A normal inquiry about kit cars in general
Discussion
Hi,
My name is Dragil. I am new to these forums. So, hello! I hope I can be of any use, but let me say; I will most likely not be. Every of you has so much more knowledge in cars compared to me, it's unbelievable. Some really great users in these forums. Happy to be part of them.
Straight to the inquiry: I have recently seen some supercar replicas online, on YouTube, based upon other cars, using body kits and interior kits that changed the overall look of a simple, old car, into a beast, modern super replica.
Obviously, this brings some questions to people: Is it legal? Can I do it? How much would it cost? Is it worth it?
The biggest concern I would have is definitely the "Can I do it" bit. I have barely any experience in building, much less cars, or assembling a kit. Heck, I even pay the guys to mount the Ikea furniture as I don't think I would do it right.
I've always had an interest in supercars, and not having the big bucks to buy the real, new Lamborghini, with all the extras that make it a Lamborghini, but also bump the price up a few hundred K, I began taking a true interest in kit cars.
So, I began thinking: "Supercar replicas... They're beautiful. I want one. But I also want my own custom car". That's what I would really like to get. A custom built car, related to my own design. Maybe similar to a Bugatti Chiron, something classy, yet screaming "beast" and roaring loudly to every other car in the road.
Now, this brings a few issues. First one would be how to do it? I have no experience, no idea how to actually remove the interior (and exterior) and put in new ones. I don't know how to build the interior or exterior either... I have no idea how to install software, that I would want in my car, but this would probably come with the main one I'd buy. Then, I'd have to actually buy a car to fit my purpose, but which one? A reliable, quick, strong, and similar to what I pretend car would be needed. And the last would definitely be how much would it cost...
I'd like to put the question out there: Is it possible? And, if I arranged the full interior and exterior design, with specifications on what I want, would there be anyone out there able to build what I want?
This is just a thought, not necessarily buying one, because the price could be up to 100K and that would be undoubtedly too expensive. How much would you estimate the cost of such a kit car be? And would the quality be good enough to justify going for it? Would anyone build it?
Thank you very much, and I hope I didn't bore you,
Dragil
My name is Dragil. I am new to these forums. So, hello! I hope I can be of any use, but let me say; I will most likely not be. Every of you has so much more knowledge in cars compared to me, it's unbelievable. Some really great users in these forums. Happy to be part of them.
Straight to the inquiry: I have recently seen some supercar replicas online, on YouTube, based upon other cars, using body kits and interior kits that changed the overall look of a simple, old car, into a beast, modern super replica.
Obviously, this brings some questions to people: Is it legal? Can I do it? How much would it cost? Is it worth it?
The biggest concern I would have is definitely the "Can I do it" bit. I have barely any experience in building, much less cars, or assembling a kit. Heck, I even pay the guys to mount the Ikea furniture as I don't think I would do it right.
I've always had an interest in supercars, and not having the big bucks to buy the real, new Lamborghini, with all the extras that make it a Lamborghini, but also bump the price up a few hundred K, I began taking a true interest in kit cars.
So, I began thinking: "Supercar replicas... They're beautiful. I want one. But I also want my own custom car". That's what I would really like to get. A custom built car, related to my own design. Maybe similar to a Bugatti Chiron, something classy, yet screaming "beast" and roaring loudly to every other car in the road.
Now, this brings a few issues. First one would be how to do it? I have no experience, no idea how to actually remove the interior (and exterior) and put in new ones. I don't know how to build the interior or exterior either... I have no idea how to install software, that I would want in my car, but this would probably come with the main one I'd buy. Then, I'd have to actually buy a car to fit my purpose, but which one? A reliable, quick, strong, and similar to what I pretend car would be needed. And the last would definitely be how much would it cost...
I'd like to put the question out there: Is it possible? And, if I arranged the full interior and exterior design, with specifications on what I want, would there be anyone out there able to build what I want?
This is just a thought, not necessarily buying one, because the price could be up to 100K and that would be undoubtedly too expensive. How much would you estimate the cost of such a kit car be? And would the quality be good enough to justify going for it? Would anyone build it?
Thank you very much, and I hope I didn't bore you,
Dragil
The immediately obvious question, from your use of grammar, is where are you from?
In the UK, yes, it's broadly legal (at least none of the manufacturers with the exception of Ferrari do anything to protect their designs against anything but the most blatant abuse), and the registration process is at least achievable. In other countries it will depend on your local laws and attitudes.
Can you do it? That depends on:
a) How mechanically inept you are and;
b) How much money you have.
If the answer to (b) is 'lots', then the answer to (a) may not be relevant, as you can pay someone to do it for you, but these sorts of supercar replicas tend to be complex and difficult to construct to a high standard. Most people start with something simple, like a Westfield, to learn the skills.
If you're talking about designing and building your own bespoke supercar, then you will need very deep pockets indeed: it would be cheaper to go out and buy a second-hand Ferrari or Lamborghini. It costs an enormous amount to design and build prototypes and for manufacturers (the ones who don't go bust) this is amortised over the production run. One-offs are stupidly expensive, in comparison
In the UK, yes, it's broadly legal (at least none of the manufacturers with the exception of Ferrari do anything to protect their designs against anything but the most blatant abuse), and the registration process is at least achievable. In other countries it will depend on your local laws and attitudes.
Can you do it? That depends on:
a) How mechanically inept you are and;
b) How much money you have.
If the answer to (b) is 'lots', then the answer to (a) may not be relevant, as you can pay someone to do it for you, but these sorts of supercar replicas tend to be complex and difficult to construct to a high standard. Most people start with something simple, like a Westfield, to learn the skills.
If you're talking about designing and building your own bespoke supercar, then you will need very deep pockets indeed: it would be cheaper to go out and buy a second-hand Ferrari or Lamborghini. It costs an enormous amount to design and build prototypes and for manufacturers (the ones who don't go bust) this is amortised over the production run. One-offs are stupidly expensive, in comparison
Dragil said:
Every of you has so much more knowledge in cars compared to me, it's unbelievable. Some really great users in these forums.
Knowledge comes with time. You get to know a bit when you built your first kitcar when age 16 then make age 68 a few days ago.Dragil said:
I have recently seen some supercar replicas
Never been a fan of replicas. I can handle a kit Cobra as it is rarely trying to be real. GF body panels bonded to an old MX5 is just very wrong.Dragil said:
Obviously, this brings some questions to people: Is it legal
In the UK yes, in many other EU countries no chance.Dragil said:
The biggest concern I would have is definitely the "Can I do it" bit. I have barely any experience in building, much less cars, or assembling a kit. Heck, I even pay the guys to mount the Ikea furniture as I don't think I would do it right.
I normally say to prospective builders if they can do DIY then they have a good chance. From what you say then a kitcar build will only be viable if you go for a well-established kit like a Caterham or Westfield.Dragil said:
So, I began thinking: "Supercar replicas... They're beautiful. I want one. But I also want my own custom car". That's what I would really like to get. A custom built car, related to my own design. Maybe similar to a Bugatti Chiron, something classy, yet screaming "beast" and roaring loudly to every other car in the road.
No chance for you to build, very expensive to have a company like mine do it for you.Steve
Equus said:
The immediately obvious question, from your use of grammar, is where are you from?
UK as well. Just a foreigner though. Been here a few years though. Haven't fully mastered the English spoken here.Equus said:
If you're talking about designing and building your own bespoke supercar, then you will need very deep pockets indeed: it would be cheaper to go out and buy a second-hand Ferrari or Lamborghini. It costs an enormous amount to design and build prototypes and for manufacturers (the ones who don't go bust) this is amortised over the production run.
Basically, yes that was my main idea. How much would it actually cost to build a body kit, put some lights on it, etc. Some companies I've seen manufacture crazy things for clients, so there would definitely be someone out there able of constructing my desired body. Then, all the other parts, from the engine to the transmission to the headlights would all be bought from any supplier that would have them. Assembling would be the hardest bit, and finding someone willing to construct the body kit I would be looking for.The main question here is would it be possible? If so how, and how much?
Thank you all for your kind replies,
Dragil
If you are looking for a supercar designed and built to your specification I estimate you will be looking at £150K.
If you doubt this then spend a few days reading this thread so you can understand the amount of work involved. If you don't have time to read it just scan through and look at the pictures.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Steve
If you doubt this then spend a few days reading this thread so you can understand the amount of work involved. If you don't have time to read it just scan through and look at the pictures.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Steve
Steve_D said:
If you are looking for a supercar designed and built to your specification I estimate you will be looking at £150K.
If you doubt this then spend a few days reading this thread so you can understand the amount of work involved. If you don't have time to read it just scan through and look at the pictures.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Steve
£150K is an interesting price. I skin read through it, took me around 15 mins but I get most of the idea. What would the features in the car be if you spent such an amount on it? And would it be worth it?If you doubt this then spend a few days reading this thread so you can understand the amount of work involved. If you don't have time to read it just scan through and look at the pictures.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Steve
Dragil
OK, I think I was misunderstood.
I do not want to build a car from scratch.
What I want is to build my own frame, from a car that fits the style of my custom kit.
A custom body kit. That's all. A custom interior and a custom exterior, and some custom mods to it. So let's say a Ford Cougar, then ask someone to re-design the entire look of it, exterior and interior.
I don't have the skill to build something like that, but I am pretty sure it would be possible to hire someone to do it. So how much, approximately, would that cost?
Cheers,
Dragil
I do not want to build a car from scratch.
What I want is to build my own frame, from a car that fits the style of my custom kit.
A custom body kit. That's all. A custom interior and a custom exterior, and some custom mods to it. So let's say a Ford Cougar, then ask someone to re-design the entire look of it, exterior and interior.
I don't have the skill to build something like that, but I am pretty sure it would be possible to hire someone to do it. So how much, approximately, would that cost?
Cheers,
Dragil
Being totally honest, I think you are talking about car body kits and not kit cars. Kit cars are usually cars built from a kit of parts to produce a brand new car usually based on a spaceframe chassis with a fibreglass body plus production engine/gearbox and axles. It looks like you want a body kit to bolt onto a standard car to make it look different.
Now there is a middle ground but they tend to be mx5, Toyota mr2 or BMW z3 based where the body panels are removed and fibreglass ones added to make it look different. The new look tends to be more classic, 1960's Ferrari 250 etc rather than a Zonda or a mclaren p1.
I would suggest giving nubodi or tribute automotive a call as they have done panel conversions in the past. Nubodi have a picture on their site of a Toyota celica converted to look like an Aston Martin db9, they may be the ones to contact.
http://www.tributeautomotive.co.uk
http://www.nubodi.moonfruit.com
Now there is a middle ground but they tend to be mx5, Toyota mr2 or BMW z3 based where the body panels are removed and fibreglass ones added to make it look different. The new look tends to be more classic, 1960's Ferrari 250 etc rather than a Zonda or a mclaren p1.
I would suggest giving nubodi or tribute automotive a call as they have done panel conversions in the past. Nubodi have a picture on their site of a Toyota celica converted to look like an Aston Martin db9, they may be the ones to contact.
http://www.tributeautomotive.co.uk
http://www.nubodi.moonfruit.com
Edited by ugg10 on Monday 24th April 21:20
ugg10 said:
Being totally honest, I think you are talking about car body kits and not kit cars. Kit cars are usually cars built from a kit of parts to produce a brand new car usually based on a spaceframe chassis with a fibreglass body plus production engine/gearbox and axles. It looks like you want a body kit to bolt onto a standard car to make it look different.
Now there is a middle ground but they tend to be mx5, Toyota mr2 or BMW z3 based where the body panels are removed and fibreglass ones added to make it look different. The new look tends to be more classic, 1960's Ferrari 250 etc rather than a Zonda or a mclaren p1.
Yes, that's what I am on about. As you can see, I know barely anything. I would say kit cars and car body kits are the same thing. Hadn't done that much of a research on it if I'm completely honest, and what I saw all led me to believe they were the same concept. I'll be taking a look at those websites.Now there is a middle ground but they tend to be mx5, Toyota mr2 or BMW z3 based where the body panels are removed and fibreglass ones added to make it look different. The new look tends to be more classic, 1960's Ferrari 250 etc rather than a Zonda or a mclaren p1.
Edited by ugg10 on Monday 24th April 21:20
Would be cheaper then, wouldn't it? I was thinking around £50K to £75K for an actually good job but I wouldn't know really. Thank you
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