How to Build Your Dream Car

Can’t find the car you’ve always wanted? Build it.

There are only five “real” 1963 Corvette Grand Sports, but you can build your own replica that is easier to own and you can drive every day. (hillbankracing.com)

There are certain cars that evoke a simpler yet more exciting time, such as a 1960s-era Shelby Cobra, a 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, or a Ford GT40. At first glance, for a variety of reasons from cost to availability, it seems highly unlikely that any of them could end up in your garage. But the reality is, with a few caveats, you can have one.

In 1962, a race car driver named Carroll Shelby modified a British sports car by dropping in a huge Ford V-8 engine. His AC Cobra quickly became wildly popular on racetracks and in driveways because of its eye-popping performance and good looks. Factory records indicate a total of 1,003 Cobras were built between 1963 and 1967, with 890 still existing; recent auctions indicate the current value for an original Cobra is about $500,000 for the 289 V-8 model, and about $1.2 million for the 427 Cobra model. The Daytona, a coupe model created to overcome the aerodynamics that limited the open-top car to speeds of 160 mph, was introduced in 1964. Capable of top speeds up to 190 mph, a total of six were built, and sale prices for these models in the early 2000s ranged between $4 million and $8 million.

The reproduction cars arrive as a rolling chassis, allowing the owner to complete them by installing an engine and transmission. (CCISUL/Shutterstock)

In 1963, the Chevrolet Corvette was completely restyled, and a new model, the Grand Sport, was announced. Created as a 550-horsepower racetrack-ready car, an initial run of five Grand Sports was produced for the 1963 Le Mans race. However, when Chevrolet suddenly ended its racing program, an order was issued to destroy the cars. But instead of sending them to the crusher, Zora Arkus-Duntov, Chevy’s director of high-performance vehicles, managed to sneak the cars out and into the hands of drivers such as Roger Penske, who took first place at the 1964 Nassau Trophy Race, alerting Chevrolet that the cars clearly hadn’t been destroyed and were exceeding all expectations on the racetrack. Despite that, Chevrolet didn’t offer a Grand Sport Corvette until 1996.

The original Grand Sports reside in private collections, including Miles Collier’s Revs Institute and car museum in Naples, Florida, making them among the most iconic, sought-after cars ever made.

Superformance’s Cobra reproduction is built under license from Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc. to ensure maximum authenticity. (hillbankracing.com)

Ford’s GT40 has a secure place on most car enthusiasts’ list of dream cars. Its creation was instigated when Enzo Ferrari stepped away from an agreement to sell Ferrari to Ford. Enraged, Henry Ford told his engineers to build a car that would beat Ferrari at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race, resulting in the GT40: “GT” for Grand Touring and “40” for its height in inches at the windshield.

After a rocky first attempt, the car went on to break Ferrari’s dominance at Le Mans by winning it in 1966 through 1969. A total of 87 production cars and 12 prototypes were built, with current values estimated to be in the $10 million range at auction.

These reproduction cars can be licensed for street use, or built solely for track day action. Built as close to original specs as possible, many are actually compatible with authentic parts.
(Courtesy of Shelby Cobra)

These three cars have two things in common: The originals are exceedingly rare, and modern counterparts are readily available. The term “kit car” conjures images of dim, cramped garages in which piles of parts are assembled to resemble a classic car. The results can vary wildly, subject to the skill level and patience of the person building the car. That option has been superseded by firms such as Hillbank Motor Corp., whose cars include Cobra, Daytona, GT40, and Grand Sport reproductions manufactured by Superformance.

Looking exactly like the Ford GT40s that won at Le Mans, the Superformance model can be used to take the kids to soccer practice, earning the owner “coolest parent ever” honors. (hillbankracing.com)

These cars have been engineered to exactly match original specifications wherever possible while utilizing modern materials, components, and assembly methods. The result is a street-legal vehicle built with many parts that are actually interchangeable with those from the original vehicles. The Superformance Cobra is the only Cobra reproduction built under license from Carroll Shelby Licensing Inc., and Superformance’s Grand Sport is built under licensing from General Motors.

Many of the models can be upgraded with comfort options such as air conditioning and sound systems, making them viable for daily driving as well as track day adventures. The engines and transmissions often are covered by manufacturers’ warranties and can be serviced at Ford and Chevrolet dealerships.

The process of building a reproduction may be daunting at first, but they are designed to be completed by owners with only slightly advanced mechanical skills. (Fabio Pagani/Shutterstock)

Originally founded in South Africa and now operating from facilities in Southern California and South Florida, Hillbank eliminates much of the stress of building a car by offering a “turnkey-minus” rolling chassis, which only requires an engine and drivetrain to complete. In this way, the owner purchases a car that has been professionally built by skilled technicians to exacting safety and engineering standards, and then he or she installs an engine and transmission to complete the project. The firm also offers fully assembled zero-mile or pre-owned operational vehicles, as well as an ever-changing inventory of notable collectible cars.

It may be that the best way to actually own your ultimate dream car is to build it yourself.

Powered by modern, reliable engines, these cars deliver adventure every time they rumble to life. (hillbankracing.com)