im new, any good places to start

[something else]

Right, I have been an admirer of cars since a kid and have always liked the idea of building a kit car, however I am not the most practical and have never got round to it. I actually stuggled building one of them plastic sheds a few weekends ago.

I have not got a limitless amount of money, and currently have no garage. I am looking at ways of getting started with kit cars, I like the look of the Dinos, but hey im only human. And have seen a Dax I like, a hawk i like and a few others.

What i was wondering is where are the best places to swat up on this stuff, as ideally I want to read about how you would do things before i commit money wise and realise I cant do it.

Am i best to get an old car, do it up, and then sell it before trying to make my own.

I may be able to get use of a garage and I will be using kit from manufacturers when i do.

I want something that will be fun, with a difficulty level that means i learn a lot but am not constantly bangin my head against the wall.

Am i silly to think this is possible or have i had my head turned by all the pretty classics in the complete kitcar guide 2009.

cheers

Gareth

[chrislandy]

best places to start are the kitcar shows, take a look at all the different cars, talk to their builders/owners.

A sevenesque car will be the easiest to build (not much to them) but if you are a complete novice I would suggest buying a pre-built (s/h) one and maintaining it/improving until you have got your spanners head on.

I would try for a car with a newish type engine or one that has plentiful spares (eg beetle)

[limpabit]

Hi.

As Chrislandy. Go to kit car shows, then quiz the owners.

I had only changed brake pads before I started. And managed it. But my forehead is now flat with a big dent in the wall!

[peterux]

Hi,
I have loads of Kit Car magazines looking for a good home. They are a great source of ideas and reviews of what is available plus a lot of tips and instructions.
If you want to come and collect them then they are yours for free.
I'm located west of London near the bottom of the M40.

If you are interested send me a pm.

Peter

[limpabit]

Originally Posted by peterux

Hi,
I have loads of Kit Car magazines looking for a good home. They are a great source of ideas and reviews of what is available plus a lot of tips and instructions.

Peter

This is a good point. I hog mine and wish they could be put to good use.

[something else]

Thanks but I am in the Liverpool area

What i am after ideally is a sort of walkthrough, or explanation on some of the more difficult parts, which i imagine to be the engine and electrics.

Will start getting regular magazines to help my interest

[peterux]

Originally Posted by something else

Thanks but I am in the Liverpool area

Ok, no problem, let me know if your coming down to London.

To anyone else in the south east area, the magazines are going begging or they are going down the tip which seems a real shame because there are hours of good articles and building tips.


As far as difficulty, having just built my first car, no part is more difficult just some parts take a lot longer than you expect. Building up the suspension and brakes were the esiest and quickest thing to do. Fitting the bodywork took the longest because I had never done anything like that before. I found the wiring takes ages and becomes tediuos after about the 100th crimp terminal!

But don't give up, its one of the best things i've done and driving your own car you built takes some beating.

good luck,

Peter

[spritely]

Originally Posted by peterux

To anyone else in the south east area, the magazines are going begging or they are going down the tip which seems a real shame because there are hours of good articles and building tips.



Peter

Don't send them to the tip, do as I do and drop them off at the dentists and doctors surgerys.
Nice to have something to take your mind off the dentists drill and much better than Womens Realm or Golfing monthly.
And I bet they have all disappeared in a month or two

[JG]

Or ebay them

[peterux]

Originally Posted by JG

Or ebay them

Sold a few but most have not moved after 3 listings :-(