[DanEC]

$18K just isn't a realistic figure I don't think to get a car up and running. Even a fairly complete kit leaves lots of additional parts to source out - donor engine, transmission and suspension, wheels/tires, belts, hoses, shifter, rivets, bolts, etc, etc, etc. It wouldn't leave any room for body/paint - which a lot of guys drive around in factory gel coat for years.

If you just want to pick up a kit to have to play around with as a long, long-term project then you might look at B&B. I always thought their kit was a good value for the money and has a reputation of being pretty strong with good fiberglass. They are in SW Missouri also which would make picking it up yourself a possibility to save some shipping. And then it's hard to beat Factory Five Racing with their volume and web site/forum for technical help. Lone Star is located there in Texas and has been around a good while - I'm not familiar with their kit features and cost anymore. Hurricane Motors also builds a very nice kit although I'm not familiar with the cost and what's included since they were purchased a few years ago. It would probably run a little higher than B&B, FFR.

Shipping can run to around $1,500 so it's an expense to consider on a budget