Newbie alert with mad kit.

[default_user]

Hi. Not many people bought these back in the early 90's probably because it was just too ugly but I love it.



It's an NCF Road Rat, based on Panda 4x4 running gear. I picked it up at Newark in '94 and have slowly been rebuilding it on my occasional trips up North from my home in Wales.

Anyone remember this? Does anyone here know of any others out there? There were only 5 ever sold so I suppose it could genuinely be considered rare.

I've been logging the rebuild on a mini web site here if you're interested in looking. There are loads more pictures.

[Davi]

Welcome aboard!

I remember the Road Rat - you are right, it was fugly, but had a certain character to it that did make it loveable for entirely non-identifiable reasons!!!

Sorry I can't be of any help with locating the other Rats, but good luck to you, it'll be interesting to see more of this resurection.

[default_user]

Thanks! I just noticed I made a mistake in my original post. I picked the 'Rat up in 2004, not 94.

[Davi]

default_user said:

I picked the 'Rat up in 2004, not 94.

might explain current progress - thought it was rather bare for 13 years work, even if it is a long way from home.

By the way - meant to say. Your website - really nice and cleanly laid out, but it took me ages to realise there were links to pictures! might want to change the colour of the link or something, just a suggestion!

Edited by Davi on Wednesday 24th January 13:51

[Tris.E]

I agree that it looks fugly but 4x4 panders are an under estimated off road car i had one and it was great fun but suffered the fiat rot prob.
Hope you get it done one day and have as much fun as i did in that little panda.

[BoRED S2upid]

Thats ace. I bet you will get stopped loads by plod thinking its illegal and you have made it in your shed out of scaffold poles.

I love individual cars, with this government we will soon all be driving the same eco freindly worldboxes.

[devout gooner]

BRILLIANT !- it`s a right ugly bastard ,like an inverted skip ,it makes the early Duttons look sleek .Well done for buying it ,its great that people take on ugly things -let`s face it if they didn`t I would still be single !

[egomeister]

Someone built those as a commercial enterprise?

I'm not talking about the Panda...

[default_user]

Yeah, it'll still be ugly when I've finished it (hopefully before cars like this are legislated off the road) but hopefully slightly less ugly.

Re the web site comments, I agree, been thinking about changing it for a while but just need time and inclination....

Started a new job this year and will be on continental shifts so hopefully I'll get it finished in time for at least one show this year.

And yes, I really am going to drive this on the road in full view of the public. Good job I can take a joke . It's main purpose is for a bit of light off roading fun but it'll make a useful 2nd vehicle for when my daily driver breaks down (a Volvo 480).

[default_user]

Decided to update the site this afternoon. I've made a separate pictures menu on the Road Rat page so should be obvious to all now.

[egomeister]

Reading back my last post it sounds a little harsh - it looks like a fun little vehicle although I'm still astounded anyone would produce it commercially. I think the kit car market could do with more vehicle similar to this (in concept if not execution!)

[default_user]

egomeister said:

Reading back my last post it sounds a little harsh - it looks like a fun little vehicle although I'm still astounded anyone would produce it commercially. I think the kit car market could do with more vehicle similar to this (in concept if not execution!)

Not at all, I've heard much worse believe me. It was a commercial failure as evidenced by the fact that only 5 were ever sold. It was used as the basis for the Torino, a much better looking car but still very functional and utilitarian.

It's actually a hoot to drive and will cost me practically nothing to keep on the road once it's finished.