So You Want to Build a Kit Car?

You want to build a kit car? Is a kit car the right project car for you? I cover 6 things that you should consider before you decide to purchase a kit car.

#kitcars
#factoryfive

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All videos are for entertainment purposes only. Attempt these projects at your own risk! If you do, make sure you follow all manufacturers instructions!

[builderone]

I just licensed my Cobra kit 4 months ago after 29 yrs. Snow collapsed my garage before the kit was delivered so crate sat in yard wrapped in tarps. Money saved for parts went into bigger and better garage. Then kit company went bankrupt and only got 45% of my parts. More money spent to buy parts a second time. My daughter then had medical issues and kit was put on hold to pay medical bills. I ended up buying a ton of tools I didn't already own, (cherry picker, engine stand, welder, and on and on). As I didn't get a lot of parts I ended up fabricating a lot, (scratch built my headers, cooler brackets, radiator mounts). Now that its built and I've driven it I look back at the $10K company told me I could build it for and realize it was $62K. I enjoyed the problem solving, fabrication and the learning. Now I've considered selling it so I can do it again. Wish you had released this video 29 yrs sooner!!!

[musclecarmitch]

I've always been interested in building a kit car instead of restoring because of not having to worry about everything being 100 percent original and putting your own ideas into it. Cool build! Really have enjoyed following it along!👍

[Michael-lgwz]

Some good points. Id love a kit car, unfortunately I rent and have no garage ! Garages are super expensive here in NZ too, theres basically only commercial leases ie 3000 a month. The best option would be to rent a 5 bedroom house with a triple garage and rent out all the other rooms.

[joka]

Your comments about legality are very important. Some states hate kit cars. One thing I have always wondered is, how do insurance companies feel about them?

[carbonfiber]

Good points. I've got several thousand hours in mine. I built a LOT of custom stuff. But realistically this car needs 800-1000 (at least) hours to be done right. The Factory Five build manual is garbage. As far as knowledge goes, you need to have a knowledge of the specific kit you're building also. Same for the bodywork. There is cutting glassing involved to get it right. You need a list of things to tell your average body man in order for it to come out right. (I.E. extending the hood at the top rear on the passenger and diver's side, centering wheel wells, re-enforcing around the window frame and to the inside of the doors, cutting the door pillars off and re-glassing/re-shaping to fit the windows, etc.) The type of kit will dictate a lot of these things also. An RCR kit isn't going to need all the attention the GTM is to get to paint for example. Take the time to do it right though, I've seen show winners/race cars, and cars I wouldn't drive to the store. It'll greatly affect the re-sale too if that's going to be an issue in the future.

[builtbybo]

There is always so many things that could be overlooked when building a project car, But we live and Learn. Great Video!

[JoeyWebber]

Very informative video . I worked for a company that used to build Factory Five and other a few other companies . I would love to still be doing this .

[ThePete]

I’ve been close to buying a kit from factory five. Just bought a corvette grand sport 7 speed to keep me happy while diving into a 3/4 year project

[bardstables]

All good points. I already know I'd be in way over my head with something like this. I've got no problems with R&R, but this I would struggle with.

[hurk]

Excellent primer for anyone looking to getting a kit car. Many pitfalls and stall points but rewarding when done! The final bit of advice I would give is get t-shirts that say "No it is not a $7, 650, 000.00 GT40, It's a kit car." It will save you so much time. And if you think it will be a chick magnet, it will be a middle aged dude magnet....🤣

[turbotom]

my wife just would Not understand the time thing, looks like a single person project.

[Zanzabar]

I have some lego experience and a history degree. I changed my trucks oil one time. Can I build a kit car?

[JosephDAndrea]

I always wanted to build a gtm but they stopped making it, big sad.

[Obby_Unsk]

Can I build a car over my car? Let’s say my dream car is an suv, can I use a sedan and add a canvas top and another windshield on top of my car so I’m not removing anything from it?

[RUTHLESS_GSXR_RYDER]

I want a kit car to make in to a drift cart

[tkello]

Normal people want to watch and listen while doing other things. Don't set your videos as "for kids" if it actually isn't. Nobody actually wants to pay for youtube to do normal video scrolling.