Need Purchasing Advice

Need Purchasing Advice

Author
Discussion

RyanSwift86

Original Poster:

5 posts

60 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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Afternoon. I've been looking for a kit car and the one i never would have thought to buy has grabbed my attention the most.
I've found it on eBay, it doesn't have IVA as it was built as a hill climb car, but the builder started to convert it over. I've never owned a kit car before but have worked on cars. I just need someone to suggest how much of a risk it could be. I've seen videos of it running and driving at the garage via Facetime, so i know it works. But hopeful someone on here could take a look and tell me the real risks. I've also been told it's 1 of a kind, but if anyone knows it, that would be great. Thanks

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hand-Built-Kit-car-trac...


smokey mow

1,111 posts

207 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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I’d budget about the same as the asking price to prepare, correct the issues and then put it through an IVA.

anonymous-user

61 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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Whether or not it actually could be IVA'd without redesigning/rebuilding certain aspects of the car is an open ended question.

The test includes all sorts of requirements regarding seatbelt mounting heights, radiused edges, and brakes, steering and suspension have to meet strict criteria etc etc.

I think, if converting the vehicle for IVA and road use, this is a project for someone with a good working knowledge of what it takes to get a kit car through the test. Bear in mind, kit car manufacturers design their kits to pass IVA, and will usually help builders prepare their cars for the test. A one-off special built for hillclimbing, like this one, will benefit from none of that. So you would be, as they say, on your own. IVA, if passed the second time (somewhat unlikely you'd pass first time with a project like that), was reckoned to cost, last time I heard - a few years ago, about £1000 or more, all told, inc getting it there and faffing around etc.

If you do decide to have a go, join a kit car club (don't know where you are) like the Southern Kit Car Club or one of the Locost car clubs.

rog007

5,778 posts

231 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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You’ve not said what you intend to do with it. If you’re only intending to hill climb or track it and have a trailer then it may be a fine purchase.

If it’s for road use...good luck; I’d be looking elsewhere.

Equus

16,980 posts

108 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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rog007 said:
You’ve not said what you intend to do with it.
Killing it with fire would be favourite.

InitialDave

12,235 posts

126 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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My purchasing advice would be "don't".

Seriously, £2500 for a non-IVA'd unknown quantity powered by a Nova engine?

Driver101

14,376 posts

128 months

Monday 25th November 2019
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That is really ugly.

CanAm

10,057 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
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It certainly doesn't look like a cutting edge hillclimb single seater. The rather high front end reminds me of the Hudson Free Spirit single seater trike,which featured a Renault 5 inline engine in front of the driver, in fact in front of the front wheels!

RyanSwift86

Original Poster:

5 posts

60 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
quotequote all
Thanks everyone for the input. I've decided (as the general feedback is negative) to pull out of the deal. I do believe this car has been prepped for IVA, however why it hasn't got it yet might be down to the construction which i know i wouldn't be able to fix. I guess i wanted a cheap, fun car to drive on the road. It's my own fault for driving a morgan 3 wheeler this year and falling in love. Difference is i don't have £30k to buy, only £5k
The search continues.......

timbo999

1,353 posts

262 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
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What about a Pembleton?

RyanSwift86

Original Poster:

5 posts

60 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
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@timbo999 i'm after either a pembleton, grinnall, JZR, MEV Trike, Triking, etc. Basically anything that has 3 wheels and preferably rear wheel drive.
If anyone is selling, i'm looking to buy......But i was willing to compromise with this kit car because of the central single seat design was very interesting to me. Not the colour or engine, but the overall car yes.

CanAm

10,057 posts

279 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
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RyanSwift86 said:
Thanks everyone for the input. I've decided (as the general feedback is negative) to pull out of the deal. I do believe this car has been prepped for IVA, however why it hasn't got it yet might be down to the construction which i know i wouldn't be able to fix. I guess i wanted a cheap, fun car to drive on the road. It's my own fault for driving a morgan 3 wheeler this year and falling in love. Difference is i don't have £30k to buy, only £5k
The search continues.......
A wise move. Somebody has obviously gone a long way towards making it road legal. As being road registered would make it much more saleable, that hints quite strongly that an IVA pass would not have been easy.

Bronco_jr

24 posts

228 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
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Ryan,

If you looking for cheap I have a GTM rossa K3 1.4 injection k series. It isn't pristine, bought on a whim used it a bit during the summer but lost interest.

I paid around £1200 a few months back, but the MOT has now run out. Yours for £1K (North Yorkshire)

RyanSwift86

Original Poster:

5 posts

60 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
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Bronco_jr said:
Ryan,

If you looking for cheap I have a GTM rossa K3 1.4 injection k series. It isn't pristine, bought on a whim used it a bit during the summer but lost interest.

I paid around £1200 a few months back, but the MOT has now run out. Yours for £1K (North Yorkshire)
Thanks Bronco, but not my cup of tea i'm afraid

Bronco_jr

24 posts

228 months

Thursday 28th November 2019
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No worries Ryan, I'll get around to putting it on the dreaded Ebay eventually smile