Good evening,

As per the thread title, I am a kit car and locostbuilders novice and I am looking to ask some of you lovely folk about building my own locost. Please bear with me as some of my questions might make me sound like a numpty!

Let me introduce myself... I'm Jonny, 21 and I live in Huddersfield. I'm just about to graduate from Uni, and I currently work part time as a product designer. I haven't always been into kit cars or been planning on building one since I was a young'n, but I recently did a track experience day in an Ariel Atom and absolutely loved it and this has sparked a desire to build and own my own kit car, in particular a locost.

With regards of my mechanical experience - none... but I do a fair bit of hands on building and model making as part of my job and uni course and I have fettled with cars I have had in the past, coilovers, wheels, servicing etc.

I don't know a massive amount about kit cars, just what I've learned from looking at a few threads on here and viewing build blogs, so with this in mind what I'd like to do is tell you chaps what I would like from a kit car and perhaps you chaps can point me in the right direction??

A 'kind of' basic spec I have given myself;

Initially I have about an £5-8k investment but this has to include tools (currently have none), garage (rent) and with the rest of this I'd like to get as far down the build line as I could.

I like the look/idea of the Avon or Indy with a 2.0 zetec possibly? but would also like to install a race cage. not sure if this difference in vehicle makes any difference to this?

Would like to if possible use as a daily driver... (is this normal?) but I believe a race cage can't be used in conjunction with weather gear? any chance of having something bespoke made? And if it is a daily I'd like to have a stereo in there as well (traffic updates http://locostbuilders.co.uk/images//smilies/tongue.gif ).

Would like to have as many new or reconditioned parts as possible that would normally be taken from the donor - engine, box, brakes, etc... I'm would consider the Avon 'kit in a box' to avoid mucking about with a donor, if it proved to be good value? and if I could have a few of the parts knocked off the long spec list.. some things I would like to source separately.

Finally, not sure how these are fitted or adapted but I would love to have a paddle shift kit on it aswell, does this make a difference to the gearbox used or anything?

Sorry about the long post, any general advice and guidance would be great! And if you think I sound that naive that I might be missing some vital info about kit cars, please let me know!!

Cheers,

Jonny

Anysting is possible so a cage and bespoke weather gear would be possible, Paddle shift with a Car engined car would be mega bucks but an easy install for a Bike engine. Stereo is do able I had one fitted but you cant hear it above 7o due to wind and exhaust note. The zetec is strong and will give you 150 BHP with little expens

welcome,

your local, im in wakefield

i would think about buying something you can use unless you really want to build one, will save you money and you can still make it your own

Welcome.

a novice myself, just got a rolling chassi and working from their but if i had your sort of funds id go for an mk indy r or one of martines 7type down at mk engineering. you are an hour away from both manufacturers. i myself are between doncaster and huddersfield so local.

youll always get help and advise on here everyones great help.

Personally if i was you I’d look to build a Haynes Roadster based on the Chris Gibbs book. This is the successor to the original Ron Champion book updated with a slightly wider body, IRS in place of a live axle and Sierra or Mazda MX5 running gear instead of those mark 2 escort/ mark 4 cortina bits that are getting like hens teeth now.
You will end up with something thats as good as any of the kits, will cost you less and provide more satisfaction. I've had a very good look round a few Haynes roadster's and would say the chassis is every bit as good as the one in my MK Indy in terms of design. If i had the time and the space to build from scratch i'd certainly take this route now.

self build more rewardin than a kit build however generally handle a little worse, take a lifetime and dont save you that much money Personally go for one thats gone thorugh SVA IVA and then add your mark. You get to enjoy it form day one

Thanks for the input guys, got some information to work with now...

I would deffinitely like to build my own from the start with a kit rather than self build. Although picking something up that has been iva'd etc could be a good starting point - i'll have to keep my eyes on the classifieds!

I like the idea of a Indy R, possibly bike powered...

I think I'll have to give them a call and a visit...

Thanks again chaps!

Personally I think it's all about the build.
You will never be able to say "I built that"
Wether it's scratch built or chassis upwards is an individual choice, my view is its still someone elses plans so your only welding it.
Chassis up for me.

quote:

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Originally posted by jonjon000
Thanks for the input guys, got some information to work with now...

I would deffinitely like to build my own from the start with a kit rather than self build. Although picking something up that has been iva'd etc could be a good starting point - i'll have to keep my eyes on the classifieds!

I like the idea of a Indy R, possibly bike powered...

I think I'll have to give them a call and a visit...

Thanks again chaps!

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Welcome, don't underestimate how long it will actually take you to build. Generally for me it is cash flow not time that restricts progress most.

I bought a chassis and suspension, with bodywork and everything else I have sourced or made. I'm at 2 1/2 years so far.

The reason I went this way was because I didn't want to weld, didn't have the kit or the experience.

So, if you are eager to get in one and drive you need to buy a finished car.

Personally I would buy the MK over the Avon, the Avon is a bit small and I understand the body work is difficult to fit. Plus the MK is close to you. Also have a look at Mac1 from Sheffield and MNR in Harrogate.

For every day use I don't think the locost is the car.

There are kit cars that will do the job well, but a locost isn't one IMO.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dangle_kt
For every day use I don't think the locost is the car.

There are kit cars that will do the job well, but a locost isn't one IMO.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Slimy38

quote:

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Originally posted by Dangle_kt
For every day use I don't think the locost is the car.

There are kit cars that will do the job well, but a locost isn't one IMO.

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Out of interest, why would you say that? Are you referring to all Lotus Seven inspired cars, or is there something specific about the locost design that makes it difficult?

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Ah yes, now I understand. Yes I agree you have to be very dedicated to use a Lotus sevenesque on a daily basis. It's just the way I read your post suggested it was some problem specific to a locost, which had me worried because I was going to start with a locost chassis!

[Edited on 6/5/12 by Slimy38]

I once used a Cobra replica all year round for commuting etc. Other than sometimes being a pain to reach upto toll booths it was no prblem at all even when there was snow on the ground. I'm certainly intending to use my Indy all year round once i get the screen and weather gear sorted out. The trick is to use a heater which has a decent fan, or to fit extra fans, to keep the screen clear. I just dont have the spare cash to have a car sitting idle for 8 months of the year as a luxury so it has to work for it's living.

Again chaps thanks for the input, I reckon I need to get some primary research done and get to some meets... and have a look and a feel for myself.

With regards of using as a daily driver please note that on a 5 day working week I will cycle twice and normally run once. I also live in the town centre so its normally also a walk or cycle to the supermarket rather than a drive. I did also have a bug as a daily for a year - no heaters and damaged seals mean't it was often frozen or wet through inside and it wasn't a sort of problem that made me want to swap my car (I had to eventually sell due to working away).

I've heard mixed reviews about a bike powered kit as a daily (mainly folk saying its a no no) is this just because of the high revs / engine wear that is hard to live with?

Cheers

Jonny

quote:

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Originally posted by jonjon000


I've heard mixed reviews about a bike powered kit as a daily (mainly folk saying its a no no) is this just because of the high revs / engine wear that is hard to live with?

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U2U sent...

He's 21. I had a Yamaha RD400 at his age, which was my daily transport for 2 years, so a locost is not any worse to scoot around in on a regular basis. They are serious money pits though, regardless of what anybody tells you. People cannot add.