Any experience with Covin kit cars?
Discussion
Do you mean Covin 911 reps? I think most of them were moulded from a 911 so should look the part, just the Beetle chassis underneath lets it down! I have seen one with an Escort RS Turbo engine in, which must have been interesting....
Not much mention of them on PH over the years to be honest, not sure how many are left?
Not much mention of them on PH over the years to be honest, not sure how many are left?
The ORIGINAL Porsche was based on VW components but development moved the car into a different league 50 years ago. The designer of the Porsche Ferdinand Porsche also designed the VW prewar and used much of the structure of the VW to develop the Porsche at low cast. Excellent gifted engineer. Died before the car really developed into the supercar it now is under his sons guidance.
I have owned and driven several Covins in the last 30 years. Been into kit cars all my adult life. Which has been for over 50 years now.
Some do look remarkably original: the best I have seen have been fitted with genuine Porsche decals and full Porsche interiors generally ex 944/924 but Porsche nonetheless with appropriate logos etc.
The problems come with driving the cars.
The VW chassis is totally unsuited to this kind of use.
With a LOT of work it can be made a bit better but if you spend enough money which you will do to do pay for this much work, then surely an original 911 is very little more, and VASTLY better.
Frankly I think the Covins are unsafe above 100 MPH which is sod all in 911 terms but way beyond the design limit of the VW chassis. If you fancy 150 in a Covin good luck I think it would be extremely risky.
There are cars regularly changing hand on Ebay at £2,000 to £3,000 which in some cases are pretty fair looking examples. Invariably they require major fettling which must tell you something.
But not fun to drive and a really big project if you want to create an authentic car with safe secure handing and driving ability.
I would suggest the Porsche RSK Spyder known as the James Dean model is a far better bet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_1958_Typ...
The Banham Skoda Estelle based cars which emulated the RSK are really quite convincing MUCH lighter you don't have the problem of the cabin requiring headlining etc and all the associated 911 trim and cabin work. The three that I have driven have been really very good fun.
I do have contact with a firm producing a Porsche RSK based on an Audi 2 litre turbo and a RSK body with a proper space frame tube chassis Audi engine at the back turning out 220 brake and properly re rated Audi suspension and brakes throughout.
Now that I think would be a worthwhile car to build far more power than the RSK and a real flyer. Genuine 160++ top speed.
And it will look the part if finished in the old Porsche Silver Grey metallic and simple red leather bucket seat. No real trim needed there never was any!
I have no connection with the firm other than they build my chassis for my projects and have done for years. I have watched the RSK project grow and if I were looking I would buy one tomorrow.
Sadly I cannot really get in and out of sports cars at the moment time is catching up with me. PM me by all means if you want the Audi contacts.
I have owned and driven several Covins in the last 30 years. Been into kit cars all my adult life. Which has been for over 50 years now.
Some do look remarkably original: the best I have seen have been fitted with genuine Porsche decals and full Porsche interiors generally ex 944/924 but Porsche nonetheless with appropriate logos etc.
The problems come with driving the cars.
The VW chassis is totally unsuited to this kind of use.
With a LOT of work it can be made a bit better but if you spend enough money which you will do to do pay for this much work, then surely an original 911 is very little more, and VASTLY better.
Frankly I think the Covins are unsafe above 100 MPH which is sod all in 911 terms but way beyond the design limit of the VW chassis. If you fancy 150 in a Covin good luck I think it would be extremely risky.
There are cars regularly changing hand on Ebay at £2,000 to £3,000 which in some cases are pretty fair looking examples. Invariably they require major fettling which must tell you something.
But not fun to drive and a really big project if you want to create an authentic car with safe secure handing and driving ability.
I would suggest the Porsche RSK Spyder known as the James Dean model is a far better bet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_1958_Typ...
The Banham Skoda Estelle based cars which emulated the RSK are really quite convincing MUCH lighter you don't have the problem of the cabin requiring headlining etc and all the associated 911 trim and cabin work. The three that I have driven have been really very good fun.
I do have contact with a firm producing a Porsche RSK based on an Audi 2 litre turbo and a RSK body with a proper space frame tube chassis Audi engine at the back turning out 220 brake and properly re rated Audi suspension and brakes throughout.
Now that I think would be a worthwhile car to build far more power than the RSK and a real flyer. Genuine 160++ top speed.
And it will look the part if finished in the old Porsche Silver Grey metallic and simple red leather bucket seat. No real trim needed there never was any!
I have no connection with the firm other than they build my chassis for my projects and have done for years. I have watched the RSK project grow and if I were looking I would buy one tomorrow.
Sadly I cannot really get in and out of sports cars at the moment time is catching up with me. PM me by all means if you want the Audi contacts.
Steffan said:
The ORIGINAL Porsche was based on VW components but development moved the car into a different league 50 years ago. The designer of the Porsche Ferdinand Porsche also designed the VW prewar and used much of the structure of the VW to develop the Porsche at low cast. Excellent gifted engineer. Died before the car really developed into the supercar it now is under his sons guidance.
I have owned and driven several Covins in the last 30 years. Been into kit cars all my adult life. Which has been for over 50 years now.
Some do look remarkably original: the best I have seen have been fitted with genuine Porsche decals and full Porsche interiors generally ex 944/924 but Porsche nonetheless with appropriate logos etc.
The problems come with driving the cars.
The VW chassis is totally unsuited to this kind of use.
With a LOT of work it can be made a bit better but if you spend enough money which you will do to do pay for this much work, then surely an original 911 is very little more, and VASTLY better.
Frankly I think the Covins are unsafe above 100 MPH which is sod all in 911 terms but way beyond the design limit of the VW chassis. If you fancy 150 in a Covin good luck I think it would be extremely risky.
There are cars regularly changing hand on Ebay at £2,000 to £3,000 which in some cases are pretty fair looking examples. Invariably they require major fettling which must tell you something.
But not fun to drive and a really big project if you want to create an authentic car with safe secure handing and driving ability.
I would suggest the Porsche RSK Spyder known as the James Dean model is a far better bet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_1958_Typ...
The Banham Skoda Estelle based cars which emulated the RSK are really quite convincing MUCH lighter you don't have the problem of the cabin requiring headlining etc and all the associated 911 trim and cabin work. The three that I have driven have been really very good fun.
I do have contact with a firm producing a Porsche RSK based on an Audi 2 litre turbo and a RSK body with a proper space frame tube chassis Audi engine at the back turning out 220 brake and properly re rated Audi suspension and brakes throughout.
Now that I think would be a worthwhile car to build far more power than the RSK and a real flyer. Genuine 160++ top speed.
And it will look the part if finished in the old Porsche Silver Grey metallic and simple red leather bucket seat. No real trim needed there never was any!
I have no connection with the firm other than they build my chassis for my projects and have done for years. I have watched the RSK project grow and if I were looking I would buy one tomorrow.
Sadly I cannot really get in and out of sports cars at the moment time is catching up with me. PM me by all means if you want the Audi contacts.
Wow thanks. Info over load but that's great by me I love learning new things I have owned and driven several Covins in the last 30 years. Been into kit cars all my adult life. Which has been for over 50 years now.
Some do look remarkably original: the best I have seen have been fitted with genuine Porsche decals and full Porsche interiors generally ex 944/924 but Porsche nonetheless with appropriate logos etc.
The problems come with driving the cars.
The VW chassis is totally unsuited to this kind of use.
With a LOT of work it can be made a bit better but if you spend enough money which you will do to do pay for this much work, then surely an original 911 is very little more, and VASTLY better.
Frankly I think the Covins are unsafe above 100 MPH which is sod all in 911 terms but way beyond the design limit of the VW chassis. If you fancy 150 in a Covin good luck I think it would be extremely risky.
There are cars regularly changing hand on Ebay at £2,000 to £3,000 which in some cases are pretty fair looking examples. Invariably they require major fettling which must tell you something.
But not fun to drive and a really big project if you want to create an authentic car with safe secure handing and driving ability.
I would suggest the Porsche RSK Spyder known as the James Dean model is a far better bet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_1958_Typ...
The Banham Skoda Estelle based cars which emulated the RSK are really quite convincing MUCH lighter you don't have the problem of the cabin requiring headlining etc and all the associated 911 trim and cabin work. The three that I have driven have been really very good fun.
I do have contact with a firm producing a Porsche RSK based on an Audi 2 litre turbo and a RSK body with a proper space frame tube chassis Audi engine at the back turning out 220 brake and properly re rated Audi suspension and brakes throughout.
Now that I think would be a worthwhile car to build far more power than the RSK and a real flyer. Genuine 160++ top speed.
And it will look the part if finished in the old Porsche Silver Grey metallic and simple red leather bucket seat. No real trim needed there never was any!
I have no connection with the firm other than they build my chassis for my projects and have done for years. I have watched the RSK project grow and if I were looking I would buy one tomorrow.
Sadly I cannot really get in and out of sports cars at the moment time is catching up with me. PM me by all means if you want the Audi contacts.
Thanks ever so for taking time to reply. Think I might have seen one of those kits you mention. Yeah if you don't mind PM'ing me some details that'd be great. Cheers.
Steffan said:
The ORIGINAL Porsche was based on VW components but development moved the car into a different league 50 years ago. The designer of the Porsche Ferdinand Porsche also designed the VW prewar and used much of the structure of the VW to develop the Porsche at low cast. Excellent gifted engineer. Died before the car really developed into the supercar it now is under his sons guidance.
I have owned and driven several Covins in the last 30 years. Been into kit cars all my adult life. Which has been for over 50 years now.
Some do look remarkably original: the best I have seen have been fitted with genuine Porsche decals and full Porsche interiors generally ex 944/924 but Porsche nonetheless with appropriate logos etc.
The problems come with driving the cars.
The VW chassis is totally unsuited to this kind of use.
With a LOT of work it can be made a bit better but if you spend enough money which you will do to do pay for this much work, then surely an original 911 is very little more, and VASTLY better.
Frankly I think the Covins are unsafe above 100 MPH which is sod all in 911 terms but way beyond the design limit of the VW chassis. If you fancy 150 in a Covin good luck I think it would be extremely risky.
There are cars regularly changing hand on Ebay at £2,000 to £3,000 which in some cases are pretty fair looking examples. Invariably they require major fettling which must tell you something.
But not fun to drive and a really big project if you want to create an authentic car with safe secure handing and driving ability.
I would suggest the Porsche RSK Spyder known as the James Dean model is a far better bet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_1958_Typ...
The Banham Skoda Estelle based cars which emulated the RSK are really quite convincing MUCH lighter you don't have the problem of the cabin requiring headlining etc and all the associated 911 trim and cabin work. The three that I have driven have been really very good fun.
I do have contact with a firm producing a Porsche RSK based on an Audi 2 litre turbo and a RSK body with a proper space frame tube chassis Audi engine at the back turning out 220 brake and properly re rated Audi suspension and brakes throughout.
Now that I think would be a worthwhile car to build far more power than the RSK and a real flyer. Genuine 160++ top speed.
And it will look the part if finished in the old Porsche Silver Grey metallic and simple red leather bucket seat. No real trim needed there never was any!
I have no connection with the firm other than they build my chassis for my projects and have done for years. I have watched the RSK project grow and if I were looking I would buy one tomorrow.
Sadly I cannot really get in and out of sports cars at the moment time is catching up with me. PM me by all means if you want the Audi contacts.
The James Dean Porsche was an earlier 1955 550 Spyder rather than the RSK. Had a Martin & Walker 550 replica for 18 years myself, until 3 years ago when it tried to take me the same way as as James Dean. I have owned and driven several Covins in the last 30 years. Been into kit cars all my adult life. Which has been for over 50 years now.
Some do look remarkably original: the best I have seen have been fitted with genuine Porsche decals and full Porsche interiors generally ex 944/924 but Porsche nonetheless with appropriate logos etc.
The problems come with driving the cars.
The VW chassis is totally unsuited to this kind of use.
With a LOT of work it can be made a bit better but if you spend enough money which you will do to do pay for this much work, then surely an original 911 is very little more, and VASTLY better.
Frankly I think the Covins are unsafe above 100 MPH which is sod all in 911 terms but way beyond the design limit of the VW chassis. If you fancy 150 in a Covin good luck I think it would be extremely risky.
There are cars regularly changing hand on Ebay at £2,000 to £3,000 which in some cases are pretty fair looking examples. Invariably they require major fettling which must tell you something.
But not fun to drive and a really big project if you want to create an authentic car with safe secure handing and driving ability.
I would suggest the Porsche RSK Spyder known as the James Dean model is a far better bet.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Porsche_1958_Typ...
The Banham Skoda Estelle based cars which emulated the RSK are really quite convincing MUCH lighter you don't have the problem of the cabin requiring headlining etc and all the associated 911 trim and cabin work. The three that I have driven have been really very good fun.
I do have contact with a firm producing a Porsche RSK based on an Audi 2 litre turbo and a RSK body with a proper space frame tube chassis Audi engine at the back turning out 220 brake and properly re rated Audi suspension and brakes throughout.
Now that I think would be a worthwhile car to build far more power than the RSK and a real flyer. Genuine 160++ top speed.
And it will look the part if finished in the old Porsche Silver Grey metallic and simple red leather bucket seat. No real trim needed there never was any!
I have no connection with the firm other than they build my chassis for my projects and have done for years. I have watched the RSK project grow and if I were looking I would buy one tomorrow.
Sadly I cannot really get in and out of sports cars at the moment time is catching up with me. PM me by all means if you want the Audi contacts.
Website for Martin and Walker is http://www.904gts.co.uk/, they also do a very nice 904 Replica too.
As for the Banham this was a Martin & Walker shell,that Mr Banham obtained from Martin & Walker and stretched a good few inches and reshaped at the rear to fit a Skoda chassis.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th July 06:17
A very old thread but I made one of these way back. For anyone wanting to waste a few mins then here is the link to the build. It was way before i did youtube but some good pics of what one could look like. Took around one year to complete.
Steve.
https://youtu.be/LN_FZGa08AY
Steve.
https://youtu.be/LN_FZGa08AY
steviegtr said:
A very old thread but I made one of these way back. For anyone wanting to waste a few mins then here is the link to the build. It was way before i did youtube but some good pics of what one could look like. Took around one year to complete.
Steve.
https://youtu.be/LN_FZGa08AY
Had a quick look but have saved to watch tonight. Steve.
https://youtu.be/LN_FZGa08AY
Looks like a really interesting video.
Is the competition for guessing the car and fags still running?
I'm guessing Vauxhall Victor and Benson & Hedges.
steviegtr said:
A very old thread but I made one of these way back. For anyone wanting to waste a few mins then here is the link to the build. It was way before i did youtube but some good pics of what one could look like. Took around one year to complete.
Steve.
https://youtu.be/LN_FZGa08AY
Park Drive or Embassy #1Steve.
https://youtu.be/LN_FZGa08AY
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