New to kit cars

[AMST09]

Just started looking into kit cars as a cheaper way of fulfilling my car passions
But knowing nothing about kit cars it seems quite a hard world to understand
I'm looking at the caterham/westfield style cars
But looking at spending £4-6k
Looking at different cars in the classfieds gives engine specs but unable to find out bhp or car weights
So no clue as to how fast these cars actually are
Is it a case of just researching the engine to find out what bhp this engine will be delivering?

I currently drive a MK1 focus RS, power to weight of about 200bhp/ton
So would be looking at something in this kind of bracket

Also anyone else insuring a kit car at the ripe old age of 21?

Any information appreciated

[slomax]

hello there,

if it is your first Kit i wouldnt worry too much about bhp. The assualt on the senses is rediculous, no matter how much, or little power you have. Cornering is silly too, no matter what you have been in, there is nothing like a focussed, basic kit car. You really can assualt every corner, and you really do have to drive them.

Most 7 type cars are between 500-600kgs. Engine types vary a lot, as you have noted. Most pinto engined cars have between 120 and 150bhp, but its a heavy lump and it does affect the handling. Zetec blocks are probably the budget engine of choice at the moment, although the mazda and the toyota 4age engine are quite popular too, all around 130-170bhp (without too many mods). Bike engines are a popular option too, but i have been out in both bike and car engined 7s and think that car engines are the way to go, unless you want a very focused track monster without wanting too much refinement on the road. There are also the older engines like the CVH and the crossflow/kent. these are knocking on a bit now, but they do sound and smell very good.

I think if i were you i would have a go in as many as possible, they are all totally different. get yourself along to Stoneleigh kit car show on may bank holiday and have a look around, there will be hundreds of 7's on display.

If i was going to go for a 7 type car i would be looking at a sylva striker or an MK indy, probably zetec engined. Might also be worth checking out a sylva stylus, fusher fury, and sylva Mojo though....

[AMST09]

Thanks for the info

[qdos]

There's plenty of other kits besides Sevens too

Stoneleigh is definitely worth going to (May bank holiday)

In all likelihood you'll find your insurance is cheaper with a kit too believe it or not

Start buying the magazines, ppop down to WHSmiths, you can usually find them on the shelves in the bigger stores.

[AMST09]

Also, modifications, obviously on the focus its easy to say whats different to standard spec
But not so easy with a kit car

Is it literally a case of just telling them what engine it has, then notify if you supercharge/replace the engine?

[Steffan]

AMST09 said:

Also, modifications, obviously on the focus its easy to say whats different to standard spec
But not so easy with a kit car

Is it literally a case of just telling them what engine it has, then notify if you supercharge/replace the engine?

You are less likely to have a problem with a Kit car because very few are the same. I have owned three cars described as Robin Hoods with all Triumph kit in one and a 1300cc pushrod engine, one with a V8 4.2 Rover engine, Ford everywhere else and one with all Alfa gear including a 2 litre twin cam. Nothing on these cars related to the others they were complete one offs.

Alfa was the best. The V8 flexed under power, torque steered off the road snapped back on trailing throttle. Unsafe at any speed

You need to make sure that the mechanical description is correct and VIN plate etc match up with the V5. That is the first step. Then confirm actual size of wheels, size of tyres and so on.

Kit Cars are very cheap to insure on a limited mileage basis my V8 Dutton, which is a vicious car to drive, is less than £200 comp. Never had it flat out I am not brave enough.

Mind you only the very brave, or stupid. would drive such a car any distance on the road. But for instant, thrills and fun. Great.

Some of the more civilised kit cars with lesser lunar profiles are quite drivable if still windy noisy and wet. My Midas is really quite a gentle car and with a 1340 A series 1349, Quick but not rocket powered.

Cars like the Westfields or Sylva marques can be very reasonable albeit still very low and very noisy.

You should have an inexpensive ball with the number there are going very cheap in the Bay.

Above all else check the registered form in the V5 and VIN etc.

If it says Sierra, Escort or MIni, or other such nonsense avoid. Chances are the car has never been properly registered.

If it says Dutton, or Robin Hood or Midas or Westfield etc and the VIN is right at least you can sell the car when you have finished with it.

The authorities are catching up with improperly registered bitsa cars. Not before time. Stick with the genuine kit cars and enjoy yourself.

[Tempest_5]

My experience with kitcar insurance is a bit dated now. However, I got my Westfield, with a 1600 Pinto, on the road in 1992 at the age of 24 having past my test 3 years previously & having only had a car for 18 months. Fully Comp was £690.00, parked on a drive, valued at £5000 with parts only insurance and no NCD. By comparison a work colleague was paying £1000 third party only on his XR3i having held a licence for many more years. Various inflation calculators on the internet give a premium of £690 in 1992 as approx £1150 now.

Parts only is where insurer will pay for the parts only for a rebuild after an accident.

I still have my Westfield, though it's been laid up for the past 8 years whilst I do the parenting thing, though i am slowly refurbishing it. Fun per pound spent it's been excellent value & I would thoroughly recommend it. Like others have said you don't need masses of power for it to be entertaining.

I did use it as my only car for a year, but it was rather restrictive e.g. The Mig welder I have was dictated by what was the biggest one I could strap to the Westfield to get it back from Halfords.

Unfortunately I don't have any experience of buying second hand ones, however do as much as you can to ensure the chassis /spaceframe is as straight as possible. If this is straight/in good condition you have the basis for an evolving project if you so desire.

Mine got bent when someone drove into the side of me, this was not immediately obvious but did have a slight effect on handling. This required a complete stripdown for repair.

If you have any questions PM me.

[Crippo]

My Cosworth engined Fury costs about £180 to insure on limited mileage. As a company car driver I have no insurance history what so ever, but I am 40......doh! I use Sureterm and they have been very easy to deal with.

On the power front I can honestly say that most of the high power kits say 250bhp and above have trouble putting the power down on the road. So even the sub 200bhp cars feel fantastically quick. because of the fact that you are bouncing around a lot more in a kit car and the wind is in your face 60mph feels more like 80mph ....it really does!