As per title. Always been interested in them and with the internet it seems easier than ever!
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As per title. Always been interested in them and with the internet it seems easier than ever!
Rather have an Ariel Atom with a blown Busa donk in it, I'd get in soooo much trouble!
I was chief apprentice on one of these builds in the 80s. Me, my mate over the road Daz, and our Dads. Both Daz and his Dad are now departed sadly. Though not because of the kit car. Haven’t thought about this for a long time...
The truth? It was great fun to build, loads to learn, but utterly shite to drive. Uprated 711M Ford 1.6L engine with decent carbs and a trick cam and various uprated parts, it was the Formula Ford favourite. Daz’s old man built it, very revvy. But.... much of the running gear was Mk4 Cortina and somehow the setup wasn’t spec’d to match the motor, highly likely because my Dad was a tight bastard. The steering was never quite right and snap oversteer on crap British roads was a constant menace. A bumpy road and a heavy foot would result in wheel spin in 3rd. The brakes weren’t exactly progressive, there was a point at which bumps in the braking zone would cause one or both front wheels (and sometimes all four) to suddenly lock up without warning, and cadence braking was impossible. On a smooth track it was great fun, but on the public road it was a deathwish. Everything to do with amateurs and almost certainly could have been so much better with decent suspension, brakes and steering.
My cousin in the UK then built one of these about 16-17 years ago, but with a Honda engine and far superior running gear. Unfortunately I never got to drive it, and I clearly recall he sold it very suddenly after what his wife later told me was a near death experience on the A51. Funny how I remember the road number. Cousin told me it was because he didn’t like getting wet, but she told me something quite different.
My view is that they are tremendous fun to build, less fun to drive on our public roads that you might think, and downright bloody dangerous when conditions are shite. A good one with decent running gear (expensive) and safety setup (expensive) is an awesome track day car.
Ah. I had grand plans of finding some cheap turbo motor or something and just slapping it together to pass cert and then take it for a hoon. Seems like it might just be better to buy a factory car and do it upQuote:
Originally Posted by Flyblown
A family member has built one. He's a very clever guy, tool maker by trade but spent a lot of time in the motor racing industry in the UK. Powered by a Honda Blackbird bike engine. He designed and built the chassis and suspension himself. Can't remember what front uprights he used but the rear are Subaru, independent rear. Goes like a cut cat but very scary travelling in traffic. Your head is at bumper level for most other vehicles. He uses it mainly on the track days and club racing. Good fun but do your research.
McGregor motorsport in chch and Fraser Cars in akl both do a lotus 7 replica kit car.
Think the basic McGregor kit without motor or gearbox was around $30k.
Had a kit car for a while - not a Caterham style though.
302 Ford and Celica five speed, plant foot in third on a wet road and wheel spin resulted - possibly dangerous in the wrong hands. ( but so are guns).
But for me?
Fun!
I built one from scratch, drew/copied plans and went from there, took me years and its not like putting a car back together you have to design every bit and then make sure it fits with all the other parts, took several attempt at some things. 4AGE and a T50 box, you do not need a lot of HP to scare yourself.Have plans if your interested.Attachment 165818
There are good and not so good kits around, good ones do tend to be expensive though.
Ford running gear was common back in the 80s and 90s as old Rwd Fords were cheap and common and many kit cars were British designed. I think a few kit cars now use MX5 running gear instead which is cheap, reliable and good. MX5 engines lend themselves pretty well to turbocharging as well. ;)
The 4AGE ZE version of that engine was fantastic. Amazing how much power for something you could just about tuck under your arm.Quote:
Originally Posted by ONYVA
Chasing cars (building, motorsport, restoration....you name it) is a recipe for ensuring you remain poor.
So much fun - but there is a bigger cost than just "opening the chequebook...." :XD:
Personally - I wouldn't do it - aside from track days, there isn't anywhere else you can really let loose (doing so on a public road is a road-map to even more poverty....loss of license). But hey, do whatever blows your hair back.
The advantage of small, light, nimble, relatively low powered cars (especially convertibles) is that they are still fun at speeds that won't land you in jail if you get caught, and generally have much less wear and tear on brakes, tyres etc.
No dispute about cars being an expensive hobby though! A wise man once told me the key to making a small fortune in motorsport... start with a large fortune.
I have been looking at these, mx5 based so should be fairly reasonable.
Although at the end of the day may just be easier to buy a lotus Elise and be done with it.
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Yep, i spent a fair part of my life quite passionate about cars. Mucking around modifing them from the day i turned 15 abd got my DL.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nickoli
From turbo charging and intercooling classic mini's (circuit car) to classic widow maker 911 turbo 3.6 roadcar and everything inbetween.
Its awesome fun, but sure soaks up the time and money (makes full custom rifle builds looks cheap)
Nowadays im playing with building gravity soapbox cars for the kids and enjoying applying the science and physics to making them be fast. Still lots of fun seeing the kids be competitive in something ive built from sratch.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ed83167fe1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9f17632fe6.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...0b7ed66a27.jpg
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I've chunks here n there on quite a few, never done one from start to finish though. A small motor gets you way more go than you might think, a 1600cc MX5 power train is frigging heaps of grunt. Think the open to airstream feeling of a motorcycle, but way lower to the ground, not unlike a speedway sidecar but less terrifying. They are fun but pretty impractical however. The better ones have front mudguards attached to the wheel, and move with them. Makes a much sleeker look and catches way less air.
Be mean in an MGQuote:
Originally Posted by hamsav
13b twin turbo rotary would be the gear
Have you looked at the offroader kits? You could build something you can use for hunting and not have to worry about losing your licence.
I didn't build it but I have a Leitch Supersprint Lotus 7 replica.
Have had in as many bits that I could have built it though.
Has a Toyota 4age with a t50 and Ford escort back end.
To build a kit now from Frasers, Leitch Motorsport or McGreggrors would be looking towards 60k+ I would think.
I love mine, tons of fun. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9860fb64e2.jpg
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no never heard of them before. i'd probably prefer a ute. An off roader doesn't really motivate me to spend the time, effort and money on.Quote:
Originally Posted by paremata
I was more thinking along the lines of full DIY, kits are usually very expensive as you mentioned. 60k gets a lot more car than a slow caterham with a corolla engine hahahahahQuote:
Originally Posted by clickbang
Was one of those guys on Shortland street? My brother was looking at a Lotus replica many years back and we went to the factory there. If not, it may be a third guy doing it.....Or buy an MX5 and get the best of both worlds....2 seats and reliability...and a roof.....albeit canvas...Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe_90
I think the biggest question is what you want it for?
Is it a project just for the enjoyment of building something awesome?
Is it for road use and touring?
Are you wanting a track day monster or race car?
Or a combination of these?
I think this is the crux and will guide you in what direction you want to go.
If you are after the excitement of racing and track use, I can highly recommend karting. As long as you can handle the anal nature of Kartsport New Zealand, nothing comes close in terms of bang for buck, wheel to wheel racing excitement and performance/handling.
Your risk vs reward in terms of proper jostling for position and passing manoeuvres is much better than any other form of Motorsport giving sheer racing thrill and a lot smaller of damage (money) and injury should you get it wrong.
After racing Rotax max and KZ2 class for 5 years I can promise you even the fastest of track cars feels cumbersome and slow compared.
If it is for the other reasons then go for it, I would love to build one just for the satisfaction of driving something I have built.
Definitely in my wish list for once the kids have grown and I have time.
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I used to fantasize about fitting one of those in a triumph herald . Ended up building a few other cars instead , xj6 jag with 355 chev v8 and 68 monaro with 412 chev v8 , and supercharged v6 buick in a custom ford capri of a mates .Quote:
Originally Posted by hamsav
Something to do after work really. My brother is a welder and is willing to teach me and help me out. Hence why if it takes a long time and cost is spread over a reasonable period of time it will be palatable.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spudattack
Bloody 4 wheelers! nothing but nothing, will focus your attention like elbow to elbow on a Superbike (or a 600 for that matter) letting go the brakes and forcing the line to win and control corner entry, dancing on the ragged edge of control (and trying to remember to breathe!) Not entirely sure you can stop it and turn it, but you do it anywayQuote:
Originally Posted by Spudattack
Knee down and feeling the bike oscillate as the front slides and the rear spins as you drift it and you know you're going to crash but somehow don't.
4 wheeling is fun, but 2 wheeling is sport!
Still want an Atom for Christmass.
For sure, however as I said, for a weekend warrior the risk vs reward for wheel to wheel racing on a bike is much lower than on a kart [emoji6]Quote:
Originally Posted by 257weatherby
I like to keep my 2 wheeling on the dirt[emoji1690]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...a88929f69e.jpg
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Bugger that dirt carry on, been biffed over the front a few times and then run over just to add to the indignity!. Always fancied having a crack at Karts, it really does look like fun, if you can stay ahead of those mad as no prisoner 12yr olds!. Crashes that don't wreck the bank account and body has appeal too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Spudattack
We let an old school Super kart with an retired national level pilot out on the track with us one Friday arvo (no cars about that day so he wasn't gonna get any practice time if we didn't) astonishing just how fast those things were, pretty sure there is nothing quicker around corners either, not sure he knew where the brake pedal was, so he just didn't bother!
On a different Friday we let an old school Formula 5000 out with the bikes as there were no cars, I'd forgotten about him, I was working on defensive lines while still holding onto a decent laptime and heard this horrendous noise coming from behind, no shit I actually thought a 747 was landing on the track !(we are under the airport flight path) then the noise was up my bum (I ducked!) , took a couple of tenths out of my time getting it into the Dipper and then I see this big yellow thing the size of a go kart shaped house go bellowing past the Dipper exit (cars don't use the Dipper)
Pro tip: don't try out braking something that has four tyres a meter wide! You won't.
i fitted a 4.2 jag into a triumph 2.5. farkin fast, didnt stop well, didnt corner well but fast (at the time)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ftx325
My dad has a herald that was passed down from his dad . He also currently has my spitfire I hope to get back one day .Quote:
Originally Posted by berg243
That's one of those cars you can't park anywhere without strangers coming up and complimenting it and having a chat . Got the hard and soft tops for it also .
I had a bit of a sleeper too...Quote:
Originally Posted by gonetropo
Morris Marina running a 2.6 ltr p76 six cylinder with twin carbs and a toyota 5speed...
Just looked like a boring old marina with mags but went like a cut cat...
Embarrassed many a v8 holden and ford and was regularly popping the bonnet as no one could believe how quick it was....lol
The cups in my cabinet might suggest otherwise.Quote:
Originally Posted by hamsav
I always found the street racing more exciting than track . No room for error and lampposts and spectators right in your face... that used to be a rush...
Sitting on the start line with butterflies in the belly feeling like you are about to puke from all the adrenaline and wondering if this was the race where you f#@ked up and would end up in a shop window or wrapped around that lampost on the outside of that off camber corner with the slippery giveway white lines...
Those were the days.... Young, dumb and bulletproof.....
I used to get that when I had a turbo MX5, surprised a few people! Though the noise tended to give away that it wasn't standard, certainly wasn't quiet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ftx325
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ftx325
You forgot ’and handled like a sledge’!:D
Flag the car and build a jet boat at the end of the day a car is ...just a car... you can only drive it 100kph on the road or race it on track days. Learning to drive a jet boat is way more fun, get to some places you might otherwise not get to join JBNZ and meet some interesting people you might otherwise not bump into. It is a jump out of your comfort zone that driving a car just won't give you
