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Our Journey
The Beginning
Dr. Chris Kleber, a San Diego dentist with a lifelong Porsche obsession sparked by a neighbor's 356A Speedster in fifth grade, dives into the replica world. Inspired by affordable Intermeccanica kits and his VW Beetle tinkering, Chris dreams of blending precision craftsmanship with accessible builds—laying the groundwork for what becomes Kitman.
Acquiring the Foundation
Chris acquires a half-finished 356A Coupe kit from Carrera Coachwerks in El Cajon, CA—a partially assembled beauty with a custom tube chassis and mid-mounted 2.5L Subaru engine. This hands-on project, used to showcase early prototypes, marks his shift from hobbyist to serious entrepreneur in the tight-knit replica scene.
Birth of Kitman Motors
Retiring from dentistry, Chris acquires the rights to Kitzkrieg—a pure kit-car operation focused on fiberglass Porsche 356 replicas—from previous owner Alan Cassell (of Custom Coachworks fame). Parting ways with turnkey builds, he rebrands as Kitman Motors LLC, emphasizing DIY rollers with VW-based or custom tubular chassis for authentic 1950s vibes.
Kits Hit the Road
Kitman launches its flagship offerings: the lightweight 356 Speedster (290 lbs fiberglass body, LHD/RHD options) and 356A Coupe (350 lbs, inspired by the 1956 model for better legroom and motorsport styling). New features like jig-welded 4130 chromoly frames and Subaru compatibility shine at SoCal Porsche events, building a rep for quality over quantity in the enthusiast community.
Community and Challenges
With partner Jonathan Satoski, Chris grows Kitman through swap meets and forums, becoming the exclusive source for the 550 Spyder kit with matching chassis. Tragically, Jonathan passes in 2023 from health complications, but Kitman endures—delivering hand-laid gelcoat bodies and parts lists that empower builders, all while navigating the niche's supply chain quirks.
Andrew Namminga Takes Over Kitman Motors
Austin engineer and car visionary Andrew Namminga acquires Kitman, infusing his engineering and product development expertise. Relocating ops to Texas, he relaunches with EV-ready innovations, a comprehensive online store, and a builder-first ethos—propelling Kitman into its next era. learn more about andrew HERE
kitman heritage
From sandy beaches, to the hill county of Texas. Our roots are strong.
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