The Kit Car industry has gone through some changes over the years, but there is still a thriving community of Kit Car enthusiasts and small manufacturers dotted around the UK. As early as 1896 the idea of a car that was sold as components to be assembled at home by the purchaser was conceived, but it wasn`t until the 1950s that the Kit Car industry and popularity developed in a big way. Because rust protection was still not well applied in the motoring industry, companies found a niche market producing shells and components for cars which would work in unison with older mechanical parts from cars whose own exterior had corroded or broken. In the UK up until the 1970s some of the more major automobile manufacturers sold their cars disassembled as `components` as this exploited a loophole in the tax system which meant that they didn`t have to pay car tax. Here`s a quick top 5 of the most popular classic Kit Cars.

Caterham 7 - To see why this is the daddy of Kit Cars, have a look at the history below

Triumph TR7 - Big on the Kit Car scene and made popular when released in 1989 by Robin Hood Engineering for less than a grand!

Lotus Elan - It seems that Lotus can`t be faulted for the adaptability of their cars, as this was originally available as a kit car in the 60s for the more frugal speed freaks out there.

Nova/Stirling Kit Car - Founded in England in the 70s, Stirling produced a series of kits that bolted onto VW chassis, notably the Beetle giving Ferrari looks at budget price

AC Cobra - Again a 60s design that has endured in the Kit Car world, this racer has great heritage and looks, and is the result of Anglo-American engineering

The most popular cars to be replicated by the Kit Car industry and its followers was the Lotus 7, the design of which is still used and modified by Kit Car enthusiasts and manufacturers, the most famous of which is arguable the Caterham 7. After production of the original Lotus 7 ended in 1972, Caterham bought the rights to the 4th generation design of the car and began producing it themselves in 1973. Because of the popularity of the original and the flexibility of the design, in 1984 the `Starter Kit 7` was released which was a set of the entire disassembled components of a 7 which were designed to be compiled by the customer. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the original 7, and though the engines and manufacturers may have changed, the original is still a motoring idol for kit and sports car fans alike.

In terms of the Van market within the kit and replica car modification scene, the Citroen H is the original from which all others draw inspiration. Originally produced between 1947 and 1981, the versatility of this vehicle was appreciated by organisations from the police to the dairy farmers, and is nowadays reserved for enthusiasts who restore and maintain these old vans to show off at events or to go camping, just as they were intended. If you`re looking to buy a Kit Car or a Classic Car it`s important that you get the right kind of car insurance, and comparing the available offers or using an insurer that specifically caters for vehicle ownership of your type is advisable, as is considering the risks of owning such a vehicle.