THE TYPICAL KIT CAR DRIVER?
Discussion
I, a couple of years ago met a chap (who i am sure is human) and began talking about kit cars and general first meet topics.
He then (and probably still does) own a 04 registered r1 westy.
He claimed that he had built it from scratch (not sure) and began telling me that i owned an inferior sylva striker that was both out performed and over looked by the westfield.
On first impressions, yes my striker was older looking, few stone chips here and there, and cosmeticaly pre enjoyed compared to his beautiful example..(his words).
After a few more words were exchanged, i began to wonder if the world of kits cars was a hobbie that was overrun by post 40 year old bearded saddos who live on there own and drink horlicks on a saturday nite whilst watching heartbeat.He then continued to inform me that every time he went out in his westy, he would weigh himself, and adjust the suspension accordingly to his weight increase, or indeed decrease.(to reach optimum performance in the bends).."PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS GUY IS DRIVING ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY".
He then continued to waffle about the do's and dont's, the benefits of having titanium tipped sunglasses, and not farting whilst driving.."this would only increase wind resisatance, and fxxk up aero dynamics".
My point is (at last)..Does it really matter?...My striker has a push button start...i push it,it starts,it moves, and when i press the peddle on the right it goes faster...(much faster actualy)..it dosnt fail me, piss me off, and i dont have to keep a jar of swarfega under the seat.
Its simple, it goes like fxxk, and it brings a smile to my face and anyone else i care to take with me...Is there any need to get carried away with what is supposed to be giggle?
If you want to be a formular one,thermo nuclear, rocket scientist, one point twenty one giga watt anorak, then fill your boots..then be one....on another planet.
Kits should be about cheap weekend fun that raises eybrows, and puts a smile on peoples faces surely?
Or maybe i should get a degree in anorakism?..
Any feedback.....(i am 30...and do not posess a beard)................Yet
He then (and probably still does) own a 04 registered r1 westy.
He claimed that he had built it from scratch (not sure) and began telling me that i owned an inferior sylva striker that was both out performed and over looked by the westfield.
On first impressions, yes my striker was older looking, few stone chips here and there, and cosmeticaly pre enjoyed compared to his beautiful example..(his words).
After a few more words were exchanged, i began to wonder if the world of kits cars was a hobbie that was overrun by post 40 year old bearded saddos who live on there own and drink horlicks on a saturday nite whilst watching heartbeat.He then continued to inform me that every time he went out in his westy, he would weigh himself, and adjust the suspension accordingly to his weight increase, or indeed decrease.(to reach optimum performance in the bends).."PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS GUY IS DRIVING ON THE PUBLIC HIGHWAY".
He then continued to waffle about the do's and dont's, the benefits of having titanium tipped sunglasses, and not farting whilst driving.."this would only increase wind resisatance, and fxxk up aero dynamics".
My point is (at last)..Does it really matter?...My striker has a push button start...i push it,it starts,it moves, and when i press the peddle on the right it goes faster...(much faster actualy)..it dosnt fail me, piss me off, and i dont have to keep a jar of swarfega under the seat.
Its simple, it goes like fxxk, and it brings a smile to my face and anyone else i care to take with me...Is there any need to get carried away with what is supposed to be giggle?
If you want to be a formular one,thermo nuclear, rocket scientist, one point twenty one giga watt anorak, then fill your boots..then be one....on another planet.
Kits should be about cheap weekend fun that raises eybrows, and puts a smile on peoples faces surely?
Or maybe i should get a degree in anorakism?..
Any feedback.....(i am 30...and do not posess a beard)................Yet
And your point is...?
OK; so you met a wierdy.
There's Saddos clinging onto every hobby. It's all a matter of degree. To some, I'm barking mad to get in my car, let alone sit in it for fun.
To others, I'm a scruffy git 'cos I don't polish it (the car) at every opportunity.
We're all different, I'm happy with that. I don't think there is such a thing as a typical kit car driver, we're too diverse to have a 'typical'.
OK; so you met a wierdy.
There's Saddos clinging onto every hobby. It's all a matter of degree. To some, I'm barking mad to get in my car, let alone sit in it for fun.
To others, I'm a scruffy git 'cos I don't polish it (the car) at every opportunity.
We're all different, I'm happy with that. I don't think there is such a thing as a typical kit car driver, we're too diverse to have a 'typical'.
I'd like to think that the guy's in a minority.
My first ever car was a kit car, and I've owned two more since then (although only the last one was built from scratch).
I don't care about the weight (either of the car or myself), and while I have spent a fair amount of time in the garage, I'm happy with the results. The car's quick enough for my liking at the present (would probably want a little more oomph in a year or two), and gets a clean every so often
Oh, and I can't stand Heartbeat
My first ever car was a kit car, and I've owned two more since then (although only the last one was built from scratch).
I don't care about the weight (either of the car or myself), and while I have spent a fair amount of time in the garage, I'm happy with the results. The car's quick enough for my liking at the present (would probably want a little more oomph in a year or two), and gets a clean every so often
Oh, and I can't stand Heartbeat
If I can point to the obvious thing that brings all kit car drivers together, its the fact that you can tailor the car entirely to your own liking.
Mainstream manufacturers seem to have only just woken up to the fact that individualism is an increasingly strong buying factor. Witness the hundreds of customisation options available on the new Fiat 500 or BMW Mini.
Kit cars have been offering that for decades but on a much wider scale, with every niche covered.. thankfully a 'typical' kit car driver is very hard to really describe apart from a healthy dose of rejecting convention. Long may it continue too.
Mainstream manufacturers seem to have only just woken up to the fact that individualism is an increasingly strong buying factor. Witness the hundreds of customisation options available on the new Fiat 500 or BMW Mini.
Kit cars have been offering that for decades but on a much wider scale, with every niche covered.. thankfully a 'typical' kit car driver is very hard to really describe apart from a healthy dose of rejecting convention. Long may it continue too.
In my limited experience (2 pistonheads meets and the Kitcar show at detling once along with the Detling Kitcar kart race at buckmore) the majority of the owners I have met have been very like minded, it doesn't matter what you drive, aslong asyou enjoy it!
On the other hand, I would have liked to have met the op's wierdo in a years time or so once my Locost is up and running and see what he makes of that... as its on a very limited budget with probably the meagerst engine going, but it will be fun!
On the other hand, I would have liked to have met the op's wierdo in a years time or so once my Locost is up and running and see what he makes of that... as its on a very limited budget with probably the meagerst engine going, but it will be fun!
Paul Drawmer said:
And your point is...?
OK; so you met a wierdy.
There's Saddos clinging onto every hobby. It's all a matter of degree. To some, I'm barking mad to get in my car, let alone sit in it for fun.
To others, I'm a scruffy git 'cos I don't polish it (the car) at every opportunity.
We're all different, I'm happy with that. I don't think there is such a thing as a typical kit car driver, we're too diverse to have a 'typical'.
A very fair and understood comment.Thanks.OK; so you met a wierdy.
There's Saddos clinging onto every hobby. It's all a matter of degree. To some, I'm barking mad to get in my car, let alone sit in it for fun.
To others, I'm a scruffy git 'cos I don't polish it (the car) at every opportunity.
We're all different, I'm happy with that. I don't think there is such a thing as a typical kit car driver, we're too diverse to have a 'typical'.
You want to try taking up RC aircraft - it's a bloody mine field of saddo's with beards. The "normals" are definitely in the minority there 
TBH I've found kit car owners to be the best group on the whole - as though the millions of scraped knuckles, hammered thumbs and paint thinnered cuts bring a communal understanding of the pain that true car enthusiasm brings.
That said - every time I've been "looked down on" in the past it's been from a Westfield or Caterham owner!
TBH I've found kit car owners to be the best group on the whole - as though the millions of scraped knuckles, hammered thumbs and paint thinnered cuts bring a communal understanding of the pain that true car enthusiasm brings.
That said - every time I've been "looked down on" in the past it's been from a Westfield or Caterham owner!
Edited by Davi on Friday 11th July 11:20
Davi said:
TBH I've found kit car owners to be the best group on the whole - as though the millions of scraped knuckles, hammered thumbs and paint thinnered cuts bring a communal understanding of the pain that true car enthusiasm brings.
Im with you on this Davi. Skinned knuckles are a prerequisite of kit car ownership be it one youve bought prebuilt that requires "modification" or one you have built from the chassis up.Edited by Davi on Friday 11th July 11:20
What I have found is generally kitcar owners are a friendly bunch and dont mind sharing their experiences and help. the one thing they cant help themselves doing is talking about their car either the enjoyment of driving it, the simple pleasure from building it, skinned knuckles included, or the frustration experienced when something goes wrong. either in a minor way or horribly wrong. but because we are such a talkiative lot if you are in the mire chances are someone has already been there and is quite happy to share his solution with you.
Sorry for the waffle Im a kitcar owner/builder
Vindi_andy said:
but because we are such a talkiative lot if you are in the mire chances are someone has already been there and is quite happy to share his solution with you.
And quite frequently drive a reasonable distance to show you exactly how to implement the solution, bringing overalls, some biccies and possibly even a mate or three with thermos' At any car meet you'll spot the kit car owners a mile off. They'll be lying under someone else's car either eyeing it up for parts or elegant solutions to packaging problems, or fixing it if required with gaffer tape and cable ties. There's nothing that can't be put right on a good kit with cable ties! That or busy taking folk up the road for a quick hoon. At the Northants PH meet, I spent nearly the entire meet talking about my BEC, then got persuaded into taking combine up the road for a spin.
There's nothing that can't be put right on a good kit with cable ties! That or busy taking folk up the road for a quick hoon. At the Northants PH meet, I spent nearly the entire meet talking about my BEC, then got persuaded into taking combine up the road for a spin.Davi said:
You want to try taking up RC aircraft - it's a bloody mine field of saddo's with beards. The "normals" are definitely in the minority there
TBH I've found kit car owners to be the best group on the whole - as though the millions of scraped knuckles, hammered thumbs and paint thinnered cuts bring a communal understanding of the pain that true car enthusiasm brings.
That said - every time I've been "looked down on" in the past it's been from a Westfield or Caterham owner!
I rest my case....TBH I've found kit car owners to be the best group on the whole - as though the millions of scraped knuckles, hammered thumbs and paint thinnered cuts bring a communal understanding of the pain that true car enthusiasm brings.
That said - every time I've been "looked down on" in the past it's been from a Westfield or Caterham owner!
Edited by Davi on Friday 11th July 11:20
Vindi_andy said:
Davi said:
TBH I've found kit car owners to be the best group on the whole - as though the millions of scraped knuckles, hammered thumbs and paint thinnered cuts bring a communal understanding of the pain that true car enthusiasm brings.
Im with you on this Davi. Skinned knuckles are a prerequisite of kit car ownership be it one youve bought prebuilt that requires "modification" or one you have built from the chassis up.Edited by Davi on Friday 11th July 11:20
What I have found is generally kitcar owners are a friendly bunch and dont mind sharing their experiences and help. the one thing they cant help themselves doing is talking about their car either the enjoyment of driving it, the simple pleasure from building it, skinned knuckles included, or the frustration experienced when something goes wrong. either in a minor way or horribly wrong. but because we are such a talkiative lot if you are in the mire chances are someone has already been there and is quite happy to share his solution with you.
Sorry for the waffle Im a kitcar owner/builder
cozmic said:
Midas said:
Heartbeat is on a Sunday night
Theres always one smart arse isnt there.......(i bet he owns a westy)....lmao
It appears that if you turn up in one at the kit car show south west your tyres are met by a red carpet!!!....(im not at all jelous).........much
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