Anyone own a kit car?

[robert77]

I'm looking at building a "Seven" styled kit car this coming winter/spring and I wondered what other kit car owners prefer for engine/drivetrain combinations.

I've bought Ron Champion's book, "Build Your Own Sports Car For As Little As £250" as the chassis diagrams are clear and it's a great book to work from, although I may have to change a few of the dimentions.

I don't want to go done the route of using Ford running gear as they're all too common. I'd like to do something a little different. I'm thinking maybe BMW 3-Series (1600cc) or MGB/Midget as I can use pretty much all of the mechanical/electrical gear from any of them.

Any advice would be good.
Thanks guys, Moxey

[DAVID PATERSON]

These have become quite popular in Australia, but mostly with Japanese engines. The 4AGE or the 20-valve Toyota are the most popular. A few have also used the Nissan SR20DE.

[Bluebottle]

Between us, Alyson and myself own a Quantum h4i (1800 Zetec) a Vincent Hurricane (Spit 1500) and, in the Work In Progress department, a Dutton Melos s2 (1300 xflow)

As for your running gear is it worth a look at early MX5 stuff, probably quite cheap now and certainly lots around, the MG route could prove expensive, the BMW 3 series is certainly ain interesting idea, there are one or two kit manufacturers who use it (Marlin spring to mind)

It's going to cost much more than 250!!

[Bluebottle]

This might be useful...

http://www.locostcarclub.co.uk/

Incidently, when you've built your car don't be tempted to avoid SVA by using a dead car's identity, i.e. buying, for example, a V5 for a Dutton and using those numbers on your car- it's illegal and you will get caught (As soon as you take it to your first show!!) and fined and then have to do SVA anyway!

[viatron]

Moxey,
Have a look at the Tiger Avon, its a really good handling package at the budget end but makes a very capable trackday / racer. There is also a racing series specifically for Tigers, check out www.tigerownersclub.co.uk, if you want to have a look at one pm or mail me, not too far away, shropshire.
Mac

[garcon]

Moxey, not something I've done, but a mate of mine is heavily into the kit car thing. He used to have a Robin Hood 'Seven' kit using a Sierra as donor car. Fairly cheap way of getting a decent car together. Check out the Robin Hood Owners Club.

My mate's kinda progressed from there - he now has a very impressive looking GT40 kit running a 5 litre Edelbrock V8, and has bought the manufacturing rights and blueprints for the Viper AC Cobra kit car. He hasn't got rond to building a Viper yet - he's been somewhat distracted by a developing stock car racing career!

[Bluebottle]

Robin Hood sadly went down the pan recently but there's loads of seven types out there still.
Westfield have an MX5 based seven type kit, seems to be an increasingly popular option.