Why don't they make Kit "Cessna 172s"?

[Morgan3820]

I can buy a 'kit' 1969 Chevy Camaro. Everything that is needed to assemble the body is available. The original sheet metal dies are used to make the panels. Other items are 'factory' reproductions. All you need is a motor and a VIN tag and you have new 1969 Chevy Camaro. Admittedly it costs more than a used original but it is all new.

Given the popularity and utility of C172 and C182s why is there not an experimental, kit 172? An all new plane to replace the aging fleet.

Curious

 

[Jim Logajan]

Or a Zenith 801... it is a 4 place and about the same size as a 172... You can have a new plane for about 1/5 the cost of a new 172....

http://www.zenithair.com/stolch801/index1.html

The "other" Zenith that seems to have been meant as a kit competitor to the Cessna 172 (and Piper Cherokee 140) is the CH-640, as shown in this comparison chart:

http://www.kit-plane.com/performance-comparison.htm

http://www.kit-plane.com/index640.html