More About the Kits
What about these kits?
Mark Smith, the founder of Smyth Performance, has been in the car component manufacturing business since 1995, when he founded Factory Five Racing, which he successfully grew into the world’s largest car kit business. He later sold that business to his brother and started Smyth Performance, in order to focus on more affordable kits. There, Mark and his team focus on easy-to-build kits based on existing vehicle platforms and systems that customers can build and drive every day. All Smyth kits are designed and manufactured in the US, using domestic materials where possible.
The current Ute kit lineup includes:
VW Jetta/Golf (1999.5 - 2004*, 2005 - 2010*, and 2011 - 2018)
Jeep Grand Cherokee (1999 - 2004*)
Subaru Impreza (2002 - 2007*)
Audi A4/S4 (2003 - 2008*)
Chrysler 300 (2011 - 2020)
VW New Beetle (1998 - 2010)
Dodge Charger (2005 - 2010 and 2011 - 2020)
Coming Soon - Smyth Teardrop Trailers, plus other Ute kits in development!
Note that year ranges above with an * are in the process of being phased out of production so if you want one of those, time is of the essence to get one.
By far, the most popular kits are the New Beetle, AKA the Cute Ute and the Charger, AKA the Brute Ute. You can also scroll through some additional pictures, including one of the Trailer!
The Cute Ute
The Cute Ute is the Beetle Ute
There’s no denying that the New Beetle is the Cute Ute. Heads swivel, people take pictures of it on the road, in parking lots, etc. Lots of oohs and ahhs and questions about where to get them. More than one person has described it as the perfect urban truck. But take it from us and our experience, that there’s way more to a New Beetle Ute (1998-2010) than just its cute looks.
For starters, there’s more room than you think in the cabin, plus without the back seat area it really heats up and cools down quickly when you want it to. The rear speakers are up close, so music sounds great. With the kit weighing a couple hundred pounds less than the materials that are removed during the build, the resulting Ute is lighter and as a result, gas mileage improves.
Moving to the back, the bed is larger than you think and does a great job with groceries, luggage, mulch, plants, coolers, etc. Throw on a tonneau cover and it all disappears. Flip down the tailgate for a great place to sit for a tailgating party or an impromptu break. Add a trailer hitch and now you can tow! We primarily use a 5x8 aluminum utility trailer for easy transport of 4x8 sheet goods, lumber, boxed Smyth kits, etc. Soon, we’ll be using it to pull a Smyth Teardrop trailer! FahrvergnÜTEn ™ for sure!
The Brute Ute
The Brute Ute is the Dodge Charger Ute
Dodge Charger/Brute Ute. For those looking for more cargo/towing capacity with that cool factor, the Brute Ute is the way to go. Two Utes has Brute Ute kits for 2005-2010 Chargers and 2011-2020 Chargers.
While the six cylinder Chargers provide adequate power for towing and use as a daily hauler or shop truck, the eight cylinder Chargers certainly provide that extra punch! Many of the Cute Ute attributes carry over to the Brute Ute, just on a bigger, badder scale! Also, the Charger kits are currently available for newer model years, meaning you can have a Brute Ute based on a very modern, low mileage Charger.
