Kit cars often offer great compromise when searching for an authentically historic driving experience, but with the possibility of more power and reliability in a classic, without diminishing resale value. But sometimes, kit manufacturers take it too far.
10.) Bentley Body Kits For Chrysler Sebring/300C
Whenever I see something like this, I can’t help but shake my head in disgust. No, it won’t transform your retired “premium level” 300C Hertz rental car into a Bentley. Don’t even think about it.
Suggested By: Vlan1, Photo Credit: Craigslist via Jalopnik
9.) Any Lamborghini Countach Replica
The original Countach was an insane, inimitable, piece of machinery. So of course people couldn’t help themselves from attempting to replicate the beauty. Unfortunately, most failed miserably. And then there’s that guy that spent seventeen years crafting one in his basement.
Suggested By: Michael Roselli, Photo Credit: Jalopnik
8.) Factory Five 818S
The Factory Five 818s allows for Subaru owners to make use of parts from their recently wrecked WRX’s and transplant into a tubular framed, composite wrapped, all wheel drive roadster.. The 818 takes the heart from a WRX, as well as several other components, and combines everything to create the open top WRX we never had. And who doesn’t love the brap of Subaru’s boxer four?
Suggested By: SidewaysOnDirt, Photo Credit: Factory Five
7.) Ultima Evolution Coupe
With a top speed of more than 240MPH and a 0-60 time of 2.3 seconds, the Ultima Evolution comes in as one of the most full on, balls out, road cars around the $100,000 mark.
Suggested By:MyNameIsZizou, Photo Credit:Ultima
6.) Exomotive Exocet Miata
What’s better than a stock Miata? A Spec Miata. What’s better than a Spec Miata? An Exocet Miata. Exomotive will take a Miata, strip it, remove the body, cage it, and even drop an LS in it if requested.
Suggested By: Chevy Sonic the Hedgehog, Photo Credit: Exomotive
5.) CaterhamSeven
Why fix something that’s not broken? There’s a reason Caterham has not fiddled with the core formula that makes up the Seven, it’s perfect. Whether you have the 79 horsepower, three cylinder under the hood, or the supercharged, 310 horsepower Duratec, the Seven is one of the most capable and exciting cars one can buy.
Suggested By: Ohto Kang, Photo Credit: Caterham
4.) Ariel Nomad
The plucky, devilish love child of an Ariel Atom and a Rally Fighter.
Suggested By: Clark Miller, Photo Credit: Ariel
3.) Kirkham Motorsports 289 Coupe
The phenomenal body kits and attention to detail throughout Kirkham’s lineup allow for some of the most beautiful Shelby replicas currently available. But I hope you don’t mind dropping over $200,000 for a roller.
Suggested By: Blondude, Photo Credit: Kirkham Motorsports
2.) The Car Factory’s Extra Terrestrial Vehicle
The ETV implores some of the most out of this world design characteristics ever seen fit to a road car. And to think that the poor car underneath all that could’ve started life as an Chevy Aveo, a Toyota MR2, or even a Porsche Boxster, yeesh.
Suggested By: Eezep, Photo Credit: The Car Factory
1.) Lister Bell STR
The Lister Bell STR is one of the few modern reincarnations of one of the most iconic rally cars of all time, the Lancia Stratos HF. The original Stratos won the WRC three times(!). Now Lister Bell offers the same spirit and experience in a car that might not immediately fall apart, but with that same ageless Bertone design.
Suggested By: Brian Silvestro , Photo Credit: Listerbell
Welcome back to Answers of the Day - our daily Jalopnik feature where we take the best ten responses from the previous day’s Question of the Day and shine it up to show off. It’s by you and for you, the Jalopnik readers. Enjoy!
Top Photo Credit: Lister Bell