Tuner Tuesdays: McLaren F1-inspired kit car for $24K
The Enzo, Veyron, Carrera GT, Koenigsegg, et al each owe something to the car still considered by many to be the greatest supercar of all time, the McLaren F1. While they occasionally pop up on the used car market or in some of the higher end auctions around the world (the last one went for $1,705,000 at RM in Monterey last month), a McLaren F1's price is a bit steep for most of us. As with other desirable classics throughout the ages, the kit car and aftermarket body panel industry is here to help you out.
Read on to find what out production car lives beneath the this kit car's McLaren F1-inspired body...
[Source: DDR]
In fact, DDR Motorsport will help you get just a little closer to your dream ride for less than 24 grand. Plus a donor Gen II MR2 Turbo. The idea here is that the basic running gear of the '90-'96 MR2 is fairly stout, but the chassis could use some beefing up. So the DDR team of racer Diego Grullón and master craftsman Juan Ovalle teamed up with Trans Am car builder Kerry Hitt of ACP Motorsports, to build a unique chassis that would incorporate the MR2 mechanicals and make it an affordable supercar.
The resulting DDR SP4 will be available in kit form for around $23,700 depending on options. A list of assemblers will also be available soon for those who just want to get in and drive. The finished product should be something like the recently debuted Lotus Europa S - 2200 lbs, 200-260 hp 2.0-liter turbo 4, and awesome handling. And with bodywork that makes it look like a cross between a McLaren and a JGTC racecar, it might just be more of a looker than the Lotus. And if that isn't enough power for you, the next project, the SP8, is going to use a Corvette LS-1 V-8 with as much as twice the power as the SP4 at a promised gain of only 100 pounds. Hope they send one of each over for testing.
More pics and details can be found at the DDR Motorsports website.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Matthew 7:06PM (5/19/2008)
I cant belive people are trashing this thing. It has a stunning exterior, the interior is a bit on the ugly side but a custom fabbed dash would fix that. At $23k and change plus a wrecked MR2 its at one hell of a price point for the potential of the car. the 3G has wicked power potential if you tap the aftermarket, and using all the aftermarket MR2 suspention options this car could handle like a go cart. I would like to see some performance data from the prototype or from other owners as far as lateral G and slalom numbers. 0-60 and 1/4 would be dependent on how far you mod the 3G. A 2zz shoud also virtually bolt right in with a 6spd from the GTS. I am seriously debating buying a kit but i want to see some performance data first.
Also for those of you who didnt read the DDR site, it used the MR2 running gear but is built on a tube chassis it is NOT and MR2 re-body
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BryantMedina 7:15PM (12/25/2008)
Matthew is right, this is an amazing ride I'm a street racing kind of guy and I know whats hot. If you just here to hate don't say nothing. Everyone I know think this is a hot ride. I've drove a lot of cars and also the MR2, 2nd and last generation. Right now my everyday car is a 2008 Civic Si. I think the DDR MR2 is better. I think it's even better then the gallardo. Maybe not as fast, but it's still fun to drive. Plus anyone with the right tools can change the interior at a cheap price. So for those who don't know if they want to get one, I say get it!
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HondaExplosion 9:59PM (1/04/2009)
Actually the '88 fiero GT with the LT1 suspension is an excellent platform to do a build up on. Guys have managed to squeeze Cadillac Northstar V8s in those cars. And sinse they're mid engine RWD cars, they're a last to drive. JC - HondaExplosion.com
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DPC car videos 9:00PM (9/12/2006)
I would say if you can't afford a supercar, option A is don't buy one and option two is don't get a kit car and pretend its a supercar.
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flossy 7:25PM (7/01/2007)
My daily drive is a Gallardo spyder and a good friend of mine recently finished his kit 360. AS kits go, I have to disagree with the majority of comments on your site.
He can afford the genuine article and drives a high end sports car as well, but chose to enjoy the challenge of the build (as well getting away from the wives for a few hours) and is now proud to be seen in it.
If you don't like what you see, then don't buy one!
No offence, but I consider many of the comments come from those who simply wish they afford the real thing, but rather than save up and take the plunge (or why else are they spending time on a kitcar site?), spend it on running their delapidating rust buckets.
If not, wanna race?
doug 9:45PM (9/12/2006)
I kinda like it. I wonder what the quality is like. Their website is pretty sparse. looks better than those pretend F1 cars. And you can get an MR2 turbo for $10-15k.
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captsnuffy 9:40PM (9/12/2006)
You forgot to mention the fact that the Mclaren F1 is many times better looking than this car.
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RacetrackOwner 9:45PM (9/12/2006)
Wow, it's simultaneously sad and retarded. And slow. I'd love to buy a Fiero, slap on a Ferrari body kit, and beat down one of those McLaren Mister Twos...
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doug 9:51PM (9/12/2006)
This isn't a body kit for an MR2. You are taking MR2 running gear and installing them on a new tubular chassis.
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Spanner 9:53PM (9/12/2006)
AAAAHHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... hahahahaha...
errr... right.....
Enough said.
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Stoneman 11:26PM (9/12/2006)
That is rather ridiculous... the design is really cheap looking. It reminds me of those crappy Ferrari knock-off body kits made for the Pontiac Fiero...
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Ford Mustang 12:00AM (9/13/2006)
Why an MR2 motor? You'd think this thing would be running a BMW V12 or something like that. Or at the very least a V8 of some sort.
I could never truely understand why anyone would want to look like they're driving a fast car.
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Asher 11:39PM (9/12/2006)
I kind of like it. Most people won't know what it's based on, so it's less cheesy than a Countach knock-off. The biggest problem with most kit cars is quality and daily driveability...both of which are non-existent usually.
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Sasha 11:43PM (9/12/2006)
Sad...only a finite number of Gen II MR2s in the world, IMHO one of the most beautiful, great handling, and all around cool cars ever made, and to think that some of them will be butchered to turn into these goofballs. The original MR2 is way better looking!
Oddly, the site requests only the rear view mirror from a n RX-7...are you supposed to steal it, or what?
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Car chops and Discussion 12:05AM (9/13/2006)
Agree with #1
the kits are just ridiculous!
I've seen a bunch of kits on Fiero's and such.
http://www.carchops.com
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Ayaz 3:15AM (9/13/2006)
The design is really cheap looking.
Pakcar
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Hugo Mc Farlane K 1:43AM (9/13/2006)
I have the opportunity to drive this car at Carslile Pensilvannia on last may.Since i looked i wanted to buy it.This car has a feeling of driving a racing street car that makes you feel comfortable.Since i bought it i have been using it during every weekend with my old son.I have travel throught my country from town to town and people get crazy as me on my 1st look.
Congratulations for all who have worked on my DDR kitcar,you have one of the best handmade performance i haveseen on kitcars.
Hugo Mc Farlane
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Spanner 7:06AM (9/13/2006)
Lame, lame, lame, LAME!
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Howard Kerr 9:05AM (9/13/2006)
IF...you had a crashed/totaled MR2, then this is definitely a way to get it back on the road. I agree with all the posters that the Toyota is a better looking car. However, this car probably doesn't look as bad/cheesey as it's ENHANCED photos make it appear to be. 99% of the body kits available for a Fiero look worse.
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Lucas 9:27AM (9/13/2006)
since it uses the mr2's 2.0L maybe you could do something like this...
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