Has Anyone Built A Kit-Car?

[naomi24]

If so, I would like to hear your experiences. Knowing what you know now, would you do it again?

My husband is considering fulfilling his long-held ambition to build a Cobra. I said I don’t mind at all – as long as there’s enough room in the boot for my shopping. Well…. I may as well get rid of mine and use the new one. Can’t think why he wasn’t impressed. :o)

http://www.aksportscars.co.uk/

[agchristie]

Good luck with that exciting venture.

As for your role Naomi, it is a very important one.

If Mr N starts having a HISSyfit you will have to exert your authority by chairing a COBRA meeting! ;o)

[ethandron]

Naomi, my other half built a caterham. He loved the whole process and would do it again in a heartbeat.
The best bit for him was building it, he only kept it for a couple of years as it wasn't a very comfortable ride.
He enjoyed the research, buying all the necessary tools, taking delivery, setting up the garage, getting our two sons involved, even all the testing required once it's built. We have a photograph album of the whole thing from start to finish.
And I enjoyed having the tv remote to myself, and watching my three men tinkering around together :)

[naomi24]

ag, //you will have to exert your authority by chairing a COBRA meeting! ;o) //

Oh YES!! I'll tell him that. Very good!! :o)))

ethandron, //The best bit for him was building it//

I suspect that'll be the best bit for my husband too. Well, that and listening to the engine roar. Why men get a thrill out of powerful engines roaring beats me, but there you are. They do.

[tonyav]

What engine does he intend to fit, naomi ?.

[Buenchico]

I've just googled this line:
blog building kit car

There seem to be loads of blogs from people who are building (or have finished building) kit cars, with quite a few of them referring specifically to Cobras. Perhaps there will be something there which will be of interest to Mr N24 ?

[naomi24]

I have no idea, Tony - but doubtless something powerful which makes a lot of noise! Boys and their toys, eh. ;o)

Thanks Chris. I'll show him this thread.

[tonyav]

289 ci Ford V8 for MK 1 originality, naomi. 427 ci Ford ( big block ) V8 for the widow maker !.

[HansUrbancka]

At the risk of being looked upon as a Job's Comforter, my advice is to discourage your husband from embarking on such a venture. Unless the kit is perfectly assembled by a professional, it will look what it will be, an expensive replica sports car built by an amateur.

Far better to buy a ready made item. It takes a very brave person to attempt making a gent's suit if he is Not a qualified Tailor. A car has far more bits and pieces and just the upholstery of seats is far from straightforward,

Hans.

[Prudie]

My husband has completely renovated a 1955 Mk 1 Ford Consul and is now building a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster. From my point of view he has spent so much money buying all the parts he could have bought a
really decent new car but it has kept him busy, motivated and out of trouble for 3 or 4 years.

[Zacs-Master]

Well, if it gives you more time on AnswerBank while he's fiddling with his camshaft, why complain?

[tonyav]

My husband has completely renovated a 1955 Mk 1 Ford Consul and is now building a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster.

Is he building the model A as it came out of the factory or is he building it as a rod, Prudie ?.

[Prudie]

He says 'as a rod' Tone

[tonyav]

Excellent, I'd like to see that when he's finished it, Do you know what engine, gearbox he's gonna put in it ?.

[Prudie]

Apparently the stock gearbox and engine but the engine is being fiddled with and too complicated to explain exactly how to me !!

[tonyav]

Best of luck to him warming up that old flat head four then, Prudie.

[Prudie]

Yes it's taking rather a long time (It's not in the car yet) :-)

[kvalidir]

My Dad built three whilst we were little and we all helped, mainly because we weren't allowed not to. One was a Nova which was a Lambourghini replica sort of thing, I was very small so can hardly remember that one other than it looked like it should belong in an Austin Powers film, that wasn't a from scratch build, nor was the next one which was a little Spartan he restored but the last one was an XK150 replica, that was from scratch, took him years, tons of swearing and more than once he said he wished he'd never bothered, but it was lovely once it was finished and he still has that. I think you'll enjoy it Naomi, I did now I come to think about it :)

[-Talbot-]

I've done a spitfire and a Lancaster bomber but never a car.

[RobNorth]

Probably the most important thing about this sort of project is to have a large comfortable space in which to work - 4 car's worth minimum - this makes all the difference between it being an enjoyable experience or a pain....

[naomi24]

Tony, //V8 for the widow maker !.//

Ouch!

Hans/Prudie, he’s not doing it because he needs a car. This one is just a bit of fun – something he’s wanted to do practically forever.- and it has to be a Cobra. Nothing else will do.

Rob, space is not a problem. The only thing he’s short of is time – and that’s due to a very busy work schedule.

Zacs, I’m not complaining. I never mind him doing whatever he wants to do. A huge assortment of sports gear, golfing equipment, guns, scuba gear, kite-surfing gear together with several enormous kites, guitars and their accompanying necessities, wine/beer –making equipment, various “good idea until he went off it” stuff, and goodness knows what else, bears witness to that. Just as well we do have plenty of space! :o)