Articles: Kit Car Directory – 221

May 22nd, 2010 by NZ Classic Car

Given our fondness for the ‘special’, it’s not surprising that Kiwis have a huge choice when it comes to selecting a NZ-made kit car

Many of our local manufacturers have gained international renown for the quality of their cars. Almac Cobras are recognised all over the world, no mean feat as the Cobra is one of the most replicated cars of all time. Alternative Cars’ T-Car has earned many international accolades for its exemplary fit and finish, while the Le Mans-inspired Saker SV series cars have achieved notable European successes with its own racing series.

Mind you, when it comes to kit cars it’s hard to go past Colin Chapman’s legendary Lotus 7 — and replicas of these back-to-basics sports cars are seemingly produced in all parts of the world. In this, New Zealand is no exception, and Lotus-inspired cars are available from a number of local manufacturers.

While Fraser Cars are probably the best-known producer of Lotus 7-style clubman cars (click here for a full feature on Fraser Cars), other notable vehicles are the Leitch Super Sprint and the Chevron Classic, both of which have been on the market for many years. Chevron has also branched out into less basic cars — the Aprisa and the Cypher.

Although probably best known for its Cobra replicas, Almac Cars also produces the very cost effective Clubsprint and Clubsprint XL. New kid on the block in this arena is McGregor Motorsport of Christchurch, which also produces splendid Lotus 7-style clubman sports cars, ranging from relatively mild four-cylinder twin-cam variants right out to a wild, V8-powered confection.

With a different take on the more traditional clubman formula, Redline Performance Cars offers a car inspired by the Lola-Climax MkI — a swoopy, enclosed-wheel sports car that evokes a keen sense of ’60s design allied to modern levels of performance and handling.

For those who value style over sheer performance, it’s hard to go past the T-Car — one of New Zealand’s most popular and best-established kit cars. Taking inspiration from the classic T-Series MGs, the T-Car offers traditional sports car styling for those who want to stand out from the crowd. The MkVI version of the T-Car features modern mechanicals — from the Mazda MX-5 — which allows for no-fuss classic motoring.

And the choice doesn’t end there, as those looking for the perfect reproduction are also well served. As an instance, down in Dunedin Coventry Classics hand-builds superb Jaguar C-Types based on the original factory designs. The finished cars are simply stunning, and the nearest thing you could get to a genuine factory C-Type.

Tempero Coach & Motor Works also operates in the world of bespoke reproduction cars and, as well as its world-famous D-Type replicas, it has fashioned nut-and-bolt perfect reproductions of cars such as the amazing, mid-engined Jaguar XJ13 and the classic Ferrari TR250.

On the same list you’ll also see Classic Car Developments of Invercargill, which produces craftsman-built C-Type and Ford GT40 replicas. The GT40, meticulously built by Dave Brown, differs from many other similar cars in that it features a full monocoque body, just like the originals.

However, if you want maximum flash for your cash it’s hard to overlook the Countess — a stunning reproduction of Lamborghini’s famously over-the-top Countach. Made in Feilding by Countess Mouldings, the Countess is a surprisingly faithful reproduction and can be built in almost any form — from a perfectly manageable road car to a wild, fire-breathing competition vehicle.

Additionally, New Zealand boasts a number of specialised crasftmen such as Sam Lyle, Ray Larsen and Allan Bowden, all of whom are capable of producing spectacular, one-off creations — as evidenced by our continuing series of features detailing Classicar Restorations’ Ferrari 250GT0 replica.

New Zealand may be a small country, but the choice of locally made cars is huge — while the quality is world class. Do your research, check them out and make your choice — whatever you choose you won’t be disappointed.

Alternative Cars Ltd
Russell Hooper
PO Box 13 207, Onehunga, Auckland
Ph 021 939 436
Email: hooper.russell@gmail.com
www.sportscars.co.nz

The home of the T-Car, probably the most numerous NZ-made kit car ever. Cast in the mould of traditional MG sports cars of the ’50s, the current T-Car MkVI boasts a purpose-built chassis housing predominantly Mazda MX-5 mechanicals.

Chevron Engineering
5 Hewlett Road, Massey, Auckland
Ph 09 833 4640/fax 09 833 4793
Email: evan@chevron.co.nz
www.chevron.co.nz

There are three models on offer; the Classic Lotus 7-style sports car; the enclosed wheel Aprisa specifically designed for club racing; and the advanced Kevlar/carbon fibre-bodied Cypher, a fully enclosed, V8-powered sports car for road and track use.

Almac Cars 25th Anniversary
Almac Cars is celebrating 25 years of continuous production of its 427SC Cobra replica. These cars have been exported to countries all over the world, but the majority have been self-built by enthusiasts around New Zealand. With a strong order book, demand is still strong.

Almac has recently begun work on Almac Cobra #1 — which has been almost finished a number of times but cannibalised for parts over the years. This time there is a determination to complete the car, which is now fitted with a Ford 351 V8, Jaguar rear end and Torana/HQ front suspension
and steering.

It should not be forgotten that, as well as its Cobra 427C, Almac produces the in house-styled Sabre — now in S2 form — and two variations of a Lotus 7-style car, the Clubsprint and the new Clubsprint XL, a completely redesigned version of the older Clubsprint with a wider, longer and deeper chassis to accommodate a range of engines, including a Rover V8. The Clubsprint XL utilises a Mazda MX-5 as a donor car.

We had hoped to road-test Almac Cars’ Clubsprint XL demonstrator for this issue but, alas, the car was not finished in time. Hopefully we’ll get onto to it later this year.
All Almac cars can be supplied as kits to any stage of build, up to a finished turnkey vehicle.

Almac Cars
PO Box 40 483
Nicolaus Street
Upper Hutt
Wellington
Ph 04 528 8680/ fax 04 528 8680
Email: almaccars@paradise.net.nz
www.almac.co.nz

Countess Mouldings
314 Halcombe Road, RD5 Feilding
RD 5, Feilding, Manawatu
Ph 06 323 4935/fax 06 323 4931
Email: countess@inspire.net.nz

The Countess is one of the world’s best recognised Lamborghini Countach replicas.

Classic Car Developments
17 Howarth Street, Invercargill
Ph/fax 03 215 6893

Hand-built Jaguar C-Type and full monocoque Ford GT40 replicas.

Coventry Classics
Taieri Airport, 58 Stedman Road
PO Box 147, Mosgiel 9053, Dunedin
Ph 03 489 6870/fax 03 489 6820
Email: mark@southair.co.nz
www.coventry-classics.com

Gorgeous, alloy-bodied reproductions of the C-Type built to Jaguar’s original design. The cars are constructed using modified Jaguar MkVII/XK120 components or parts fabricated from raw materials to the original design — the way Jaguar made them back in the ’50s.

DRB Sports Cars
Ph 021 217 6596
Email: nshirley@xtra.co.nz

Cobra and GT40 replicas.

Leitch Motorsport & Restoration Ltd
44 McIvor Road, RD6 Invercargill
Ph 03 215 9791/fax 03 215 9891
Email: b.leitch@ex.co.nz
www.leitchmotorsport.com