Does anyone know anything about replica/kit cars? I thought that they were mostly just cobras and mustangs, but apparently they have some others that seem a bit more complex (seen pictures of some more recent lambos and ferrari's that looked pretty impressive). Anyone have any experience w/ these or know any good forums?
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Replica cars anyone?
- Thread starter davebs
- Start date
I haven't but I did see a Ford commisioned 67 Fastback mustang. Think about a brand new 67 Fastback, with modern suspension, choice of engine, custom seats, modern instruments.
Sean K
Sean K
I've seen a few on eBay. I remember seeing a kit to convert a Mazda mx-5 miata to a BMW Z3/4. Have also seen some rep Ferrari and Ford GT kits. But that was a while ago...
There's a lot of kits for civics - since their basic frame well... basic.
like civic to acura rsx
civic to 350z (takes some cut work by a shop)
civic to bmw
the list goes on..
Its a cheap way to mod a car w/ a conversion kit.
which btw is the word set you should google "conversion kit"
all sorts of different kits pop up on
post good ones you find !
like civic to acura rsx
civic to 350z (takes some cut work by a shop)
civic to bmw
the list goes on..
Its a cheap way to mod a car w/ a conversion kit.
which btw is the word set you should google "conversion kit"
all sorts of different kits pop up on
post good ones you find !
I really was into this a while back. It is like reps. Unless you are going to kit a car that costs above a certain dollar amount then it isn't worth the time. Example youd be better off buying a 350Z.
Now this is what I call a kit car!
Back when I was a teenager in the UK kit cars were very popular, primarily because you could avoid the car sales tax.
I recall buying a Bultaco motorcycle that came in 2 boxes (to avoid the sales tax issue because neither box constituted a whole vehicle). A few hours later I had a finished brand new bike for half the regular price.
Back when I was a teenager in the UK kit cars were very popular, primarily because you could avoid the car sales tax.
I recall buying a Bultaco motorcycle that came in 2 boxes (to avoid the sales tax issue because neither box constituted a whole vehicle). A few hours later I had a finished brand new bike for half the regular price.
It looked a bit like this one:
until a little old lady turned into her driveway and I nailed her at 60mph. I recall that my crash helmet was split into 2 parts. After several weeks in hospital I rebuilt it and sold it to my father. 20 years later I took up motorcycle road racing. How dumb is that!
until a little old lady turned into her driveway and I nailed her at 60mph. I recall that my crash helmet was split into 2 parts. After several weeks in hospital I rebuilt it and sold it to my father. 20 years later I took up motorcycle road racing. How dumb is that!
PHicks said:Now this is what I call a kit car!
Back when I was a teenager in the UK kit cars were very popular, primarily because you could avoid the car sales tax.
I recall buying a Bultaco motorcycle that came in 2 boxes (to avoid the sales tax issue because neither box constituted a whole vehicle). A few hours later I had a finished brand new bike for half the regular price.
The GTM from Factory Five Racing is something I've wanted to build (since I can't afford a Mosler MT900...yet), but I'm kinda pissed that it can only be based off of C5 Corvette parts.
I would GLADLY build it using my Trans Am (00', Black, faster than a stock C6)...
Oh well.
Sweet lookin' Machine Dread!! I agree w/ you about being only able to build on a Vett set-up! A lot of the engineers that design that tpye of kit, seem to believe Vetts are the only true American sports car. Yes, I love the look of a FINE sports car, but to own, drive, or build I'll take a 50s, or 60s street rod over any of 'em, or your Trans AM for that matter! But, I feel your pain! There must be some euro sports coupe kit you could go with, no? Maybe, you don't care to "settle" for something other than that Sweet Red Doll in the photo? Hey, DREAMS ARE BETTER THAN REALITY, anyway!
m said:
I wish I had that GTM. What I was trying to say is that I wish that you could build on other platforms, not just a C5 Corvette.
The Corvette isn't the only true american sports car, but it is the first, in many eyes.
Though my car is 9 years old...it's falling apart as if it were 90 years old.
It's a pain in the ass.
Euro sports coupe kit?
I'd like to make a replica of the 1970 Ferrari 512S...I've only found a kit for the '71 512M.
Though, I'd like to make my car into a supercar.....that'd take a lot of money. And design. And money. And time.
Kinda hard to do on my schedule.
goggle it, i too have seent he fieros turned lamobi... but some people really spend a lot of money buying everything thats lambo for the authentic look... if you have the time and money go for it... of just buy a nice car in the first place. but some kits can really pull it off...
I didnt know we had quite a few car buffs in the forum. I have a 72 camaro ss with 781 rwhp. I ran ran it on pinks all out in jersey last summer but they would let me stay in because it was too fast. How dumb is that????? I also finished a 67 mustang fastback that my father and I turned into "Eleanor". The only difference was we put a 2007 GT500 motor and trans in it. 3 days after I put it on the road, I brought it to a car show and within 45 minutes I was signing over the title to a collector. I had no plans to sell it but was offer 5 times more than I put into it. Everyone was kinda mad cause they didnt get to ride in it, but hey....im sure other would have done the same
Not worth it. I own a mint 84 Fiero and over the years have played with the idea of doing a Ferrari or Lambo conversion, but the cost is just too much. You will pay close to $10,000 for the kit, which in most cases just includes the fiberglass body panels. The frame needs to be lengthened before you can even start. Add the price of paint, rims, tires, badging, and the countless hours of assembly and you will be in the $30,000 dollar range. At that you haven't even begun to look at the interior.
When I used to partake in Fiero shows there would always be a Kit Car devision. There were some beautiful Diablo cabriolets, fitted with high performance engines and high performance suspension. These things must certainly have been in the $60-$80,000 dollar range. Nice, but they were still only mid 80s Fieros. For that kind of money there are a lot nicer current model vehicles that I would much rather have.
If you are really sold on the idea of a Kit Car, take a look at some of the online Fiero clubs. I see a lot of used complete Ferrari kit cars going for just over $10,000.
BTW, as almost all these kit makers have gone out of business or only sell complete kits, the prospect of replacing body panels in the event of a fender bender becomes a real nightmare.
When I used to partake in Fiero shows there would always be a Kit Car devision. There were some beautiful Diablo cabriolets, fitted with high performance engines and high performance suspension. These things must certainly have been in the $60-$80,000 dollar range. Nice, but they were still only mid 80s Fieros. For that kind of money there are a lot nicer current model vehicles that I would much rather have.
If you are really sold on the idea of a Kit Car, take a look at some of the online Fiero clubs. I see a lot of used complete Ferrari kit cars going for just over $10,000.
BTW, as almost all these kit makers have gone out of business or only sell complete kits, the prospect of replacing body panels in the event of a fender bender becomes a real nightmare.
andreww said:
you couldnt be more right about the kit and all the extras being pricey. after parts, labor and paint we would have spent close to if not more that 35k. But I went to bodyshop school and it was going to be one of the projects. The teacher was looking to buy a fiero for the class but I told him I could get one for free, but I want it back. My grandfather ended up spending 12K and got the complete kit. if it wasnt for the color, your would have thought it was a real lambo. It was Sky blue with black metallic flakes. One sweet ride. Ill have to see if I can find some pics.
suvettez400 said:
I'm glad someone else mentioned Eleanor. I just bought a '66 Mustang Coupe, and I'm in the process of remodding it. IMO, the best way to go in terms of kits is to build up the existing car you've got (i.e. turning a standard '67 fastback into an Eleanor model) as opposed to turning it into something completely different (i.e. a Fiero into a Lambo).
Here is a good example of what I'm talking about:
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatal ... /e-kit.htm
You can get a fiberglass kit for around $3,000 to turn a standard '67 fastback into a special model called "Eleanor" (after the car in the Nic Cage movie, Gone in 60 Seconds). There are three things to bear in mind, though. First is the cost of the kit. Mustang stuff tends to be cheaper, on average, than virtually anything else out there (in comparison to a Lambo or Ferrari kit, for example). Second, if you're getting fiberglass components, you're going to have to take it to a body shop to have it fitted. Virtually no fiberglass parts are going to be a perfect fit. They'll all require some molding and shaping. Not a big deal, but you have to know what you're doing. Final thing is the paint. A full paint job on a kit (which means you're going to be painting the entire car) is going to run you in the thousands of dollars. And all of this is just for the exterior styling. Once you start talking about the engine or mechanical components, you're looking at a whole different issue.
Now, all that being said, I think it's definitely worth considering in certain cases. Again, Suvettez400's Eleanor is a good example. If you do it right, a kit can really increase the value of the car. Even today, if you do an Eleanor conversion, you can typically get about 2 to 3 times what you put into the car. That's not always the case, but it is something to consider. Cars, in general, are lousy investments, but if you buy an old clunker, put some real time and money into fixing it up with a kit, there's a good chance you'll get most, if not all, of your money back when you sell.
seanf said:
I would have never built the car but I found a guy online selling a complete brand new Eleanor body, rebuilt frame, and replica Eleanor wheels all for $3200.(wife was pregnant)In hard times you gotta love those) How could I say no. All it needed was a drivetrain, paint, and interior I got the brand new motor and trans with carbon fiber driveshaft and 4.10 rear for $13500. The interior was like $6500. I painted it in my friends body shop for the cost of the paint. The guy who bought it only wanted it because He has a 07 or 08 Supersnake. I offered a trade but was quickly denied....I wouldnt build a complete kit car. You can get Cobra kits and stuff like that, but from what I hear you cannot register or insure them because they have not been crash tested...In the US anyway. So my advise...Hold the cash, wait for the ZL1 Camaro to come out, GM files for bankrupcy, you get one hell of a deal on a car....
I'm in the middle of converting a '91 Miata to a Ford 302. conversion kit is off the shelf and motor is a crate 400hp. Only minor metal work. Still it's six months of work. The end result should hold it's own against one of those 427 Cobras. I estimate I'll have $30K after the new paint. I'm sure it's not gonna have a twin any where around here.