Need advice on building a kit car

[VWEvo]

So my sons are absolutely car crazy and I think we need to take things to another level. I need advice on building a kit car. What options are out there? What companies are better than others?

In an ideal world I picture purchasing something retro (ie. Shelby cobra kit), the rolling chassis gets shipped along with all the necessary parts and body panels in crates. It would be fantastic if there is a detailed online blog / thread that helped take you step by step thru the build. Any advice or others experience on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

[ianmcc]

Look here for Matthew ( Techmotion (http://www.tecmotion.ca/) ) and his build up of a Factory Five 33 Hot Rod with Coyote 5.0 power.
http://www.ffcars.com/forums/120-factory-five-33-hot-rod-forum-sponsored-e-t-wheels/299828-tecmotions-33-hot-rod.html
Gives you a good idea of what is involved.

[rage2]

There are very few kit car companies that can import a legal kit into Canada, so you're pretty much limited to Factory Five. Transport Canada has all sorts of weird rules that pretty much stops all kit cars from being imported.

But ya, check out FF's site, they have some decent kits.

Edit - https://www.factoryfive.com/order-a-kit/international-orders/canada/canadian-import-procedure/

Looks like you can import it yourself, or have Al Beix do it for you.

[Fly Fishin']

What about all these super 7s I see around now.

[rage2]

I'm pretty sure those are sold as complete cars in Canada, and not kits.

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Originally posted by rage2
I'm pretty sure those are sold as complete cars in Canada, and not kits.

Correct, and they are pricey too.

[jacky4566]

If you have a low budget. Factory 5 818! Mid Rear engine, tube frame? Yes Please.

There is also the Exocet i was once eying.
http://exomotive.com/exocet/

Also for Canadian procedures i suggest reading this article from Factory 5.
https://www.factoryfive.com/order-a-kit/international-orders/canada/canadian-import-procedure/

And yea. Read some build threads and you can get a general idea of whats coming.

[M.alex]

Gotta know the companies you're buying from - a few like factory five comply with transport canada's guidelines and are importable legally (although they remove parts from your shipment, so you're paying the same amount as an american to buy the kit, but you're getting like 1/5 less stuff with it), the rest arn't and you have to do it less-than-legally

Whatever you think you're going to spend on it double it to arrive around a realistic total. i know every project says that, but this one will nickel-and-dime you to death, as well as thousand-dollar you to death. The less skilled you are (welding, bodywork, etc..) the worst this will be. Prepare to really open up the wallet. One of the most common reasons builds take so long is because it's like having a damn vacuum cleaner stuck on your wallet ... gotta pay to play.

You need patience - when dealing with vendors expect to wait months to sometimes even years for parts. (you'd think in a cottage industry service quality and speed would be key, but not with kit cars, no way shape or form)

If you ever sell expect to get raped unless you find the right buyer - the market has conditioned people to demand fire sale prices for kit cars.

[jacky4566]

Not to tear apart your post alex but factory five will change the price for Canadian clients.
ie. Regular 818s$9,990
Canadian 818s $8,190

Reasons being the brake system mostly.

However I agree about the deep pockets.

Post a build thread please!

[Darkane]

Wow. The 818 looks rad.

I would do it if it came preplumbed for a Honda k series

[M.alex]

Originally posted by jacky4566
Not to tear apart your post alex but factory five will change the price for Canadian clients.
ie. Regular 818s$9,990
Canadian 818s $8,190

Reasons being the brake system mostly.

However I agree about the deep pockets.

Post a build thread please!

That's new - several years ago they just took parts out of the kit and charged the same price.

[VWEvo]

Really appreciate all the help and support guys. I'll do my research and get back what I find.

[k1l4m]

No clue if this would be legal in Canada but looks pretty cool/fun.

http://bauerltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/20140717_195349_RichtoneHDR1-960x448.jpg
http://bauerltd.com/