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The world of kit cars is a weird but wonderful one, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to create their own motor vehicle. Aside from saving money, the major attraction of kit cars is that they are available in an astonishing variety of different kinds, some of which have to be seen to be believed.
No matter what kind of vehicle you fancy ending up with, there is probably a kit car out there for you to purchase already, usually available for the same cost as a standard family hatchback. Of course you still have to put it all together, but the good news is there are a number of tips that can help enthusiasts to ensure they get everything in place and the right way around!
Types of kit car
There are a number of different types of kit car, but among the most popular varieties are:
- The Caterham Seven 160, which is an entry-level kit car with very modern technology that enables it to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in as little as 6.91 seconds.
- The Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod, which is finally an example of a Hot Rod that is able to drive as well as it looks, blending modern design with retro to create a genuinely stunning vehicle.
- The Factory Five Type 65, which accurately replicates the 1965 World Championship original Coupe, but is more comfortable and reliable thanks to modern technology.
- The Ultima Evolution Coupe, which is still one of the very fastest vehicles available on the market, yet remains considerably less expensive than the likes of the Porsche, Ferrari or Bugatti Veyron.
Good advice
One of the best pieces of advice with regard to kit cars is to make sure that you are fully aware of precisely what it is that you are buying. For example, while a Caterham kit is actually a complete vehicle in kit form, there are other kinds of kit that will require parts to be sourced from elsewhere or even built from scratch, something that almost inevitably results in many kit car projects going unfinished. It is also a good idea to not put too much pressure on yourself about when you should have the completed kit car fully assembled, and ready to go on the road. You should also not be afraid to step back and allow the IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) test to be taken care of by the professionals.
The manufacturer should prepare your completed vehicle for the IVA test, and it will be worth the money to allow them to get you through the process. Another piece of good advice is to make sure that your garage is a pleasant place to be, especially considering that you are going to be spending a lot of time in it assembling your vehicle. A garage should be insulated, well lit and clean to begin with, but if you can afford it, you can make the area and your time in it even more enjoyable, with the addition of a beer fridge, TV and quality sound system.
