicle. Additionally, the customization options available with a Burton are vast, allowing builders to choose from various engines, transmissions, and interior features to create a car that perfectly suits their preferences.
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.
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.
