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 diehard enthusiast.
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 Further Reading
Lancia Stratos (Rally Giants)
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.
Amazon Price: $21.86 (as of 12/16/2009) 
Lancia Stratos: Thirty Years Later (N3003)
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.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/16/2009)
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.
Shelby Cobra
Shelby Cobra: The Shelby American Original Color Archives 1963-1965
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 12/17/2009)
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
Cobra (Motorbooks Classics)
A Motorbooks Classic, Cobra tells the story of Carroll Shelbys legendary sport/racing car with hundreds of great photos taken by the Shelby team photographer.
Amazon Price: $17.79 (as of 12/17/2009)
Shelby Cobra Gold Portfolio 1962~1969
A companion volume to Cobras and Cobra Replicas Gold Portfolio 1962-1969 this book also tells the story of the birth and development of the Shelby Cobra with a completely new compilation of contemporary articles from around the world, none of which appear in the first book. Again there are road and comparison tests, technical and specification data, production statistics, race information.
Amazon Price: $21.75 (as of 12/17/2009)
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!
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. Visit Their Website...
Books about Replica Kit Cars
Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models
Ferrari: A Complete Guide to All Models catalogs Maranellos fantastic output. More than 180 designs are beautifully illustrated with both artworks and photographs. Its a full review of Prancing Horse cars from 1940the year of the 815 Auto Avio Costruzionito the 2006 F1 racer of World Champion Michael Schumacher and all the great production cars in between.Organized in chronological order and sub-divided into grand touring, sport cars, and Formula One single-seaters, each design has its own technical specification and a text that details the principle engineering and sports successes.
Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 12/16/2009)
Lamborghini Countach: The Complete Story (Crowood Autoclassics)
If you are considering the purchase of a Countach, it is likely to be a used one and there is precious little information to be had on these cars. Much of Peter Dron's book consists of a light historical treatment, collected reviews and opinions from auto magazines over the years. This is useful to a degree, one does need to know characteristic data, but magazine reviews are usually pretty slim on other information that serious buyers might like to know.
Amazon Price: $24.05 (as of 12/16/2009)
Original Porsche 356
With the aid of factory records and the accumulated knowledge of Porsche 356 experts, Motorbooks presents this essential Porsche 356 restoration guide. Filled with factory specifications and details for all Coup, Cabriolet, Roadster, and Speedster models from 1950 to 1965.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/16/2009)
Original Ferrari: Restoration Guide for All Models, 1974-1994: 308 GT4, 308/328 GTB/GTS Series, Mondial, 348 Series, 288 GTO and F40 (Original Series)
This originality guide and production history of 20 years of V8-engined Ferrari sports cars is filled with full details of factory specs and equipment, plus information on options and accessories. Contains outstanding examples of 308, 328 and 348 models including Italy-only and US-spec versions, each specially photographed for inclusion into this volume.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/16/2009)
