About Kit Cars
A kit car is a vehicle assembled by the customer from parts provided in packaged form from the manufacturer. Self-assembled car kits range in complexity from plan blueprints to full interior and exterior parts. Kit car building is a popular hobby among car aficionados and has a large fan following throughout the world, especially in Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland, England and Mexico.
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History
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The design for the first kit car was created in England by Thomas Hyler in 1896, and the plans were distributed through the car enthusiast magazine "The English Mechanic." The Lad's Car was the first kit car available in the United States and was offered in 1912 for $160. Kit cars gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s in the United Kingdom, not as a hobby projects but as a way to purchase a new car at a discounted rate. During this time, many English automakers, including Lotus, would sell new but incomplete cars to customers along with the parts needed to finish the vehicle. Customers would assemble the final aspects of the vehicle at home and pay a discounted rate for the car due to decreased labor cost. These cars were referred to as "Weekend Kits," because they were designed to be self-assembled in two days or less. Starting in the 1990s, kit car manufacturers began offering vintage car designs in kit form, and the kit car hobby industry took off.
Features
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Many kit cars are designed to fit on the chassis of popular and inexpensive models that customers can purchase from wholesalers or strip from junk cars. For example, since the 1970s, the chassis of the Volkswagen Beetle has been commonly used as a starting framework for kit cars, including the Bradly GT, Sebring and Sterling models. While they are able to be assembled by automotive laymen, kit cars are designed to be driven with confidence on public roads. They are also able to pass the quality and safety inspections most countries require.
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Benefits
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Kit cars are a popular hobby item because they allow enthusiasts access to rare or discontinued models for a fraction of what they are worth. They also allow the car assembler to mix, match and modify car options and detailing to their vision.
Considerations
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The bodies of kit cars are typically made from fiberglass instead of metal, especially on models that replicate vintage vehicles. The fiberglass is treated with a unique polyester resin that gives the material the appearance of sheet metal but is relatively inexpensive to produce. This material exchange helps keep the cost of kits low and makes them an affordable alternative to owning an expensive original model.
Identification
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Kits are also available for those who wish to restore a car that is not in driveable condition, such as a car that was damaged in a car wreck or dismantled for parts. These packages are referred to as glider kits and come with a new frame, axle and cab for the car. Depending on the package, additional parts like seating, steering components and engine elements may also be included.
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