The History of Kitman Motors
Some people see a classic German sports car and admire it from a distance. The founder of Kitman Motors saw one — and immediately started thinking about how to build it.
That obsession with precision engineering, timeless design, and the pure joy of a driver-focused machine is what gave birth to Kitman Motors. What started as a personal passion project more than 15 years ago has grown into one of the most respected names in the German car replica kit industry.
Our Founding Story
Kitman Motors was founded on a simple but powerful idea: that the thrill of driving an iconic German sports car shouldn't be reserved for those who can afford a museum-piece original. With the right engineering, the right parts, and the right guidance, any dedicated builder could experience that same feeling behind the wheel of something truly special.
Our founder spent years studying the engineering principles behind legendary German marques — the suspension geometry, the chassis dynamics, the body proportions that make these cars so visually and mechanically compelling. That deep study became the foundation for every kit Kitman Motors has ever produced.
From the very first kit delivered out of a small workshop, the commitment was the same: provide builders with everything they need to create a car they'll be proud of for a lifetime.
Engineering Philosophy
At Kitman Motors, we believe a replica kit is only as good as the engineering behind it. That's why every kit we produce is developed with the same rigor you'd expect from a professional coachbuilder — not a hobbyist shortcut.
- Precision-fit components: Every panel, bracket, and structural element is designed to fit together cleanly, minimizing the guesswork that plagues lesser kits.
- Donor-vehicle compatibility: Our kits are engineered around proven, readily available donor platforms, so you're building on a foundation with known performance characteristics and widely available parts support.
- Customer-specific builds: No two Kitman Motors kits are identical. Each kit is tailored to your specifications — your donor vehicle, your intended use, your vision for the finished car.
- Complete parts documentation: Every kit ships with a detailed parts list including part numbers and recommended vendors, so you're never left hunting for a mystery component mid-build.
We don't just sell you a kit. We give you a roadmap to a finished car.
Quality of Materials & Craftsmanship
The German cars that inspire our kits earned their reputations through uncompromising material quality and meticulous assembly. We hold ourselves to the same standard.
Our body panels are crafted for accurate proportions and a surface finish that rewards a quality paint job. Structural components are selected for strength and longevity. Every part that leaves our workshop has been reviewed against our quality standards — because we know that when you're putting in the hours to build something this special, the last thing you want is a component that lets you down.
Our kits are priced between $9,000 and $20,500 depending on configuration — a reflection of the engineering investment, material quality, and personalized specification process that goes into every single one.
Built for Builders Who Care
The Kitman Motors customer isn't looking for a shortcut. They're someone who appreciates the process as much as the result — who wants to understand every bolt they turn and every panel they fit. They want a car with a story, and they want that story to be their own.
We've had the privilege of supporting builders across the country as they've brought their dream cars to life. Every completed build is a source of pride for us — proof that the engineering, the documentation, and the support we put into each kit actually works.
If you're ready to start your build, explore our kit catalog below and reach out to discuss your specifications. We'd love to be part of your project.
15+ Years of Experience. One Standard: Excellence.
Kitman Motors has been in the kit car world long enough to know what works, what doesn't, and what separates a build that gets finished from one that stalls in the garage. That experience is baked into every kit we produce and every conversation we have with our customers.
We're not just a parts supplier. We're your build partner — from the first specification conversation to the day you turn the key for the first time.
Welcome to Kitman Motors.
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.
Andrew and Danny aren't just family
They're brothers-in-law bound by a shared fire for hot rods, old-school cruisers, custom culture, live music on warm nights, and slow-smoked BBQ that lasts all afternoon. Andrew keeps the operations humming with precision and care, while Danny channels that same passion into every social post, reel, and story that brings our community to life. Together, they run Kitman Motors like a true partnership: one handles the nuts-and-bolts reality of building premium replicas, the other makes sure the world sees the joy in every weld, every curve, and every finished drive. It's more than business—it's the continuation of a lifelong conversation about what makes a car feel alive.
Blending new with old is at the heart of what we do.
Picture a sleek, modern Porsche parked right behind one of our fresh 356 Coupe kits—the future staring back at the timeless lines it's inspired by. Andrew and Danny live this contrast every day: honoring the original German engineering while making these icons accessible to real enthusiasts who want to build, drive, and own them without a seven-figure check. We're not chasing concours perfection for the ultra-wealthy; we're creating pathways for passionate builders everywhere to experience that same soul-stirring connection. New tech, old soul, endless possibilities—that's Kitman Motors. 🏁
kitmanmotors.com is not sponsored, associated, approved, endorsed nor, in any way, affiliated with Porsche Cars North America, Inc., or Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche, AG. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is the owner of numerous trademarks, both registered and unregistered, including, without limitation, the Porsche Crest®, Porsche®, and the model numbers and names and the distinctive shapes of the Porsche automobiles, such as the federally registered 911 automobile. Any mention of Porsche Cars North America, Inc., or Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche, AG. trademarked names or other marks is for purpose of reference only.
