New to Kit Cars and looking for some guidance
Discussion
Evening, just back home from visiting the parents and my dad is keen on getting a kit car. He has just retired (after being a car mechanic for 50 years) and has some cash to spend on a toy. He has the Nissan Qashqai for doing all the practical stuff but really fancies a kit car he can tinker on. He doesn't want to build one from new, rather buy one done which he can do some small jobs on and enjoy on Sunday mornings out.
He was showing me a V8 Luego Viante I think it was called he had his eye on which was on ebay but someone bid on it last minute for £7k. He liked it because it was wider than normal kit cars and had a few "relative' luxuries like all weather etc. He has a garage so will be stored somewhere warm and dry.
I really know nothing of this marque aside from quoting Caterhams and Westfields - have noticed cheaper Robin Hoods but he liked the idea of a bigger engine rather than a 1.6 or the like. Totally understand the weight to power ratio thing, but there is something great about a V8 right? :-)
If anyone can point me at a decent beginners guide or info area - or if they have some thoughts based on the above much appreciated.
He was showing me a V8 Luego Viante I think it was called he had his eye on which was on ebay but someone bid on it last minute for £7k. He liked it because it was wider than normal kit cars and had a few "relative' luxuries like all weather etc. He has a garage so will be stored somewhere warm and dry.
I really know nothing of this marque aside from quoting Caterhams and Westfields - have noticed cheaper Robin Hoods but he liked the idea of a bigger engine rather than a 1.6 or the like. Totally understand the weight to power ratio thing, but there is something great about a V8 right? :-)
If anyone can point me at a decent beginners guide or info area - or if they have some thoughts based on the above much appreciated.
There are many who have tiny cars with big engines and who get on well with them. BUT...I reckon the whole point about a tiny, basic 7esque car is it's extreme light weight and balance. This endows such cars with great handling and balance that can be exploited, explored and generally made to induce grins.
Whilst the straight line performance of a V8 seven type will be blistering, a heavy engine will dull all the other good stuff. It will be less rewarding to hoon in.
Whilst the straight line performance of a V8 seven type will be blistering, a heavy engine will dull all the other good stuff. It will be less rewarding to hoon in.
Paul Drawmer said:
There are many who have tiny cars with big engines and who get on well with them. BUT...I reckon the whole point about a tiny, basic 7esque car is it's extreme light weight and balance. This endows such cars with great handling and balance that can be exploited, explored and generally made to induce grins.
Whilst the straight line performance of a V8 seven type will be blistering, a heavy engine will dull all the other good stuff. It will be less rewarding to hoon in.
The whole point is surely whatever you want them to be. A 450Kg bike engined car might get a bit trying if you wanted to do a long road trip, for example. Whilst the straight line performance of a V8 seven type will be blistering, a heavy engine will dull all the other good stuff. It will be less rewarding to hoon in.
Anyways OP. Robin Hood don't have the best reputation, though have improved by all accounts in recent years. The thing people usually say about used kitcars is that it's all about the build quality. A badly built Caterham may be worse than a well put together Tiger. It's rather tricky without knowing what to look for, and it wasn't until I built one myself that the mistakes on other cars started to become obvious.
First thing will be to decide what he's after. A seven-style, or something with a body like a Fisher Fury, or something else? Or is the engine the key, in which case that may steer you towards a particular type.
Yes get the light and nimble ethics, thanks for the feedback on that. My dad is 68 years old so unlikely to be hammering it down country lanes sideways - he was thinking more of something he can go for drives in for leisurely fun the weight issue is unlikely to be a problem and he always fancied owning a V8 which is why he was looking at them. I think he doesn't seem interested in the old 2.2 engines etc. I kind of get where he is coming from I owned a VX220 2.2 and although it was a great car the engine even in a lightweight car didn't really excite.
And spelling, well yes, whatever.
I found a website called Locustbuilders? Which seems to have some info. on which was useful. Found this hidden away on here too https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And spelling, well yes, whatever.
I found a website called Locustbuilders? Which seems to have some info. on which was useful. Found this hidden away on here too https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
CrutyRammers said:
The whole point is surely whatever you want them to be. A 450Kg bike engined car might get a bit trying if you wanted to do a long road trip, for example.
Anyways OP. Robin Hood don't have the best reputation, though have improved by all accounts in recent years. The thing people usually say about used kitcars is that it's all about the build quality. A badly built Caterham may be worse than a well put together Tiger. It's rather tricky without knowing what to look for, and it wasn't until I built one myself that the mistakes on other cars started to become obvious.
First thing will be to decide what he's after. A seven-style, or something with a body like a Fisher Fury, or something else? Or is the engine the key, in which case that may steer you towards a particular type.
Thanks really useful stuff, although again I will be the first to admit I know very little of kit cars there is something just raising a little red flag about Robin Hoods I cannot put my finger on. Anyways OP. Robin Hood don't have the best reputation, though have improved by all accounts in recent years. The thing people usually say about used kitcars is that it's all about the build quality. A badly built Caterham may be worse than a well put together Tiger. It's rather tricky without knowing what to look for, and it wasn't until I built one myself that the mistakes on other cars started to become obvious.
First thing will be to decide what he's after. A seven-style, or something with a body like a Fisher Fury, or something else? Or is the engine the key, in which case that may steer you towards a particular type.
I think what he is after is something like this in some sort of order of importance:
- Something to tinker on, he has been retired 6 months and is bored s
tless!- Slightly more space inside, something that has a bit more comfort (in relative terms!) and all weather
- Easier to say what he doesn't want in an engine, certainly not interested in motorbike engines and small engines more into larger engines
- Wants something which structurally is very sound i.e. build quality, if the engine/perishables need regular work thats not a problem (as I say he spent 50 years working on cars from Ferraris to Fords so no problem mechanically maintaining) but he is no bodywork expert!
He did like the VX220 I had, although those have sky rocketed in value of late. I think he has his heart set on giving a kit car a go though.
Just googled those, never heard of them, but yes looks like a good shout and a few for sale on the owners site, thanks!
Another question, and one I am sure I could go away and look at (which I will do today at some point) but any problems with insuring Q plates? I presume he would go through a specialist, I use AF for instance, but no scary high premiums due to Qs?
Another question, and one I am sure I could go away and look at (which I will do today at some point) but any problems with insuring Q plates? I presume he would go through a specialist, I use AF for instance, but no scary high premiums due to Qs?
Hi there! There are plenty of specialist insurers who will gladly insure a "Q" plated car, no problem.
The first consideration when you go to view a kit car should be that of correct registration.
There are loads of cars out there on either the original donor logbook or using the logbook of
an older kit car ( often a Dutton ) to avoid the effort and expense of going through the IVA test.
Just walk away.
The V5 should usually bear the name of the kit itself although even that can be a grey area.
There's an NG TC on ebay and a Vindicator Vulcan which looks like a Marcos from certain angles.
It even has a roof!
These both check out as correctly registered on the DVLA website. Its quick and easy to check.
It even gives you the engine size. Worth checking as its not as easy as it used to be to change
the engine size on the V5.
Locostbuilders is an excellent site. Its worth joining as various cars come up for sale.
There might be a kit car club in your area. where are you?
The first consideration when you go to view a kit car should be that of correct registration.
There are loads of cars out there on either the original donor logbook or using the logbook of
an older kit car ( often a Dutton ) to avoid the effort and expense of going through the IVA test.
Just walk away.
The V5 should usually bear the name of the kit itself although even that can be a grey area.
There's an NG TC on ebay and a Vindicator Vulcan which looks like a Marcos from certain angles.
It even has a roof!
These both check out as correctly registered on the DVLA website. Its quick and easy to check.
It even gives you the engine size. Worth checking as its not as easy as it used to be to change
the engine size on the V5.
Locostbuilders is an excellent site. Its worth joining as various cars come up for sale.
There might be a kit car club in your area. where are you?
Great info thanks, I am in Richmond Surrey but my dad who is looking to buy this car is in Hornchurch in Essex so around that way would be helpful. He has the internet and a computer (hurrah!) but isn't too big into signing up to forums etc. so doing some of the leg work for him. But thanks for the advice on the V5, will definitely be looking for something that is good to go once he buys it and isn't left with admin work down the line somewhere.
Toltec said:
I was thinking maybe a Marlin, some are built with V8s and iirc they started using the BMW straight sixes as well.
I had an early Marlin Roadster that was fitted with a V8. I bought it as a part built then had to go through the whole re-engineering process to get it through the SVA predecessor to the IVA (think MOT on serious steroids).The newer Marlin Sportster is usually found with the BMW i6 engine but can be built with various engines including the V6 & V8. There is weather equipment available if you have the windscreen option, there is a folding windscreen available for the full wind in your teeth experience.
Forgot to add, the older Roadster is an extremely strong chassis as the car was designed for trials competition. You can find them fitted with the Triumph straight six which makes a lovely noise.
Edited by MKnight702 on Monday 5th November 13:01
A seven type with a modern i4 engine is a great prospect, however, getting in and out may be a problem for the less sprightly.
If you want a V8 how about a Cobra? May be more than you want to pay of course.
As has been said, pay close attention to the V5, and if you get a part built, make sure it is capable of passing the IVA (as most older kits won't)
If you want a V8 how about a Cobra? May be more than you want to pay of course.
As has been said, pay close attention to the V5, and if you get a part built, make sure it is capable of passing the IVA (as most older kits won't)
Getting in and out is fine, up until 6 months ago he was laying under cars, climbing over lorry engines etc. he could be a yoga teacher if he wanted to 
I think he wants to spend between £5k-£10k - thats how much he has managed to negotiate to spend of the retirement money with his accountant, AKA my mum.
I think he wants to spend between £5k-£10k - thats how much he has managed to negotiate to spend of the retirement money with his accountant, AKA my mum.
Has he thought about a TVR?
He could get a bit of a rough chimera and work on that.
They're a bit like a kit car as the owners seem to take them apart as much as I do the Fury (for upgrades).
It's got the V8, its got space in the cabin space, its got the backup with a strong club following. If you want to update the V8 you can drop a 1uz fe in to modernise it.
He could get a bit of a rough chimera and work on that.
They're a bit like a kit car as the owners seem to take them apart as much as I do the Fury (for upgrades).
It's got the V8, its got space in the cabin space, its got the backup with a strong club following. If you want to update the V8 you can drop a 1uz fe in to modernise it.
I think he is literally going to be buying the cheapest Chimeara in the UK on his budget, which I would think is not going to end well
I almost wonder if he is better off going for an MX5 or something - anyhow have given him all the feedback, lets see how he goes, will update if anything is purchased!
I almost wonder if he is better off going for an MX5 or something - anyhow have given him all the feedback, lets see how he goes, will update if anything is purchased!
Having owned a couple of kit cars (one built, one bought), and now being quite old (well 40something), I suspect that he would get a huge amount more enjoyment from an MX5. It's much easier to live with, more usable, reliable, has a roof and heater etc..etc..... and if power is too low just use some of that cash you saved buying it over a kit car and add a turbo kit. You can take it anywhere for anything, park it anywhere, do the shopping etc.., yet it still (to quote a famous oaf) sticks its hand down your trousers when the time is right. A kit car is unbeatable for that one drive at that perfect time, but that time crops up a heck of lot less than you imagine when you buy it.
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