Looking to do a staged build

[maclf01]

I live in the U.S. and i want to build an Ultima being as they are fairly cheap for such stupendous performance. Has anyone tried to do a stage build? Building different stages at a time? If so please tell me and help on how i might be able to do this.

[Steve_D]

You can build in as many or few stages as you wish. Here in the UK this is not a problem. For you the downside is the cost of shipment. Your first (minimalist) order would come in a monster packing case containing perhaps just the chassis but that same case could easily have contained the whole kit with every stage and all the options. If you don’t order everything at once then your next order will also have to come in the same size case.
I believe (but could be wrong) that you guys in the US get your first order shipped to your dockside for free (not including customs and other fees).

Your best bet now is to wait for the US guys to post their build spreadsheets so they can advise which bits you should source, later, in the US.

Steve

[doc_fudge]

I believe it could be possible, (Ive been considering it myself for ages)but I think that must take advantage of the free transport offer to the US of A by the factory.
So it will cost more to do a staged build. You would also need to be very careful as to what to order so you dont run out of things to do while waiting for the next order, and more importantly, so you dont miss an essential part and then have to pay freight for one part.
Andy

[bigmack]

I did this to some degree. Ordered my bits with 2 orders and then sourced about 30% of the rest of the car here in the U.S.. It is a good idea to order the chassis and bodywork together with your first order due to the shipping charge. On my first order, I'd get the chassis, aluminum panels, bodywork, windscreen, seats, fuel tanks(definitely want 2 tanks), suspension arms, uprights/hubs, steering rack and column, wheels(unless you want a different set of wheels), dampers, and whatever else you can afford to throw in there. This will give you a rolling chassis to build up, and will get you the majority of the bulky and/or heavy items. The engine, transaxle, adapter plate, can be sourced here in the U.S. along with a few other things. I'm sure other U.S. builders can contribute here and I'd be happy to discuss this with you further off this forum of course
Cheers!
-Mack

[mkoch1]

I strongly suggest ordering everything you need from the factory all at once. At a minimum get all the large/heavy items. You will find that the shipping cost add up quick. The brake kit for example was about 275 just for shipping. The front splitter cost more to ship than the splitter itself. I could have easily saved 1000+ by getting everything at once.

Just FYI your free shipping on the first order is going to cost you 1500-2000 dollars. The boat ride is free but customs + delivery to you house is not.

What part of the country are you in? I am in MD.

Mark