Best part of a kit car, the building or the driving?
Poll: Best part of a kit car, the building or the driving?
Total Members Polled: 55
Discussion
For me, the driving is definately the best part...but I am not as into the building as many people, my brother for one. However, I enjoyed the build much more than I thought I would and am very glad we built it (shared project). My brother always had wanted to build a kit and he was the major builder of ours. I do think they are both linked in a way though.
The building is more interesting, the driving is more fun, but when you are driving it, the fact that you built that car makes it even more rewarding than it already is.
I only played a minor part in the build of the Westfield but still enjoyed it most of the time, even in sub zero temperatures. It will never give you the thrill that thrashing round a track will, however it gave me a massive buzz whenever we reached a landmark in the build i.e. when the seats first went in, when it was first dropped to the floor on its wheels, bodywork, first start etc. Those were special moments. It also helped me understand a few things about cars too.
I think it all adds up to one massive love of the car in question, the building and driving. I would now always recommend someone built the car if it is possible for them to do so.
The building is more interesting, the driving is more fun, but when you are driving it, the fact that you built that car makes it even more rewarding than it already is.
I only played a minor part in the build of the Westfield but still enjoyed it most of the time, even in sub zero temperatures. It will never give you the thrill that thrashing round a track will, however it gave me a massive buzz whenever we reached a landmark in the build i.e. when the seats first went in, when it was first dropped to the floor on its wheels, bodywork, first start etc. Those were special moments. It also helped me understand a few things about cars too.
I think it all adds up to one massive love of the car in question, the building and driving. I would now always recommend someone built the car if it is possible for them to do so.
Edited by matt frost on Friday 23 October 11:10
50 50 for me
there were special moments during the build (finally making something fit or ending up with the right shape)
Special moment passing the SVA
Special moment being 2nd fastest out of 60 on a Croft Trackday
I made a Banham 200 kit using a Toyota Celica GT4 (instead of the Maestro)
there were special moments during the build (finally making something fit or ending up with the right shape)
Special moment passing the SVA
Special moment being 2nd fastest out of 60 on a Croft Trackday
I made a Banham 200 kit using a Toyota Celica GT4 (instead of the Maestro)
I love both in equal measure... The challenge of the engineering and satisfaction of acheiving something to my own spec is what I love about the build, and I just love driving both on and off the track.
Doesn't end there tho as once it finished I love improving the car as well.
Hate cleaning them tho lol
Doesn't end there tho as once it finished I love improving the car as well.
Hate cleaning them tho lol
I did enjoy my build ( Fisher Fury Fireblade) has some highs, some lows, some help!! Got to meet some clever and fun people on the way. Got gteR satisfaction the first time that ole 'blade fired up on my drive, the first time it moved under it's own power, the first time I nailed it around Brooklands. Then finally more satisfaction as it passed SVA and I could proudly drive it around.
Since then I have done trackdays for the first time in a properly fast car, and toured Europe several times. Met even more clever, mad, interesting peope. Gone drinking with Ferg. Learnt to drive properly, as in no driving aids to numb or flatter your skills. And get invited to take part in events which normally are reserved for £100,000 cars.
So as much as I enjoyed building it and learning new skills, I think the pure enjoyment from driving that and subsequent kitcars outweighs the building. But then I am not the greatest mechanical engineer in the world and do not have a nice warm garage to build in! But given the chance I would love to build another, a Stratos, RS200, Sylva R1ot or Sylva Fifteen.
Since then I have done trackdays for the first time in a properly fast car, and toured Europe several times. Met even more clever, mad, interesting peope. Gone drinking with Ferg. Learnt to drive properly, as in no driving aids to numb or flatter your skills. And get invited to take part in events which normally are reserved for £100,000 cars.
So as much as I enjoyed building it and learning new skills, I think the pure enjoyment from driving that and subsequent kitcars outweighs the building. But then I am not the greatest mechanical engineer in the world and do not have a nice warm garage to build in! But given the chance I would love to build another, a Stratos, RS200, Sylva R1ot or Sylva Fifteen.
It looks like the number plate is a good 2-3" forward of the intercooler so I would imaging most of the turbulent air will eventually pass through it. Personally I'd put a sticky plate on the bonnet.
EFA, and to compensate for the bottle of Barolo I have just consumed.
EFA, and to compensate for the bottle of Barolo I have just consumed.
Edited by Furyblade_Lee on Saturday 24th October 21:01
Some people just like to tinker and many never finish. Personally, I wanted the build over ASAP. It was only the thought of driving it that kept me going! If I do any work on the car now, I never leave it in an undriveable state. Have to take every opportunity that my work and the weather allows me.
If you were single and had loads of spare time, I can see how the build might be enjoyable but, I wasn't and my wife didn't want me to build my Fury R1, so I had to do it whilst minimising the impact it had on my family.
Rob
If you were single and had loads of spare time, I can see how the build might be enjoyable but, I wasn't and my wife didn't want me to build my Fury R1, so I had to do it whilst minimising the impact it had on my family.
Rob
robcollingridge said:
Some people just like to tinker and many never finish. Personally, I wanted the build over ASAP. It was only the thought of driving it that kept me going! If I do any work on the car now, I never leave it in an undriveable state. Have to take every opportunity that my work and the weather allows me.
If you were single and had loads of spare time, I can see how the build might be enjoyable but, I wasn't and my wife didn't want me to build my Fury R1, so I had to do it whilst minimising the impact it had on my family.
Rob
Sounds exactly like me, I wanted the build out of the way ASAP - both because I wanted to build it quickly (to drive it) and like you the wife didn't want me to build it in the first placeIf you were single and had loads of spare time, I can see how the build might be enjoyable but, I wasn't and my wife didn't want me to build my Fury R1, so I had to do it whilst minimising the impact it had on my family.
Rob
GreenV8S said:
magpies said:
Basically echo Matt frost and fergs comments really. Enjoyed the build got the whole family involved 1 of the kids was more into it than others and only wanted to do the soft bits.
Enjoy driving especially the squeals of delight from wife in passenger seat and kids in the back and the looks you get from people. I even quite like the new nickname the girls my daughters dance with have given Tango which is "the carrot on wheels".
And I enjoy socialising at the big shows and the little meets i manage to get to
Lee you went drinking with ferg and survived? !!!!!
Enjoy driving especially the squeals of delight from wife in passenger seat and kids in the back and the looks you get from people. I even quite like the new nickname the girls my daughters dance with have given Tango which is "the carrot on wheels".
And I enjoy socialising at the big shows and the little meets i manage to get to
Lee you went drinking with ferg and survived? !!!!!
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