Top 10 Best Kit Cars You Can Build on a Budget

There are only two ways to build your own sports car in today’s market: either have enough money to convince a big manufacturer to create a custom model for you or build a kit car yourself. Purchasing a kit car provides greater variation than purchasing an ordinary sports car, which is its main benefit. For example, builders can usually choose the engine they want and add as many aftermarket upgrades as they like without worrying about voiding a warranty.

10 Best Kit Cars You Can Build on a Budget

Realm Engineering Heritage C Type – $25,000
Carolina Vaydor – $23,800
Factory Five Type 65 Coupe – $22,990
Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod – $20,990
Factory Five Mk4 Roadster – $20,990
Arma GT – $18,150
GBS Zero – $17,430
Racing K-1 Attack – $16,500
Vintage Motorcars Speedster – $15,000
MNR VortX – $15,000

1. Realm Engineering Heritage C Type – $25,000

When it comes to turning one Jaguar into another, the Realm Engineering Heritage C-Type is an irresistible choice for budget-conscious enthusiasts. Inspired by the iconic C-Type roadster, this replica pays homage to the legendary Ecurie Ecosse cars raced at Le Mans in the 1950s. Unlike Jaguar’s pricey Continuation models, which cost millions, Realm Engineering offers an affordable alternative with a starting price of $25,000.

This stunning replica features a composite body painted metallic blue with Ecurie Ecosse-style white stripes, roundels, and fender shields. Under the hood lies a 4.2-liter XK inline-six engine paired with a Toyota five-speed manual transmission, ensuring a blend of performance and reliability. Additional highlights include a tubular steel frame, independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, 16″ painted wire wheels, triple Weber carburetors, and a side-exit exhaust.

The cockpit boasts fixed-back bucket seats in red leather, a wood-rimmed steering wheel, and classic Smiths gauges, delivering a vintage racing feel. Built as a tribute to a motorsport icon, this kit car captures the spirit of Jaguar’s C-Type at a fraction of the cost, making it one of the best budget-friendly kit cars to build.

2. Carolina Vaydor – $23,800

When it was used as the Joker’s vehicle film “Suicide Squad,” the Vaydor made headlines and is still for sale today. It uses the donor car’s stock chassis and most of its interior components, unlike many of the other kit vehicles here. The donor car is an Infiniti G35 Coupe. The main body kit, priced at $16,000, and several accessories, such as unique interior parts and scissor door hinges, are available separately. Buyers will pay a rather high $23,800 for everything including the inside upholstery kit.

3. Factory Five Type 65 Coupe – $22,990

Original Daytona Coupes are a key part of Carroll Shelby’s legacy and cost millions, making it almost impossible to see one in person, let alone drive it. Factory Five offers a solution with the Type 65 Coupe, which is as close as you can get to the real thing without needing an eight-figure budget. There are two versions of the kit. The more affordable price of this kit is $17,990 and needs a Mustang donor car. For an extra $5,000, a “complete kit” is available that only requires a powertrain, wheels, and paint.

4. Factory Five ’33 Hot Rod – $20,990

Factory Five is one of the most popular American kit car makers, and it’s easy to see why. The company offers a range of affordable kits, with the most retro option being the ’33 Hot Rod. It’s available in two stages for $10,990 each or as a complete kit for $20,990. Unlike many kit cars, the ’33 Hot Rod doesn’t need a donor car. Factory Five builds everything in-house, including the chassis, body, suspension, and interior, leaving only the drivetrain for the builder to source on their own.

5. Factory Five Mk4 Roadster – $20,990

Genuine Shelby Cobras are incredibly rare and valuable, with some selling for over $5 million at auctions. This makes them out of reach for most people, except the wealthiest collectors. Thankfully, the replica market offers a way for enthusiasts to own and drive their own Cobra at a much lower cost. One popular option is Factory Five’s Mk4 Roadster, which costs $20,990 for the complete kit. The wheels and tires must be purchased separately, and like most kit vehicles, it needs an engine and transmission.

6. Arma GT – $18,150

The Arma GT kit supercar is still quite new, having launched in 2022, and only a few kits seem to have been sold so far. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking to create a truly unique car. The kit starts at CAD 24,000 (around USD 18,150), but like most kits, the buyer needs to handle the powertrain, tires, and interior upholstery. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s still much more affordable than buying a supercar from a well-known manufacturer.

7. GBS Zero – $17,430

Based on the Lotus Seven, Great British Sports Cars (GBS) offers a kit called the Zero, which can be shipped directly to the U.S. from the factory. The price of this kit is around $17,430, including a 5% export fee. Buyers in other regions can also purchase a fully assembled version, but this option isn’t available in North America

8. Racing K-1 Attack – $16,500

The Czech company B-racing provides a number of K-1 Attack kit car versions that are customized to different donor vehicles. It’s not the most affordable option, with a complete kit for gas-powered donors starting at $18,500, but it offers simpler installation. The company claims that the latest version only requires a basic mechanic’s toolset, with no cutting or welding needed.

9. Vintage Motorcars Speedster – $15,000

One of Porsche’s most famous cars, the 356 manufactured more than 76,000 units. The largest killer of cars is rust, and while over half of those were shipped to America, the great majority have long since been relegated to the scrap metal heap. A visually comparable duplicate made from a VW Beetle chassis is available from California-based Vintage Motorcars, adding to the expanding 356 copy the company. The car, designated as the Speedster, can be bought as a turn-key vehicle or as a kit; the Stage 1 kit is priced at $15,000.

10. MNR VortX – $15,000

The Lotus Seven’s enduring popularity has inspired many kit car makers, including U.K.-based MNR Sportscars. Their VortX RT kit stands out for its flexibility, offering options to fit a variety of donor vehicles, including both cars and motorcycles. Popular choices include the 1.6-liter Mazda engine from some MX-5 Miata models and Toyota’s 1.8-liter engine.

Bottom Line:

A great way for enthusiasts to build their ideal cars without going over budget is by using kit cars. There is a wide range of possibilities that satisfy various preferences and price ranges, from flexible sports cars to replicas of classic icons. There is something for everyone, whether your inspiration comes from the classic style of a Jaguar C-Type, the excitement of a Shelby Cobra replica, or the freedom to create a unique supercar. These inexpensive kits provide you the chance to make something fascinating and genuinely unique while also getting the satisfaction of doing it yourself.