Replica kit cars have seen a surge in popularity in recent years as builders and manufacturers look back to the classic sports cars of yesteryear.
Models such as the Cobra, Porsche 356 and Lamborghini Countach have been painstakingly reproduced with a level of detail that would fool all but the most die-hard enthusiast.
But for sheer ease of construction as well as blistering performance and roadholding, few replica kit cars to build can match the evergreen Lotus Seven based clones.
Over the course of this page I will try to give you a flavor of just what can be achieved with a good quality replica kit, an MOT failure donor vehicle and a little enthusiasm!
Kit Cars and Replicas
UKs Top Gear Magazine
Top Gear magazine is the UKs top selling car mag thanks to its own unique blend of motoring information and tongue in cheek entertainment.With regular contributions by the three TV presenters, Top Gear Magazine is packed with road tests, motor sport, price guides and those essential car reviews as only Clarkson, Hammond and May can.
With additional material from The Stig, a monthly subscription to Top Gear Mag ensures that you never miss an issue. UK readers can click here to get your copy delivered fresh off the press each month!
Replica Lancia Stratos HF by Hawk Cars
As replica kit cars go, the Hawk Cars HF3000 is an accurate copy of the Lancia Stratos HF which was a very successful rally car during the 70s and early 80s.
How accurate?
Well, the body panels are often used as replacements for the originals! And it is precisely this level of attention to detail that has made the Hawk HF3000 such a popular choice amongst replica kit car fans.
But the original was a high performance sports car I hear you say. And if you fit a 3 litre V6 Alfa Romeo engine or even the 3.0 litre Ferrari Quattrovalvole powerplant then the HF3000 has enough raw power to suit even the most power-hungry driver.
Lancia Stratos
Lancia Stratos (Rally Giants)
*** UK readers can buy it from Amazon UK HERE
This book describes the birth, development and rallying career of the Lancia Stratos, Europe's very first purpose-built rally car, in the mid/late 1970s, providing a compact and authoritative history of where, when and how it became so important to the sport.
Lancia Stratos (N3003)
*** UK readers can buy it from Amazon UK HERE
The Stratos prototype made its debut in 1970 at the Bertone stand of the Turin Motor Show. It immediately raised curiosity and surprise among the visitors, but a half-hearted interest by the Lancia company. One year later, the new Lancia Stratos was finally produced to comply with the needs of the Lancia Racing Team. The car was completely different, although having the same glamour and appeal, it turned out to be perfect to compete in rallies. For 6 consecutive years it became the car to defeat, winning three World Championships (1974, 1975 and 1976). The reader will find the history, the evolution, the competitions as well as the drivers' profiles.
Cobra Replica Kit Cars
The Cobra is without doubt the most copied car on the kit car scene. After all, with original cobras so rare (and expensive!) it is relatively cheap to build yourself an almost exact copy.
In fact, a large percentage of kit car manufacturers have cobra replica kit cars in their stable. And for good reason. The original Cobra was stylish, incredibly powerful and handled like a dream.
Now, thanks to modern parts, cobra replica kit cars too have mindblowing power that handles like the original and you don't need to go on car mechanic courses for 4 years to learn how to assemble one.
Build A Cobra Replica!
A Car Is Born by Mark Evans
Sit back and enjoy this 3-hour DVD as Mark Evans builds a stunning Pilgrim Sumo cobra replica step-by-step from scratch.In this DVD, Mark Evans takes you through all the highs (and lows) of selecting a cobra replica and then assembling it piece by piece in his garage using little more than a regular toolkit.
Watch as he dismantles the donor vehicle and cleans up the parts ready for bolting on to his shiny new Pilgrim Sumo chassis.
If you have ever fancied building your own sports car then you'll love this information packed DVD. Get your copy now!
Shelby Cobra
Shelby Cobra: The Shelby American Original Color Archives 1962-1965
*** UK readers can buy it from Amazon UK HERE
Never-before published, original color photos from author and official Shelby American team photographer Dave Friedman.
Friedman was on the scene with camera in hand to capture the entire development and production of Carroll Shelby's legendary Cobra. This detailed history provides coverage of both the street and racing models, including all of the 26, 289 and 427 models.
Fascinating first-hand accounts from Shelby and his crew members tell the entire behind-the-scenes story.
Books to Suit Cobra Replica Kit Car Builders
Tiger Kit Cars
For over 10 years, Tiger Racing have concentrated almost exclusively on Lotus Seven styled sports cars and the experience shows through with first class engineering and quality of finish.
Their stable contains a variety of engine options to suit your specific requirements from Ford Pintos and Zetecs right up to the totally outrageous twin motorcycle engined Tiger Z1000 with a jaw dropping 0-60 of 2.9 seconds! As you can imagine, a Tiger is probably not the best option for your DIY electric car!.
Tigers aim is to bring a modern sports car to the masses with their aggressive pricing and budget packages. This approach seems to be working as Tiger produce around 250 cars per year.
Overall, Tiger kit cars are well made and perform as you would expect from a company with their racing background. The price is right and the resale value of completed cars is high.
Books about Replica Kit Cars
by MarkHeywood
Replica kit cars are faithful copies of classic sports cars.
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