15 year old looking for a project car
Discussion
Cost of a kit car and getting it through SVA would be quite high but as mentioned, enormously fulfilling and the "how to build a sports car for £250" book would be well worth a read. Its not possible unless you find a mk1/11 escort and have access to a full workshop and however, but there are plenty of people who have built cars for under £2k although they arent that pretty.
Alternatively, look for an MGB, document the whole strip and rebuild process, photograph it every day etc and it would make a good project diary. www.moss-europe.co.uk is worth a look to get an idea of spares, prices etc.
Finally, go onto ebay and search for "unfinished project" there are loads of part huilt it cars and things that would be an easy finish. The Classic Car Weekly newspaper is worth a look too, its full of cheap stuff for sale and often throws up some unusual bargains.
Personally I'd go for the MGB, kit car spares can be quite expensive and you may need some bespoke parts manufacturing which come at a premium. Everything to rebuild an MGB can be bought from Moss for comparative peanuts.
Alternatively, look for an MGB, document the whole strip and rebuild process, photograph it every day etc and it would make a good project diary. www.moss-europe.co.uk is worth a look to get an idea of spares, prices etc.
Finally, go onto ebay and search for "unfinished project" there are loads of part huilt it cars and things that would be an easy finish. The Classic Car Weekly newspaper is worth a look too, its full of cheap stuff for sale and often throws up some unusual bargains.
Personally I'd go for the MGB, kit car spares can be quite expensive and you may need some bespoke parts manufacturing which come at a premium. Everything to rebuild an MGB can be bought from Moss for comparative peanuts.
The ideas of an mg midget seem to be a good idea. with the kit cars it seems like it could be a good option, one of my neighbours has built kit cars himself and races his own ginnetta at the moment so I will talk to him as well.
what I may do is buy an mx5 and learn about servicing a car and possibly do some upgrades then look for a restoration project for a mgb or midget (does anybody know if the ugly rubber bumpers be replaced with chrome ones?)
or maybe get an MG like this
mg non runner
what I may do is buy an mx5 and learn about servicing a car and possibly do some upgrades then look for a restoration project for a mgb or midget (does anybody know if the ugly rubber bumpers be replaced with chrome ones?)
or maybe get an MG like this
mg non runner
Edited by caledoniacation on Sunday 21st September 21:14
I got a Porsche 924 non-runner at 16 and fixed it up. I'm now 20 and have been driving it for 2 years.
I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how s
t it is.
I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how s
t it is.I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
Raize said:
I got a Porsche 924 non-runner at 16 and fixed it up. I'm now 20 and have been driving it for 2 years.
I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how st it is.
I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
none of these car are any where close to being in budget, triumph tr6 restoration project starts at over £5k not going to happen I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how s
t it is.I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
Mx5. Longitudinal engine, 'box, prop and rear diff. Makes everything very easy to get at. The tech is pretty basic too, late 80's engine design so not spectacular. That or and old 200tdi landy. I started on a landy and now have a '5, ive learnt my spannering on both.
I'm based just off j22 of the m1, happy to show you around the Mazda and chew the fat with you and your old man over project cars.
I'm based just off j22 of the m1, happy to show you around the Mazda and chew the fat with you and your old man over project cars.
caledoniacation said:
Raize said:
I got a Porsche 924 non-runner at 16 and fixed it up. I'm now 20 and have been driving it for 2 years.
I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how st it is.
I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
none of these car are any where close to being in budget, triumph tr6 restoration project starts at over £5k not going to happen I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how s
t it is.I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
Raize said:
caledoniacation said:
Raize said:
I got a Porsche 924 non-runner at 16 and fixed it up. I'm now 20 and have been driving it for 2 years.
I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how st it is.
I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
none of these car are any where close to being in budget, triumph tr6 restoration project starts at over £5k not going to happen I hate it.
It's not a real Porsche. It's slow. It's old. It's undesirable. It's got no upgrade potential. It handles poorly compared to modern cars. It is unreliable. It gets poor MPG. It turns heads, but only to laugh at how s
t it is.I would suggest getting something truly good. A Lotus Esprit, Porsche 911, Chevy Corvette C3, Triumph TR6, Jensen Interceptor, TVR S-Series... something like that. Resign yourself to the fact that you will be driving a 1 litre Corsa while your glorious project sits in the garage unused.
Otherwise you will end up bitter and twisted at the dream that became a nightmare. Trust me. I know.
While you are at it, you could also pretend to have some additional qualifications too. Who will notice?
pablo said:
the "how to build a sports car for £250" book would be well worth a read. Its not possible unless you find a mk1/11 escort and have access to a full workshop and however, but there are plenty of people who have built cars for under £2k although they arent that pretty.
I've got a copy of this book and it would be relatively simple to alter the plans to use any longditudinal engined back wheel drive car. Not economic to use a rear wheel drive escort for this type of project any more but plenty wrecks of 3 series BMWs available for scrap money. Personally I'm planning to use use an MX5 for mine.
Lawbags said:
I'd get a EG Civic 1.3DX.
It's the baby of the bunch, so has thousands of interchangeable parts from other, bigger Civics, Accords, Integras etc. And even some MG's. Engines, suspension, brakes, interior...everything.
Ideal as a first venture into swapping parts etc. And all parts are pretty cheap too.
This. It's the baby of the bunch, so has thousands of interchangeable parts from other, bigger Civics, Accords, Integras etc. And even some MG's. Engines, suspension, brakes, interior...everything.
Ideal as a first venture into swapping parts etc. And all parts are pretty cheap too.
i agree with the MX5, i want one too!
Me and my dad restore classic cars, its a brilliant hobby and makes you learn numerous skills. My advice would be to buy something that needs a little bit of everything, bits of bodywork, welding, servicing and mechanical work. It teaches you the basics of restoration and you'll find out what jobs you love and which ones you hate!
My dad bought me a mk1 fiesta when i was 16, it was a total bare shell. I spent a full year rebuilding it and i started using it the day i passed my test, there is no better feeling than passing your test and plonking your arse straight into a car you've built.
Me and my dad restore classic cars, its a brilliant hobby and makes you learn numerous skills. My advice would be to buy something that needs a little bit of everything, bits of bodywork, welding, servicing and mechanical work. It teaches you the basics of restoration and you'll find out what jobs you love and which ones you hate!
My dad bought me a mk1 fiesta when i was 16, it was a total bare shell. I spent a full year rebuilding it and i started using it the day i passed my test, there is no better feeling than passing your test and plonking your arse straight into a car you've built.
caledoniacation said:
The ideas of an mg midget seem to be a good idea. with the kit cars it seems like it could be a good option, one of my neighbours has built kit cars himself and races his own ginnetta at the moment so I will talk to him as well.
what I may do is buy an mx5 and learn about servicing a car and possibly do some upgrades then look for a restoration project for a mgb or midget (does anybody know if the ugly rubber bumpers be replaced with chrome ones?)
or maybe get an MG like this
mg non runner
Just bear in mind that it costs £500-600 minimum to get a kit car through the IVA test and registered, most likely more. That's quite a chunk of your budget. A normal car would be better with a tight budget I'd have thought. MX5 would be a good bet I'd have thought, fun on the track as well.what I may do is buy an mx5 and learn about servicing a car and possibly do some upgrades then look for a restoration project for a mgb or midget (does anybody know if the ugly rubber bumpers be replaced with chrome ones?)
or maybe get an MG like this
mg non runner
Edited by caledoniacation on Sunday 21st September 21:14
And yes you can change the MGB rubber bumpers for chromies - involves a new front end, so it's not going to be cheap though by the time you've had it painted in.
edit - oh, and whatever you choose, do it. If you've got the chance, it'll be a great thing to do and will teach you loads, both practical and theoretical.
Edited by CrutyRammers on Sunday 21st September 22:41
Don't do a project to get into college/uni. They won't care, or will even take it the wrong way and think teenager who spends evenings doing handbrake turns outside McD's (not that there's anything wrong with that IMO). Practical, hands-on knowledge just isn't appreciated any more.
Doing a project just because you want to is a better idea. I got a car when I was 14.
Doing a project just because you want to is a better idea. I got a car when I was 14.
For all the people suggesting landies it is impossible for me to get one into my parents garage along with their GTI that is why I'm looking mainly at mx 5s and similar.
Would this be a good project?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-Healey-Sprite-MG-...
Would this be a good project?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Austin-Healey-Sprite-MG-...
Edited by caledoniacation on Sunday 21st September 23:15
SuperHangOn said:
Don't do a project to get into college/uni. They won't care, or will even take it the wrong way and think teenager who spends evenings doing handbrake turns outside McD's (not that there's anything wrong with that IMO). Practical, hands-on knowledge just isn't appreciated any more.
Doing a project just because you want to is a better idea. I got a car when I was 14.
I do want to do this project not just to get into uni. I'm a completely mental petrol head so owning my own car before I can drive would be brilliant especially if I worked on it my self. Doing a project just because you want to is a better idea. I got a car when I was 14.
Honestly I wish I lived in America as there seems to be lots of cheap muscle cars with v8s and the insurance is super cheap there as well. Also you can drive at 16 too
laam999 said:
Don't buy a shell, buy a car. It doesn't matter if it will need new floors or a full engine rebuild it will still be easier than a shell and insanely cheaper. I may have missed this but where are you going to store and work on it?
Oh okay then. The car will be kept in a garage and worked on in their also. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff