Automatic kit car
Discussion
Hi everyone, my 1st post, so please, be gentle.
Ok, bit of advice please.
Is there such a thing as an automatic kit car, such as locust,tiger,westfield, that kind of style.
Following a motorcross accident 3 yrs ago and having a spinal injury i do really need an auto, can drive a manual although its hard work.
So, is there hope, or am i banging my head against the wall.
Pete
Ok, bit of advice please.
Is there such a thing as an automatic kit car, such as locust,tiger,westfield, that kind of style.
Following a motorcross accident 3 yrs ago and having a spinal injury i do really need an auto, can drive a manual although its hard work.
So, is there hope, or am i banging my head against the wall.
Pete
not really heard of one, but I have heard of TVRs being converted to Automatic.
I'm sure it is doable, but depends on the budget (doesnt everything
?)
I reckon your best bet could be to talk to one of the smaller companies:
Maybe Z cars?
There are other builders out there that take a pretty customer focussed approach to building a car, another I know of is Freestyle Motorsport (if Caterhams are your thing)
Good luck and let us know how you get on...
I'm sure it is doable, but depends on the budget (doesnt everything
?) I reckon your best bet could be to talk to one of the smaller companies:
Maybe Z cars?
There are other builders out there that take a pretty customer focussed approach to building a car, another I know of is Freestyle Motorsport (if Caterhams are your thing)
Good luck and let us know how you get on...
Don't see a reason why an auto box can't be fitted to any kit car, subject to a suitable donor being available.
For front engine/RWD kits like Sevens, you can get an auto Sierra donor.
Or get custom mounts and propshaft for a BMW inline 6 engine and autobox.
And of course there's Cobras which very often lend themselves to an automatic transmission easier (and cheaper) than a manual one.
For mid engined stuff, wasn't there an auto Metro so you could go for an auto Libra, Mongoose etc? And an auto Fiesta / Escort so the Riot could cope with it too? Only issue being getting longer shifter cables.
Lastly, bike engined cars can have very light clutch actions, which make them something of a bind in traffic or general road driving (although you get used to it). There's ways around that to increase the pedal effort, but it sounds like you don't want that anyway.
Upchanges in a BEC are clutchless provided you're pressing on; downshifts only need the slightest disengagement of the clutch.
Could even be converted to hand control if you had a notion? If a bike clutch lever can actuate the clutch it's not like it would need to be a complex or assisted system...
For front engine/RWD kits like Sevens, you can get an auto Sierra donor.
Or get custom mounts and propshaft for a BMW inline 6 engine and autobox.
And of course there's Cobras which very often lend themselves to an automatic transmission easier (and cheaper) than a manual one.
For mid engined stuff, wasn't there an auto Metro so you could go for an auto Libra, Mongoose etc? And an auto Fiesta / Escort so the Riot could cope with it too? Only issue being getting longer shifter cables.
Lastly, bike engined cars can have very light clutch actions, which make them something of a bind in traffic or general road driving (although you get used to it). There's ways around that to increase the pedal effort, but it sounds like you don't want that anyway.
Upchanges in a BEC are clutchless provided you're pressing on; downshifts only need the slightest disengagement of the clutch.
Could even be converted to hand control if you had a notion? If a bike clutch lever can actuate the clutch it's not like it would need to be a complex or assisted system...
I am sure that both MAC#1 and MK have supplied chassis suitable for use with auto Sierra running gear.
e.g.
www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=58551
e.g.
www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=58551
I agree with the prior comments that an auto should be possible in most kitcars.
You should first choose a style of car you want as you will never be happy unless you get that right.
Next are comfort and access. Most kitcars tend towards the straight legs, laid back, seating which may not suit your condition. You don't want to find this out after an expensive build.
I would recommend a trip to Stoneleigh Kitcar Show May 6/7 and go round not just the manufacturers stands but the club areas outside and ask to sit in everything. If you explain why you want to try it out I'm confident this fraternity will not refuse you. You are welcome to try my Ultima but doubt you would find it suitable. I've had fit young men look in and say 'How the F do you get in and out of there'.
This is very doable.
Steve
You should first choose a style of car you want as you will never be happy unless you get that right.
Next are comfort and access. Most kitcars tend towards the straight legs, laid back, seating which may not suit your condition. You don't want to find this out after an expensive build.
I would recommend a trip to Stoneleigh Kitcar Show May 6/7 and go round not just the manufacturers stands but the club areas outside and ask to sit in everything. If you explain why you want to try it out I'm confident this fraternity will not refuse you. You are welcome to try my Ultima but doubt you would find it suitable. I've had fit young men look in and say 'How the F do you get in and out of there'.
This is very doable.
Steve
Pete.
If you fancy something a 'little more exotic' (but also quite civilized) ....
I know of a Foreman Mk4 Ferrari P4 replica that may be coming up for sale soon.
Sorry can't I can't give you a more direct link, but:
www.madaboutkitcars.com/ >> Picture Gallery .... Scroll down to NF Auto Developments - Mk4.
There are 4 pics of it there (the very dark green one).
It's 3-litre Renault V6 powered with a Renault 4-speed? auto.
The owner built it as an auto, because at the time he had a left knee injury.
Time has healed it, and he's thinking about building another P4 (manual with Audi V-8 power), rather than converting this car. Getting in an out may be a problem depending on the extent of your spinal injury - there's a 15" wide sill to climb over.
Let me know if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the owner.
Regards, Paul.
If you fancy something a 'little more exotic' (but also quite civilized) ....
I know of a Foreman Mk4 Ferrari P4 replica that may be coming up for sale soon.
Sorry can't I can't give you a more direct link, but:
www.madaboutkitcars.com/ >> Picture Gallery .... Scroll down to NF Auto Developments - Mk4.
There are 4 pics of it there (the very dark green one).
It's 3-litre Renault V6 powered with a Renault 4-speed? auto.
The owner built it as an auto, because at the time he had a left knee injury.
Time has healed it, and he's thinking about building another P4 (manual with Audi V-8 power), rather than converting this car. Getting in an out may be a problem depending on the extent of your spinal injury - there's a 15" wide sill to climb over.
Let me know if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the owner.
Regards, Paul.
Edited by P4Replica on Tuesday 10th April 21:58
Edited by P4Replica on Tuesday 10th April 21:59
If you go bike engined there are cheap devices like this:
www.trickshifter.com/
With this you'd only use the clutch to move off from a standing start, which could of course be hand operated. After that just move the gear lever to change gear, no clutch needed.
www.trickshifter.com/
With this you'd only use the clutch to move off from a standing start, which could of course be hand operated. After that just move the gear lever to change gear, no clutch needed.
If I was building another kit car with an automatic gearbox I would go with a Kit car that uses a proven automatic gearbox that works well in a sporty situation. One that springs to mind is BMW running gear. Marlin motorsports do a classic MG style tourer that uses BMW as a single donor. Alternativly a cobra replica could easily be mated up with a V8 with an automatic box, plenty of options out there.
Thank you for all your replies folks, very helpful, PLEASE, keep them coming.
As regard to getting in and out of car, it will not be a pretty sight, however it can be done, im guessing its much like a lotus elise, and ive managed that ok, just!!!!!
The link, somewhere on this post to the car that sold on ebay back in jan is spot on what im after, so please, if anybody sees anymore, give me a shout.
Thanks again people.
As regard to getting in and out of car, it will not be a pretty sight, however it can be done, im guessing its much like a lotus elise, and ive managed that ok, just!!!!!
The link, somewhere on this post to the car that sold on ebay back in jan is spot on what im after, so please, if anybody sees anymore, give me a shout.
Thanks again people.
I built a BMW V8 4.4 litre Cobra with the 5 speed tiptronic box and it was frighteningly quick.I'm now building a couple of Lexus V8 engined Cobra's, again automatic, so putting an auto into a Kit Car can easily be done.
When asked why I went the auto route my stock reply was to ask how many drag racers used manual boxes ?
Cheers,
Tony
When asked why I went the auto route my stock reply was to ask how many drag racers used manual boxes ?
Cheers,
Tony
I've seen a couple of kits using the Honda CVT and, having driven a 'potential doner', have to say its one of the best kept secrets in kit doners!
Point it where you want to go, press the pedal, and you're off! No gear changes, no kick-down, no clutch, no nothing except rapid progress and a slight disbelief that the engine note hardly ever changes! No idea how avaliable they are but must be worth a look!
Point it where you want to go, press the pedal, and you're off! No gear changes, no kick-down, no clutch, no nothing except rapid progress and a slight disbelief that the engine note hardly ever changes! No idea how avaliable they are but must be worth a look!
There are quite a few kits out there in auto format, the only downside is it costs a little more to do than manual, and the resale value on most kits is lower as most buyers want manual (in the UK anyway).
Theres a lot of people driving kits that couldnt without an auto tranny, disabled, false limbs etc, Ive seen a Caterham, and a few Cobra replicas with auto, so its eminently do able, just be prepared for the hit at sale time.
Theres a lot of people driving kits that couldnt without an auto tranny, disabled, false limbs etc, Ive seen a Caterham, and a few Cobra replicas with auto, so its eminently do able, just be prepared for the hit at sale time.
Edited by dingocooke on Thursday 12th April 14:29
Plenty of autos about but.....
As most (If not all) auto boxes have a sump they are usually wider than a manual box which would mean fitting one into a "7" type car would be more cramped and more than likely require a special transmission tunnel, not an impossible task though.
For resale value an auto box is usually the kiss of death, so if you are looking for used you are on to a winner.
As most (If not all) auto boxes have a sump they are usually wider than a manual box which would mean fitting one into a "7" type car would be more cramped and more than likely require a special transmission tunnel, not an impossible task though.
For resale value an auto box is usually the kiss of death, so if you are looking for used you are on to a winner.
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