In most cases, replicas don't come close to the quality of the original vehicles. Many of them barely look like the vehicles they're supposed to replicate, and to make matters worse, the performance usually isn't adequate as most builds focus mainly on the looks. But there are those that we can hardly differentiate from the originals.

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But replicas can be a relatively inexpensive way to drive what many will think is a coveted sports car with deep roots in motorsports history. There are many iconic cars that every enthusiast would love to drive but can't due to their rarity or price tag. Some of these cars are so expensive that only millionaires can afford them. And they are getting harder and harder to find, which is why many enthusiasts are opting to get their replica versions instead.

10 Lister Bell STR - Lancia Stratos

Lister Bell STR on the road
Via wikimedia.org

The iconic Lancia Stratos was groundbreaking in many ways. Designed by Marcello Gandini, the Stratos was the first-ever car built purposely for rallying and could put up a good performance regardless of the terrain. It had a mid-mounted Dino V6 engine sourced from Ferrari with 190 hp.

a parked Lancia Stratos
Via pinterest.co.kr

Unfortunately, Lancia built only 492 models, and the few that survive today are unobtainable to most. Thankfully, custom car manufacturer Lister Bell recognized the Stratos' iconic stature and built a top-class replica, dubbed the STR. The STR looks exactly like the wedge-shaped Stratos and comes with a mighty 3.2-liter V8 from a Ferrari Mondial, making it quicker than the original Stratos.

9 Superformance GT40 - Ford GT40

Superformance GT40 on the highway
Via hagerty.com

The Ford GT40 is one of the greatest American sports cars in history, having won multiple Le Mans trophies in the 60s, where the best Ferraris of the day also competed. It was built with the help of Carroll Shelby and produced over four generations from 1964 to 1969.

Ford GT40 on the road
Via rkmotors.com

The great thing about the GT40 was that it had relatively simple mechanics, which is why many custom car companies and private builders have made replicas. However, of all the replicas of the Ford GT40 that exist, the Superformance GT40 stands out. This replica is so authentic that two-thirds of its parts are interchangeable with the original GT40. Interested buyers can order the Superformance GT40 for around $125,000, about a tenth of what they'd need to pay for an original.

8 Beck 904 - Porsche 904

Beck 904. Porsche Carrera GTS replica.
Via southcoasttoday.com

The Porsche 904, also known as the Carrera GTS, is one of the first race cars the automaker ever created. Porsche built 119 904s, and those that survive are worth more than $1,000,000 today.

Porsche 904 parked outside
Via youtube.com

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Luckily, those who want an improved version of the Carrera GTS can buy the Beck 904 for less than $100,000. The Beck 904 is a replica version of the Porsche 904 designed and built by Chuck Beck. The Beck 904 offers the same driving feel as the original, but it is longer, wider, heavier, and has a more powerful 3.2-liter flat-six engine pumping out 250 hp.

7 AS Motorsport ASM R1 - Aston Martin DBR1

AS Motorsport ASM R1 parked outside
Via mecum.com

The DBR1 is one of Aston Martin's best cars ever when it comes to racing pedigree, having won the 1959 Le Mans driven by legends like Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Jack Brabham, and Carroll Shelby. The DBR1 is not easy to replicate due to its low production numbers and specific mechanics, but AS Motorsport did it with the ASM R1.

Aston Martin DBR1 on the road
Via wsupercars.com

Visually, there's hardly any difference between the original DBR1 and the replica. However, the ASM R1 has some mechanical differences to enhance the driving experience, such as Wilwood discs, rack and pinion steering, and a fully-independent suspension.

6 Superformance Corvette Grand Sport - 1963 Corvette Grand Sport

Via pinterest.com

While Superformance is mostly known for its Ford GT40 replicas, it also offers an impressive Corvette Grand Sport coupe replica. The original Grand Sport was a lightweight, fast car that General Motors had developed to win the GT class in Le Mans. Only five were produced.

Via pinterest.com

Superformance's Corvette Grand Sport replica stays true to the original's American muscle roots thanks to GM's LS3 V8 engine that produces 525 hp. Its body is made of fiberglass and given the classic white and admiral blue paint job that Corvette fans love.

5 Coventry Classics C Type - Jaguar C Type

Coventry Classics type c parked in a field
Via youtube.com

The Jaguar C Type is loved by many thanks to its beautiful design and powerful engine. Sadly, Jaguar only built a few Le Mans-winning C Types, which is why it's nearly impossible to find one.

Jaguar C Type parked on the road
Via car-from-uk.com

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But there's a solution for those looking; custom car builder Coventry Classics can build a replica C Type for anyone who needs it down to the last detail. The replica C Type from Coventry Classics looks just like an original but has the improvements and modern components needed for durability and improved driving experience.

4 Evanta Aston Martin - DB4 Zagato

Evanta Aston Martin parked outside
Via motorious.com

When the Aston Martin DB4 Zagato came out in the 60s, it was the best car available at the time, thanks to its sublime design and power. Being handmade, Aston Martin only produced a handful of DB4 Zagatos, which explains why they are rare and expensive today.

DB4 Zagato on the highway
Via motorious.com

With many enthusiasts interested in the DB4 Zagato but unable to find one, the Evanta custom car company came up with a solution. They stripped down an Aston Martin DB7 from the 90s, only leaving the chassis, drivetrain, suspension, and interior before mounting them onto a replicated DB4 Zagato body. Their hard work resulted in a replica that looks just like an original DB4 Zagato but is as safe and fast as modern-day Aston Martins.

3 Kirkham Motorsports Cobra - AC Shelby Cobra

Kirkham Motorsports Cobra at a parking
Via hagerty.com

In 1961, the legendary Carroll Shelby wrote to AC Motors in England expressing his interest in partnering with them to build a car. The result of this beautiful partnership was the AC Cobra, a sports car built in England but fitted with a monstrous 3.6-liter Windsor V8 from Ford. Ford later produced three generations of the AC Cobra, all powered by a series of American V8s.

AC Shelby Cobra parked outside
Via hagerty.com

Today, original Cobras are some of the most expensive collector cars. However, due to their basic layouts, many custom builders have made high-quality replicas of the Cobra, one of which is the Kirkham Motorsports Cobra. Available with 289 or 427 V8 engines, the Kirkham Motorsports Cobras provide a similar driving experience to the original Cobra but have modern bodywork, brakes, and suspensions.

2 Caterham Seven - Lotus Seven

Caterham Seven on the road
Via mecum.com

In the 60s, Lotus Founder Colin Chapman was looking to build a fast car that would crush the Ferraris and Porsches of the time. To achieve this, he decided to make a car with a powerful engine, innovative engineering, and as little weight as possible. The result was the Lotus Seven, a simple, lightweight roadster that earned a cult following thanks to its blistering speed.

Lotus Seven on the seven
Via mecum.com

Although Lotus built the Seven, its masters came from Caterham, and the small automaker still holds the rights to reproduce it. For decades, Caterham has been making replicas of the Lotus Seven, many of which outperform the original.

1 Norwood P4 - Ferrari P4

Norwood P4 parked outside
Via classiccarsltd.com

The Ferrari 330 P4 prototype was the ultimate Ferrari of the 60s and is still considered by many enthusiasts as the most beautiful Ferrari racer ever. In the years following its launch, the P4 finished second at the 1967 Daytona, second at Le Mans, and first at Monza. Over its production run, Ferrari built just four P4s, and the only surviving examples are astronomically expensive.

Ferrari P4 parked outside
Via mecum.com

Norwood's P4 replica, dubbed the 330 P4-575, is the closest one can get to owning the iconic Le Mans Ferrari P4. It is hand-built to be perfectly accurate and has a powerful Ferrari V12 engine under the hood pumping out 550 hp. The Norwood P4 starts at around $400,000, a small fraction of the millions the original Ferrari P4 is currently worth.

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