Which Kit Car? Healthy budget but no experience
Discussion
I am looking to venture into the world of Kit Cars and despite hours of surfing the net, I am still struggling to really form any conclusions and need some advice on what direction to take.
I have never built a Kit Car before but have a mechanical engineering degree and am pretty hands on, so not afraid of getting stuck in.
I have a healthy budgt, happy to spend anything from £20k to £60k. I want a vehicle where everything is new and provided by the kit car manufacturer. I do not want to have to salvage a chasis etc.
As much as the for the drive experience afterwards, it is as much about getting enjoyment from being hands on and building something.
I do not want to go for a replica of a modern day vehicle. I am lucky enough to have a Ferrari California as my day car, so this is more about building something special.
I do like the look of some of the more modern style versions of the AC Cobra, the Gardner Douglas GD350 etc
I know a lot of you will dispair at me, but I am not looking for that classic car look. I want a timeless classic with a modern feel that has cutting edge technology.
I do wonder if I might be better cutting my teeth on something like a Caterham and have some fun with that, and then as I get to understand the process better, I can move on to a more technically challenging build later.
I appreciate I am in an extremely lucky position to be able to do this and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do. I have a habit of rushing in to things and buying the first thing I see, and I would rather try and avoid this.
Thanks
I have never built a Kit Car before but have a mechanical engineering degree and am pretty hands on, so not afraid of getting stuck in.
I have a healthy budgt, happy to spend anything from £20k to £60k. I want a vehicle where everything is new and provided by the kit car manufacturer. I do not want to have to salvage a chasis etc.
As much as the for the drive experience afterwards, it is as much about getting enjoyment from being hands on and building something.
I do not want to go for a replica of a modern day vehicle. I am lucky enough to have a Ferrari California as my day car, so this is more about building something special.
I do like the look of some of the more modern style versions of the AC Cobra, the Gardner Douglas GD350 etc
I know a lot of you will dispair at me, but I am not looking for that classic car look. I want a timeless classic with a modern feel that has cutting edge technology.
I do wonder if I might be better cutting my teeth on something like a Caterham and have some fun with that, and then as I get to understand the process better, I can move on to a more technically challenging build later.
I appreciate I am in an extremely lucky position to be able to do this and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do. I have a habit of rushing in to things and buying the first thing I see, and I would rather try and avoid this.
Thanks
The performance on the GT70 looks incredible. I think its probably a little to over the top for what I am looking to do at this point. I am looking more for classic styling with performance to boot. For the track the GT70 certainly looks like fun though.
Of the various AC Cobra replica firms out there, what are peoples views?
Of the various AC Cobra replica firms out there, what are peoples views?
Of the Cobra replicas I guess GD and Dax are top of the tree (unless you go for a Kirkham ally body ££££).
I prefer the GD Mk3 body, not as close to the original but I like the low slung attitude.
The Dax with the camber compensation suspension may be worth a look if you want something special, this can also be found on the new XCS designs cobra (the origuinal designer of the system).
there is also the Hawk 289 that again I tend toi prefer the lines of, maybe with the hard top.
Finally on the cobra, if you want to be a bit different and want a bit more practically, have a look at the Daytona Cobra Coupe from Factory Five or Superformance.
As for engines, the new Ford Cayote engine seems to be the one ot fit if you want to stick to the original DNA of ford engines, otherwide one of the LS series will do (see XCS for pictures of one fitted to a cobra chassis/car)
Totalkitcar.com has a list of manufacturers and also a X-reference to types of vehicle/nmanufacturer.
The best advice I can give is once you have narrowed down your search, go to a show to veryfy your choice and arrange a factory visit to each, this will tell you a lot about the company, their service and whether you will get on with the staff. Believe me, you will be calling them regularly with whatever kit you buy. A couple of hundred £ spent now on petrol visiting suppliers is well worth spending.
I prefer the GD Mk3 body, not as close to the original but I like the low slung attitude.
The Dax with the camber compensation suspension may be worth a look if you want something special, this can also be found on the new XCS designs cobra (the origuinal designer of the system).
there is also the Hawk 289 that again I tend toi prefer the lines of, maybe with the hard top.
Finally on the cobra, if you want to be a bit different and want a bit more practically, have a look at the Daytona Cobra Coupe from Factory Five or Superformance.
As for engines, the new Ford Cayote engine seems to be the one ot fit if you want to stick to the original DNA of ford engines, otherwide one of the LS series will do (see XCS for pictures of one fitted to a cobra chassis/car)
Totalkitcar.com has a list of manufacturers and also a X-reference to types of vehicle/nmanufacturer.
The best advice I can give is once you have narrowed down your search, go to a show to veryfy your choice and arrange a factory visit to each, this will tell you a lot about the company, their service and whether you will get on with the staff. Believe me, you will be calling them regularly with whatever kit you buy. A couple of hundred £ spent now on petrol visiting suppliers is well worth spending.
Sounds like a description of an Ultima to me...
PaulDav said:
I am looking to venture into the world of Kit Cars and despite hours of surfing the net, I am still struggling to really form any conclusions and need some advice on what direction to take.
I have never built a Kit Car before but have a mechanical engineering degree and am pretty hands on, so not afraid of getting stuck in.
I have a healthy budgt, happy to spend anything from £20k to £60k. I want a vehicle where everything is new and provided by the kit car manufacturer. I do not want to have to salvage a chasis etc. - Check
As much as the for the drive experience afterwards, it is as much about getting enjoyment from being hands on and building something. - Check
I do not want to go for a replica of a modern day vehicle. I am lucky enough to have a Ferrari California as my day car, so this is more about building something special. - Check
I do like the look of some of the more modern style versions of the AC Cobra, the Gardner Douglas GD350 etc
I know a lot of you will dispair at me, but I am not looking for that classic car look. I want a timeless classic with a modern feel that has cutting edge technology. - Check
I do wonder if I might be better cutting my teeth on something like a Caterham and have some fun with that, and then as I get to understand the process better, I can move on to a more technically challenging build later.
I appreciate I am in an extremely lucky position to be able to do this and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do. I have a habit of rushing in to things and buying the first thing I see, and I would rather try and avoid this.
Thanks
I have never built a Kit Car before but have a mechanical engineering degree and am pretty hands on, so not afraid of getting stuck in.
I have a healthy budgt, happy to spend anything from £20k to £60k. I want a vehicle where everything is new and provided by the kit car manufacturer. I do not want to have to salvage a chasis etc. - Check
As much as the for the drive experience afterwards, it is as much about getting enjoyment from being hands on and building something. - Check
I do not want to go for a replica of a modern day vehicle. I am lucky enough to have a Ferrari California as my day car, so this is more about building something special. - Check
I do like the look of some of the more modern style versions of the AC Cobra, the Gardner Douglas GD350 etc
I know a lot of you will dispair at me, but I am not looking for that classic car look. I want a timeless classic with a modern feel that has cutting edge technology. - Check
I do wonder if I might be better cutting my teeth on something like a Caterham and have some fun with that, and then as I get to understand the process better, I can move on to a more technically challenging build later.
I appreciate I am in an extremely lucky position to be able to do this and would love to hear your thoughts on what I should do. I have a habit of rushing in to things and buying the first thing I see, and I would rather try and avoid this.
Thanks
I really like the look of the Daytona Cobra Coupe but I was under the impression that you could only get them as LHD cars and that if you purchased them from Factory Five or Superformance then they would only come to the UK as factory built vehicles?
Is it possible to get a RHD Daytona Cobra Coupe as a kit in the UK from these manufacturers?
Is it possible to get a RHD Daytona Cobra Coupe as a kit in the UK from these manufacturers?
Sorry for tempting you with the cobra daytona, though British American engines did one but delivery seems to have ceased.
The Hawk 289 is done in a coupe if that floats your boat.
One from left field - how about a lancia stratos replica, with that sort of cash you may even be able to fit a pukka ferrari v8 in the back.
One for not so left field - GT40, have a look at Tornado, if you want to be a bit novel they have a folded aluminium chassis that looks interesting.
Finally, not as impressive but may be much more interesting to drive - a Banks Europa, choose your engine - just to be different I think the AJP8 TVR Cerbera engine would go in the back very nicely and sound spectacular?
Here's a pretty good list of what's currently available - http://www.totalkitcar.com/uk/uk-x-ref/
The Hawk 289 is done in a coupe if that floats your boat.
One from left field - how about a lancia stratos replica, with that sort of cash you may even be able to fit a pukka ferrari v8 in the back.
One for not so left field - GT40, have a look at Tornado, if you want to be a bit novel they have a folded aluminium chassis that looks interesting.
Finally, not as impressive but may be much more interesting to drive - a Banks Europa, choose your engine - just to be different I think the AJP8 TVR Cerbera engine would go in the back very nicely and sound spectacular?
Here's a pretty good list of what's currently available - http://www.totalkitcar.com/uk/uk-x-ref/
If you want a Cobra Daytona have a chat with Gerry Hawkridge of Hawk cars.
He displayed a part built one at Stoneleigh. As with all Gerry's cars it will be recreation rather than replica with a price tag to match.
I have to say Cobra replicas don't really do it for me but the Daytona certainly looks special.
GD T70 again is awesome but quite hard core. The Moda looks epic!
It comes down to what you want it for and the time you have available to build it. Also consider your skill levels. If you are competent in terms of DIY and have a methodical approach you will be fine. If you end up at A&E putting up a shelf then you may need a little help?
If it's for the reward of building it with at the end a lovely looking, brilliant sounding car to drive on a sunny Sunday, then Cobra alikes are hard to beat. Most of the manufacturers will sell you everything you need new or reconditioned.
In terms of the classic with a twist then the GD350 looks amazing in the pics but I have never seen one in the flesh. I seem to remember that they were never available as a kit though only fully built?
You could certainly spend your money with Caterham. A kit would be the easiest of all the Kit cars to build and could be completed very quickly. You would end up with a very competent fun car to drive and track day. The residuals are fantastic too. If you want to put your own stamp on it and challenge your self with the build I would say it's not the ideal car. Potential buyers tend to look for factory spec and they go together like lego.
In terms of time I spent about 500 hours building my kit over 18 months. I loved it but by the end I was in trouble with the Mrs for always being in the garage and summer was on the way and I wanted to drive it!
Help. A lot of the manufacturers offer rolling chassis, body fitting, painting, wiring, part or full builds. There are also independent companies who offer build services. You may feel comfortable doing a lot of the work be need help in other areas. This of course would add to the costs dramatically.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Have a look here.
http://www.suffolkjaguar.com/
http://www.nostalgiacars.co.uk/
http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/company/products.html
http://www.automirage.co.uk/GT_Project.html Not ready yet but looks fantastic!
You should build one like mine of course!
With all new parts it would be at the bottom of your budget. There is a V8 option and soon a windscreen. It would almost be luxury!
He displayed a part built one at Stoneleigh. As with all Gerry's cars it will be recreation rather than replica with a price tag to match.
I have to say Cobra replicas don't really do it for me but the Daytona certainly looks special.
GD T70 again is awesome but quite hard core. The Moda looks epic!
It comes down to what you want it for and the time you have available to build it. Also consider your skill levels. If you are competent in terms of DIY and have a methodical approach you will be fine. If you end up at A&E putting up a shelf then you may need a little help?
If it's for the reward of building it with at the end a lovely looking, brilliant sounding car to drive on a sunny Sunday, then Cobra alikes are hard to beat. Most of the manufacturers will sell you everything you need new or reconditioned.
In terms of the classic with a twist then the GD350 looks amazing in the pics but I have never seen one in the flesh. I seem to remember that they were never available as a kit though only fully built?
You could certainly spend your money with Caterham. A kit would be the easiest of all the Kit cars to build and could be completed very quickly. You would end up with a very competent fun car to drive and track day. The residuals are fantastic too. If you want to put your own stamp on it and challenge your self with the build I would say it's not the ideal car. Potential buyers tend to look for factory spec and they go together like lego.
In terms of time I spent about 500 hours building my kit over 18 months. I loved it but by the end I was in trouble with the Mrs for always being in the garage and summer was on the way and I wanted to drive it!
Help. A lot of the manufacturers offer rolling chassis, body fitting, painting, wiring, part or full builds. There are also independent companies who offer build services. You may feel comfortable doing a lot of the work be need help in other areas. This of course would add to the costs dramatically.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Have a look here.
http://www.suffolkjaguar.com/
http://www.nostalgiacars.co.uk/
http://www.hawkcars.co.uk/company/products.html
http://www.automirage.co.uk/GT_Project.html Not ready yet but looks fantastic!
You should build one like mine of course!
With all new parts it would be at the bottom of your budget. There is a V8 option and soon a windscreen. It would almost be luxury!
Edited by rdodger on Wednesday 12th February 14:39
Edited by rdodger on Wednesday 12th February 14:41
What about a Vortex GTT?
Fits your budget, timeless styling, cutting edge tech (no other companies are using the Ford Ecoboost engines), all mod cons like Air con, electric windows etc…
We've just exported an entire kit including every nut, bolt, donor part etc.. to a customer in New Zealand, so if you want a package without having to go routing around scrap yards it's certainly possible.
Fits your budget, timeless styling, cutting edge tech (no other companies are using the Ford Ecoboost engines), all mod cons like Air con, electric windows etc…
We've just exported an entire kit including every nut, bolt, donor part etc.. to a customer in New Zealand, so if you want a package without having to go routing around scrap yards it's certainly possible.
StangGT said:
rdodger, more info on the v8 and windscreen please!
Well Jim Walker who makes them has a Rover/TVR V8 demo car. 4.5l I think. So Rover v8's are an option. If I remember correctly he told me the Ford V8 will fit too. Coyote engine?Windscreen wise he is in the middle of making a frame that would make it removable that incorporates the wipers etc in it.
Another builder is using a genuine Healey 3000 frame and screen.
Have a look at the facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thruxton-GT/1414415...
I will see if I can find some V8 pictures.
What about one of these but I'm not sure about it coming in kit form though.....
http://www.donkervoort.com/en/
http://www.donkervoort.com/en/
If I were you, I'd struggle to look past a C/D-type or XKSS from Realm.
http://www.realmengineering.com/index.html
The interesting part could be applying the tech - thinking engine management, brakes etc.
http://www.realmengineering.com/index.html
The interesting part could be applying the tech - thinking engine management, brakes etc.
If it were me, I would look at a Caterham or Westfield. If (as it seems you do) you want to do most of the building yourself, this will be the most straightforward kit to finish for your first attempt. And they're happy to sell you all the parts you need to complete your car - actually, most seven style kit and probably just most kit manufacturers will do this for you.
As a general rule of thumb, if you do go for it, you'll probably find that the mechanical bits are the more straightforward part of the build. With a Seven style car, the rest of the job is reasonably straightforward too - if I'm ever in a position to try a kit build again, this is the route I will probably take.
With a Cobra replica, or most of the other suggestions, the interior trim will make or break the car. If you are confident to do this, then great - go for it. As you might guess, I wouldn't be, so if I were going to attempt something like this (Stratos replica would be my choice) I'd be budgeting for somebody to trim the car for me, or maybe even just build it for me.
YMMV!
Whatever you choose, ENJOY!!!
As a general rule of thumb, if you do go for it, you'll probably find that the mechanical bits are the more straightforward part of the build. With a Seven style car, the rest of the job is reasonably straightforward too - if I'm ever in a position to try a kit build again, this is the route I will probably take.
With a Cobra replica, or most of the other suggestions, the interior trim will make or break the car. If you are confident to do this, then great - go for it. As you might guess, I wouldn't be, so if I were going to attempt something like this (Stratos replica would be my choice) I'd be budgeting for somebody to trim the car for me, or maybe even just build it for me.
YMMV!
Whatever you choose, ENJOY!!!
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