A body kit or bodykit is a set of modified body parts or additional components that are installed on a car. They are typically composed of front and rear bumpers, upgrade headlights, upgrade taillights, upgrade fog lamps, upgrade DRL, side skirts, spoilers, hood/bonnets (bonnet scoop), and sometimes front and rear side guards and roof scoops. There are many companies that offer alternatives to the original factory appearance of the vehicle. Body kit components are designed to complement each other and work together as a complete design, but often owners will 'mix and match' pieces from different body kits.
Automotive body kits are usually constructed of either fiberglass, polyurethane, or in some cases metal or carbon fiber. Fiberglass is cheap and widely available, although it can crack upon impact. Polyurethane is popular because it is flexible and thus more resistant to damage. Carbon fiber body kits are rarer, due to the cost of the materials.
Common body kit components
- Front and rear bumper (car)
- Side skirts (rockers)
- Bumper lips
- Bumper canards
- Bumper diffusers
- Bumper splitters
- Bumper grilles
- Fenders with vents
- Fender flares
- Widebody fenders and quarter panels
- Spoilers
- Custom hoods
- Hood Scoops
- Roof scoops
- Side scoops
- Window louvers
- One piece front end
- One piece rear end
WHY DO PEOPLE BUY BODY KITS?
There are a few reasons why people might buy body kits for their cars. The most common reason is to improve the appearance of the car. They can also be used to change the proportions of the car, making it look wider, lower, or longer, in another words — create a custom look for your car.
Another reason people might buy body kit is to improve the performance of their car. Some body kits are designed to improve aerodynamics, which can help the car go faster or handle better. Other body kits might include modifications that make the car lighter, such as removing the rear seats or replacing the hood with a carbon fiber hood.
Still, others might buy body kits for both reasons: to improve the appearance and performance of their car.