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[Edited on 20/6/12 by hicost]

I'm glad you escaped physically unscathed, but I can only imagine how awful it is to watch your car burn and be powerless to stop it

That's horrible. Anything salvageable? Glad you're OK.

I have taken photos of your car every year at Stoneleigh and seen its development over the years, it was as many have said, an inspiration to many other builders. A sad day for sure.

Glad you are ok and I am sure its evil twin will be wheeling its way out of the workshop by this time next year!

Ouch. That must be soul destroying. Electrical fires really shouldn't happen if the system is properly protected (fused at source and cable sizes chosen to suit loads + a FOS) - any idea where it started?

I was passed your photo earlier in the week James, and we were both very gutted for you.............

ETA, yours is the only CEC KC I'd have had - and for anyone that know's me, that is saying a lot!!!
I remember going round the outside of you on Gerrards at Mallory Park, and it sounded ace on and off boost...

[Edited on 20/6/12 by Steve Hignett]

James - sorry to see that; it was an awesome car whenever I saw it (made my Stuart Taylor look like a weedy 3/4 size seven!). Glad you are OK, though, and hope you get a reasonable insurance payout for the next one

Simon

Thats awful. I loved your car. . .

Bugger the end of a forum legend

James that's a real p*sser, gutted for you - no more Headley Court rides then.
And to think it was only a couple of weeks ago we shot past each other on the A20!

If there's any consolation it died doing what it was best at........

Hopefully insurance won't be a problem - just don't let them skin you.
ATB, Pewe

PS did I mention we had a dead short in the dash wiring on day three of our Italian trip? Fortunately nothing as serious as yours but makes us realise how lucky we were!

[Edited on 20/6/12 by pewe]

A sad loss indeed. Electrical fires are the worst, because until you disconect the battery (and kill the engine if running), you stand no chance of putting it out. Just glad to hear that ONLY belongings were damaged/consumed, they are replace-able.

bugger

Terrible news, but as others have said, at lease no-one was hurt

Sorry to see this

I remember seeing this car a few years ago and spent awhile looking at all the work that had gone into it

Always a sad day when somebodies project is lost

I know folks always say it, but the most important thing is your ok

Nightmare. Glad you are ok. That's the important thing.

Sounds like time for a new project

FEEL FOR YOU

Gutted for you James, must be a real killer for you

Like many I've seen your car a number of times and marvelled at the development put into it. Hope you find the drive to start again and build something new.

Absolutely gutted for you James As others have said glad your ok though!

Cheeses....so sorry to read this. Hope there's no trouble processing the insurance claim.

It feels like forum member has been taken from us...

Your car was truly an inspirational beast for many of us on here - she will be sadly missed. As already said, glad you are ok, and I hope the insurance works out for the next even faster project.

Christ, Least you got out unharmed.

James,

Don't know what to say, around ten years ago now we sneaked a full day at Donington for the price of a few laps remember ? We both realised what was happening, looked at each other, kept our gobs shut and got on with it.

Then you seriously burnt your foot in the car a year later I think it was same place ?

Mallory a full morning of rain then an afternoon of sun ?

The James inspired cinema under the gezbo at Donington ? Those where the good old days ?

It must hurt, what you doing, bring the car home ?

Obviously feel for you, you put years into that great machine, very sad sight.

[Edited on 20/6/12 by Jon Ison]

Hi James

We've not met, but I sympathise for you.

Glad you're OK.

Mark

That's bad news, was it just the back end ? It looks like it was and can you get it home to salvage it?

Bloody hell mate - I can't believe it, so many years, so much heart and soul gone into that car, glad I had a chance to ride in it.

Just glad you're ok

As jasper says . i also enjoyed going out in your car, made my little xflowed 7 seem rather dull after that!
It was just after you took the nitrous out, thank god!

Glad your all right, as the last time i went to hospital to see you, i thought your number was up

So, will it be an ultima now ??

regards

steve

Wow, just seen this, GUTTED.
I was at that Donnington day Jon mentioned.....the car was an inspiration to many early locosters. I first saw it at Newark in 2000 / 2001 ish. Gave us much food for thought. Pleased you're OK James.

Oh Dude, what a sickener. Of all the cars. . .
Glad that no-one was hurt though.

No way!! The Hicost!!!

Gutted! I was lucky enough to have a ride in it one Newark too - awesome machine. Still you got some serious use out of it - more than most people. How many miles did you do in her? So sad to see it destroyed though.

But what's next?

Rescued attachment dony_-_portable_cinema.jpg

Bad luck James!

Good to hear you are OK though. Will there be a Mk2?

In my opinion this was one of the best CEC cars out there - a real shame this has happened.

Glad you are safe and able to write about it.

I hope whatever you decide to do with the insurance, it is as inspirational as this car was.

James, I was gutted for you when it happened. I thought you'd just stopped for photo's (didn't hear the radio) when you pulled over. I was kicking myself after for not stopping; Don't think there woul have been much I could do though.

Thanks for everyone's comments and offers of help, I will be out with the mig and tig very soon, in fact the next few weeks. I will hopefully be picking up whats left of the car from the South of France over the next week or so.

I plan on making a new one with a few tweaks here and there. I want to push the engine more central and go independent on the rear end. Go to 15" mini lite wheels and say a 50 profile.

Depending on design I may go inboard shocks also. Going to try and make it 200 kilos lighter, no steel floor or steel rear bulkhead.

So I am after bits, rear Cosworth diff, LSD 3.73 or alike. Drive shafts rear hubs etc etc.

I will put pictures up when it starts chassis should only take a week to do. I will do a full,install of all running gear engine and instruments before powder coat so,I have everything welded in.

Thanks

James

200 kilograms lighter........ Ever considered a bike engine?

Phil

Good to hear. A new car rising from the ashes... like a pheonix? :?