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
Don't Forget to Subscribe!
www.youtube.co...
Don't forget to check us out on Instagram: / smackeysgarage
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
All videos are for entertainment purposes only. Attempt these projects at your own risk! If you do, make sure you follow all manufacturers instructions!

[@builderone2469]

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!!!

[@SmackeysGarage]

What a story! I'm with you. A lot of the fun is actually building the vehicles. I definitely would build another one after building this one. I'd go the path of a cobra kit car. I'm the same way, enjoying the problem solving, fabrication, and learning. It's cool to build and customize something yourself and make it exactly the way you want it.

[@musclecarmitch908]

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!👍

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks Mitch! That is one of the things that interested me the most too. I really like that I can build it the way I want the car.

[@Michael-lg4wz]

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.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Wow. I wasn't aware how expensive garages are in NZ! With a multiyear project like this... that would be an expensive endeavor

[@frankcarden4709]

Build it in your sitting room,then take out a wall to get it out and rebuild the wall after, it'd be way cheaper

[@projector7141]

I built mine out in the rain, on a slope on 3 axle stands. Wasn't easy. I'd do it again on level ground and 4 stands. 4 stands is key.

[@carbonfiber8071]

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.

[@SmackeysGarage]

You have a lot of good points carbon fiber. In order to get this done right it's definitely on the order of 800-1000 hours. There is a lot of bodywork that isn't typical as you pointed out. Centering wheel wells, lining up the hood right, reinforcing window frames etc. I appreciate all your posts and your info on where to look on the forums to get info. It's been really helpful!

[@joka7316]

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?

[@SmackeysGarage]

That is a great point about insurance companies. Maybe someone else that has theirs insured can chime in. I haven't had to deal with that yet.

[@frankcarden4709]

Sometimes you have to be part of a club,pay a membership,and then be eligible for join a group insurance with the club. But some clubs are a holes and require you to attend so many shows and so many meetings and events,but life gets in the way

[@ThePete2432]

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

[@SmackeysGarage]

That's a good way to do it. Project car and fun car at the same time. I haven't finished the car yet... but it's going to be extremely rewarding when done. Not a lot of people build their own project cars from the chassis up.

[@bardstables8909]

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.

[@SmackeysGarage]

I struggle with it too at points. There is so much work to do it’s parallelizing sometimes.

[@builtbybo22]

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

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks Bo! I agree with your statement completely! Live and learn!

[@JoeyWebber955]

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 .

[@SmackeysGarage]

That's really cool to hear. You must have had some good times there. Were you building cars for customers or cars to sell?

[@JoeyWebber955]

@@SmackeysGarage customer cars . Trying to get back to doing this , just myself this time . Skills mean nothing when the management keeps running things into the ground .

[@SmackeysGarage]

That is exactly right!! Good luck

[@hurk130]

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....🤣

[@carbonfiber8071]

It's both. But don't stop for gas if you're in a hurry.

[@SmackeysGarage]

That's a good point on the shirt... ha. Also I agree on the middle aged dude magnet!!

[@turbotom416]

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

[@carbonfiber8071]

Yes. Or a guy with a trophy wife that doesn't care what he does.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Haha to both of those. Luckily my wife also likes cars and comes to most shows with me so she understands enough to let me work on them.

[@jbslittleshop2897]

Great pints sir!! Enjoyed the video.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thanks JB!

[@QuinntumAZ]

Best of luck!

[@SmackeysGarage]

Thank you!

[@RUTHLESS_GSXR_RYDER]

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

[@SmackeysGarage]

do it!

[@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?

[@SmackeysGarage]

You can do anything you dream of!

[@NationFirstGreenville22]

what the flying fuck are you on bro lol

[@nopenope6743]

Like vaydor g35 stripes down and put new body kit on top but remember I highly recommend dont crash it at all there no part at shop or junk yard for your body kit you will end up order part from Exact same company who send you a kit

[@JosephDAndrea0121]

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

[@SmackeysGarage]

That is sad. They are great cars. I'm willing to bet there are a lot of kits still left out there in garages not finished...

[@JosephDAndrea0121]

@SmackeysGarage yeah for sure, and probably could save a ton of headache and money, especially if someone already sourced parts.

[@Zanzabar5]

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

[@SmackeysGarage]

Sure why not! As long as you are good with your hands and have a decent set of tools go for it!

[@tkello001]

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.

[@SmackeysGarage]

Must be a bug. The video is set to not made for kids.