REPLICARS
Many people build Hotrods and Custom cars, but there are a handful
of enthusiasts out there that always strive for something different, in
this case building something very much the same. Replicars!
This
page contains just a few of the replica cars and kitt cars that have been
built over the years. Some are from the distant past duplicating major brand
names and some are from the present which include many movie and television
automobiles. A few are a mixed breed which I'll include also. These are
not "restored" vehicles, they are built up of miscellaneous parts
to resemble cars of the past.
Both companies and individuals
have reproduced various makes. Some are attempting to bring a past model
back to life. Everyone has their separate reasons to build the car. Perhaps
it was a long gone vintage car, one of their favorite cars in a movie or
tv series, one of a kind or limited production, not available to buy, too
expensive to buy, a car with memories, an eye catcher...and the list of
reasons continues. To others it merely presented a challenge to reproduce.
Here a small sampling of makes and models. (not all in order) - Replicas (not the original cars)
Auburn
Ford Model A
Tucker
Avanti
Ford T Bird
Pantera
Bugatti
Fraser Nash
Hot Rod replicas
Cobra
Cord
Bradley
Corvette
Jaguar
Lamborghini
Jaguar
Mercedes
Mercedes
Ferrari
Porsche
Studebaker
Ford Model T
Austin Healey
Barron
Dusenberg
Cord
MG
Centaur Roadster
Some of the Television & Movie Cars - Replicas (not the original movie cars)
Black Interceptor
See Mad Max
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
MadMax
Above are just a few of the completed cars, I'm sure there are more cars still in progress or not shown.
TV & Movie cars: Legal issues are a mixed bag.
Most of the TV & movie companies seem to look at it as free publicity
but some current owners of original vehicles seem to dislike the growing
competition, particularly if they bring in an income from the vehicle. Similar
to if you own a store and another shop selling the same thing moves in next
door you may not welcome them with open arms. I heard that just after the
Batmobile was created someone built a reproduction Batmobile and George
Barris, the designer, had it reprocessed, legally then it was questionable.
I never heard the full story or outcome, but things have changed over the
years and many more have been built. Using the same name can also be an
issue on some cars. Using the car for profit can also sometimes be a sticky
point. Email me if you have more qualified legal information to post.
Viewers and fans seem to like originals and replicars, just
so they are aware if it's the real thing or if it's a replica. Many originals
end up in museums and the "clones" tend to still get out for public
viewings.
Many of the cars bring back good memories from long ago. Poor reproductions can bring a chuckle and detailed reproductions bring ooh's and ahh's.
Anyone considering building a replicar should examine what they are getting into. Where some kit cars may not be too involved others may require...
- Countless hours of research
- Countless hours of planning
- Countless hours of searching for parts, or people to manufacture them.
- Countless hours of jobbing out what you can't do yourself.
- Countless hours of waiting on others.
- Countless amounts of money spent
- Countless headaches, when things don't go right
- Countless hours in your shop or garage
- Countless hours of enjoyment.
Search on the Web "kit cars", "replicar", "replica car", ("your make") for more cars and info, this just touches on a few of the vehicles out there.
If you have any other information on legal issues, please
forward it to me and I'll include it on the site. If I missed some makes
you can forward the make and a image and I'll upload overtime. Please
type " Replicars" in Email subject line. Thanks.
Web master Email
List of more of the Kit Cars & Replicars, (not including TV, movie cars)
- Allied Fiberglass
- Almquist
- American Custom Coach
- Antique & Classic Cars
- Aquila
- Astra
- Auburn
- Auriga
- Auto Craft
- Autoprise
- Bantam
- Baron
- Baroque
- Bay Products Corp.
- Bearcat
- BGW
- Blakely Auto Works
- Bradley
- Bremen Sport Equip.
- Brubaker
- Bugatti
- Caballista
- California Elegance
- Chevrolet
- Chimo
- Cimbria
- Classic Motor Carriages
- Clenet
- Cobra
- Condor
- Cord
- Coupe La Grand
- Creighton
- Custom Coachbuilders
- Daytona Automotive
- De Turano
- Almquist
- Desande
- Diamante
- Dietz
- Doval Coach
- Duesenberg
- Duke
- EMX
- Fiberfab
- Ford
- Frazer-Nash
- G/H Industries
- Gatsby
- Gazelle
- GKN
- Glass Vac
- Glassic/Shay
- Grandiose
- Guanci Automobiles
- Horseless Carriage Corp.
- Intermeccanica
- Invader
- Jaguar
- Kadison-Kelson
- Kanzler
- Kar Manufacturing
- Kellison
- Kelmark
- Lafer
- Lindberg M-32
- Lordship Antique Auto
- Manta
- Mantis
- Manx
- Maxi Motors
- Minelli
- Model T & Model A Corp.
- Diamante
- Motorcar Classics
- Porsche
- Prestige Classics
- Quattroroute-Zagato
- Rambler
- Renaissance
- Roadster Reproductions
- Sceptre
- Scorpion
- Sea Gull
- Sebring
- Shalako
- Solar 1
- Sorrell
- Sparks
- Sports Car Engineering
- Sportsland Unlimited
- Squire
- Sterling
- Stutz
- Super Seven
- Surrey
- Swift
- Talisman
- Thoroughbred Tiger
- Tiffany
- Timis Motor Co.
- Total Performance
- TX Tripper
- Universal Plastics
- Veebirds
- Veep
- Vokaro
- Wescott
- Willow
- Ye Olde Classic Touring Car
- Porsche