Going back as recent as the 1990's we saw numerous FIero rebodies or kit cars done. Of late they have seemed to fall out of vogue. If you peruse the archives here you will find Ferrari style rebodies and cars made from Pisa kits like the Artero, ZR-2, and the XTC. You can also find Lamborghini Murcialgo look alikes and designs like the Fino, GT-40, Plazma, and Enterra. One we often forget is the massive Zimmer Quicksilver that was a Fiero based production car. Has the enthusiasm for kit cars declined? I still see a market for custom Fiberglass add on parts and I recently changed the rear taillight panel on my GT to a Corvette C4 style. Also doing one on my notchback. Outside of these nice fiberglass add on parts that some owners use, can anyone explain the loss of interest in kit cars?
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Well, I can't explain the contraction in the kit car market, but at least one kit car company is going very strong, Factory Five Racing. As far as I'm concerned, a visit to their headquarters reminds me of what it must have been like at Ferrari HQs during Enzo's early days....just about everything is done in house by master car builders, designers and artists. FFR doesn't do its own engines, obviously, but it does produce its own suspensions, chassis, bodies, etc. Among their wide line from Cobras, Daytona Coupes, hotrods, etc., they have two mid-engine designs (the GTM runs a LS7 midships in front of a Medeola or Porsche transaxle). They are launching a new V12 powered (front-mid like previous Vettes) this summer. They are selling lots of cars.
IMHO, the drop in the kit car market is mostly due to the lack of interest in anything mechanical and not electronic by this generation. That, and the fact that the most usable production-based platforms for kit cars (Fieros and VW Beetles) are at least 30 years old. Start-up and development costs, increasingly restrictive regulations, a litigious society and the fact that, in reality, almost any production car built today exceeds the performance, convenience, and luxury standards of most kits, have made the desire for a truly individual hand built, affordable kit less likely.
But I could be wrong.
[This message has been edited by Habanera Hal (edited 07-18-2020).]
IMHO, the drop in the kit car market is mostly due to the lack of interest in anything mechanical and not electronic by this generation. That, and the fact that the most usable production-based platforms for kit cars (Fieros and VW Beetles) are at least 30 years old. Start-up and development costs, increasingly restrictive regulations, a litigious society and the fact that, in reality, almost any production car built today exceeds the performance, convenience, and luxury standards of most kits, have made the desire for a truly individual hand built, affordable kit less likely.
But I could be wrong.
Much of what you say is true but of you look at the Fiero audience; when we decided to join it in the mid 90's many owners were in their 20's and 30's. Today that age group of Fiero owner is still there but seems to be a smaller segment. Fiero owners are more in the 40-70 age group now and probably not as adventurous as when they were younger. I still like customizing my Fiero but lean more towards add on fiberglass parts like panels , taillights, scoops, spoilers, and ground effects. Those parts can still be found but even that market seems to be thinning. I guess its all a sign of the times.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
IMHO, the drop in the kit car market is mostly due to the lack of interest in anything mechanical and not electronic by this generation. That, and the fact that the most usable production-based platforms for kit cars (Fieros and VW Beetles) are at least 30 years old. Start-up and development costs, increasingly restrictive regulations, a litigious society and the fact that, in reality, almost any production car built today exceeds the performance, convenience, and luxury standards of most kits, have made the desire for a truly individual hand built, affordable kit less likely.
But I could be wrong.
Spot on nobody wants vintage supercar replica performance. You can give the car it's best but it won't compare to 2020.
For those wanting true supercar on track performance levels, RCR (Race Car Replicas) in Detroit offers a variety of street legal kits. My Lola T70 is currently ordered and under construction. It will be about 600 pounds lighter than my 88 Fiero choptop and power will increase from 480 to 700+
[This message has been edited by Jim88GT (edited 07-19-2020).]
People still love seeing an exotic car being driven even if the performance is just ok. The 4.5 Fiero I have really just keeps up with today's traffic, but it doesn't struggle and is a little different than most cars. We're starting to see other major makers come out with mid engine cars, so there's obviously a hole to fill in the market.
The C8 Corvette may be ushering in a small wave of lower cost mid engine cars like I mentioned (Hyundai is producing one). If the Koreans do bring it to production then others will too. To my thinking there's room for a company to produce a mid engine chassis similar to the way the GTM is produced BUT, one that has optional bodies. I was looking at the side profile of McLarens recently and they are similar to the Audi R8 even though they differ in other styling. And both cars aren't that far off of several other mid engine supercars. So a stock chassis with differently styled bodies might generate a market that a company can survive within.
If Factory Five added a 2nd design to the GTM platform I believe they'd generate additional interest in their product. It's just a different set of molds and altering a few locations of under-body systems and fittings.
For those wanting true supercar on track performance levels, RCR (Race Car Replicas) in Detroit offers a variety of street legal kits. My Lola T70 is currently ordered and under construction. It will be about 600 pounds lighter than my 88 Fiero choptop and power will increase from 480 to 700+
I think that the number 6 car would look good in my basement garage.
Perhaps another side of the issue is the "protect my design" lawsuits that forced some kit cars folks off the road. I think another problem is the cost of engine transplants now days especially since the 4.9(low mileage) is harder to find, L/S stuff is costly. And like some posts, old school kit cars just aren't around for sale very often. Now that our Fieros are old news to the younger crowds, they're going to the Hyundai's, Kia's, Subaru's etc. w/400+ h/p and room for mom & brats-sorry-children. Plug & play electronic stuff.
For those wanting true supercar on track performance levels, RCR (Race Car Replicas) in Detroit offers a variety of street legal kits. My Lola T70 is currently ordered and under construction. It will be about 600 pounds lighter than my 88 Fiero choptop and power will increase from 480 to 700+ 
