Discussion
These cars are based on old air cooled VW Beetles so that's what the engines tend to be from, though several were built with Porsche engines.
Never driven one, but from what I can remember hearing, there's not a lot of headroom so being 6' 4" could be a major problem.
As hal 1 says, they do turn up on e-bay, as well as the classifieds in kit car mags, plus of course kit cars shows, so if you find one for sale nearby try it for size.
Never driven one, but from what I can remember hearing, there's not a lot of headroom so being 6' 4" could be a major problem.
As hal 1 says, they do turn up on e-bay, as well as the classifieds in kit car mags, plus of course kit cars shows, so if you find one for sale nearby try it for size.
The floorpans were dropped as standard so you'd probably need dropped, dropped floor pans! (or a bed instead of a bucket seat LOL!).
When they were being produced near here in Shoeburyness there were a few bring kitted out with Ford Pinto lumps (I think the red demo at the time, which had a ridiculous cosworth whale tail grafted on, was running a 2.1 lump) Also seen them with Alfa flat four, Golf water cooled and even a very nicely done Lotus Twin Cam conversion in the mid 80's. It was black with red/yellow body striping - wonder if it's still around.
To marvel at just how varied the final build quality can be check out www.nova-international.net/
When they were being produced near here in Shoeburyness there were a few bring kitted out with Ford Pinto lumps (I think the red demo at the time, which had a ridiculous cosworth whale tail grafted on, was running a 2.1 lump) Also seen them with Alfa flat four, Golf water cooled and even a very nicely done Lotus Twin Cam conversion in the mid 80's. It was black with red/yellow body striping - wonder if it's still around.
To marvel at just how varied the final build quality can be check out www.nova-international.net/
i had one for a bit, had to alter most of the car to make it drivable. looks nice roof is good to start with, but gets on your nerves after a bit, not badley, you just have to sit and wait there while the roof goes up (when it works!) handling can be really horrible depending on whats been done to the car. if its just standard then it will be! you needcamber and castor ajusters and it will need to be lowered, perferabley with irs at the rear. the gearbox in mine was really bad (you have to shorten the gear linkage.
if i had one again i'd just do away with all the beatle stuff, save the floor maybe and just make some wishbones for the front, they would have to be quite long kinda f1 style!? and some front wheel drive engine bolted in the back. like the libra. or failing that maybe get a mr2 and somehow make the nova body fit!
I have one of these!
At 6'4" you haven't got a hope in hell! Sorry!
I'm 5'11" and i have the mark2 with lowered floor and an extra 2" of headroom built into the roof, and i still brush my head on it! And thats with almost no seat, ie sitting on the floorpan.
They are good fun cars, and as long as the suspension is sorted then they are not too bad too drive - very uncomfortable tho. Not particularly quick, but then thats not the point with these cars. You could fit say a scooby boxer engine, but being design to have an air-cooled engine means that plumbing in the cooling system is a big job
Also being rwd with the engine hanging behind the rear axle means that you will wheely if applying too much power from the off...
I would say get one if you're interested and technically able - they do go wrong alot! Its a real head turner thats for sure!
P
At 6'4" you haven't got a hope in hell! Sorry!
I'm 5'11" and i have the mark2 with lowered floor and an extra 2" of headroom built into the roof, and i still brush my head on it! And thats with almost no seat, ie sitting on the floorpan.
They are good fun cars, and as long as the suspension is sorted then they are not too bad too drive - very uncomfortable tho. Not particularly quick, but then thats not the point with these cars. You could fit say a scooby boxer engine, but being design to have an air-cooled engine means that plumbing in the cooling system is a big job
Also being rwd with the engine hanging behind the rear axle means that you will wheely if applying too much power from the off...
I would say get one if you're interested and technically able - they do go wrong alot! Its a real head turner thats for sure!
P
PaddyX21 said:
I have one of these!
At 6'4" you haven't got a hope in hell! Sorry!
I'm 5'11" and i have the mark2 with lowered floor and an extra 2" of headroom built into the roof, and i still brush my head on it! And thats with almost no seat, ie sitting on the floorpan.
They are good fun cars, and as long as the suspension is sorted then they are not too bad too drive - very uncomfortable tho. Not particularly quick, but then thats not the point with these cars. You could fit say a scooby boxer engine, but being design to have an air-cooled engine means that plumbing in the cooling system is a big job
Also being rwd with the engine hanging behind the rear axle means that you will wheely if applying too much power from the off...
I would say get one if you're interested and technically able - they do go wrong alot! Its a real head turner thats for sure!
P
well doesnt sound like the car for me then since its too small. also although i have some technical ability its not incredible. But a wheelying car sounds fun. but not special for handling which i hoped would be good. heyho will have to just admire!!
kingb said:
Does anyone own one of these because ive always liked um. they look great and that roof will always draw a crowd.
Wot engines are put in them and wot power to weight can you get.
Also being 6 foot 4 is there any chance of me every owning one??
hi bud i do have one for sale with a number plat worth over £1500 with profe of this i am not looking for silly money on it aswel give me a ring 0151 200 6007 craigWot engines are put in them and wot power to weight can you get.
Also being 6 foot 4 is there any chance of me every owning one??
Looking forward to seeing the finished article Jon. That sketch in your profile looks very good. You could even say a Nova for the 21st century!!
With the modern underpinnings it should have the go to match the show as well.
I feel a meeting at Le Mans 08 has to be on the cards (you have plenty of shaping time between now and then!).
Neil.
With the modern underpinnings it should have the go to match the show as well.
I feel a meeting at Le Mans 08 has to be on the cards (you have plenty of shaping time between now and then!).
Neil.
My other half has one of these. Im looking to suprise him with a new rear bumper for it as the one he has is,how should i put this politely-buggered!I want him to hurry up and fix it so we can go out in it as he has had it for over 10 years!!
Anyone know whee i could get one from?
Ive looked EVERYWHERE but being merely female,ive run out of ideas?
you!(ha ha)
Anyone know whee i could get one from?
Ive looked EVERYWHERE but being merely female,ive run out of ideas?
you!(ha ha)juliebobs69 said:
My other half has one of these. Im looking to suprise him with a new rear bumper for it as the one he has is,how should i put this politely-buggered!I want him to hurry up and fix it so we can go out in it as he has had it for over 10 years!!
Anyone know whee i could get one from?
Ive looked EVERYWHERE but being merely female,ive run out of ideas?
you!(ha ha)
Anyone know whee i could get one from?
Ive looked EVERYWHERE but being merely female,ive run out of ideas?
you!(ha ha)
Juliebobs69, welcome to PH.I'd suggest the first port of call would be the owners club, if you haven't tried them already.
Some useful links here...
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/kitcar/kitcar_deta...
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