New House Bill May Provide the Kit Car Industry a Legal Leg

[Sanji Himura]

Under current US Law, you could legally drive a kit car provided that you built it yourself. Under H.R. 2675, currently in front of the House committee on Energy and Commerce, companies that produce kit car kits could be legally allowed to manufacture up to 500 of them a year. The key difference is that these kit cars could be driven, despite the fact that they may fail safety checks that the real cars might be forced to undertake had they been produced today.


http://gearheads.org/new-house-bill-may-pass-that-kills-the-classic-muscle-car-industry/

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I would be so happy if the investor-speculation driven market for classic cars collapses like the article seems to fear. Everything good is nearly unattainable these days because of wealthy, old, retired "investment buyers". The prices paid at Barrett-Jackson and the like for restored muscle cars is just sickening. As is the "correct chalk mark" restoration game.

 

[Sanji Himura]

As things stand now, all signs are pointing at Barrett-Jackson collapsing because the auction artificially inflates prices by 40%. It is a 20% markup for the seller to sell the car, and an additional 20% markup to the buyer before the car even crosses the block. That 40% also ignores the money that the auction gets by way of consignment fees (which admittedly, is what could be what the 20% markup to the seller is), buyer admission to the auction, and other costs involved to get the car sold (i.e. transportation of the car to and from the auction, something that is independent of the auction).

Overall, in over 43 years (the Barrett-Jackson car auction was actually established in 1972), they have ruined hot rodding for the hobbyist. I'm just glad to see them get their comeuppance.

 

[Slash]

I support this. It might bring the value down on some things but makes them more affordable for anyone to enjoy. Plus, new parts are always a good thing.

 

[Zenith]

Currently the easy way around this is to buy a kit car without a powertrain then install a package recommended by the manufacturer. Boom, running, driving car.

 

[05XR8]

Maybe I'll get my brother to finally make me a Caterham on the cheap in Miami and send it to me.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

If this means cheaper Factory 5 kits, I'm all for it

 

[Omnis]

Someone figure out how to mount LT1s onto BMW's carbon frames. Roll them off the line baja bug style with a fiberglass tub for a body. I'd buy it.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

I wonder if coach building could ever become a thing again? Maybe with the more widespread adoption of carbon tubs over traditional unibodies (at least in the exotic realm), it will allow for custom coach builders again.