Body Kits

A bodykit or body kit is a collection of exterior modifications to a car, typically comprised of front and rear bumpers (fenders), side skirts, and spoilers. more...

There are many companies that sell these replacements as alternatives to the traditional look of the vehicle from the factory. Many advantages to body kits include better aerodynamics as well as having a high degree of aesthetic value. Body kits will be designed to complement each other, and work together as a complete design. Despite this, the 'mix and match' approach is often seen on cars, where the front of one kit will be matched with the rear of another.

Automative body kits are usually constructed of either fiberglass or polyurethane. Most car modification entusiasts prefer polyurethane because it is more resistant to damage, and does not crack in cold weather. In some cases, body kits may also be constructed of Carbon Fiber, which is a popular, lightweight material. This type of modification is not as highly regarded among speed enthusiasts, though, because it is very costly, and the difference in weight is minimal, versus changing other parts such as the hood or trunk.

Factory fitted bodykits are now becoming more common, perhaps in response to the growth of the aftermarket tuning industry in the late nineties and onwards. Peugeot were perhaps the first to bring the factory bodykit back to the fore in 1997, with the introduction of their SP kit on the 306 model. The complete SP model also had other parts of the tuning scene included, including a Janspeed exhaust. Many manufacturers now work in-house with their own tuning division, such as General Motors and Irmscher, in creating the factory kit.

Some famous aftermarket kit manufacturers include Irmscher, Lester, MS Design, Reiger, RGM, Steinmetz and Veilside.

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