Slimy38
|
| posted on 17/3/12 at 08:23 PM |
|
|
Definition of 'kit car'
I wonder if I can get people's opinions on a thought. I've been watching kit cars for many years now, although never had the finance to
build one. Now I have the money, I'm starting to buy kit car magazines for inspiration.
However, one thing has got me a bit confused. This months TKC has a Porsche on the front, so I bought it immediately. I remembered Covin from many
years ago, and another Porsche kit car was very tempting. Turns out their front page was used up by what I would normally call a 'body
kit', IE a Porsche with bits added to make it look like another Porsche. And so it got me thinking, where is the line drawn? When does a
'body kit' become a 'kit car'?
For example, it is pretty much definite that Lotus 7 inspired cars are generally all considered kit cars. Even those Lotus 7's that use only a
single donor it would be difficult to describe it any other way. But what about the kit cars that use more of the donor? What about the ones that use
more donor than new kit? The Extreme Murcielago is a fabulous looking car, but it's pretty much still an MR2 underneath, so is it actually a kit
car? And coming back to the Covin, it used a VW floorpan but most of the car was from the kit, so I guess that is a kit car?
This is a bit of a rant really, after seeing TKC's cover and thinking someone had put together a Porsche kit, I felt cheated for the subject to
not really be that much of a kit. I think I might go on Ebay to see if anyone has a Covin for sale...
|
|
|
|
|
steve m
|
| posted on 17/3/12 at 09:17 PM |
|
|
Dont buy a Covin, there shite !
I had one in 2001 (ish) for a year, and what a pita it was, only good side was when i got rid of it, for nearlyy 3 times what i paid for it!
|
|
|
Slimy38
|
| posted on 17/3/12 at 09:20 PM |
|
|
If I did find one, I'd only keep the bodywork and figure out how to fit it to a decent chassis with an appropriate engine!
|
|
|
Ninehigh
|
| posted on 17/3/12 at 09:33 PM |
|
|
I'm sure we've had this before..
Iirc the general consensus was that a kit was put together from scratch, as it were, and a bodykit kept (pretty much) the "donor vehicle"
as it was...
|
|
|
Slimy38
|
| posted on 17/3/12 at 09:43 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by Ninehigh
I'm sure we've had this before..
Iirc the general consensus was that a kit was put together from scratch, as it were, and a bodykit kept (pretty much) the "donor vehicle"
as it was...
Yeah, I kind of expected it to not be a new topic.
If that's the case (and it's what I would agree with) then Total Kit Car owe me a refund!
|
|
|
Dusty
|
| posted on 17/3/12 at 10:38 PM |
|
|
It's very difficult to get much idea of the industry from the mags as they are very poor except for TKC which is almost readable. I suggest you
come along to area meets, shows, etc. Detling is 7-8 April.
There are all sorts of branches in the kit car world. Cars made from scratch to the owners design. Cars from scratch using a proven design like
locost. Kit sevens. Cobras. Roadster types like Marlin or NG. Old replicas like lotus 11. Posh kits like Phantom. Body kits on MR2's etc to
produce Ferrari replicas.
They all tend to be slightly different branches of the kit car world. Come to a show. Decide where you would like to fit in. Look at the options.
|
|
|
RK
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 02:19 AM |
|
|
I think they are defined as vehicles that you can essentially add and subtract parts at will, and still end up with a working, safe, car. A body kit
doesn't meet that definition, because it is defined by its mechanicals, designed completely by someone else. For example, I have moved my
battery because I ditched my old Odyssey PC680, replacing it with a PC925, that is bigger and no longer fits where the old one was. I moved it down to
the passenger footwell. Can't do that very well with an MR2.
|
|
|
matt_gsxr
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 08:40 AM |
|
|
For me its only a kit car if it is something you build from parts and would need an IVA to get it on the road.
Otherwise its just modifying an existing vehicle.
|
|
|
Slimy38
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 09:25 AM |
|
|
Dusty, I've already got approval from the missus to go to Stoneleigh this year, although she may change her mind if I come back with a receipt
for a deposit on a car!! Apart from the poor coverage in the magazines, you can't get a feel for the cars until you see them live. I'd not
really appreciated the size of the Tiger GTA until I saw the panels. And for every kit car I've seen in a magazine, I bet there are ten that
don't get coverage.
I also seem to remember last time I was at Stoneleigh (MANY years ago!!) there was as many unique designs on the outfield as there was in the
showrooms.
Matt, I like the idea of the IVA being the distinction, that is quite a good 'line' to be drawn.
|
|
|
wilkingj
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 10:47 AM |
|
|
Go to as many shows as you can before finally deciding. Spend more time talking to the owners than the traders.
Traders are there to sell their products (whether they are good bad or indifferent is another matter).
Use the Traders stands to decide on the style / look / type of car you want.
Then:
Talk to the Owners who have built and driven the exact model, or even similar cars. They will tell you the real story of whether the kit is easy to
build or not, and what it drives like. What the after sales service is like etc etc.
This info makes for an easier ride when you actually part with your money. Talk to as many people as possible, as all will not have had the same
experience.
Also give consideration to the Donor you will need. Some cars are getting rarer, and difficult or expensive for spares etc.
Consider the power of the engine you decide to use. This will affect your insurance, and the younger you are, the more important this becomes. Namely
you dont want to spent 1-2 years building, only to find you cant afford to put it on the road.
Also check what the IVA requirements for engines are eg emissions. I believe its changed since I did the SVA on mine.
As it will determine how good an engine you need to obtain.
ie dont buy just any engine. Doing that cost me another £2k on my build as reconditioning a V8 wasnt, and still isnt cheap. Its just saves time,
money and heartache later on.
What ever you budget is.... DOUBLE it. I budgeted for £5k, and it cost me £8k. and I completed my car in April 2006. That was a cheap Viento.
Average spend was £10-12k. But it depends on how adept you are at making bits and sourcing bargains! I only bought new parts for the "mission
critical" areas, ie brakes, steering, and suspension. I spent a lot of time sourcing the other parts at the best prices.
Also consider buying a working and on the road kit car, and spending time over a years or so modifying it. It could be a lot cheaper in the long
run.
Finally, you have already taken one of the best steps you can. You joined LocostBuilders! More experience and help on this Forum than you can shake a
stick at
Just my 2d's worth.
1. The point of a journey is not to arrive.
2. Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Best Regards
Geoff
http://www.v8viento.co.uk
|
|
|
Slimy38
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 11:50 AM |
|
|
To be honest, my kit car build will be starting from absolute bare components, lengths of metal and sheets of fibreglass. So I'm more going for
ideas and inspiration rather than starting with a predefined kit. The donor will be an MX5, I get the impression it could be the next
'Sierra' in terms of donor options. And I'm aiming for 99% of the parts to be either raw materials or donor parts, modified if
necessary.
But overall I'm more looking at the 'build' experience rather than anything else, having a nice car at the end of it is almost a
consequence rather than a target.
|
|
|
RK
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 03:21 PM |
|
|
You are in for a long road then. Good luck!
|
|
|
sdh2903
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 03:49 PM |
|
|
quote:
What ever you budget is.... DOUBLE it.
That is the most sound piece of advice you will receive. I started out using a bmw donor for engine, gearbox, drivetrain, brakes, wheels, loom,
clocks. The only bits I have left from the donor are the diff, steering column and front brakes. Ive ended up with a r1 engine after taking a ride in
a mates indyblade, stack instruments after seeing franky's car, new wheels etc etc.
You will see other peoples efforts as you build and think I like that and you will end up buying that part.
I would also visit as many manufacturers and get as many test rides as possible, even if not to buy a kit but you will pick up good ideas from each
one, it might cost you a couple of hundred quid in petrol but it will save you in the long run. I didnt do this and i would estimate it has cost me
around £1-2000 in changed plans, adjustments etc.
[Edited on 18/3/12 by sdh2903]
|
|
|
Slimy38
|
| posted on 18/3/12 at 05:33 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by sdh2903You will see other peoples efforts as you build and think I like that and you will end up buying that part.
In some ways I already am, although not the buying bit. Part of the job will be to add some sort of weather gear, and I was hoping to use the original
screen and roof but had no idea how. Turns out someone had a picture of a Fury as their avatar, and it has the closest thing I've seen to a
'production car' screen! I'm still not sure how I can use the Mazda screen but at least I can see what a car looks like with a
normal curved screen.
|
|
|
