What is a kit car? As their name implies, kit cars are vehicles that come in the form of a kit for you to assemble in the comfort of your own home. There is also a sense of fulfillment in saying that you constructed your own car instead of purchasing it, which is an achievement that not even multimillionaire collectors who order unique custom vehicles can boast about. We have compiled a catalog of the most impressive kit cars that are not only affordable to construct but also boast a remarkably impressive cool factor.
1. Lister Bell Lancia Stratos – £30,000 (~$37,000 USD)
For many car enthusiasts, there’s hardly anything more desirable than owning a Lancia Stratos of their own. Unfortunately, the steep price tag starting at $550,000 means that for most, this remains an unattainable dream. Moreover, original models are notorious for their various imperfections. However, Lister Bell has stepped in to offer an alternative solution, their ListerBell STR Lancia Stratos Replica is an impressive vehicle that pays homage to the iconic Lancia Stratos of the 1970s. This replica is a faithful recreation of the original, boasting a lightweight composite body and a mid-mounted engine that delivers exceptional performance; There are a variety of engine choices that offer a range of power outputs for this vehicle. These options include the 2.5-liter Alfa V6 that produces 190 horsepower, as well as the 3.5-liter supercharged Toyota V6 that delivers 350 horsepower or more. Available for a mere $37,000. While this may still be a considerable sum, it’s a steal compared to the cost of an original Stratos.
2. Pilgrim 356 Speedster – £4,995 + VAT (~$6,000 USD)
The Pilgrim 356 Speedster is a stunningly beautiful car that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. It is a replica of the classic Porsche 356 Speedster, but with a few modern touches that make it even more enjoyable to drive. To construct this iconic car, you’ll need to acquire a VW Beetle which will serve as the donor car. This kit car is based on the VW Beetle and utilizes a lot of its original components, including the chassis, engine, steering, and running gear. The kit provides all the necessary body panels and a sub-chassis that attaches to the main beetle chassis. Is there anything more satisfying than building your own car and experiencing the thrill of driving it? Especially when it comes to a straightforward replica of an air-cooled Porsche, which offers an excellent introduction to the world of home build motoring.
3. Factory Five Cobra Mk IV – $14,990 – $20,990
The Factory Five Cobra Mk IV is an exceptional example of a classic car reborn, the Mk4 Roadster has been crafted to preserve the iconic appearance of the 427 Cobra, while leveraging advanced technology, components, and materials to enhance its performance, dependability, and comfort. There are two options for constructing your Factory Five Mk4 Roadster: you can utilize components from a Mustang donor car (Base Kit $14,990), or you can acquire entirely new parts directly from Factory Five (Complete Kit – $20,990). The Factory Five Mk4 Roadster holds the title for the highest sales, superior engineering, and outstanding performance of any replica car in history.
4. Caterham Super Seven 2000 – £39,990 (~$49,733 USD)
For a considerable amount of time, the Caterham Seven has been highly sought-after as a kit car due to its exceptional features. Although it may cost a bit more than some of its counterparts in the category of driver-focused cars, its classic design and impressive capabilities akin to a grown-up go-kart have elevated it to the status of an icon in this realm. At the heart of the Caterham Super Seven is a 2.0L Ford Duratec engine matted to a 5-speed transmission pushing this this home-built pocket rocket to 60 mph in a mere 4.8 seconds. Individuals who lack knowledge about different tools can select a ready-to-use version, but those who prefer to build it themselves can obtain the desired model at a price of approximately $49,000, which is an excellent opportunity for hobbyists to engage in tinkering during weekends.
5. Prova Design Countach – Starting at £12,950 GBP (~$16,083 USD)
The Prova Design Countach is a stunning replica of the legendary Lamborghini Countach. From the outside, the Prova Design Countach is a faithful replica of the the iconic design, with its signature wedge shape, sharp angles, and sleek lines. An expert would find it challenging to distinguish between this replica and an authentic Countach from a distance, and it’s no surprise that most non-experts can be easily deceived. The kit comes in various stages, Evocation Stage 1 for £12,950 GBP, Evocation Stage 2 for £23,950 GBP, including a fully built version Prova Rossini with POA. Under the hood, the Prova Rossini Countach is powered by a reliable and powerful Audi RS V8 engine that delivers an exhilarating driving experience. The car is easy to handle and offers excellent maneuverability, making it a joy to drive.
6. DAX Coupe – £20,922 (~$26,060 USD)
Carroll Shelby produced just six Daytona Cobra coupes specifically for competing in the Manufacturers’ events of 1964 and 1965, and it was with one of these vehicles that Shelby claimed victory in the 1965 FIA World Sportscar Championship. DAX, one of the top kit car manufacturers in the UK for almost four decades is offering fans the chance to build their own kit car of the Daytona Coupe. “The base for the Dax Coupe is an extended 427 De Dion chassis, each coupe has a roll bar and extended foot wells,” says the JK Sports Cars webpage. Petrol heads can select between several powertrain options, including V8s from a Chevy, Ford or Rover – but other types of engines will also fit. JK Sports Cars Limited estimates that the complete price for building a Dax Coupe De Dion is £20,922 or $26,060 (prices are subject to VAT).
7. Cape Advanced Vehicles (CAV) GT40 – $100,000 to $130,000
The Cape Advanced Vehicles (CAV) GT40 is a magnificent supercar that pays homage to the iconic GT40 race car of the 1960s,offered by the South African based company Cape Advanced Vehicles. Included in the kit is a monocoque chassis constructed from stainless steel and a luxurious full leather interior, which can be customized with a few options according to a customer’s needs. The vehicle can be equipped with a 450hp Ford Racing small block V8 engine capable of accelerating the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, although an alternative option is also available featuring a Ford Performance Modular V8 engine producing only 410hp. CAV offers the world’s only officially licensed Gulf Oil replica GT40. Additional features include vintage-style wheels, adaptable low-weight dampers, or alternatively, Wilwood brakes. The price tag for a bespoke CAV model ranges from $100,000 to $130,000.
8. Carolina Vaydor – $21,500
The Vaydor gained media attention in 2016 for its appearance as the Joker’s vehicle in the film “Suicide Squad,” and presently remains purchasable. The Carolina Vaydor G35 is a perfect combination of a luxury sports car and a hot rod. It is built on top of an Infiniti G35 chassis and majority of its internal components, and features custom-designed fiberglass bodywork that transforms the car into something truly special. Carolina Vaydor suggests enhancing the donor car’s engine or opting for LS, 2JZ, or LT engines, all of which can fit comfortably within the G35’s engine bay. At Carolina Vaydor, the kit is currently priced at $16,000, while an additional $5,500 will allow you to retain either the stock or Vaydor interior. Moreover, extra features like suicide doors can be incorporated ($2,300), etc.
9. Superlite Cars SL-C – $51,000
With a sleek, aerodynamic design and a powerful engine, the Superlite Cars SL-C is an exceptional vehicle that truly stands out in the crowd. A team of few engineers created the Superlite SL-C with the aim of developing a technologically advanced vehicle that is simpler to construct and provides an enhanced driving experience. You can purchase and build your new SL-C in approximately 16 stages, and have the option of buying additional features and bonuses either immediately or later on when you have more funds available. The total will set you back around $51,000.
10. Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod Speedstar – $22,990.00
Known for its exceptional reputation, Factory Five is among the most renowned manufacturers of kit cars in the United States. One of the reasons for its widespread recognition is the company’s range of reasonably priced kits, with the ’33 Hot Rod being the most nostalgic among them. Unlike many other kits, the ’33 Hot Rod stands out as Factory Five does not use a donor car for its construction. Rather, the company produces all components, including the chassis, body, suspension, and interior, in-house, leaving only the drivetrain for the builder to obtain on their own. Speedstar Complete Kit starts at $22,990, this sick hot rod is waiting for you to build in your garage.
11. Ultima RS – $120,000
The latest addition to Ultima’s line-up of sports cars is the RS supercar, which has been unveiled as the fastest road-legal model produced by the Leicester-based manufacturer so far. Under the hood can be found the latest Chevrolet V8 available in three options: a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LTI that delivers 480 horses; a 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 capable of punching out 650 hp; or the 6.2-liter supercharged LT5 which typically offers 800 hp; the new supercharged LT5 powerplant can be further tuned to a hypercar power capability of up to a staggering 1200bhp. Whether you’re a speed junkie or simply appreciate exceptional engineering, this car is sure to impress. Inside, the Ultima RS is a driver’s dream. The cockpit is ergonomically designed, with all controls easily accessible and the seats comfortably contoured to provide support during high-speed maneuvers. Pricing on the Ultima RS starts around $50,000, with top-spec assembled builds topping out around $120,000.
Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below.
