Clubmans - thumbs up or down?
Discussion
Looking for some feedback!
I have an opportunity to set up a very small business selling Clubman style kit cars here in Oz.
I've been on the clubmans websites but was looking for some non clubbie input.
You don't see many around here compared to the Uk which seems a surprise given the weather so what's the local PH view on Clubmans in oz?
Cheers
Matt
I have an opportunity to set up a very small business selling Clubman style kit cars here in Oz.
I've been on the clubmans websites but was looking for some non clubbie input.
You don't see many around here compared to the Uk which seems a surprise given the weather so what's the local PH view on Clubmans in oz?
Cheers
Matt
I'd have to disagree about use, I drive mine as often as I can including the occasional commute from Sutherland to Nth Ryde, been too hot or wet during the week lately but the season is turning so will be out more often.
Don't know how Marques the market here can support but Birkin, MNR, Arrow, Fraser & UK Westfield are readily available today and Caterham is a turnkey option as well.
On Saturday Nemo did a run via the RNP to Robertson pie shop in company with a Caterham, Birkin and PRB S2, glorious day for a drive.
And on the track at Wakefield with FSOC, 12 clubbies in all. Still tossing up whether to do FOSC on 1/6 at Eastern Creek
Don't know how Marques the market here can support but Birkin, MNR, Arrow, Fraser & UK Westfield are readily available today and Caterham is a turnkey option as well.
On Saturday Nemo did a run via the RNP to Robertson pie shop in company with a Caterham, Birkin and PRB S2, glorious day for a drive.
And on the track at Wakefield with FSOC, 12 clubbies in all. Still tossing up whether to do FOSC on 1/6 at Eastern Creek
Edited by suthol on Monday 15th April 06:29
When I was in the UK I always dreamed of the day that I could afford to build a Westfield.
Now I'm here in Australia and can afford to do it, I'm not going to. Why??
The driving standards here are poor - I'd give it 3 months until someone drove into me
There are lots of big vehicles on the road that just wouldnt see you
Its too hot to not have air-con - My legs would get cooked.
Its too sunny to have no roof - I'd get skin cancer
There are no really good driving roads
7 Type cars are pretty dull/tiresome over long distances and long straights.
I think re-sale would be very difficult if not near impossible.
As others have said before, an Australian's "Sports Car" is one he can use to drive to and from a Footy match, preferably with a 6.0 V8
Ask yourself why you see so far MX5s here? The MX5 is essentially a main-stream 7 and even that struggles here.
Now I'm here in Australia and can afford to do it, I'm not going to. Why??
The driving standards here are poor - I'd give it 3 months until someone drove into me
There are lots of big vehicles on the road that just wouldnt see you
Its too hot to not have air-con - My legs would get cooked.
Its too sunny to have no roof - I'd get skin cancer
There are no really good driving roads
7 Type cars are pretty dull/tiresome over long distances and long straights.
I think re-sale would be very difficult if not near impossible.
As others have said before, an Australian's "Sports Car" is one he can use to drive to and from a Footy match, preferably with a 6.0 V8
Ask yourself why you see so far MX5s here? The MX5 is essentially a main-stream 7 and even that struggles here.
Edited by 200bhp on Monday 15th April 07:41
200bhp said:
When I was in the UK I always dreamed of the day that I could afford to build a Westfield.
Now I'm here in Australia and can afford to do it, I'm not going to. Why??
The driving standards here are poor - I'd give it 3 months until someone drove into me
There are lots of big vehicles on the road that just wouldnt see you
Its too hot to not have air-con - My legs would get cooked.
Its too sunny to have no roof - I'd get skin cancer
There are no really good driving roads
7 Type cars are pretty dull/tiresome over long distances and long straights.
I think re-sale would be very difficult if not near impossible.
As others have said before, an Australian's "Sports Car" is one he can use to drive to and from a Footy match, preferably with a 6.0 V8
Ask yourself why you see so far MX5s here? The MX5 is essentially a main-stream 7 and even that struggles here.
So few MX-5s? Out of interest do you mean in comparison to something else? I know I have one and therefore see every MX-5 on the street, but I see a lot of them. I guess I might see more in the UK, but then the UK has a massive hard-on for the MX-5...like some adopted car-child. I think it does very well here no? Maybe have a look over the next few days...bet you will see tonnes.Now I'm here in Australia and can afford to do it, I'm not going to. Why??
The driving standards here are poor - I'd give it 3 months until someone drove into me
There are lots of big vehicles on the road that just wouldnt see you
Its too hot to not have air-con - My legs would get cooked.
Its too sunny to have no roof - I'd get skin cancer
There are no really good driving roads
7 Type cars are pretty dull/tiresome over long distances and long straights.
I think re-sale would be very difficult if not near impossible.
As others have said before, an Australian's "Sports Car" is one he can use to drive to and from a Footy match, preferably with a 6.0 V8
Ask yourself why you see so far MX5s here? The MX5 is essentially a main-stream 7 and even that struggles here.
Edited by 200bhp on Monday 15th April 07:41
As for the 7 style car, I don't know a lot about the market but I reckon the market is tiny because there are so few tracks. If there were more tracks these cars would be more popular. Sure the population is smaller etc but for a small build number that would not really be an issue. Its just if they are not very practical then you have to have a few places to drive them. In the UK I lived 20 mins from Brands Hatch but I could drive to Snetterton, Silverstone etc...hell, I could drive to the Ring if I felt mad enough. (I did once, but had a roof).
As a side line it could work, ie pay for itself, but it ain't going to make you rich. (Based on zero knowledge and gut instinct only)
We are on the Sunday club run, afternoon classic/sports car circuit, a moderate distance south of Brisbane. We occasionally see British sports car, Lotus, MG, Triumph etc, but it is rare.
We regularly see Corvettes & Mustangs in groups or singly, & a huge number of 50s/60s yank tank convertibles & hardtops. These are definitely the in convertibles at the moment.
From memory in 20 years I have seen 2 clubman type cars, & one 3 wheeler Morgan. I definitely see more Ferraris, Lambos & Maseratis than true sports cars.
We regularly see Corvettes & Mustangs in groups or singly, & a huge number of 50s/60s yank tank convertibles & hardtops. These are definitely the in convertibles at the moment.
From memory in 20 years I have seen 2 clubman type cars, & one 3 wheeler Morgan. I definitely see more Ferraris, Lambos & Maseratis than true sports cars.
Well, having said above that a 7 type car isnt really suitable for Australia, I've decided to build one myself!
Still unsure on which way to go but back in the UK I had my heart set on a Hyabusa engined open Chassis Atom style car. I'm in the lucky position of being able to do the chassis design and stress analysis myself and have a lot of work contacts who can help out.
I've decided that if I dont do it now I'll never do it!
Does anyone here know of anyone that's scratch built a car in WA? (not a westfield type assembly job)
Still unsure on which way to go but back in the UK I had my heart set on a Hyabusa engined open Chassis Atom style car. I'm in the lucky position of being able to do the chassis design and stress analysis myself and have a lot of work contacts who can help out.
I've decided that if I dont do it now I'll never do it!
Does anyone here know of anyone that's scratch built a car in WA? (not a westfield type assembly job)
200bhp said:
Does anyone here know of anyone that's scratch built a car in WA? (not a westfield type assembly job)
Maybe worth speaking to some of the hotrodders. As I think quite a few of those are custom built.But they may stick with just enough chassis to have it classed as a modified origional.
Good luck though. It's not an easy task to get anything road registered from what I've heard.
Luckily the man who runs this place is a work contact - http://southam.com.au/
I'm sure he'll get fed up of all my questions eventually.
I'm sure he'll get fed up of all my questions eventually.
200bhp said:
Well, having said above that a 7 type car isnt really suitable for Australia, I've decided to build one myself!
Still unsure on which way to go but back in the UK I had my heart set on a Hyabusa engined open Chassis Atom style car. I'm in the lucky position of being able to do the chassis design and stress analysis myself and have a lot of work contacts who can help out.
I've decided that if I dont do it now I'll never do it!
Does anyone here know of anyone that's scratch built a car in WA? (not a westfield type assembly job)
Jump over onto ozclubbies.com.au there is quite an active group over in WA who post regularly who have built kits and scratch builds.Still unsure on which way to go but back in the UK I had my heart set on a Hyabusa engined open Chassis Atom style car. I'm in the lucky position of being able to do the chassis design and stress analysis myself and have a lot of work contacts who can help out.
I've decided that if I dont do it now I'll never do it!
Does anyone here know of anyone that's scratch built a car in WA? (not a westfield type assembly job)
You have to register to view or post on the forum, validation is generally done within 24 Hrs and the world of clubbies will be your oyster.
We have our nationals in October this year so get your finger out and come along
Do IT
as suthol said http://www.ozclubbies.com.au/ is the place to go.
regards "Ryan in Melbourne" on ozclubbies
PS - must do something on my build so that i can update my build diary
as suthol said http://www.ozclubbies.com.au/ is the place to go.
regards "Ryan in Melbourne" on ozclubbies
PS - must do something on my build so that i can update my build diary
[quote=suthol]I'd have to disagree about use, I drive mine as often as I can including the occasional commute from Sutherland to Nth Ryde, been too hot or wet during the week lately but the season is turning so will be out more often [quote]
And there-in lies your answer, NO. An enthusiast that doesn't drive because its too hot/wet
And there-in lies your answer, NO. An enthusiast that doesn't drive because its too hot/wet
More because we dont have to.
In the UK unless you drive in the wet you would never get your car out.
Out here in Aus id rather wait a day or 2 and be back to perfect weather.
The comment above about crap drivers i would agree with though.
The commute in peak hour traffic is never nice so why not leave that to the family hack and keep the clubbie for the other times. Most of the worlds major cities would be like that.
In the UK unless you drive in the wet you would never get your car out.
Out here in Aus id rather wait a day or 2 and be back to perfect weather.
The comment above about crap drivers i would agree with though.
The commute in peak hour traffic is never nice so why not leave that to the family hack and keep the clubbie for the other times. Most of the worlds major cities would be like that.
i have been going to the victorian clubman builders group events for a few years now. also did a day with palmersports in the UK when i was there and can not think of a single car that would get more smiles per mile and more involvement in the driving than a clubbie. closest i can think of would be a MX5 or an exieg/elies both of witch i have had experiance with.
with any small car you need to re-adjust you perception about if someone has seen you. this was a definate problam with the MX5. best to use the right foot and get out in front and not travel in blind spots.
i realy enjoy the chalenge of tossing a small light weigh car in on the limit and trying to keep the ballance right. corrnering speed in the 7 at palmersports was second only to the slick shod race cars. I was more physically shaged after getting out of the 7 though as they required quick reflexes in comparison to the mid engine slick shod racers. i recon if you can learn to drive a 7 quick and smoth you will be quicker than just about anyting out there
one local lad has just got an MNR on the road in Melbourne with a R1 engine in it. said its not much fun in peak hour as the 5000rpm clutch dump to get it moving is no fun when you have to get the clutch back in 0.25 milli seconds later to avoid hitting the car in front. it does sound mean and is very hard to keep up with on a winding road.
there is always a few for sale around the 20k-30k bracket. if you bought the right one you could enjoy it for a few years and appart for general maintenance and running costs not loose any money on it.
with club reg in victoria for 90 days use for around $100 (?) its a cheep second car.
Ryan
with any small car you need to re-adjust you perception about if someone has seen you. this was a definate problam with the MX5. best to use the right foot and get out in front and not travel in blind spots.
i realy enjoy the chalenge of tossing a small light weigh car in on the limit and trying to keep the ballance right. corrnering speed in the 7 at palmersports was second only to the slick shod race cars. I was more physically shaged after getting out of the 7 though as they required quick reflexes in comparison to the mid engine slick shod racers. i recon if you can learn to drive a 7 quick and smoth you will be quicker than just about anyting out there
one local lad has just got an MNR on the road in Melbourne with a R1 engine in it. said its not much fun in peak hour as the 5000rpm clutch dump to get it moving is no fun when you have to get the clutch back in 0.25 milli seconds later to avoid hitting the car in front. it does sound mean and is very hard to keep up with on a winding road.
there is always a few for sale around the 20k-30k bracket. if you bought the right one you could enjoy it for a few years and appart for general maintenance and running costs not loose any money on it.
with club reg in victoria for 90 days use for around $100 (?) its a cheep second car.
Ryan
ezakimak said:
one local lad has just got an MNR on the road in Melbourne with a R1 engine in it. said its not much fun in peak hour as the 5000rpm clutch dump to get it moving is no fun when you have to get the clutch back in 0.25 milli seconds later to avoid hitting the car in front. it does sound mean and is very hard to keep up with on a winding road.
That is what the fellow who has a clubman at my work said. I sat in it on our day drive and had to work out how to get out! I guess in the cars defence, I am not small. He keeps trying to convince me to get one but I have resisted so far, anyway I would want to build it too. It has to have some practicality as far as I am concerned, mine would need a brolly attachment so I don't get burnt! Local melbourne club
http://vcbg.com.au/clubmans/
USA forum
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/
if you follow through the build logs of a few of the threads, you can see that you don’t need to start with much in terms of tools or dollars. Gas Mig Welder, angle grinder, hacksaw and some clamps. a few lengths of tube and the book "build your own sports car for 250 pounds by ron champion" and you could be on your way.
if you have a look at some of the non-traditional builds (there is a separate build logs section) on the USA site you can see where the same principles can take you. just need to pay attention to design and getting triangulation right.
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=36...
keep in mind that the original book was done many moons ago. There has been a great of proliferation of advanced manufacturing technology. You will probably be able to find a local company that is able to perform water cutting, laser cutting or CNC machining at a reasonable price. A local club will probably also turn up suitable contacts.
Most of the tabs and mounting brackets on my chassis have been laser cut. We also trailed some laser cut wishbones whilst we were mocking up wishbone lengths
(I should start a thread on my build - 13" wheels, slicks, downforce - looking for in excess of 3g in the corners)
Ryan
http://vcbg.com.au/clubmans/
USA forum
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/
if you follow through the build logs of a few of the threads, you can see that you don’t need to start with much in terms of tools or dollars. Gas Mig Welder, angle grinder, hacksaw and some clamps. a few lengths of tube and the book "build your own sports car for 250 pounds by ron champion" and you could be on your way.
if you have a look at some of the non-traditional builds (there is a separate build logs section) on the USA site you can see where the same principles can take you. just need to pay attention to design and getting triangulation right.
http://www.locostusa.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=36...
keep in mind that the original book was done many moons ago. There has been a great of proliferation of advanced manufacturing technology. You will probably be able to find a local company that is able to perform water cutting, laser cutting or CNC machining at a reasonable price. A local club will probably also turn up suitable contacts.
Most of the tabs and mounting brackets on my chassis have been laser cut. We also trailed some laser cut wishbones whilst we were mocking up wishbone lengths
(I should start a thread on my build - 13" wheels, slicks, downforce - looking for in excess of 3g in the corners)
Ryan
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