Why did you build your kit car?
Discussion
OK I know, because it wouldn't build itself. But *apart* from that very good reason, why? Was/is it the object of your automotive wet-dreams, or is there another reason?
I ask because I'm (yet again, for the umpteenth time in the last 15 or so years) considering whether or not to go for a new kit, a used kit-car or a TVR (hang on, the last two are the same aren't they..?)
Did you start out saying 'Right, it's gonna be an Ultima/GT40rep/whatever' only to then gradually lower your sights until you settled on something less erm... financially challenging..? If so are you still thrilled with your car or do you still hanker after exotica?
GP
I ask because I'm (yet again, for the umpteenth time in the last 15 or so years) considering whether or not to go for a new kit, a used kit-car or a TVR (hang on, the last two are the same aren't they..?)
Did you start out saying 'Right, it's gonna be an Ultima/GT40rep/whatever' only to then gradually lower your sights until you settled on something less erm... financially challenging..? If so are you still thrilled with your car or do you still hanker after exotica?
GP
Stig said:
Because I couldn't afford a McLaren F1 
Seriously, I built a Locost and raced it. Enjoyed the build so much I went to the other end of the scale and built the uber-Ultima
I hope that's sated your building appetite then Chris, if not, where do you go from there..?
Great site of yours btw, I've spent *days* surfing it! Soooo much better than working!
I built mine because I'd always wanted a Seven, couldn't afford a Caterham so went for a Robin Hood 
which has been replaced by a Dutton 
There was also the budget, (see above!) but I'd love an Ultima/GTD40/Cobra/GD T70. It's nice to be a bit different to the usual crowd of production cars.
which has been replaced by a Dutton There was also the budget, (see above!) but I'd love an Ultima/GTD40/Cobra/GD T70. It's nice to be a bit different to the usual crowd of production cars.
The first kit I built was a Sylva Striker.... Always wanted one since Which Kit built their Blue/Yellow one many many years ago. When I finally finished my degree and got a bit of cash together I went for it. Built it in about 2 months and loved it to bits.
Now re-building my Stylus, I got it SVA'd last year and it is now under going a total rebuild including new engine, brakes, interior and will be resprayed. I am also putting the car on a serious diet. It was way too slow last year...
Why do I build them, individuality, performance/pound, enjoyment, hobby, etc, etc.
If I am honest, wish I hadn't built the first and put the money into a house, could now buy my dream from the equity in that time. Still, can't look back and a house would never have been as much fun.
All I would say to the first time builder, go for it, it is huge fun, just plan as well as possible.
Now re-building my Stylus, I got it SVA'd last year and it is now under going a total rebuild including new engine, brakes, interior and will be resprayed. I am also putting the car on a serious diet. It was way too slow last year...
Why do I build them, individuality, performance/pound, enjoyment, hobby, etc, etc.
If I am honest, wish I hadn't built the first and put the money into a house, could now buy my dream from the equity in that time. Still, can't look back and a house would never have been as much fun.
All I would say to the first time builder, go for it, it is huge fun, just plan as well as possible.
I got fed up with moding the cossie and losing money hand over fist. Eventually I got it very close to how I wanted it..... only to roll it at a track day.
The following 6mths were spent building a garage to rebuild the cossie in and then re-building the cossie in a new shell, total stip, spray affair...
I decided I enjoyed the re-build so much I wanted to do it again. set my sights at a Venom (dodge viper replica).... and built an Ultima
When the Ultima and the Bike have gone I will almost certainly have a Dax Rush which will be very powerful and hopefully very light. I will also turn the cossie into a total track car (almost is already anyway).
Of cause there is a high chance of me building another Ultima sometime in the future.... especially as I already have a load of bits already
I just love building and improving things!
The following 6mths were spent building a garage to rebuild the cossie in and then re-building the cossie in a new shell, total stip, spray affair...
I decided I enjoyed the re-build so much I wanted to do it again. set my sights at a Venom (dodge viper replica).... and built an Ultima
When the Ultima and the Bike have gone I will almost certainly have a Dax Rush which will be very powerful and hopefully very light. I will also turn the cossie into a total track car (almost is already anyway).
Of cause there is a high chance of me building another Ultima sometime in the future.... especially as I already have a load of bits already
I just love building and improving things!
To be honest given the cash I'd have gone and bought a R400, but having built the Tiger I've gained other things I wouldn't have got from buying a Caterham
I know every nut and bolt on the car if something goes wrong. I got to rebuild the engine myself (which I really enjoyed).
I've got a car which drives brilliantly, and I'm not scared of finding the limits,which I probably would be in a car which cost £20K plus.
I've got a nasty scar on my arm where I caught it with the angle grinder cleaning up the donor parts!
I know every nut and bolt on the car if something goes wrong. I got to rebuild the engine myself (which I really enjoyed).
I've got a car which drives brilliantly, and I'm not scared of finding the limits,which I probably would be in a car which cost £20K plus.
I've got a nasty scar on my arm where I caught it with the angle grinder cleaning up the donor parts!
I fell in love with a Marlin that i read about in Alternative Car magazine a quarter century ago. Got the Marina, the brochure but.....
The wife wanted a house and 2.3 children.
She brought me a £49.99 SIP arc welder, confiscated my cheque book and locked me in a garage....
A year later the Bulldog. Then....that's history.
>> Edited by kitcarman on Friday 29th August 00:58
The wife wanted a house and 2.3 children.
She brought me a £49.99 SIP arc welder, confiscated my cheque book and locked me in a garage....
A year later the Bulldog. Then....that's history.
>> Edited by kitcarman on Friday 29th August 00:58
Spent so much on my road car and realised how much more there was to spend to make it genuinly fast (Audi TT) and even then it wouldn't be that fast, that I decided to look for something else.
Read about the Dax Rush Turbo Busa and it fitted the bill perfectly ! No frills, no compromise - a powerfull enginge on four wheels and the best handling this side of a single seater.
Almost finished the build, SVA in a few weeks.
What I have learnt though is a lot about myself and not just a lot about cars and engineering etc. It's been one of the best things I ever did.
Read about the Dax Rush Turbo Busa and it fitted the bill perfectly ! No frills, no compromise - a powerfull enginge on four wheels and the best handling this side of a single seater.
Almost finished the build, SVA in a few weeks.
What I have learnt though is a lot about myself and not just a lot about cars and engineering etc. It's been one of the best things I ever did.
Stig,
is that your blue ultima in the piccy if so she (presumption) is spanking gorgeous. Were you at donnington on sunday. Had a quick wander round the stand but it was quick. The wife and kids were with me "too expensive" were the muttered words I heard.
I am currently in the process of rebuilding someone elses bodge job, a Spartan (learning expereince) wish I'd never bought it today. My thumb is twice it's normal size and a lovely shade of purple lack however
its not put me off when I've finished this I want a seven style for track fun and road use.
1 thing I will be doing though before I take it on the track is going back to school to learn how to drive on a track after seeing some of the driving at Donnington on Sunday. Went out with Vindicator( not much queue) Thoroughly enjoyed it want one for myself, a seven type not necessarily a vindi
Feeling more positive about the spartan today. Got something off that had been giving me gyp for a while hence the black and purple thumb on friday
>> Edited by spartan_andy on Friday 19th September 15:10
>> Edited by spartan_andy on Monday 22 September 16:14
is that your blue ultima in the piccy if so she (presumption) is spanking gorgeous. Were you at donnington on sunday. Had a quick wander round the stand but it was quick. The wife and kids were with me "too expensive" were the muttered words I heard.
I am currently in the process of rebuilding someone elses bodge job, a Spartan (learning expereince) wish I'd never bought it today. My thumb is twice it's normal size and a lovely shade of purple lack however
its not put me off when I've finished this I want a seven style for track fun and road use.
1 thing I will be doing though before I take it on the track is going back to school to learn how to drive on a track after seeing some of the driving at Donnington on Sunday. Went out with Vindicator( not much queue) Thoroughly enjoyed it want one for myself, a seven type not necessarily a vindi
Feeling more positive about the spartan today. Got something off that had been giving me gyp for a while hence the black and purple thumb on friday
>> Edited by spartan_andy on Friday 19th September 15:10
>> Edited by spartan_andy on Monday 22 September 16:14
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