This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
I've got several months off work and hanging around at home, and am thinking about doing my first build..
It'll be a huge project for me, as I know honestly very little about mechanics, but I'm up for the challenge, have access to the tools, and am pretty good learning and following instructions.. Can anyone give me any pointers or advice on what'd be a good starter? I'm both a driver and a motorcyclist and haven't got any real preferences - just looking for a project!
Another question.. I'm no mercenary, but if the worst comes to worst and I have to sell the car a little while after construction - will I loose much money generally?
If you're not sure what you want, you could start by going to a show or two, looking at what's available and talking to the owners. There's one coming up in Peterborough the weekend of August 9th/10th.
If that's too far off, there are a couple of good books out there that cover the basics of choosing, buying & building. One is 'The Kit Car Manual' by Iain Ayre (Haynes).
as a first build go for something simple and basic, such as one of the many type 7 clones availible if you are feeling adventureous go for a locost but buy the book before you decide, and really absorb it
if you cant, or dont trust your welding there are plenty of firms that are well established and have a good repution that could sell you a chassis pack and suspention units plus all the panels are single compound curve, and again easily gotton hold of if you mess up making your own
engine, go for what ever you want from ford or whatever but again a ford pinto and type 9 gearbox would make the most sense, cheap and simple to understand and very tunable but most of all have fun building it and take your time, measure up twice cut once as the old saying goes
if you go down the route of buying a part built, go in with your eyes open, expect to have to at least check everything thats been built never take for granted that the previous owner got it right , i found this out on my charger i had to throw a way what was once brand new parts because they had not been protected against damp and had corroded