It seems rare these days that a new kit car comes along to really capture the kind of imagination, interest, and emotion this new Camaro-based model is generating. We ran a small Specialty Scene item on the beautiful Evoluzione from the Eastern European country of Slovakia, and almost immediately the phone began to ring, e-mails flew across the world, and K-1's newly appointed U.S. distributor, American Speed Enterprises, was inundated with interest.
We asked ourselves, "What is it about this car that has caused such a stir?" On reflection of the state of the kit car business, we finally concluded that the Evoluzione represents a fantastic alternative, a non-replica if you will, of an Italian supercar. You see, Ferrari has been relentless in pursuing replica builders to a point where they are either out of business or driven underground. That has left a big hole in the kit car market where the Evo's aggressive, Euro looks provide a replacement and an alternative to other Italian exotica.
The Evoluzione is not a replica, a copy, or a clone of anything, yet it has the feeling and aura of an Italian supercar. Let's face it, at our strata of life who knows what an F50, an F355, and most other Ferrari models really look like in person? You just don't see them every day. As much as Ferrari's lawyers won't like hearing this, it follows then that most folks will identify the Evo as a prancing-horse design. We've experienced similar mistaken identities in a variety of other kit cars, and it's mostly a case of ignorance.
We're really not surprised at all by the interest the Evoluzione is getting. After all, it is a handsome, aggressive car built on one of our all-time favorite donors: the '82-'92 Camaro/Firebird. Making this sleek design perform like a supercar is as easy as picking up the phone and ordering bolt-on stuff from the Summit catalog. The bottom line with the Evo is a great-looking head-turner that can mix it up with the best performance cars on the boulevard.
The transformation from Camaro to Evoluzione appears rather straightforward as rebody projects go. In overly simplified terms, the front fenders are removed, frame horns shortened a bit, then the front clip and hood added. There is a little inner-panel cutting necessary in the engine compartment to accommodate the projector-beam headlight frames, but it's minor. A rear clip with integral sail panels covers the stock rearend but maintains the rear hatch. The new sail panel configuration disguises the stock panels and cleverly allows full use of the stock hatch and rear window. Rocker panels and door skins round out the fiberglass components in the transformation.
The big wing is an interesting component of the Evo kit in that it slides fore and aft on railways to facilitate opening the rear hatch. It can be moved manually or electo-hydraulically (a $250 option) at the touch of a button. It automatically slides aft out of the way, then returns to its position when the hatch is closed.
K-1 includes a lot of components for the Evoluzione's kit price of around $6,300 plus shipping. The kit includes the two-piece bonded hood, upper radiator and light compartment cover, front clip, front fenders, front bumpers/spoiler, grille reinforcements, side view mirrors (which accommodate stock mirrors), door skins, side skirts, rear clip, rear fenders, rear bumper/spoiler, rear glass cover, rear wing, projector beam headlight units, taillights, fog lamps, rear triangle B-pillar windows, door handles, emblems, grilles, fuel-tank hose adapter, muffler adapter pipe, dashboard, dash vents, door panels, and a step-by-step instruction manual and video tape.
It would be a great disservice to the overall exotic looks of this car to leave the Camaro interior untouched. K-1 includes the wraparound Euro-style dash with the kit which transforms it into something unique. K-1 also includes door-panel modules that change the look. The dash can accommodate either stock gauges or aftermarket instruments. It also has space for a rear-view monitor, stereos, sundry trays, etc. All of the air-conditioning vents are remounted in the new dash along with the heater/air conditioner control. On this prototype, the company had flocked most of the surfaces in a matching color which gave the cockpit a very exotic, factory-fresh appearance. Of course, a new steering wheel and shift knob were added to continue the look. The door panels maintain the stock hardware, though the handles can easily be modified slightly to disguise them as stock. It wouldn't take too much shopping around the aftermarket for other items that would update the cockpit-like seats, pedals, carpeting, etc.
The Evoluzione kits will fit '82-'92 Camaros and Firebirds, but the company recommends '88-'90 due to availability and reasonable price range. The kit would be particularly cool mounted on a T-top version, which K-1 is currently building, and they get plenty of questions as to whether it could be built on a convertible. Though the company hasn't yet done a convertible conversion, they're confident that with some added work it could easily be done.
The rear clip and door skins make the body some 9 inches wider than stock. K-1 recommends 13.5x17-inch wheels at the rear wrapped with 335/35-17 Pirelli P-Zero or Michelin Pilot rubber. The front wears 9x17-inch wheels with 245/55-17 tires. The company offers a specially made Compomotive wheel to fit the rear of the Evo--it's a rim with a deep offset and can be used without any spacers.
The stock Camaro/Firebird suspension is retained, but K-1 recommends lowering the suspension by using Belltech drop spindles in the front and lowering springs in the rear. The prototype, for instance, was lowered 1.5 inches in front and 3 inches in the rear for a very aggressive stance.
The Evoluzione is a refreshing addition to the American landscape in that it is an original design with a European flair and the aura of an Italian supercar. We predict good things for the Evo. Though it comes from an unlikely place, it is sure to fill a hole nicely in the kit car market with something exciting and sexy.