Just thought I'd say hello.....
I'm usually buzzing about in a Peugeot 205 (one of many) or making my way through the countryside in a Land Rover....
I want to build a car myself and found this site, so be patient with all my questions....
So, hello to all and hope to talk to some of yous soon....
Bertie.
Welcome to the mad house!
We're actually a friendly lot - don't be afraid to ask questions, as many others will have encountered the same problems (or have the same
question!).
What are thinking of building?
cheers,
David
Thanks for the hello...
Right, i know absolutly nothing about kit cars.... Is there model names to these things??
I would like to power it by a Peug engine as i know where i am with them, I have managed to squeeze out over 300 ponies from them....
There are kits or chassis out there for sale but as i said i dont have a clue to which one...
Bertie.
The best bet is to get along to a big kit car show - there are quite a few, but only 2 or 3 are really worth visiting, IMHO. Stoneleigh is the best
(it's a few miles south of Coventry) - not sure of the date this year, but someone will pipe up soon enough.
You will be able to stroll around the trade stands, sit in many of the cars, get a view on the friendliness & approachability of the kit
manufacturers. Then you can walk outside and see examples made by the owners and get their views.
The only down-side is that you'll get overwhelmed by the choice... 
UPDATE: just seen where you're based - maybe a Midlands show isn't ideal!
[Edited on 15/3/11 by David Jenkins]
Have a look at the locostbuilders map http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=103389385780517934652.00046cd68141a23c2af63 to see if
there is anyone near you that could take you for a spin.
Regards,
Dave
Traveling isn't a problem, i treck all over the country for 4x4 Callenges and racing my 205's.......
The question is where to start... Getting the kit/chassis seems to be "off the shelf" kinda thing, the only niggle is most of them seem to
be made of box section... Is there a tubed chassis available???
I'm a mechy to trade so thats not an issue, I can weld and fabricate and am fortunate to have a fully equiped garage and the back up of some
friends who own fabshops.....
Any advice on the chassis to buy would be good.....
Bertie.
Get a copy of this, read it, and then evaluate what you really want to do.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Your-Own-Sports-Car/dp/1844253910/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1300180886&sr=8-14
Hello and welcome!
As said try to get to a show and see them in the metal (and fiberglass/wood/cheese ). Have you any idea at all what you want to build? I.e. a
traditional Seven shaped thing (Caterham/Westfield/Locost), something with a full body, something mid-engined?? Definately an off the shelf kit, or
are you considering a scratch build?
If you're talking Seven, then much as many people would love to consider a Pug engine, there is no RWD gearbox available (that we know of) which
hampers that idea. Can get round it with adaptor plate/modified bellhousing, but most people dont go that way. On the other hand, a FWD transverse Pug
setup could be installed, the whole lot, in the back of a mid-engined kit.
As for chassis, the vast majority are square section tube, the main reason being it's easy to work with and easy to attach brackets and body
panels to. Ideal for a kit car chassis. Most chassis do use round tube where there are no panels/brackets to mount. Full round tube chassis are
available as an expensive option from some manufacturers (eg Dax), but there's no major benefit to it other than being able to shave of a few kg
for the same strength thanks to slightly superior properties of round tube.
Some food for thought. Hope it helps and good luck!
Liam
I have bought the Haynes book.... As a place to start....
I'll look into getting a good look at a car, theres a couple fleeing about were i live, the problem being if ye try to flag them down they think
yer up for a bit of "sport"....
There are a couple of rear wheel drive gearbox options, LDV and some of the old FSO's..... The engine would be the XU 2ltr turbo'd lump...
They work very well in a 205.....
I do have a couple of V8's here, maybe a bit too much for a Locost but they are simple and easy to maintain...
I have several engine options, 2 of my friends own breakers yards....
Thanks Lads,
Bertie.
There's a few keen forum members in your neck of the woods so maybe they'll stick their heads above the parapet and give you a call...
Is this type of chassis a good place to start??
[img]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=140449125791[/img]
Its described as a "7" chassis, i take it is a take off of the Lotus 7????
Yeah, hopefully someone pops up......
Bertie.
Over on the Haynes roadster forum there a very nicely built chassis for sale. All other bits can be bought or made from various suppliers depending on your skill.
There are a few of us in the shire. Myself with scratch built +442. Slater ( now in S/africa IIRC) Mads4x4 is south of ABD Mix is up Turriff way.
There's ewan and craig8200 and a few others not on here.
Best look at all options of chassis before you decide and if a tubular takes your fancy then an MNR would fit the bill.
I've seen a couple of Pug powered cars - a Locost many years ago that someone was using for sprinting and a Sylva Clubman that was for sale
18months ago - as stated, they must've used some sort of adaptor plate.
Welcome and good luck.
No, jog on 
joking
quote:
Originally posted by bertie_bas205
Is this type of chassis a good place to start??
[img]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=140449125791[/img]
Its described as a "7" chassis, i take it is a take off of the Lotus 7????
Yeah, hopefully someone pops up......
Bertie.
Hi Albert I'm not stalking you.
I'm relativley new here i sold my 309 gti and bought a Toniq R and your more than welcome to come down for a look or i can take you out in it if
you want.
Luego are down in Kintore just in front of easyblast and they're Viento take's most engine's.
Lee
Welcome lad, you've come to right place.
You can build anything you like and when you scratch your head ask away and you'll be in the know straight away.
My next project is a RWD 106/Saxo and without the knowledge on here I wouldn't have had a clue!
Steve
quote:
Originally posted by van cleef
Hi Albert I'm not stalking you.
I'm relativley new here i sold my 309 gti and bought a Toniq R and your more than welcome to come down for a look or i can take you out in it if you want.
Luego are down in Kintore just in front of easyblast and they're Viento take's most engine's.
Lee
quote:
Originally posted by van cleef
Hi Albert I'm not stalking you.
I'm relativley new here i sold my 309 gti and bought a Toniq R and your more than welcome to come down for a look or i can take you out in it if you want.
Luego are down in Kintore just in front of easyblast and they're Viento take's most engine's.
Lee
Yep i still have it and it's just cluttering the garage and your more than welcome to come and have a look at my Toniq when ever you want.
quote:
Originally posted by van cleef
Yep i still have it and it's just cluttering the garage and your more than welcome to come and have a look at my Toniq when ever you want.
Hello and welcome
Hope you find this forum as useful as I have
Regards
Hugh
quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
Hello and welcome
Hope you find this forum as useful as I have
Regards
Hugh