Kit Cars Anyone??

[Biggsy]

So I have a 2020/21 goal of building an electric go kart and from browsing on the internet i came across Kit Cars. I never knew such thing existed. I went on Factory Five's website and played with the configuration tool to price out a kit. I dont think I'll ever be in the market for one anytime soon, but I like the concept.

Does anybody have any experience with them?
And why would someone buy a kit for 30k+ instead of the actual car? I feel like you can build a better car for much less?

I can only assume factored into the cost is them sourcing all the parts and manufacturing the frame and body.

Sponsored

 

[CraigJ]

I have built them before.

my current kit is a Westfield made here In the UK. I didn’t build this one though. Bought it with minor damage and repairs it. A lot of fun and corners like you won’t believe. 180bhp 530kg and will hit 60 in 4 seconds. There are tonnes of them around. All shapes and sizes.

Mine is live axle but you can get them with IRS.

have a look on https://www.locostusa.com/forums/

 

[galaxy]

I WILL have a FFR Daytona Coupe in the next five years. Have been dreaming and shopping that car for longer than I care to admit. Now it's been somewhat budgeted for and my oldest will be out of the house (taking his bills with him) in less than two years.

 

[galaxy]

And why would someone buy a kit for 30k+ instead of the actual car? I feel like you can build a better car for much less?

Not sure I fully understand this statement, but...Speaking just for me, I'm going the kit path for 1) that's the only way in this lifetime on this planet you'll ever own a daytona coupe and 2) like me, I'd imagine most people do it for the journey not the destination. It's not all about the car; the build is juuuussssttt as much a factor as the finished product. FFR kits are not $30K unless you really deck it out. I haven't priced it all in in a while, but I know I won't be able to build a FFR car for much under $70 or so. Not real sure how you think you could build any half way quality FFR car for much under $30K? Maybe if you bought a basic kit and went bare bones on the donor car, but how happy would you be with that. Sorry if I misunderstood.

 

[Biggsy]

Not sure I fully understand this statement, but...Speaking just for me, I'm going the kit path for 1) that's the only way in this lifetime on this planet you'll ever own a daytona coupe and 2) like me, I'd imagine most people do it for the journey not the destination. It's not all about the car; the build is juuuussssttt as much a factor as the finished product. FFR kits are not $30K unless you really deck it out. I haven't priced it all in in a while, but I know I won't be able to build a FFR car for much under $70 or so. Not real sure how you think you could build any half way quality FFR car for much under $30K? Maybe if you bought a basic kit and went bare bones on the donor car, but how happy would you be with that. Sorry if I misunderstood.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound ignorant. I just honestly didn't know there was such thing and upon looking online, I was wondering whats the difference between a kit car and buying a chassis and building it up. I just browsed through options available on Factory Fives website and I can see how it can get to be near 80k+. I didn't know how much people usually customize them. If i had the means I would definitely build one especially the because the power to weight ration would be mind blowing. I also see what you mean about the process being the best part.

May that dream Daytona build come true!

 

[Biggsy]

I have built them before.

my current kit is a Westfield made here In the UK. I didn’t build this one though. Bought it with minor damage and repairs it. A lot of fun and corners like you won’t believe. 180bhp 530kg and will hit 60 in 4 seconds. There are tonnes of them around. All shapes and sizes.

Mine is live axle but you can get them with IRS.

have a look on https://www.locostusa.com/forums/

thats amazing !

Im sure the handling feels great compared to a heavier mustang. Now I am thinking about one as a retiring gift to myself even though I'm 30 years away from that lol

 

[Hack]

I WILL have a FFR Daytona Coupe in the next five years. Have been dreaming and shopping that car for longer than I care to admit. Now it's been somewhat budgeted for and my oldest will be out of the house (taking his bills with him) in less than two years.

Dang, you are my hero! I've actually been looking at the Factory Five Daytona Coupe as well. I think it would be awesome to build and then drive one.

 

[Cobrakit]

Not sure where in Maryland you are, but there are Cobra groups near Annapolis MD and Vienna VA. Wait till spring and you'll be able to see many different Cobra replicas and a few FFR Daytonas. And as was stated, you can't afford an orginal, none of us can, plus they haven't been built since the mid 60s.

 

[CrashOverride]

I put a lot of time into looking at them. There are tons of brands, but Factory Five is probably the biggest and has the most engineering behind it. I really like the truck and hot rod - they look like a (dare I say regular) restoration, but like all factory 5 stuff, they have an amazing chassis and can handle really good. The reality though is that they can be difficult to insure and register in states. Out here, SB100 means that only 500 new ones can be registered per year. The rumor is all 500 slots are gone before then end of the first day the DMV is open in the new year.

If you ask me, unless you want the fun of building it from the ground up (Which I totally get) the cheapest way to get into them is buy one partially finished. The FFR forums are full of people that got bored, or bit off more than they could chew - and you can get stuff way cheaper than if you tried to replicate it.

 

[Strokerswild]

My brother has been slooooooowly putting together a Factory Five Cobra for several years. It's painful how long it's taking, but he's bought and is working on other project cars since starting that one (Boss 429 clone for one).

It's probably only a solid week of nights from being a driving chassis, and will be a nice piece when it's done. Coyote power, 6-speed, 9" rear, giant Wilwood brakes, best of everything.

 

[Cobrakit]

Factory Five is the most popular and they have a large forum where you can find out anything you want. Others aren't as good. First things you need to decide is what are you going to do with the car, how orginal do you want it to be, how much work do you want to do and how much money you want to spend. FFR is not the most original but there is plenty of help out there and not as expensive as some replicas. Companies like ERA, Kirkham and Superformance at the upper end price wise, but less work. Even Superformance took liberties with body shape and other things. Good luck!

Sponsored