Jhr20
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 01:07 PM |
|
|
Advice for 1st build
Hi all,
Firstly, I have to say that this site was recommended to me, and I can see why, what a great forum, well done!!
Its been a lifelong dream, but now I have a garage I am good to go. I am looking to purchase and build my first kit car. Please could you advise me
which car kit and manufacturer you would recommend for my first build, (with limited skills, but keen to learn)?
Also, are there any companies that also provide the donor engine/car, or do you need to source this yourself?
Many thanks
|
|
|
|
|
craig5
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 01:16 PM |
|
|
think 1st need to deside car or bike engined
|
|
|
jacko
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 01:39 PM |
|
|
Welcome to the madhouse
There are so many companies out there that i would think the best way is it try and go to see them
good ones are
MK
MNR
Westfield
and many more
it depends on your budget
jacko
|
|
|
daniel mason
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 02:28 PM |
|
|
In a nutshell MNR!
You will not be left waiting for parts, customer service,support and back up will be above and beyond your needs and most importantly the quality Is
very very good. Have a ride up there and I'm sure you'll agree!
|
|
|
Jhr20
|
 posted on 31/10/15 at 03:03 PM |
|
|
Hi all,
Thank you for the quick replies...
I have no preference whether the kit is car or bike engined, just want the buzz, excitement and challenge of building the car. (Or the frustration and
stress).
Yes, the MNR does look very good value, I can get the complete kit with everything I will need for £7,500.
The Westfield has some amazing cars, but a bit too expensive for my first attempt, maybe once I've completed one I will get the bug??
I will continue my research, again, ideally would like a complete package, so as I do not need to source that many additional parts.
Thanks
|
|
|
snapper
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 03:37 PM |
|
|
You should plan to attend some kitcar shows next year
Stonliegh has the biggest show and the most manufacturers
Put you location in your profile then look for local guys with cars and kitcar clubs
[Edited on 31/10/15 by snapper]
I eat to survive
I drink to forget
I breath to pi55 my ex wife off (and now my ex partner)
|
|
|
rusty nuts
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 04:22 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by snapper
You should plan to attend some kitcar shows next year
Stonliegh has the biggest show and the most manufacturers
Put you location in your profile then look for local guys with cars and kitcar clubs
[Edited on 31/10/15 by snapper]
If next year is anything like this year Stoneleigh is the ONLY show Newark , Stafferd, Deitling and Donnington shows have all gone .
Might be worth checking out you local kit car meets or putting your location in your profile and getting in touch with local kit car owners to see
their cars?
|
|
|
theduck
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 04:29 PM |
|
|
Mnr would be my recommendation based in what you have said you want.
|
|
|
Ugg10
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 04:34 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Jhr20
Yes, the MNR does look very good value, I can get the complete kit with everything I will need for £7,500.
Don't forget to budget for consumables, oil, brakefluid, pads, transmission and diff oil etc. All add up. And you may need close to £1000 to get
the car through the iva.
If I were starting from scratch I would be looking at the mx5 mnr, buy a bent mk2 with 1800, 6 speed and lsd and learn about the oily bits taking them
off and refurbing them yourself, nice job for over the winter and start the build in the spring. Single donor of some sort would be least hassle.
If you want more of a challenge then the sylva j15 is a cracking car but not sure about kits as I think it may be up for sale at the moment.
Good luck.
[Edited on 31/10/15 by Ugg10]
---------------------------------------------------------------
1968 Ford Anglia 105e, 1.7 Zetec SE, Mk2 Escort Workd Cup front end, 5 link rear
Build Blog - http://Anglia1968.weebly.com
|
|
|
hizzi
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 04:45 PM |
|
|
im half through a haynes roadster build to be honest if iwas doing it again, i would look at a road legal car over the winter with old technology ,
like a pinto engined robin hood etc. then rebuild it with a modern engine etc. there is some cars to be had for around £2k
|
|
|
johnnybizzle1986
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 05:52 PM |
|
|
Hi,
What do you want to use the car for?? I have built 2 bike engined locosts. Currently swapping a bike engine to car engine.
There is total kit car live November 20th at brands hatch, not many manufactures there but you can get at good look at other peoples cars, see and
hear them on the track.
I would recomend mac1..... With a bike engine
Regards Jon
|
|
|
Jhr20
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 06:37 PM |
|
|
Looked at the Mac1 and the MNR, both look very good, I will be using the car for road use, but leisure only, not for commuting to work.
I have yet to confirm my budget, but thanks for pointing out the cost of the IVA and the cost of the consumables and extras as I didn't factor
these in.
I live in East Sussex, so will try and attend a few kit car shows, before baking my decision, I believe Maidstone (Dettling) has a good one but will
see if I am able to attend the Brands Hatch event.
Am currently looking on Ebay, etc to get some more ideas of kit cars.
|
|
|
jonabonospen
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 06:48 PM |
|
|
I would recommend that if you are a new builder (as I was 3 years ago when I started mine) then make absolutely sure you buy a kit where they can show
you exactly what the "build instructions" are like that they give you. I decided to build a Mac1 on the basis they said it came with some
"basic" instruction notes, not a full build manual like a Westfield, but something basic for you to work with, as I explained I was able
to use a spanner but was not a mechanic and would be a novice with enthusiasm. But it turned out there was no printed instructions for the build at
all. You are just expected to build from a chat with the guys and looking at other peoples builds.
MAC#1 ZX10R WORX BUILD BLOG: http://mac1-zx10r-worx-build-blog.tumblr.com/
MY PERSONAL BLOG: http://jonabonospen.tumblr.com/
|
NOTE:This user is registered as a LocostBuilders trader and may offer commercial services to other users
|
adithorp
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 06:57 PM |
|
|
I'd a say attend Stoneleigh in May as it's biggest show of the year (there aren't many now and I think Brands live event has been
cancelled) and look over everything thats there in the halls then have a look at the finished kits in the club areas and chat with the owners.
Different people have different experiences with kit manufacturers. Those that have good ones will shout it from the rooftops but those that
don't might not; They need the makers good will for spares, so don't always pipe up with negative reviews on a public forum... what
they'll say in person might be different.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
|
|
|
sdh2903
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 07:39 PM |
|
|
I'm just starting my second build. An mx5 powered MNR. The service and quality of parts is second to none. Comes with decent if not 100%
comprehensive build manual. But if you have a query send an email and you'll get an answer in hours not days. Despite a hiccup with my chassis
they have bent over backwards to sort it.
If your building for the 1st time this backup is invaluable. I've had dealings with several other kit manufacturers some good some not so good.
Some can't even be arsed to phone or email back.
Get yourself to a show or local meet and see what's what. Try and get a ride in a bike engined and a car engined car to see what you fancy. I
started my first build as a CEC but converted to a BEC after a passenger ride got me hooked.
Don't be scared off by a bike build they are not as daunting as you might think and don't believe anyone who says you can't do
milage in a bec speak to Adi amongst others who regularly clock up 4 figure milage road trips. Setup correctly they can be just as easy to live with
as a car engine but give you a serious giggle when the revs get passed 9k and keep on going.!!
|
|
|
coozer
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 08:15 PM |
|
|
When I built my first one looked through all the mags and attended the show at Ascot (I think!) and looked at what was available. Top car at that
show was aJago Jeep! It was in the 80s after all.
Anyway after a long time I went for a Striker. The demonstrator had a Fiat twin can on webers and I was hooked. That was 1993 before any forums or
whatever and would have loved this place back then!
Over the years all that has changed is the quest for more and more power...
I'm 4 years into a Jago jeep rebuild and already gathering parts for my next build which will be the Midlana with the aim being 350bhp to
start
If you just want a good nut and bolt build I would recommend, just like others here, MNR.
My advise is too choose your engine first. Spend a lot of time thinking about what you want and stick with your choice. Over the years my downfall
has been constant engine changes which adds thousands £ to your build. So this time first thing is to build the motor and then the car.
Good luck!
Steve
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
|
|
|
adithorp
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 09:26 PM |
|
|
Striker is probably worth a look. Been around a long time, good chassis and lot's been built so plenty of advice to be found. Also as Steve at
Fury (another option if you're not set on a seven) is not too far from you knows a thing or two about them.
Left field suggestion... GBS Zero. Not a bad car but not too complicated for a first timer. Looks like they supply a pretty comprehensive kit and
pretty much everything you'd need to finish.
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
|
|
|
motorcycle_mayhem
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 09:34 PM |
|
|
Again.. as has been said, my advice would be to get hold of a 'project' or something with an undesirably prehistoric power unit /
transmission. The thing is then pre-registered, if it's driveable you can mull over what to do with it while getting some road/track time.
Lots, I mean lots, of used things out there. Some (most) obviously stupidly overpriced (they're the ones that have been 'on sale'
for years), but occasionally someone actually wants to sell and these cars are the ones that I'd go for.
Buy the car, dump the Pinto (or the carb'd ZX9) , replace with something a tad more modern, enjoy the challenge and then have a blast.
|
|
|
Ben_Copeland
|
| posted on 31/10/15 at 09:50 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by johnnybizzle1986
Hi,
What do you want to use the car for?? I have built 2 bike engined locosts. Currently swapping a bike engine to car engine.
There is total kit car live November 20th at brands hatch, not many manufactures there but you can get at good look at other peoples cars, see and
hear them on the track.
I would recomend mac1..... With a bike engine
Regards Jon
It's been cancelled although a lot of us are still going on the Sunday for a get together/ track day
Ben
Locost Map on Google Maps
Z20LET Astra Turbo, into a Haynes
Roadster
Enter Your Details Here
http://www.facebook.com/EquinoxProducts for all your bodywork needs!
|
|
|
samjc
|
| posted on 1/11/15 at 10:09 AM |
|
|
Welcome, not many questions go un answered on here,
Deside your budget and then decide car or bike engine.
My first show was the auto show at NEC at begining of the year. Helped me go round most of the kits to get a good idea.
Lots of choices and you can soon blow a budget if not careful.
|
|
|
gaz_gaz
|
| posted on 1/11/15 at 06:13 PM |
|
|
If you look up user Mick-salt he discussed the build cost of an MNR Mazda in great detail and I'm almost sure the 7500 price was a little out of
date.
You'd do well to look up and perhaps speak to Danny at MK Sportscars.
The cars go well and the team are working hard on customer service which has been a little disappointing in the past.
I've bought a few parts from them lately for a non MK build and everything's arrived within 24hrs.
|
|
|
Jhr20
|
| posted on 2/11/15 at 03:32 PM |
|
|
Thank you
Just wanted to thank everybody for all there help and advice, it has been very much appreciated. I now feel that I have a good understanding of what
Is available and what I need to look for.
I will now go and view a few manufacturers, and hopefully purchase my kit.
Cheers
John
|
|
|
kenton
|
| posted on 2/11/15 at 05:52 PM |
|
|
Hi John
I'm just round the corner from you in Waldron. Most weekends I'm out with SKCC, between us there are most makes on offer. Pass rides are
available from several of us if it helps you decide on what to go for.
Kenton
|
|
|
.jpg)
