From the Driver's Seat

Believe it or not, kit cars date back as far as before the 1900s, with Englishman Thomas Hyler White creating a design for a car in 1896 that could be assembled at home. The design and its build-at-home concept garnished a great deal of attention, with the technical drawings published that same year in The English Mechanic magazine.

Looking back, it's easy to see how the replica car industry has evolved and nowhere is this more evident that in the price paid for kit cars back in the early 1900s.

Rumor has it that America's first kit car, the Lad's Car, which was built between 1912 and 1914, and boasted a 3 hp air cooled, single-seater with belt drive, was sold assembled for $160 and $140 in kit car form. Made by the Niagara Motor Co. of Niagara Falls, New York, the replica was billed as "more a real working toy than a go-anywhere motor car".

Today's kit car is much more than a working toy, customized to meet the demands of a more savvy car enthusiast, many of whom pay upward of $150,000 to have a fully customized replica of their favorite car expertly designed and built by hand.

Ironically enough, many of the most expensive, most sought out replicas of today are painstakingly built to look identical to our favorite vintage cars, but everything under the hood and vintage-looking body scream modern, with the latest technological advances in place, combining today's luxury accessories and advanced engine capabilities with yester year's look of old. However, and as you might expect, bringing together the old with the new can present a challenge, especially for the kit car developer who buys the best parts, as these undoubtedly come from a variety of sources, unlike the original version of the car which is generally produced using "stock parts" from a single source or maybe two.

Sure, these off-the-showroom floor automobiles may turn heads, but you wouldn't dare modify them like you would with a kit car, which is one reason these replicas and rebodies continue to soar in popularity today. Another reason: you can invest as much or little as you want in your kit car, splurging on the areas that are most important to you, while saving in others. There's also the lull of creating a spectacular machine to your unique specifications, meeting your needs and, in the case of my 1965 Shelby Cobra S/C kit car, exceeding my expectations every day.

Many credit the kit car industry growth of today to the supplying of new bodies and chassis, allowing builders to take the components from these cars and convert them into head-turning sports cars.

Now, keep in mind that UK kit cars were considered to be normal production vehicles. These were only partially assembled to avoid paying the car tax, which was sidestepped because of a simple formality ­ these kits were assessed as components and not vehicles.

And, back then and up to the late 1970s, some of the most noted cars were made available like this, including the Lotus Elan. I have read accounts where these cars were taken home and completed in as little as a weekend. Fast-forward again to today and you see stunning kit cars that are oftentimes replicas of some of the most expensive classics and are designed and built by-hand by experts, although some replica enthusiasts do prefer to complete this process on their own, building for themselves jaw-dropping kit cars that are the envy of all.

My car is a shining example of this. Not only is the replica built to my specs and even painted the exact color my wife Arlene and I chose, it enabled us to afford the look of the past that is important to us and the modern technology that makes it street-worthy and a blast to drive!

In building our dream car, we had to find countless parts, as you can imagine. Eventually, we turned to the Net where, like other kit car builders have found, there is no single comprehensive online resource to help streamline this process and to bring together all the important information kit car enthusiasts are looking for.

Gone are the days of scouring thought parts stores and junkyards. Like me, most now turn to the Net and spend very little time in front of their computers before they find exactly whet they want.

For me, this was a fun part of the process, as I researched everything from the different types of steering racks, tires and rims, and braking systems, to choosing the paint color, and sourcing a crate engine, then all the way down to what type of kit car and which manufacturer.

In fact, I was referred to Peter Jacobsen in Calgary to assist me on the construction of the car while chatting in one of the online forums. I would have never found him without the Internet and some great luck!

I remember sitting down one evening at my desktop and within an hour I had spent more than $5000 on the car. Now, this included everything from a soft-top and tonneau cover to a FUEL SAFE fuel cell (and more). There's just no denying that the shopping process is more enjoyable when you can complete it from the comfort of your own home, and having to lug the heavy parts home. On the other hand, retailers like the situation too, placing their products and services in front of potential buyers that they previously had no way of reaching in the past.

Thank you, Internet.

Then, when the parts start arriving at your front door, it's like Christmas morning all over again. Best of all, shipping is fast and inexpensive making it super easy to find the exact parts you need.

Kit cars owners enjoy nothing more then building their kit car and driving it. But what runs a close second is being able to interact with other like-minded replica car owners, which is exactly what countless kit car owners do in a number of popular online chat forums.

That's because you can tap into the same resources others have successfully used, exchange information and ideas, support each other, provide important tips and more through the forum area, shop for parts right here, and even research the various manufacturers - all right here and with just a few quick clicks of your mouse.

Bottom-line: Today's kit car owners are relying on the Internet, to make more informed choices and to save time and money, locating and buying the parts needed in a flash. They are also using these interactive with online communities to share their passion for these cars, while minimizing the frustration often associated with the lengthy building process.

And herein lies exactly what served as a catalyst for the creation of this website. Given my love for these cars and my unbridled passion for my own 1965 Shelby Cobra kit car, this site seemed a natural fit, allowing me to take the very areas that slowed me up as I worked to have my car built, or the areas that challenged me or caused me frustration, and streamline these by bringing everything you need together right here.

It's your one-stop-shop for everything related to kit cars!

You can post your kit car photos here, learn all about kit car clubs in your area and beyond (worldwide, to be exact), share with other members your videos and even book and organize travel as it relates to the flourishing kit car industry.

As an enthusiast, you can now have all the information and the exchanging of communication you need to truly enjoy your kit car, your replica, your reproduction or your clone.

Truth is that no mater what you cal them, we're glad you're hear and encourage you to take a look a round. You'll find plenty to pique your interest and wet your appetite for more.

And, perhaps best of all, you can shape and mold the car of your dreams while simultaneously creating productive relationships and gathering important resources that will enhance your car owning years for life!

James Martell
Publisher, Kit Car Connection