Media post: A Quick Guide to Building Your Own Kit Car

If you are a hardcore car enthusiast, surely the ultimate thrill is to build your own vehicle! You could build rare automobile models for a fraction of the price of what an original would cost. However, building a car from scratch on your own is not a task for the fainthearted. It takes a lot of skill to create something as complex as an automobile, and those who attempt it should be commended. Here is a quick guide to building your own kit car.

Before You Start

Building a car is something that should be attempted by people with a lot of spare time, space, money, and a certain amount of knowledge and creative skill.

You might want to share the build with a friend, and that way, it’s not such a daunting task. The expense will be halved too. However, once it is built, you will have the dilemma of deciding how to share the use of the car.

The big question to ask yourself is, do you have the time and money to be able to build a car successfully?

What Do I Need?

If you are taking the plunge and building the car yourself, ensure you have a clean, dry working environment in which to start the process. A watertight and secure garage is the best place to keep the car – you don’t want it lying about outside open to the elements and thieves.

You’ll also need to invest in some high-quality garage tools in order to do the job correctly. Essential tools you will need to build your kit car include: some A-Frame style stands to rest the chassis, so it’s at a comfortable height while building, a trolley jack and axle stands, ratchet gun, riveter, drill, various sockets, hammers, screwdrivers, grinder and discs and, perhaps your most significant outlay, a MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welder,

MIG is going to be your go-to welding type for most auto-body repairs and joins. It works best because it is useful for many kinds of metal and is suitable for quick repairs. It can handle a broader range of thicknesses than TIG or Stick. MIG can manage the materials used in auto bodies without sacrificing strength or clean appearance. Research the best MIG welders for the money.

What Does It Cost?

The most crucial factor you’ll need to consider with the build is budgeting – can you meet the costs and timing involved in the formation to make a success of the project? If so, keep a record of the amount of time and money spent while working.

Car kits can cost tens of thousands of dollars, so it’s not something you can just decide to do half-heartedly. Other resources, like tools and materials, add to the rising cost.

However, if you successfully build a car, license it, and choose to sell it, you will reap the rewards.

Which Kit Car Do I Choose?

Choosing the right model and kit manufacturer is important in keeping within a budget and allows you the opportunity to indulge yourself without totally blowing your savings.

Most basic kit cars will consist of the body of the vehicle and the chassis, as well as a small number of necessary components to allow the car to function.  You can choose from replica cars or original kit cars. Replicas can recreate rare motor vehicles such as classic supercars and originals bring a designer’s vision to life without the high cost of production and giving the customer extensive customization options. Some of the best kit cars include Dax 427, Westfield SDV, Midas Gold, Parallel Torero, and the Caterham Seven 160. The latter being the most comprehensive kit, taking 80-100 hours to complete.

How Do I Build it?

Usually, your kit car will arrive in your garage in the form of a body and a large number of boxes.

Read through the instruction manual very carefully before you start and ensure you have all of the tools needed to build the car. Clear a space in your work area, unbox all of the components and keep them in piles according to the order in which you will need them.

Generally, a car’s main components will be added to the build in the following order: floor, chassis, uprights, engine, radiator, brakes, exterior and interior panels, dashboard, fuel tank, seats, exhaust, lights, bonnet, and wiring.

Should you have any questions, consult the manufacturer, your local mechanic, YouTube videos, or kit car building forums online.

Hit the road!