Assemble Your Own Kit Car

When you desire a sports vehicle, but don't like any of the current offerings, why not build your own? There is a vast range of sports self assembled cars, ranging from the basic Locost right up to The latest Italian exotica. This article will try to give you a taste of what you could be driving if you decide to produce it yourself.

So you have resolved to assemble your own sports car, but where do you start? I suggest that you examine a few models that you like the look of from a variety of manufacturers. Taking for example, a Cobra replica, there are a wide range of build options as well as cost and skill requirements. So you will need to decide how much you want to spend and look at your own capabilities before you make a final decision on a specific manufacturer.

Next, I suggest that you check out the manufacturers Owners Club. Many have websites or forums where you can post questions or check out possible concerns you may have. If the kit manufacturer offers poor support or poor quality components, the forums are where you are told!

Now you should have a shortlist of likely Sports car projects, a budget to work to and a fair idea of the mechanical skills required. You now should now be able to pick a kit. In order to make a choice, I suggest that you go to the kit car shows or manufacturers open days and talk to other kit car builders. Remember, they have significant experience in constructing your chosen model and can give you advice if you should get stuck with a particular problem.

Once you have handed over your money for a particular model, the work really begins. Even before the kit is picked up, you should track down the cleanest, most mechanically sound donor vehicle that you can. The better the donor, the better the finished sports car you will be driving. All relevant mechanical parts should be removed and cleaned as per the kit builders manual. If you are not fully happy with the condition of a part then it should be renewed. Don't gamble with your safety. It is advisable at this stage to get insurance cover for your kit project.

For most kit cars, assembling the vehicle is rather uncomplicated. Any manufacturer that has sold more than a few kits will have a detailed manual detailing every stage, in the right order. If you have problems then go back to the manufacturer, Owners Club or forums. You will be surprised at how helpful your fellow kit builders are. It is in the manufacturers own interests to make it easier for you as much as possible, and many have dedicated helplines for this purpose. After all, when you drive the car, you will become a traveling billboard for their product.

Now that you have assembled the vehicle you will need to ensure that any testing and required licensing is in order before taking to the road. Again, the manufacturer and Owners Club are the ideal people to give you a helping hand.

When you take your finished sports car on the road, you will feel a sense of accomplishment as you drive a hand crafted sports car that you constructed yourself.

Mark Heywood runs Premier Kit Cars, a website dedicated to helping enthusiasts select and build their own kit cars.