Kit cars

Bluebottle · 30 Jun 2003, 19:29 (Ref:647567)

Kit cars, or if you prefer, Handbuilt Specialist Cars.

Several of you out there have got or have had such machines- SS Collins has a McCoy, Imull has a Clan Crusader and I've read of a few Locosts in various states of unfinishedness.
So, who has what, is it on the road, unbuilt, needing rebuilding etc etc...(Don't forget the forum rules on pictures..)

We (myself and Hurricane) currently have a Quantum H4 and a Vincent Hurricane, both currently on the road- the Quantum being my wifes commuting car

I recently got rid of a Dutton Sierra and am shortly to get back a Dutton Melos I sold around 8 years ago! (No longer on the road and back in kit form, I like a challenge!!)

Bluebottle · 30 Jun 2003, 19:31 (Ref:647571)

Also, I'd be interested to know how difficult it is to register a kit in all the different countries represented on the forum...

TimD · 30 Jun 2003, 21:03 (Ref:647726)

Not sure this is quite what you're after, 'Bottle, but look out for a truly insane Dax Rush sometime soon. The very helpful man who rescued me and my car from the roadside with his RAC van is building one.

But it's a little different. He's fitting a Ford Essex V-6 which he's managed to bore out to 3.8 litres. And is more than delighted that it's so far producing nigh on 400bhp at the dyno.

Sounds like it could be quite a thing, don't it?!!

Bluebottle · 30 Jun 2003, 21:11 (Ref:647738)

Wow, quite a beast indeed! Although I wonder why he went for the Essex instead of a Rover V8 which is much lighter. The most insane Dax Rush has to be the one built from a 4X4 Cosworth- resulting in a 4x4 seven-type which is very fast around roundabouts!!

400bhp, Ooooher...

gttouring · 30 Jun 2003, 22:50 (Ref:647847)

Kit cars are the best for motoring and if you get approval racing- it is simply the best to race in the car you built and drive around in you creation I love it. well until my Locost fell apart in a pot hole.
sigh
i am building a new one though!

Lee Janotta · 1 Jul 2003, 02:01 (Ref:647923)

I just wish someone made replica bodies for a Devin SS so I could build one. Cobras are too cliched, and the Devins are supposed to be fiberglass anyhow.

Hell, any stylish little roaster body would be nice, so long as it doesn't look like some production car.

You can't race kit cars here unless they're absolute period-correct replicas (and if the body was available, I could build a 90% correct Devin SS replica for not a lot of money, since nearly all the parts were standard GM production!)

But it'd still be worth doing just to have a really great street car.

Alpina · 1 Jul 2003, 07:50 (Ref:648050)

Lee get yourself the book " Build a sportscar for under £200" of Amazon. It gives you plans to build a sevn type called a Locost. You can fit in any parts you like with a few simple mods.

Lee Janotta · 1 Jul 2003, 12:47 (Ref:648355)

Yeah, I shoulda said "except a Caterham clone".

It'd actually cost substantially more to build a Locost here than something with a V8, due to the dimensions being so horribly cramped. Go figure.

Bluebottle · 1 Jul 2003, 22:41 (Ref:649031)

Lee, there are still plenty of Triumph Spitfires over there I believe, have a look at http://www.caburn.demon.co.uk/Conten...ing/Hurricane/

Lee Janotta · 2 Jul 2003, 03:57 (Ref:649175)

Hmm... Y'know, that really looks the part! Thanks bottle!

Now, how to get one across the ocean. Hmm... Have they built that Newfoundland-Greenland-Iceland-Scotland tunnel yet?

Lee Janotta · 3 Jul 2003, 02:08 (Ref:650383)

Actually, it's interesting you brought up Spitfires, Bottle. The other thought I had was to take a derelict Spitfire, gut it, build a tubular steel frame to support it, cram in a 5.7L Chevy small-block, six speed, and a Subaru rear axle...

And so it wouldn't scream "Spitfire", I'd have to dress it up like a race spec Mk I.

I do hope Sir Peter Kaywood doesn't mind my using a photo of his breathtakingly pristine car for illustrative purposes.

Bluebottle · 3 Jul 2003, 18:47 (Ref:651199)

That's a great looking car isn't it?
I recall reading about a Chevy engined Spit on the 'net somewhere...

Lee Janotta · 3 Jul 2003, 22:01 (Ref:651366)

Oh? I'll have to take a look for that.

I know Grassroots Motorsports Magazine did a Spitfire 1500 with a rotary from a second-gen RX-7 last year. Definitly lived up to the Spitfire name, that one did.

Bodysnatcher · 4 Jul 2003, 09:58 (Ref:651829)

It was the old Beetle route for me 5 years ago - don't get out enough in it, MOT lapsed about 6 weeks ago, got my act together and it's due for new one in 4 days time, this summer weather

can't last much longer and I must get out and about.

GP Spyder 80ish BHP of pure fun

Lee Janotta · 4 Jul 2003, 19:47 (Ref:652690)

Very cool. Get that puppy out on the road!

Bluebottle · 4 Jul 2003, 19:51 (Ref:652694)

I saw one of those in South Africa last year!

peteconnors · 7 Jul 2003, 12:47 (Ref:654750)

Although I don't have a kit car (mainly due to a **** job with no spare time), if I was in the position to get one, it would have to be one of the aluminium Cobras from www.kirkhammotorsports.com followed by a quick trip to Carrol Shelbys place to pick up the correct 427...

Lee Janotta · 8 Jul 2003, 00:15 (Ref:655401)

That's a lot of money there, Pete! Planning on vintage racing the replica? For a street machine, you'd be every bit as happy going with one of the cheaper plastic snakes with a built 460 under the hood. 427 side oilers are overkill for the street by a big margin.

Magical Trevor · 18 Jul 2003, 20:21 (Ref:665235)

My father owns a slightly squished GT Invader (Use Ctrl+F, type in "Invader" to see it), which uses a Beetle chassis and a Karmann Ghia windshield. Second-hand. It's squished a bit because of trees falling into my backyard, where it was sitting in "storage". I wanted it to be my first...

P.S.-We have the deluxe kit.

noise boy 2 · 18 Jul 2003, 20:55 (Ref:665258)

Check out the kit cars here, tube frames and 5.0liter mustang drivetrains, looks like they would be a gas to drive. Robert

http://www.factoryfive.com/

peteconnors · 22 Jul 2003, 14:07 (Ref:668360)

If I was in the enviable position to get the Kirkham, I would definately race it; it's what the original was designed to do. I couldn't get a car just to look pretty sitting in an airconditioned garage...

av8rirl · 22 Jul 2003, 18:10 (Ref:668609)

Are there any good UK sites for Kit Cars?

Bluebottle · 22 Jul 2003, 20:50 (Ref:668781)

The Dutton Owners site has links to several interesting kit-car sites.

www.duttonownersclub.co.uk

(That wasn't a shameless plug, it was the first thing that came into my head

)

Sparky · 23 Jul 2003, 21:04 (Ref:669781)

www.totalkitcar.com is pretty good too!

Neil C · 24 Jul 2003, 21:58 (Ref:670630)

Sparky???? I don't beleive it. Good to see your name show around these parts old friend.

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