Most of us can’t afford to buy super rare sports cars. Luckily, there is a solution to this. Yes, we are, of course, talking about kit cars.
For those who don’t know, kit cars are vehicles you assemble yourself, kind of like Lego for grownups. Some kit cars are replicas of famous classic sports cars, others aren’t meant to resemble any existing models.
We’ve scoured the web for kit car manufacturers, and found kit cars from as little as $5,000 for a complete build, to some costing tens of thousands for just the basic kit itself — still, that can be millions saved compared to buying the real thing.
JPS Motorsport Speedster
Finding a cheap, original Porsche 356 is an impossible task today. However, plenty of companies make and sell Porsche 356 kits. We picked JPS Motorsport because of their quality work that landed them on Jay Leno’s Garage.
Their cheapest kits require you to source the drivetrain and interior, get it painted, etc. JPS also offers painted and upholstered versions. Building a Porsche 356 on a VW Beetle platform is relatively simple and straightforward compared to many other kit cars, so it’s a good place to start. We have an entire article focused on VW Beetle-based kit cars here on the Speed Cartel.
Exomotive Exocet
Exomotive was clearly inspired by the super-lightweight Ariel Atom when designing the Exocet. This bare-bones sports car definitely isn’t the prettiest, but it’s hard to beat for those who want high performance at a bargain-basement price.
This kit car uses a Miata donor car, but strips away anything deemed non-essential. Prices start at just under $8,000, and those willing to pay just a little extra will also get a roll bar, making it eligible for track use. Exomotive even offers an off-road kit for those who enjoy playing in the dirt.
Race Car Replicas LM Prototype
Who wouldn’t want a classic Le Mans racecar in their garage?! As its name implies, the RCR 917 is a replica of the Porsche 917 — you know, the race car Steve McQueen drove in his cult-classic movie, Le Mans.
Engine-wise, a Porsche unit is the choice for purists, but those on a budget can always install a Chevy LS V8 instead. Then again, with the kit alone costing $56,100, this isn’t a build for those on very strict budgets. Finish off the build with the iconic Gulf racing livery, and you’re guaranteed to turn heads every time you take it out for a spin.
Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod
This Factory Five ‘33 Hot Rod kit is perfect for those who prefer classic hot rods but don’t want to pay through the nose for an original classic, only to spend the next couple of years welding rust.
Factory Five is one of the best American kit car manufacturers, and they’re reasonably priced, too. Their complete ‘33 Hot Rod kit can be had for as little as $20,990, and comes with almost everything you need. Buyers just have to source a powertrain, rear-end, wheels, tires, and paint.
Ultima RS
British Ultima Sports Ltd. has made its name by building some of the world’s fastest kit cars. In fact, the Ultima GTR was so fast, it broke world speed records. Since then, Ultima has gone from strength to strength, culminating in the Ultima RS, a proper hypercar.
According to the company’s website, you can buy a self-assembly package of parts for “around the same ballpark price as a mundane new BMW M3.” If you get a bit enthusiastic when speccing it, it’s no surprise that the price will quickly skyrocket. In its top-spec version, this mid-engined kit car is powered by a Chevy V8, sending 1,200 hysterical horses to the rear wheels. Zero to 60 mph is done and dealt with in just 2.3 seconds, and it continues until reaching the 250 mph top speed.
Factory Five Mk4 Roadster
Factory Five offers much more than just hot rod kits. While the Shelby Cobra is one of the most replicated cars ever, Factory Five’s Mk4 Roadster kit is one of the best money can buy. Most of us can just forget about getting our dirty hands on a real Shelby Cobra, as they cost a fortune, but those who are a bit handy can build this Mk4 Roadster for a fraction of that price.
The base kit can be had for just under $15,000, and then you’ll just need to find an old Ford Mustang donor car, a nice set of wheels, and some paint, and you’re good to go. If you pay $20,990 for the full kit, Factory Five will deliver everything needed, except the powertrain, rear end, wheels, tires, and paint. That’s a pretty sweet deal, considering you’ll get behind the wheel of one of America’s most iconic sports cars!
Caterham Seven
The Caterham Seven started life as a Lotus, but Caterham bought the rights to it in 1973. Since then, there’s been several different versions of it, but the formula is always the same: a stripped-down, lightweight, fun car that will have you laughing maniacally. It’s also one of the most iconic kit cars ever made.
If you have around $38,000 burning a hole in your pocket, the base-model Seven 170 is a great option. It may only be powered by a turbocharged Suzuki 660cc engine, but this tiny beast will reach 60 mph in less than seven seconds. If only the best will do, there’s the Seven 620, a car that’s easily capable of scaring the bejeezus out of professional drivers when taken to its limits.
GBS Zero
If you really want a Caterham Seven, but want to save a bit of money, I’ve found the perfect solution for you. Great British Sports Cars make a kit car called Zero, and it looks very much like the British classic. It’s also available in either standard width or with a wider GT chassis.
The base kit uses a Mazda Miata donor car, which means you can extract a lot more ponies by fitting some aftermarket parts. The Zero also has near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution thanks to its front–mid engine layout.
LB Specialist Cars STR
Back in the mid-1970s, Lancia dominated the rally stages with its beautiful Stratos. Unfortunately, the Italian carmaker only made 492 of those, making it hard to get our hands on one. This is where LB Specialist Cars enters the picture, as they’ve created an excellent Stratos kit car.
Whereas the original Stratos was powered by a Ferrari Dino V6, the STR can be fitted with a modern Alfa Romeo Busso V6 or even the Toyota 2GR-FE V6. It won’t come cheap, though, as the kit alone will set you back around $35,000. Outside the States, LB Specialist Cars even offer turn-key cars for those who don’t like to wrench.
Race Car Replicas RCR40
Previously, we mentioned RCR’s replica of the Porsche 917, but what if you prefer a more American approach to your classic Le Mans racer? Well, the RCR40 is, as you may already have guessed, a replica of the iconic Ford GT40.
A real GT40 is practically priceless now, but it’s possible to buy an RCR40 from $31,000 to $54,000, depending on the package. That really makes it a bargain if you ask us. Any American V8 engine will do the job, but a huge Ford unit is definitely preferable.
JK Sports Cars DAX Coupe
According to Shelby American, Carroll Shelby created the Daytona Coupe in 1964 to race in the GT class. It’s loosely based on its predecessor, the Shelby Cobra, and since it was only built for two years, it’s an extremely rare and expensive gem.
Shelby’s iconic vehicles are some of the most popular cars to replicate, and that’s also the case with the Daytona Coupe. A couple of companies offer them, but we’ve chosen JK Sports Cars since they’ve been around for nearly 40 years and have sold around 3,000 kits. If you’re in the market for a rare Le Mans racer built by Shelby, but feel the Ford GT40 and Shelby Cobra are too common, the Daytona should be right up your alley.
California Custom Roadsters T-Bucket
Classic Cali-style T-Bucket hot rods are some of the most iconic cars on the American custom scene. Unfortunately, it can be a real hassle to source all the classic parts needed to build one. Luckily, California Custom Roadsters offers the perfect solution.
Over the last 40 or so years, CCR has sold parts, kits, and even turnkey cars to thousands of satisfied customers. All you need to do is pick the parts you want, such as the body, grille, engine, transmission, and accessories, and they’ll sort you out.
Ronart W152
If I could only choose one of the awesome kit cars on this list, chances are I’d go with the Ronart W152. It’s not a replica of any specific classic car, instead, it’s more like a 2-seater version of the front-engined Formula One cars of the 1950s.
The Ronart’s design first came about around 40 years ago, so the W152 is now an actual classic car. Buyers can choose between left- or right-hand drive, and it can be fitted with either a Jaguar inline-six-cylinder or a V12 engine. It has the same wheelbase and track as the Jaguar XJS, and while it looks like a vintage race car, it’s almost as comfortable to drive as an actual Jag.
Whether you dream of a lightweight track toy or a replica of a Le Mans legend, there’s never been a better time to build your own dream car. Which one would you build first?
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