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{{newarticle}} This new wiki article was started to document and elucidate the controversy surrounding StreetBeasts, a manufacturer of street rod kit cars. ==Basic information on StreetBeasts== What type of vehicles do they manufacture? How long have they been in business? Business associations? Management/executives? ==History of StreetBeasts== Information on StreetBeasts's history, and their association with Fiberfab, Classic Motor Carriages, and other associated business monikers should go here. ==Specific problems with construction of StreetBeast vehicles== This section should include a list of known problems/issues/complaints with StreetBeast vehicles. ==Factors in favor of StreetBeast vehicles== This section should include a list of factors that are positive about StreetBeast vehicles. ==Known issues with ALL kit cars== Any negative issues that are being wrongly assigned StreetBeasts, but really apply to ALL kit cars, should go here. Anyone considering purchasing a "kit car" needs to understand that the term kit car doesn't necessarily mean it's easy to build. In fact most kit cars are no easier to build than they would be if the parts were purchased separately. The main difference is that in a "kit car" the parts are supposed to be designed to work together and to eliminate the guesswork when it comes to assembly. Kits are also supposed to include detailed assembly instructions. This is not always the case. Some builders will tell you that the first thing you need to do when you receive your kit is throw the instruction booklet in the trash. Before purchasing any "kit" get a copy of the instruction book first and read it carefully. In street rodding there are very few "kit cars" available. You can purchase fiberglass and steel bodies, rolling chassis, and even chassis/body combinations but for the most part these are not "kits". They are the basic building blocks necessary to build a car. The builder must still purchase many parts and subsystems to make it a viable vehicle and a high percentage of these purchases will require some fabrication or modification to the body or chassis in order to work well. This is not a negative per-se but just a fact of life. When a novice purchases something called a kit car, especially if he is a novice or first time builder, he naturally expects it to be more or less just a larger version of a plastic model. In actuality nothing is farther from the truth. Although most of the major parts will be provided in the kit there will still be a serious amount of fabrication and work that will be required to complete the car. There are hundreds of unfinished kit cars on the market today simply because the novice builder didn't realize the amount of work required to "assemble" the kit. Slick advertising sucks many a novice into the "kit car" trap and provides a poor experience in street rodding to say the least. Curt Scott publishes an excellent guide to kit cars at http://www.kitcar.com/ He has a section there called Consumer Alert. This section will allow any first time buyer to research the history and customer service problems of pretty much any company who manufactures "kit cars" and research is the key to purchasing a quality product. If you are going to plunk down thousands of your hard-earned dollars you need to know something about the company first. Research their history, BBB complaints, legal problems, product quality issues and anything else that might be important BEFORE you buy. Remember that slick advertising can make any company look good, but there is no substitute for an educated consumer. Another important issue to consider is the design of the kit. Is the body designed to be a faithful representation of the original or is it something less? Will parts made for the original fit the kit? If not, how can you obtain replacement parts in case of an accident? Are you forced to buy trim parts, replacement parts, and specialty parts from only one source (the kit manufacturer) if and when they are needed? If so, perhaps the purchase should be reconsidered. Most fiberglass and steel bodies available are good quality and are designed to use parts made for the original car which can be purchased from a variety of sources and some are pretty much proprietary designs that are so far off from the original that very few parts made for the original can be used. Does the frame use a readily available suspension, steering and brake system? If not where can you obtain replacement parts when the need arises? All questions that the potential buyer needs to consider. Finally, before anyone lays down his hard earned money for a "kit car" he should ask other street rod owners their opinions. Not just other owners of the kit he is considering buying but other street rod enthusiasts. Some kits are much better than others and the word gets around so don't hesitate to ask for opinions on a particular product from those who have been in the hobby a while. This is just another part of that very necessary research that needs to be done before a purchase is made. ==Forum discussions== *http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/streetbeast-rod-kits-13109.html *http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72255 ==Mainstream news media coverage== *http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2006-03-02/news/a-beastly-background/

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