If you would like a high performance vehicle, but don't like the look of any of the current offerings, why not create your own? There is a huge market for sporty kit cars, starting from the simple Locost right up to Italian Supercar replicas. This article aims to offer you a taste of what you could be sat behind the wheel of if you choose to make it yourself.
So you have resolved to build your own high performance car, but where do you start? I suggest that you look over a few examples that catch your eye from a selection of manufacturers. Taking for example, a Lotus Seven clone, there are a wide range of build options as well as price levels and skill requirements. So you will need to put aside some money and look at your own mechanical abilities before you choose a specific manufacturer.
Next, I suggest that you check out the manufacturers Owners Club. Many have websites or forums where you can post questions or check out possible problems you may have. If the kit manufacturer offers poor support or badly finished components, the forums are where you discover them!
Now you should have a shortlist of potential high performance car projects, a budget to work to and a reasonable idea of the mechanical skills required. You should now select a kit. In order to make a selection, I suggest that you go to the kit car exhibitions or manufacturers open days and discuss the options to other kit car builders. Remember, they have valuable experience in building your chosen model and can offer advice if you should get stuck with a difficult task.
Once you have placed your order for a kit, the work really begins. Even before the kit is delivered, you should locate the cleanest, most mechanically sound donor vehicle that you can. The better the donor, the better the finished kit car you will be driving. All relevant mechanical parts should be removed and cleaned as per the kit builders manual. If you are not fully happy with the condition of a part then it should be replaced. Don't gamble with your safety. It is well worth considering at this stage to get insurance cover for your kit project.
For most kit cars, constructing the car is relatively stress-free. Any manufacturer that has sold more than a few kits will have an extensive instruction manual listing every step, in the right order. If you have issues then go back to the manufacturer, Owners Club or forums. You will be surprised at how helpful your fellow kit builders are. It is in the manufacturers best interests to help you as much as possible, and many have dedicated helplines for this purpose. After all, when you drive the car, you will become a traveling advertisement for their brand.
Once you have assembled the vehicle you will need to ensure that any testing and paperwork is up to date before taking to the road. Again, the manufacturer and Owners Club are the ideal people to put you straight.
As you take your completed sports car on the road, you will feel a sense of accomplishment as you drive a hand built car that you constructed yourself.
Mark Heywood created Premier Kit Cars, a website dedicated to helping enthusiasts select and build their own high performance cars.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
