Custom Design Associates (United States) - AllCarIndex

Custom Design Associates was a kit car manufacturer based in Tacoma, Washington, active from approximately 1984 to 1990. The company specialized in creating replicas of sports cars, primarily utilizing the Ford Pinto as the donor vehicle for their designs.

The most notable model produced by Custom Design Associates was a replica of the Ferrari 308 GTB, which was achieved by sectioning the Pinto's unit body, rewelding it, and attaching fiberglass body panels. This approach allowed the company to create a vehicle that bore a resemblance to the original Ferrari design. The company offered two main models: the 508 GTF, which was powered by a Ford V8 engine, and the 286 GTF, which utilized a 2800cc Ford V6 engine. Customers had the option to purchase these vehicles either as kits for self-assembly or fully assembled.

In addition to their primary offerings, Custom Design Associates also modified Lotus Europas by installing Pinto engines, further showcasing their innovative approach to kit car manufacturing during their operational years.