Let's face it: They just don't make 'em like they used to. That's true about cars, especially. if you like your car to have a certain look - a Cobra or Lotus Seven look, for instance. You have a couple of options. Either you can become a car-lover on the Great Mission to find the elusive car of your dreams, or you can open up your very own laboratory and make that car yourself.
The key word in the first option is elusive. The trouble with the great old cars is just that - they are old. That means three things: One, they are going to be difficult to find. Two, if you do manage to find a car, it may not be in the best condition, which means a long, difficult overhaul involving the search for hard-to-find parts and a lot of money. Three, if you find a car and it is in good shape, you will be at the mercy of the seller. The seller is a car-lover like you, and will be able to read the degree of your desire.
That makes the idea of building your own car more and more appealing, doesn't it? There are plenty of car body kits out there to help you put a Cobra or Lotus Seven shell around another type of automobile.
One resource for learning about kit cars is www.kitcars.com, an all-inclusive site that can even put you in touch with an additional option for getting your hands on your dream car - actually purchasing a kit car that someone else has built. If you click on the "Kit Cars for Sale" link at the top of the page, you will be able to see that they have seven categories: "Investors & Jobs," "Want To Trade," "Want To Buy," "Equipment & Molds," "Parts for Sale," "Unfinished & Projects" and, of course, "Kit Cars for Sale."
The "Equipment & Molds" listings can be a source of real treasures for car-lovers who would like to start their own kit car business. You can find molds, jigs and fixtures that existing businesses want to sell. You may even find a business owner in this section who actually wants to sell the entire business. That option could be a real find, especially if the business already has a good reputation and the existing owner is willing to train you and help you transition.
Kit cars can be a great way to live your automotive dreams, because they give you greater control over the type of car you wind up with. Whatever you want is probably out there. There are many different types of kits for many different types of cars, so don't think you have to settle for what you can scrounge from a junkyard.