Although this is the July issue of KIT CAR, the kit and replicar industry as a whole is just now getting into its calendar of outdoor car shows. The two largest events the industry is involved in, the Association of Handcrafted Automobiles' (AHA) Fun Under The Sun at Knott's Berry Farm and the Carlisle Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals, will have happened by the time you read this, and coverage of both shows will be in the next (September) issue of KIT CAR.
However, over the past two years KIT CAR has shown that while these two events are must-attends for the kit and replicar crowd, there are a great many other events being held around the country that should be put on the front burner when considering where you'd like to take your kit. Because shows such as the AutoRama, World of Wheels, and various other indoor events (such as the Grand National Roadster Show) are held during the winter months, when the weather usually isn't so conducive to driving through the countryside in an open roadster, they are the perfect venues for car owners who want something to do with their rides rather than watch the snow build up outside the garage door.
Summertime, on the other hand, is when you want to get in your ride and drive! Knott's and Carlisle are perfect locations and opportunities to show the general populace what it means to build and own a kit car nowadays rather than what they think a kit car should look like. There are many car builders out there employing the highest standards in build quality, and it will continue to be the job of this magazine to show our readers who they are and how they accomplished the work.
In the coming months KIT CAR will be traveling all over the country to bring the best of the kit and replicar world to your mailbox (or newsstand, if you don't get KIT CAR sent to your home, even though you should!). Readers often e-mail pictures of their projects to us, and we're impressed with what is happening out there, and also with the many shops who are devoted to supplying the industry with quality parts and assembly.
But KIT CAR can always use more input, so this is an open invitation to anyone who feels they have an exceptional kit or replicar to let us know about it. If you're working on a new project, send in some photos and a little description of what it is, who made it, what you're using for power, etc. The invitation also goes out to those who have already finished their project and are enjoying driving it as well as those who have a vintage kit (say a Gazelle or an Avenger) still on the road. Be sure to let us know how many miles are on it and the car's history. If the computer isn't your favorite mode of communication, you can send the photos and write-up to: KIT CAR, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870. If you want to send the photos/info via e-mail, send them to kitcar@primedia.com and make sure the images are at least 1-meg in size, otherwise they'll be too small for print.
The same invitation goes out to any kit car club who would like to show the rest of the world what they do on weekends. So if you went on a cruise, raised money for a charity, or just got a group together for doughnuts on a Saturday morning, then send in a picture of what went on along with the name of the club, how long you've been together, and what was happening at the event. (And we're still looking to kit car clubs to add KIT CAR to their club newsletter mailings, so send 'em in!).
Nothing will kill a movement faster than inactivity. You have to participate in one form or another (indoor or outdoor shows, cruises, driving events, etc.) or no one will know how cool kit and replicars are, so get out in your car and drive!