Is There Value in Making a 'Clone'.

To answer the question "Is there value in making a clone?", I say yes on three levels. All of which can be quantifed in dollars and cents.

1. Monetary: The truth is the "real" thing is worth more than a clone. That said, there is a market for clones. The clone market moves at a lower level than the real market, but it is in lock step with it. If I assign a $ value to my labor, there is no way I'll make money on a decent clone. If I choose to look at my labor as therapy, then it is possible to make a buck or two on a clone.
2. Operations: The clone runs and can get groceries, goes down/around the track, or go across the country as well as the real thing did. My $2000 (total invested) daily driver Dart does everything my $18,000 Honda did. I can carry more luggage and two more people with the Dart. I can run into stuff and not hurt the Dart. The Honda would at least need to have the bumper cap repainted. I can actually work on the Dart when repairs are needed. When I get over my head, I will pay a $65/hr mechanic rather than $89/hr to do the work. Because it does not have air bags, insurance on the Dart is slightly higher. The Dart is appreciating slightly while the Honda depreciated from day one. Give the Dart the edge in lower annual operating costs.
3. Enjoyment: I do look upon my work on my cars as therapy as well as a learning experience. Looking at actual wrenching as a lab course, call it $60/hr, with research being more like homework. With a shrink going for about $150/hr., the money I put into parts and services is chump change. I also like most of the people I've met though my involvement in the hobby. They're more like psychologists, so call it $100/hr for that. Pride of accomplishment and ownership, plus the joy of driving; priceless.

The Dart in my avatar is my daily driver. I don't give a fig if it looks original or not, although I re-painted it in its original color. It's not a clone or a tribute to anything. I bought it cheap, put CD radio, paint, interior, carburetor, BBP rear in it and will put BBP disks on the front when the weather warms up a bit. I'm leaving it as a /6, though I am considering putting Magnum 500s and a '72 front clip on it.

My Demon is essentially a tribute to a car I shared with my siblings while I was in college. It got me around, but I would have preferred some improvements. Instead of being a /6, 904, radio delete, car with pizza cutter whitewalls on rallye rims, I have a moderately tweaked 318, A/C, PS, DB, SG, CD, sitting on 235/60-15 cop car wheels. With the hood closed, it looks the same except for the wheels, radio, and A/C controls. I've had a lot of fun building it up. I expect I'll enjoy it when it emerges from the paint shop and I can finish the process and drive it.