Corvette kits

[Roy B.]

Corvettes kits are now in the same world as Cobra kits.

http://www.backtothefutureproductsllc.com/

good or bad?? What do you think

[Sandra H.]

Re: Corvette kits

Hi Roy,
As you may have noticed, retro-everything is very hot in the marketplace right now.
This kit car will have fans, especially the ones that want to say they "built" a Corvette, without actually having done all the homework, chasing down parts, etc. All in one neat package with instructions....what a deal, and a company that can be called up to hold their hand if something doesn't go quite right. (Although good luck to them if this was assembled in China, India, etc. Something does get lost in translation. Have you tried putting together anything that says "some assembly required". The first thing I do is throw away the instructions.)
And as more and more of the real deal vintage Vettes are lost, it would seem that the kits would gain some popularity.
I know several people with no noticable mechanical abiltiy that have built Cobras.
(Gosh, maybe I should dump my Corvette and buy an easy kit....this is sounding better all the time.) Just kidding.
Cheers, Sandra

[Louis T.]

good restoration parts for that matter) means more original cars and original car parts available for original and restored cars - a win-win situation all around.

Best regards,

Louis

[Ray G.]

Re: Corvette kits

Hello Roy;

Interesting topic.

Can you imagine an how long it would take an experienced person to do one of these Corvettes, much less an inexperienced individual.

What do you think ? 10-12 years, maybe ?

Just my 2 cents.
Ray

[Stuart F.]

Re: Corvette kits

Do you suppose the Cobra kits have had anything to do with the prices of the originals? They are out of sight!

Stu Fox

[Bruce B.]

Re: Corvette kits

Roy,
It's interesting to read the website of Back to the Future Products and especially the statement where they state that thier kits "are bringing more($$$) then restored originals".
A friend of mine had a high dollar resto rod Corvette built by a excellent mid-western company, the car cost $170,000.00 originally in 2004. He bought it right and it sold at Mecums Indy auction recently for $80,000.00 and he was happy to get rid of it. It was a fantastic KIT CAR.
A kit car will always be a kit car, with no solid basis for value in my opinion.

[Sandra H.]

Re: Corvette kits

Hi Ray,
The 2 guys I knew that did Cobra kit cars did them in 2 and 3 years, respectively. Neither had much mechanical abilities (or tools), but had friends that helped them out. (Both cars were sent out for some of the work.)
Both guys were in their early 50's....engineers, and just looking for an interesting hobby that everyone else wasn't doing.
Would be interesting to see what age group buys the Corvette kits and why.
Best, Sandra

[Roy B.]

Re: Corvette kits

Do you suppose the Cobra kits have had anything to do with the prices of the originals? They are out of sight!

Stu Fox

When a kit becomes vary popular of a certain year car or Corvette it creates a high interest in that car which in turn will make the original car more rare and force the price much higher. Because so many kit Cobra's were made people think the real ones are priceless.

[Sandra H.]

Re: Corvette kits

Just as side note Roy.....talking about driving the price of originals skyhigh.
Visited recently with a guy I know in Montana that does fancy chrome plating......has a fellow's original Corvette (older car, but don't know what year) that has spent $260,000 on the restoration so far.
Really can't imagine what he has had done that would cost that much, but the plating guy said the owner was really proud of the expense.

Sandra

[Roy B.]

Re: Corvette kits

Just as side note Roy.....talking about driving the price of originals skyhigh.
Visited recently with a guy I know in Montana that does fancy chrome plating......has a fellow's original Corvette (older car, but don't know what year) that has spent $260,000 on the restoration so far.
Really can't imagine what he has had done that would cost that much, but the plating guy said the owner was really proud of the expense.

Sandra

Some people love saying how much they spent restoring their car , like the paint and thinking more people would be more impressed with their car.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Corvette kits

I guess it is safe then to say the old adage that you never get back what you put into it is still true. Then it must also be true that the real value is intrinsic and not in dollars and cents. Or as the M/C commercial goes; the feeling of accomplishment you get from building (kit)/restoring (original)
"is priceless".

Stu Fox

[Martin N.]

Re: Corvette kits

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"....To quote someone.

Marty

[Richard P.]

Re: Corvette kits

Some of the parts on the Back to the Future website seem pretty expensive compared to the usual suppliers.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Corvette kits

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"....To quote someone.

I love the internet...

C.C. (Charles Caleb) Colton (1780–1832), British author, clergyman, in his book Lacon.

Another great quote from the same book...

"When you have nothing to say, say nothing."

I don't follow this advice, often finding "nothing about something" very entertaining.

[Martin N.]

Re: Corvette kits

Yes, I agree Chuck.... finding a quote out of a book is easier than coming up with one on your own. one never knows if it'll catch on.

Marty