Was there ever a point in your build when you seriously started hoping it was going to turn out nice looking?

I looked at my car last night while desperately trying to tidy the wiring and I'm really worried its going to look like a sh*theap. Looking at some of the amazing cars on here and the dax forum doesnt help either!

Time, money and skill make a good car, and I'm not sure I have enough of any of those things for it to come good in the end

at least you will end up with a convertible.

Just keep going.

Get it on the road, and then, time and winter mods will make it look nice.

I thought the same all through the tiger build. I only realised it was actually a nice car when it sat in the sunshine in the SVA car park... the tester said "that sits well doesn't it" he was right and i realised that it wasn't half bad myself

Dan

Take a step back, have the weekend off.
It's all worth it and never under estimate your talent, I bet theres nobody if there honest haven't at some time thought the same, I usuall get the feeling after a race and look at the panel damage and think is it worth it, but yes believe me it is!

I disagree time and imagination make a good car and skill comes with time.
Its your car forget the others plus nobody on this forum is better than you, some may have more money but that aint the point they may just have been doing it longer. You will improve the car as you own it we all do.
Cheers,
Bob

Bob

The only part of my build I am unhappy with is the wiring under the bonnet, like you I look at other cars especillay the engine bay and just wish mine was as neat and tidy

I always give the excuse that I was in a major rush to build it and needed to get it ready for the SVA, that is why it is not as neat as I would have wanted.

I did say I would sort it out once through the test, but I just want to drive it and not spend days re-doing the wiring (which is not really that bad!!)

I'm glad its not just me.

Its things like chipped powdercoat on the wishbones, small scratches on the base of the GRP seats.

I'm mainly worried someones going to see it and think "that could be a lot better than it is"!

I do think money plays a big part too, as I would love to carpet the interior and fit seat padding for example but can't for the time being so its going to end up looking a little spartan.

Most wiring can be made to look OK with some split sleeving / spiral wrap.

Don't worry - it's for driving, not looking at!

Stu

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson
I'm glad its not just me.

Its things like chipped powdercoat on the wishbones, small scratches on the base of the GRP seats.

---

it gets worse, after you've built it you'll spot all the bits you really don't like...............

forget about all that rubbish though, get in it a drive the doors off (oops no doors on a 7!!! )

All those worries get blown away as you drift it round all those roundabouts with a terrified/grinning passenger next to you

PS mine has been run into at the rear, I dropped an exhaust system on it so the ally is dented to **** and it still is great fun!

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson
Looking at some of the amazing cars on here and the dax forum doesnt help either!

---

lol! your pinto doesnt help either, but yes you're right about wd's... I wish I could anodise every part of my car

that has cheered me up though!

when you see pics of my pinto - just remember its still 'mostly' a pinto :lol:
and you've gone all modern and 16v with yours

as for anodising - I've got a few bits of that too
but don't worry they'll all be hiden on the finished car

[Edited on 12/2/10 by mcerd1]

i get the same feeling too

We all get that feeling from time to time. And its one of the reasons these cars are never finished. I am worrying about mine at the moment, but I reckon it will be ok when it all comes together (eventually!)

Dont worry about it. Get it on the road and through the IVA, then next winter start sorting out the bits that you want to improve. When I initially built mine I used an old butchered excort loom and loads of odd bits and pieces which I always intended to change later. Its not until now (2 years later) that I have gotten around to it though

I built my BEC MNR with that thought in my mind all along, especially with the wiring.
I did a lot of extending and moving the 'ugly' parts of the wiring e.g. starter relays, rectifier e.t.c so that these could be hidden either in the passenger footwell or under the scuttle, also putting all wiring in convoluted tubing and fixing this to the underside of the chassis rails helped hide it from view.

Guys ...... you don't need 'money' mine was done at very little cost......I used every possible part from the donor, even the wiring loom (ok that was checked and renewed where needed, and bits not needed taken out), I even used the original radiator......oh and the stalks, just modded them to fit the Sierra wheel.......

Skill? .... I honed and learned new skill's building my car ....

The secret I believe is in planning and looking forward (in your mind) to how you want your car to look.......
Be strict with yourself! a lot of people get into a pickle because they keep changing stuff.

The next tip is to clean and refurbish the components you have... not just a quick rub down and paint, but properly refurbed making sure all bits are in working order, and properly clean before you paint.....

So...time and patience is the key, and forward planning........you can do it, it will be fine, and as said, all the problems and snags you may have encountered along the way, will vanish once you get behind the wheel.....and remember...you built that car.........

OK so perhaps it may not turn out quite as you had hoped, but the skills and lessons you will have learnt you can take forward.....

Oh...and did anyone tell you...the cars are never finished! ....

Just get on and get it built and on the road! It can all be 'changed' as and when necessary!

I do a few mods on mine every winter...(depending on what Father Chrimbo has bought me) .....

And....we are always here to help and encourage ......

Fozzie

as above. I don't think anybody is ever happy with their wiring.

quote:

---

Originally posted by RK
as above. I don't think anybody is ever happy with their wiring.

---

Are there things I'd do differently if I was to do it again? Well, I don't know really. A few people have mentioned wiring etc as examples and I know that there have been cracking photos of beautiful engine bays with no wiring, nothing on the scuttle and hardly any pipework showing but I console myself with the fact that mine is easy to get to / maintain / modify.
There are a couple of things that I will be changing but these are mainly cosmetic.

ETA - Yes, I know it's all about cosmetics! I mean things like the dash panel and the tunnel top which were a bit rushed to make it for SVA

[Edited on 12/2/10 by Richard Quinn]

As has been said already

We've all been there, get it finished passed IVA and on the road and its amazing how the scratches in the gelcoat (dont ask) or other bits suddenly disappear at speed with the wind in your hair ( or not as the case may be)

And yes Upgraditis struck my build and I was pushing to get into SVA. Went for new clocks ( mrs fault she didnt like the idea of using the sierra ones) and a bright 6 and some fancy LED lights which put a dent in the budget

As fozzie said patience (it is a virtue you know) the skills will come and if they dont someone on here will have them and will most likely be willing to help

And when its all finished and your sat in the drivers seat with your pass certificate it makes it all Good

quote:

---

Originally posted by Vindi_andy
….its amazing how the scratches in the gelcoat (dont ask)…..

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Vindi_andyAnd yes Upgraditis struck my build

---

I agree on your principles of time, money and skill.

I was short of 2 of those at any one point in time. The way I got round it was to only put the things on the car that are really required and avoid any unnecessary attachments (therefore saving time and money and reducing the need for skill...).

As it is, I'm really happy with my car now, and the lack of extra's adds to the appeal IMHO

yes its definitely a good job I didnt decide to fit a completely different engine part way through

thanks for all the positivity.

I just got a text from my dad asking if we can sort the brakes out next so he can drive it up and down the drive. That should cheer me up!

[Edited on 12/2/10 by cd.thomson]

I had the same issue especially after i took this photo:



The rear section looks mahoosive but after panelling it in, it looks normal now:

quote:

---

Originally posted by cd.thomson
I just got a text from my dad asking if we can sort the brakes out next so he can drive it up and down the drive. That should cheer me up!

---

Think about how much money you've spent (Wroughly) then go down to a sports car dealer and find something with simillar performance for that money, your car will look amazing buy comparison. I wanted an MR2 for awhile, but to be able to insure it I had about £1500 as my budget, and the cars I saw for three times this were awful.

I've not started yet so I can't say much on kits but I do frequently think I need a bigger more powerful car, but then I'll be out on a twisty road with noone around and I'll remember that I like my car, I worry about other people damaging it, I'm the only person to drive it (apart from FIAT employies) so I imagine a car I'd actually built would bring on stronger versions of this.