When the Fiero came out in 1984, it was a kit builder's dream come true. The mid-engine sports car had removable plastic body panels and was perfect for rebody jobs. By the late '80s dozens of exotic car clones were introduced to fit on the Fiero chassis. Initially the market was just about split between Ferrari and Lamborghini replicas. However, Ferrari immediately began filing legal action against any company imitating its products. Lamborghini didn't seem to care, so soon Lambo copies were the hot setup.
Countach kits then split into two styles. The less expensive ones were attached to a standard-length Fiero chassis, while the more accurate (and pricier) kits required lengthening the Fiero chassis to the same wheelbase as an original Countach. Fiero-based kits usually retained the transverse engine mounting, though bigger V-6s and V-8s often replaced the anemic Fiero powertrains. Some of the most popular Fiero-based Countach kits were sold by IFG, D&R, EuroWorks, The Car Factory, and Exotic Illusions. As Fiero-based kits gained popularity, the more expensive (and harder to build) kits with dedicated chassis lost favor.
The Diablo And BeyondWhen the Diablo came out in 1989 the kit car industry was not far behind. Soon Fiero-based Diablo kits were being built by IFG, Euroworks, Lamboshop, American Fiberbodies, and D&R. Most were built on stretched Fiero chassis, although Euroworks had a standard-length Fiero version. Since early-2000 there has been a resurgence of interest in dedicated chassis for Lambo kits. Special frames set up for V-8s (and even BMW V-12s) are now in production by Chassisworks, RKS Design, Lone Star, and North American Exotic Replica Cars.
Lamborghini replicas have proven to be popular kits, and there are rumors that Gallardo and Murcielago clones are on the way. If Lamborghini maintains its hands-off policy, these kits will surely be successful too.
Lamborghini, By Model350GT: 1964. Front-engine 3.5L V-12. 400GT: 1965. Bored-out 350GT. 3.9L.400GT 2+2: 1966. Stretched 400GT with small back seat.Islero: 1968. Rebodied 400GT 2+2.Espada: 1968. four-seat touring car with 400GT engine.Espada S: 1969. Same 379hp engine as Miura S.Jarama: 1970. four-seat replacement for the Espada. 350hp V-12.Jarama S: 1972. Upgraded to 365hp.Miura: 1967. Mid-engine transverse 3.9L 350hp V-12. Miura S: 1969. Hotter 379hp engine.Miura SV: 1971. Hotter Miura with 385hp.Urraco P250: 1973. Mid-engined transverse 2.5L 220hp SOHC V-8. Urraco P300: 1974. 3L DOHC version of the Urraco. 265hp.Urraco P200: 1974. A 2L SOHC Urraco only for the Italian market. Countach LP400: 1974. Mid-engined 3.9L 375hp V-12 supercar. Countach S: 1978. Uprated suspension and body but only 353hp.Countach LP500: 1982. 4.7L 375hp V-12. Countach LP500S Quattrovalvole: 1985. 5.1L 455hp V-12, four-valveper-cylinder heads. Silhouette: 1976. Restyled Targa-top version of the Urraco P300.Jalpa: 1981. Upgraded Silhouette with 3.5L V-8.LM002: 1982. Military-utility vehicle. 4WD. 7L 450hp V-12. Diablo: 1989. Countach replacement. 5.7L 492hp V-12. Diablo VT: 1992. 4WD version of Diablo.Diablo SE30 Jota: 1995. Lightweight edition with 590hp.Diablo Sprint Veloce (SV): 1996. Electronic valve timing. 5.7L 530hp V-12. Diablo 6.0: 1999. 4WD, 5.9L 550hp V-12. Diablo VS: 1999. Victoria's Secret Special Edition. "VS" logo paintedon sides (no kidding).Diablo GT: 2000. Lightweight carbon-fiber body, 575hp.Murcielago: 2001. Replacement for the Diablo. 4WD. 6.1L 580hp V-12. Gallardo: 2003. 4WD. 4.9L 500hp V-10.