The oppressive smog laws are not nationwide. For example, a 20 year old car in Pennsylvania can be registered as a "Classic" which requires an annual safety inspection, but no emissions inspection, not even a visual (to see if factory installed emissions devices such as catalytic converters are present). My 1985 Autokraft is registered as a classic. I have no cats, an all aluminum (block, heads, manifold, sump) Roush 351 and certainly have plenty of power. In Pennsylvania, only "real" cars can be registered as classics, to the exclusion of all kit cars, including the Kirkham and component Shelby Cobras. On January 1, 2007, the regulations for kit car registration changed dramatically here and it will be much more difficult to have a kit registered. We'll see if it has any impact on the price of the kit cars. I also understand that it can be difficult to obtain one of the SB100 exemptions in California, as many people are vying for the few that are available each year. I have been told that the SB100 certificate can add 25 to 30% to the price of a kit car. I can't vouch for this figure because I haven't tried to buy a kit car in california, with or without SB100 cert. But, if the percentage is accurate, then the $100,000 Kirkham would only be worth $70 to $75 thousand without SB100. A completed Kirkham sold for around $55,000 on ebay within the last 4 or 5 months. I for one could never understand why someone would spend $120,000 on a kit car when they can have a real car for alot less. I feel that in the long run the Autokraft cars will hold their value better than a kit car. I guess we'll see in a few years. Just my two cents worth.
