I wanna build a kit car

[monkeydelmagico]

Whereas, if I take it apart, I'm examining the fit and function as it comes apart, and I'm generally aware of the things that I need to know going back together. .

+1

very good point. It illustrates a typical progression in knowledge, skills, ability. First a person uses a piece of equipment. Doesn't matter what it is really, lawnmower, short wave radio, boats, planes, etc. It breaks. They learn how to fix it. Fixer level achieved.

Then, if they are curious or have the tinkering bug, they mod it. Through modifications they learn some engineering principles and acumulate equipment necessary for the process. Modder level achieved.

If they get really good at fixing other engineer's mistakes they realize an ability to build a better mousetrap. Creator/builder level stuff.

Unless there is access to a mentor and a decently equipped shop skipping the modder step seems foolish.

 

[NAC]

This is a good point – that a kit car will be more difficult than rebuilding an existing car. The MEV kit I'm interested in would use most of the mechanicals of the drivetrain & suspension as is, but I would need to rivet aluminum, run fuel and brake lines, and I believe fabricate attachment points for items like the master cylinder. None of that intimidates me, but it would be easier to just put the same car back together.

I like the idea of spending 20k less and just rebuilding a Miata, but the wow factor just wouldn't be there. Yesterday I rode around town in my friend's Model T (which he completely rebuilt), and just driving was an event. Everyone waves, wants to talk to you, takes pictures. It was almost too attention grabbing… I might not want that much attention.

 

[manimal]

be careful your not one of the thousands of people who bite off more than they can chew every year with big projects.


Look at gateway classic cars and see what some of these kit AC cobras sell for. 50k kit car selling for 23k.

Buy someone elses if its close to what you wanted and personalize it with what you save.


I wish someone made a kit like that for the old alfa f1 bodies. Closest thing to speed racer on the road there is

 

[Harrod]

I know a guy would built a locost(poor mans lotus 7) by hand, this included welding the frame and scavenging the rest of the parts from mostly toyota cars. The car in person was pretty cool, he even said that he was thinking of getting rid of it for a couple of grand. This guy has 2 old lotus europas that he is working on, along with an elise that he drives on weekends.

The thing the would really hold me back from attempting something like this isn't the time requirements, it's where you would put it when you weren't driving it.

I used to throw the idea around of if I wrecked my integra, doing some kind of areil atom knockoff kit on it. The problem with that idea though is I would have ended up with a car that draws alot of attention, with alot of parts that a car thief would love to take.

 

[manimal]

I know a guy would built a locost(poor mans lotus 7) by hand, this included welding the frame and scavenging the rest of the parts from mostly toyota cars. The car in person was pretty cool, he even said that he was thinking of getting rid of it for a couple of grand. This guy has 2 old lotus europas that he is working on, along with an elise that he drives on weekends.

The thing the would really hold me back from attempting something like this isn't the time requirements, it's where you would put it when you weren't driving it.

I used to throw the idea around of if I wrecked my integra, doing some kind of areil atom knockoff kit on it. The problem with that idea though is I would have ended up with a car that draws alot of attention, with alot of parts that a car thief would love to take.

Pm me his number if he sells it for a few K


seriously

 

[NAC]

Well, it is clear that building or even modifying a car is for pleasure. It is a better use of money to just buy what someone else has built.

Gateway classic cars has a great selection, and cheaper than I should have thought. Thanks for the link!

 

[thomsbrain]

I think the question is if the point is to build something or to drive something.

 

[Zenmervolt]

I guess the way I look at it is more that trying to make things from scratch is a lot harder than trying to fix things that are broken.

It's the kind of thing that I've encountered a lot, albeit on a smaller scale. Something that is in pieces, where I have no idea how it goes together, or how it functions...that's a PITA. Maybe I find an exploded diagram or some 'together' pictures of whatever I'm working on...but it's still hard.

Whereas, if I take it apart, I'm examining the fit and function as it comes apart, and I'm generally aware of the things that I need to know going back together.

That's fair. I can definitely see your point. But for me, most of the frustration with working on cars is getting at the part I want to work on or dealing with parts that are so dirty they don't want to come apart. I'd prefer to ponder over an exploded view for a while than, for example, replace a leaky heater control valve that's buried under the dash of a car that's already together.

ZV

 

[weadjust]

I helped my dad build a 52 MG kit car on a 69 VW chassis about 30 years ago. A VW kit car is not to difficult because you just take the beetle body off and put a different body and interior in. We did have to move the shifter and pedals back about 2ft. The kit came in about 8 big boxes and we assembled the fiberglass body, trim, wiring, etc. I wouldn't mind building/having a VW Dune Buggy like a Manx Style. I still have the car and drive it often during the warmer months. A recent Pic

 

[Mandres]

OP - to build a $35k kit car you'll likely need at least $10k in tools and equipment. Most home garages don't have access to a 4 post lift, gantry crane, paint booth, MIG welder, and on and on and on. This isn't lego, even for the engineered right out of the box kits like FF5. You'll need equipment, fabrication skills and a lot of labor help to get it done. And a lot, lot, lot more $ than you're expecting.