Experiance with kit cars?

[Whoops]

I built and raced a kit car in the SCCA back in the 80s. You will learn things about cars that you never imagined. For instance, I had no intention or interest in repairing or fabricating fiberglass, but actually became quite skilled. Car set up alignment etc... is a big deal if you don't get it right. Your on you own with maintenance, not because of exotic parts, but the combinations of parts. It's hard to find a rounded enough mechanic that can work on your unique car. Knowing what I know, I cannot imagine give my kids a kit car as their first vehicle. I barely have enough time to work on the dirt bikes much less a kit car.

The other thing is saftey and reliability. Yeah, a tube frame is probably a good start but, will the seat stay fastend to the frame after big impact?. Is the driver compartment sealed off from catastrophic engine or transmission failiure? Are the brakes reliable without constand service? Will stuff start flying around in the driver compartment during contact? Collapsable steering column? What about fire?

Don't get me wrong, I'd like to figure out all that stuff. The funnest street car I ever drove was a Cobra kit car. I just wouldn't give one to a teenager.

Greg

 

[Jeff Gilbert]

Maybe it's not a good idea

I know a kid will more than likely at least ding:scream: the first car they get and I do want it to be safe. I haven't done much research on the kit car thing yet but I had in mind, when this 1st came about, to buy an old bug and throw a cooler looking body on it much the way a fiber glass dune buggy is built. I was hoping that a kit like the MG would leave space for some side panel reinforcment but maybe it doesn't. The Countach would be killer to drive around but for the expence regarding material & labor I seriously doubt that's goona happen.

Maybe on second thought I should consider a Checker or a 64 belaire :D
Oh my goosh, just had a terrible thought, the Checker has way too big of a back seat. I guess she could just take the trails to where ever she needs to go and keep her motorcycle. ;)

 

[nephron]

Okay guys. NOBODY has commented on this, so I will.
Is "starting" a kit car build "experience"? No.
Is "hearing of this guy, and hearing of that guy, etc" "experience"? No.
Until you've done one yourself, from start to finish, well, you ain't done it...:silly:

I'm telling YOU from personal experience, it's a HUGE hassle, as people up there have inferred. As far as the price: 15 Grand? Give me a break--

Kit: 10990 (frame,box/shell,partial interior, lights, some wiring)--that's IT!
Donor car: 3000
Freshen a LAME ASS 5.0 Motor--1500. (magnaflux block/heads--new guides,seals,rings, MAYBE pistons, MAYBE .030 bore, MAYBE new crank....it goes on and on and on...BELIEVE ME)
OR--new HIPO 460 with "WEBER" FI (Just a lame way of routing multipoint injection through some old weber carb bodies--cannot be driven ANYWHERE)--oh, let's say, 15 grand? 20 grand?
Freshen LAME ASS ford tranny--800
New clutch and t/o bearing: 400
shocks--200
brakes (off the "stang"--new calipers/pads/lines/hoses/master/run discs)--900
A good BAER setup: 2000-3000
Wheels/Tires--Wheels vintique Rallies (like, er, on their "examples") + some high performance radials--about 2500 bones.
Drive shaft modification: 90
Paint: 3000 (at least, you've dumped this much, why not a "House of Pearl" job for 8 grand?)
Inspection: 400
Tax: 5 percent
Shipping: 1000-1500

What's the cost?: The cheap stuff--$25759.00 The good stuff--$50,080.00
AND, you not only end up with a FORD, but you have to do all the @#$%work yourself.:silly:

 

[stormer94]

Nephron,

Right on the money.