Discussion
I was pottering round t'internet today looking at Kit Cars when I remembered the name Robin Hood
I typed it into google and came up with their website
I must admit they're lovely looking little machines and having found that Mrs Jags likes them too, Im seriously considering getting one (if I fit in one) in a year or two
Couple of question though
1)Are they any cop? - I know this can be pretty subjective due to the engine options and such, but it needs to be asked
2)If I have read correctly, the Lightweight will only take a 4 pot which is fine, but which 4 pots??
3)The 2B will take V6/V8/Twin cam etc etc, but will it be capable of taking a straight 6 (either 12V or 24) from a BMW/Toyota?
4)How easy/difficult are they to put together? - I dont have extensive knowledge of mechanics, but can handle a spanner!
5)If I bought the kit and built it in France, would I have to transport back to Uk to have it inspected? Would it be worthwhile getting someone to build it (or me build it here) then drive it back to France when I go?
Ta for any info
I typed it into google and came up with their website
I must admit they're lovely looking little machines and having found that Mrs Jags likes them too, Im seriously considering getting one (if I fit in one) in a year or two
Couple of question though
1)Are they any cop? - I know this can be pretty subjective due to the engine options and such, but it needs to be asked
2)If I have read correctly, the Lightweight will only take a 4 pot which is fine, but which 4 pots??
3)The 2B will take V6/V8/Twin cam etc etc, but will it be capable of taking a straight 6 (either 12V or 24) from a BMW/Toyota?
4)How easy/difficult are they to put together? - I dont have extensive knowledge of mechanics, but can handle a spanner!
5)If I bought the kit and built it in France, would I have to transport back to Uk to have it inspected? Would it be worthwhile getting someone to build it (or me build it here) then drive it back to France when I go?
Ta for any info
Q1> No. Subjectively, you probably can't buy a bargepole long enough.
Q2> Broadly speaking, a 4 pot is a 4 pot. Sizes don't differ that much, but you would need to work out a way of mating it to a suitable inline gearbox, might need bonnet bulges for taller engines and would need to sort out ancillaries like exhaust systems, etc. If you need to ask the question, stick to established installations that the manufacturer recommends.
Q3> As a generalisation, straight sixes are not suitable for Seven type cars. They are too long and too heavy and wreck the weight distribution. The Robin Hood isn't renowned for its handling, anyway (actually, it isn't renowned for anything much, apart from being cheap), but hanging half a ton of metal well forward in the engine bay won't help. It might have some comedy value for other road users, though.
Q4> They have a reputation for not being the easiest of kits to assemble.
Q5> Dunno. Do the French have anything like the British SVA system, for registration of non-type approved cars?
>> Edited by Sam_68 on Friday 26th May 20:33
Q2> Broadly speaking, a 4 pot is a 4 pot. Sizes don't differ that much, but you would need to work out a way of mating it to a suitable inline gearbox, might need bonnet bulges for taller engines and would need to sort out ancillaries like exhaust systems, etc. If you need to ask the question, stick to established installations that the manufacturer recommends.
Q3> As a generalisation, straight sixes are not suitable for Seven type cars. They are too long and too heavy and wreck the weight distribution. The Robin Hood isn't renowned for its handling, anyway (actually, it isn't renowned for anything much, apart from being cheap), but hanging half a ton of metal well forward in the engine bay won't help. It might have some comedy value for other road users, though.
Q4> They have a reputation for not being the easiest of kits to assemble.
Q5> Dunno. Do the French have anything like the British SVA system, for registration of non-type approved cars?
>> Edited by Sam_68 on Friday 26th May 20:33
Apologies to anyone on here that has one, but it is generally accepted that Robin Hoods are OK bearing in mind their inital low purchase price, but quite honestly if you can afford it I would go for either a Tiger Supercat, Westfield or maybe a Sylva striker......That's off the top of my head, there are plenty of other manufacturers out there......
Not the best reviews in the world then 
I would love something like a Tiger/Caterham/Westfield if I could fit myself into one, but the field of cost varies so much...some decent looking ones for reasonable money, then some bloody expensive ones for which I could get a TVR Cerb (a long LONG way off!!)
The reason why I was considering something along the lines of the Robin Hood is because of the initial cost...cheap and cheerfull, but after the reviews Im not so sure!!
Ive seen several interesting kitcars on Ebay..some in good nick and some that need a bit of attention.
The most interesting though (looks wise) was these two:
Regis Mohawk 2.0
Link
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Classic-Ford-Ki
The other has since sold and I cant find it!
I would love something like a Tiger/Caterham/Westfield if I could fit myself into one, but the field of cost varies so much...some decent looking ones for reasonable money, then some bloody expensive ones for which I could get a TVR Cerb (a long LONG way off!!)
The reason why I was considering something along the lines of the Robin Hood is because of the initial cost...cheap and cheerfull, but after the reviews Im not so sure!!
Ive seen several interesting kitcars on Ebay..some in good nick and some that need a bit of attention.
The most interesting though (looks wise) was these two:
Regis Mohawk 2.0
Link
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Classic-Ford-Ki
The other has since sold and I cant find it!
If you want cheap but good then in no particular order there's MK, MNR, MAC 1. All make seven replica's. All are relatively cheap (compared to caterham, westfield, dax etc). All are infinately more capable than Robin Hoods. Agreed RH are cheap, and are probably great for cruising etc but not really setup for on-the-limit hooning.
Also the MK and MAC1 (not sure about the MNR) are slightly larger than standard so accomodate larger drivers.
I drive an MK and love it Consider all options before choosing - if you're building your own and not buying prebuilt then you should consider proximity of the kit company to where you are - you'll probably find yourself making many trips there so if it's closer it'll be more handy
Also the MK and MAC1 (not sure about the MNR) are slightly larger than standard so accomodate larger drivers.
I drive an MK and love it
Consider all options before choosing - if you're building your own and not buying prebuilt then you should consider proximity of the kit company to where you are - you'll probably find yourself making many trips there so if it's closer it'll be more handy Avocet said:
I believe the French authorities will NOT accept a car registered via the UK SVA scheme. I'd be interested in your experiences if you do try to get one registered over there though!
I wouldnt be registering it as a French vehicle...if I remember correctly, for a British car to remain british registered, I think I must leave french soil at least once per year (or something to that effect)
so basically if I was planning on building one (looking less likely) I would have to build/register or pay someone to build/register/retrieve
MK??...I'll have a peek
Hi,
I am not sure how it works in France, but AFAIK there is some european law that says that "any vehicle registered somewhere in europe should be re-registered in any other european country without a test". I know that all european countries interpretate this law differently, but this law is what I used and will be using registering my (self build) kitcars in The Netherlands.
I build a Westfield a few years ago which was SVA tested in the UK and then transfered to a dutch registration. The GTM Libra I am currently building will follow the same process.
Bye,
Bertram
www.gtmlibra.nl
I am not sure how it works in France, but AFAIK there is some european law that says that "any vehicle registered somewhere in europe should be re-registered in any other european country without a test". I know that all european countries interpretate this law differently, but this law is what I used and will be using registering my (self build) kitcars in The Netherlands.
I build a Westfield a few years ago which was SVA tested in the UK and then transfered to a dutch registration. The GTM Libra I am currently building will follow the same process.
Bye,
Bertram
www.gtmlibra.nl
YEs it's true that under the "mutual recognition procedure" all EC Member States wil llet a car regsitered in another EC Member State run around for up to 12 months without being re-registered. However, I've also heard that this is going to be more rigidly enforced so after on 12 month period, even if it goes "home" for a few weeks", the aothorities in the "adopted" Member State will insist on it being re-registered.
I have heard that the Netherlands sometimes accept the UK SVA but this seems to be for older vehicles. Member States are only obliged to accept vehicles registered in other states via the EC Whole VEhicle type Approval system. They are not obliged to accept ones done under any "Low Volume, "Small Series" or "Single Vehicle" scheme (although some do)!
I have heard that the Netherlands sometimes accept the UK SVA but this seems to be for older vehicles. Member States are only obliged to accept vehicles registered in other states via the EC Whole VEhicle type Approval system. They are not obliged to accept ones done under any "Low Volume, "Small Series" or "Single Vehicle" scheme (although some do)!
jagdpanther said:
I was pottering round t'internet today looking at Kit Cars when I remembered the name Robin Hood
I typed it into google and came up with their website
I must admit they're lovely looking little machines and having found that Mrs Jags likes them too, Im seriously considering getting one (if I fit in one) in a year or two
Couple of question though
1)Are they any cop? - I know this can be pretty subjective due to the engine options and such, but it needs to be asked
2)If I have read correctly, the Lightweight will only take a 4 pot which is fine, but which 4 pots??
3)The 2B will take V6/V8/Twin cam etc etc, but will it be capable of taking a straight 6 (either 12V or 24) from a BMW/Toyota?
4)How easy/difficult are they to put together? - I dont have extensive knowledge of mechanics, but can handle a spanner!
5)If I bought the kit and built it in France, would I have to transport back to Uk to have it inspected? Would it be worthwhile getting someone to build it (or me build it here) then drive it back to France when I go?
Ta for any info
Helloooo!
I own a robin hood 2b+ and have previously ownwed (and totalled
) a 3A 1) yes!!
2) ford duratec, your looking at anything in the Mondeo range also they will take the Pinto's but these tend to be heavy in comparison
3) dont honestly know im afraid. The 3As are more versiatile can drop in a turbo lump from a Nissan 350. Vaxhall Red Tops are a popular conversion with the 2B
4) they arnt the easyest kit to build but are a fraction of the cost of a Westie
5) Dont know about the laws in France regarding Kits im afraid!!
hope this helps
I think it would be worth your while visiting http://community.rhocar.org/ all the info you could need is on there. (and you dont need to own a hood to register and chat
) EMM
Have a look at this site for some excellent info on budget 7 type cars ('Locosts'):
www.locostbuilders.co.uk
Although I'm not as big as you I am 6'2" & 225lb & fit in an MK or Luego fine. Older Westfields look good value but the cockpits are pretty tight.
Another cheaper alternative to a locost is a 'locust' - similar replica 7 looks but a a ply body tub mounted on a chassis as opposed to an 'authentic' spaceframe
I cheated (still feel the guilt!) & bought a ready built but older kit car & did a 'rolling restoration' on it - cheaper & less hassle than building your own & you still get to know about running & working on a kit car.
www.locostbuilders.co.uk
Although I'm not as big as you I am 6'2" & 225lb & fit in an MK or Luego fine. Older Westfields look good value but the cockpits are pretty tight.
Another cheaper alternative to a locost is a 'locust' - similar replica 7 looks but a a ply body tub mounted on a chassis as opposed to an 'authentic' spaceframe
I cheated (still feel the guilt!) & bought a ready built but older kit car & did a 'rolling restoration' on it - cheaper & less hassle than building your own & you still get to know about running & working on a kit car.
Kit built cars are impossible to register in France unless you happen to have some dirt on the mayor or local transport official. Caterham have a presence in France but do not sell kits there because there is no provision for kit built vehicles. Of the Caterhams I know of in France that have come from the UK they have mostly been kept on UK registrations. Factory built cars of certain types that are type approved in France can be re-registered but not kit built.
RH are not universally recognised as being good kits, they are require a lot of effort from the builder to make them anywhere near presentable. Even then the car is heavy and many of the models retain the entire suspension from the donor vehicle, which strikes me as horrid engineering.
I must say that in the picture shown I fail to see the point of adding a Seven grill to a non seven. I would never put a Lotus badge on my Seven, because it is a Caterham and although I respect the heritage, Caterham have grown into a brand in their own right.
RH are not universally recognised as being good kits, they are require a lot of effort from the builder to make them anywhere near presentable. Even then the car is heavy and many of the models retain the entire suspension from the donor vehicle, which strikes me as horrid engineering.
I must say that in the picture shown I fail to see the point of adding a Seven grill to a non seven. I would never put a Lotus badge on my Seven, because it is a Caterham and although I respect the heritage, Caterham have grown into a brand in their own right.
I Also have a RHood, a 2b in this case, built it over 14 months,no real mechanical knowhow, been on the road 3rs now and enjoyed every one of the 15k miles i have done in it,and yes not the lightest, but still great fun.
If owners want to put 7's on them thats upto them,
I see you are also based in Yorkshire, the Yorkie bunch of the owners club meet at the Airdale Heifer in Keighley at around 8pm on the second Tuesday of the month,you welcome to come and have a look at the several diferant models which RH have done over the years, and with a range of engines fitted too, from pintos, Vauxhall 16v and v6 fords and of course the v8 rover
As Emm said, have a look at the Rhocar community pages, sure someone will know if Reg in France is possible, I know of seveal Hoods that have been imported, but not sure of any being built over there.
Theres also quite a few going over to Lemans you may even see some over there
HTH
Mitch
If owners want to put 7's on them thats upto them,
I see you are also based in Yorkshire, the Yorkie bunch of the owners club meet at the Airdale Heifer in Keighley at around 8pm on the second Tuesday of the month,you welcome to come and have a look at the several diferant models which RH have done over the years, and with a range of engines fitted too, from pintos, Vauxhall 16v and v6 fords and of course the v8 rover
As Emm said, have a look at the Rhocar community pages, sure someone will know if Reg in France is possible, I know of seveal Hoods that have been imported, but not sure of any being built over there.
Theres also quite a few going over to Lemans you may even see some over there
HTH
Mitch
Edited by mitch2b on Monday 12th June 17:10
dino ferrana said:
Kit built cars are impossible to register in France...
Jag - it's not impossible, just a very long & expensive process
They do have a system for type approval of small volume production cars. I'm nowhere near the end of the process, but I'll keep you posted if it's useful. It doesnt matter about full reg in France as I believe you can leave the country in said car which will then be valid to stay on Uk plates and Uk registered for a further 12 months
I sure dont mind getting in a car and nipping a couple of hundred miles
Im pretty much decided on a Dutton Phaeton as my next fun car, but I do like the RH's
Please keep me updated on the registration malarky though
I sure dont mind getting in a car and nipping a couple of hundred miles
Im pretty much decided on a Dutton Phaeton as my next fun car, but I do like the RH's
Please keep me updated on the registration malarky though
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