Leslie Massey
Kit cars are vehicles that are either built at home or in a small workshop using components sourced from other vehicles, and are often designed to resemble more expensive cars. In Australia, kit cars are mostly replicas of the AC/Shelby Cobra, consisting of a tube-frame chassis and a fibreglass body. Other popular kit car options include the Ford GT40, Lotus 7-inspired 'Clubman' cars, and the 'Beach Buggy', which features a reinforced fibreglass chassis and a Volkswagen engine. For those seeking a more unique option, the Vaydor, a restyled Nissan/Infiniti G35 Skyline, is also available. Additionally, the market for electric car kit swaps, where petrol or diesel drivetrains are replaced with electric ones, is booming. While kit cars were once a popular option, they have become nearly extinct in Australia due to the time and financial investment required to build them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Description | Kit cars are vehicles built at home or in small workshops using components sourced from other vehicles, designed to look like more expensive vehicles. |
| Types | "Clubman" cars, "Beach Buggy", "Rocket Bunny Pandem" kits, "Vaydor" (restyled Nissan/Infiniti G35 Skyline), electric car kit swaps, ""neo-classic" cars, replicas (AC/Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40, Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin based on Mazda MX5), and more. |
| Popularity | Once popular, kit cars are now almost extinct in Australia due to the cost and time required for the building process. |
| Customisation | Customisation options range from complete "turnkey" cars ready for registration to partial kits with rolling chassis, wired-in electrics, and trimmed interiors. |
| Price | The price varies depending on the kit and can range from $9,999 AUD to $26,950 AUD. |
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What You'll Learn
AC/Shelby Cobra replicas
Kit cars are vehicles built at home or in small workshops, using components sourced from other vehicles. They are often designed to resemble more expensive cars. Replicas of the AC/Shelby Cobra are among the most popular kit cars in Australia.
The AC Shelby Cobra was first created in the 1960s by Caroll Shelby. Cobra replicas usually consist of a tube-frame chassis with a fibreglass body in the style of the original Cobra roadster. Buyers can then add their own engine, typically a small-block Chevrolet V8, although more powerful GM and Ford engines are also used.
Several companies in Australia offer AC/Shelby Cobra replica kits, including Classic Revival, G-Force Sports Cars, and Venom Cobras. Classic Revival, a family-owned business based in New South Wales, specialises in Cobra kits, focusing on quality craftsmanship. Their "CR-427 Kobra" uses minimal donor suspension parts, resulting in a car that handles like a racing vehicle.
G-Force Sports Cars, based in Perth, Western Australia, offers several Cobra replica kits. Their MKI kit is a fully comprehensive self-assembly kit with a true replica body supplied fitted to the frame. The suspension is designed to run 302-351 Ford V8 engines, and the cost to build is estimated at $70,000 to $75,000. They also offer the MK lll King Cobra Replica, which runs a 5-litre Ford Quad Cam or a redesigned 5-litre Coyotee Kit.
Venom Cobras, while not a kit manufacturer, builds stunning Cobra replicas and can help customers source a kit and build it within their budget.
In addition to the AC/Shelby Cobra replicas, other popular kit cars in Australia include the Lotus 7-inspired 'Clubman' cars, Beach Buggies with Volkswagen engines, and rebodied cars replicating models like the Ferrari 250 GTO and Aston Martin based on a Mazda MX5.
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Lotus 7-inspired 'Clubman' cars
Lotus 7 is considered the quintessential sports car design, reduced to its elemental core. The seventh model in Lotus's lineage, the Seven (and later Super 7) became the design that defined the clubman genre. The popularity of the Lotus 7 led to a whole class of clubman vehicles that are all about home-built super-lightweight fun. The Lotus 7 was among the first cars sold in kit form, as a way of cheapening the cost of buying the vehicle and avoiding delays in assembly.
In Australia, there are at least 10 different clubman makes, most of which are offered in variously staged kit-set forms, while others come fully assembled. Birkin Sportscars is one such company that offers clubman kits to Australian customers. The company was founded in 1982 by John Watson to manufacture performance cars and components. The Birkin S3 was born out of a love for the Lotus Super Seven and made its debut at the South African Grand Prix in 1983. The car was an instant success, and Birkin Sportscars now has an ISO9001 standard production line with a production capacity of 300 cars per year.
Another option for Australians looking to buy a Lotus 7-inspired Clubman car is to build one at home using a Locost kit. Locost kits originated in England in 1996 with the book "Build Your Own Sports Car" and have since become a popular option for those looking to build their own sports car. While a Locost Clubman is not a kit car, it is a popular choice for those looking to build their own car on a budget.
For those who are feeling adventurous, there is also the option to drastically restyle a core Nissan/Infiniti G35 Skyline. This option may not be road legal in Australia, so be sure to do plenty of research before spending any money. The market for electric car kit swaps is also booming, where a petrol or diesel drivetrain is replaced with an electric one. However, the legalities concerning these modifications are not yet well understood.
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Beach Buggies
In the past, several Australian companies manufactured buggy kits, including Astrum, Manta, and Taipan. Today, ProRace Engineering offers the classic 60's beach buggy, THE MAXX BUGGY, in kit form, which can be registered for road use in Australia. The MAXX Buggy is available in two styles: the LWB 4-seater and the classic SWB 4-seater. The LWB can be registered and fitted to a standard unmodified VW Beetle floorpan/chassis. The SWB (Short Wheel Base) body fits the proprietary 'Millennium' chassis, which uses modern technology and does not require old VW components.
Kit cars, in general, are becoming rarer in Australia, as they often require significant time and financial investment. Many people opt for traditional hot rod-style customisations or electric car kit swaps for their favourite rides instead of building a complete vehicle from scratch.
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Electric car kit swaps
Kit cars are typically vehicles built at home or in a small workshop using components sourced from other vehicles. They are often designed to resemble more expensive cars. Some of the most popular kit cars in Australia include replicas of the AC/Shelby Cobra, the Ford GT40, the Lotus 7, and the Beach Buggy.
The market for electric car kit swaps is booming in Australia. This involves replacing a petrol or diesel drivetrain with an electric one. Australian EVS, for example, offers turn-key EV system swaps with batteries included, suitable for replacing 4, 6, and 8-cylinder engines. Their e-kit4 is a single-motor EV conversion system ideal for 4-cylinder classic cars under 1,600 kg, offering 110 eHp and 235 Nm of torque. The e-kit6 is a compact system designed for V6 performance classic cars from the 60s to 90s, providing 210 eHp and 500 Nm of torque. The e-kit8 is a turn-key EV swap package specifically designed for performance vehicles, improving both performance and handling.
EVolution Australia also offers electric car conversion kits to enable customers to convert and upcycle their existing vehicles. While the kits include components and hardware, customers need to perform their own research and have the necessary tools and skills to complete the build, adhering to all engineering requirements for their region.
The legalities of electric car kit swaps in Australia are not yet well understood, so thorough research is necessary before making any modifications. Additionally, while electric vehicles may be more expensive upfront, their lower fuel and maintenance costs can make them a more economical choice in the long run. For example, a fully electric Toyota Landcruiser may cost just 20% to run on electricity compared to diesel, and it becomes free when using solar power.
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Birkin sports cars
Kit cars are vehicles built at home or in small workshops using components sourced from other vehicles. They are often designed to look like more expensive cars. Kit cars are quite rare in Australia now, but there are still ways to build one. For example, you can buy car body kits online for a range of budgets.
The Birkin S3 was designed as a modernised version of the Series 3 Lotus 7. It features independent rear suspension, which offers improved handling and responsiveness. The seller of the car installed the engine and gearbox, as well as the suspension, brakes, steering, body panels, and lights. The car was constructed using a number of high-end components, including Wilwood brakes, Team Dynamics Motorsport wheels with Nankang Sportnex NS-2R tyres, and an Odyssey battery.
Birkin kits are currently only manufactured by Birkin Direct in the USA. The cost of freight from the USA to Australia is currently prohibitive, but this may change in the future.
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Frequently asked questions
Kit cars are vehicles built at home or in small workshops using components sourced from other vehicles. They are often designed to look like more expensive cars.
Some of the kit cars available in Australia include the AC/Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40, Clubman, Beach Buggy, and rebodied cars replicating other production models.
Rebodied car kits in Australia may replicate models such as the Ferrari 250 GTO, Aston Martin based on Mazda MX5s, or Mini-based replicas.
Yes, for those seeking a unique project, the Vaydor is a drastic restyling of the Nissan/Infiniti G35 Skyline. Additionally, the booming market for electric car kit swaps involves replacing a petrol or diesel drivetrain with an electric one.
Some companies offering kit cars in Australia include Birkin Sportscars and Westfield Sportscars, with prices for starter kits ranging from $9,999 to $26,950 AUD.
