I've always been fascinated by the idea of a kit car, though the likelyhood of me ever starting a project is as remote as it gets, time and facilities sadly lacking.
Has anyone got any experience of them, either building, servicing or driving? I would like to know whether these supercar lookalikes that are built for the price of a hatchback are really as good as they look, or if they are mainly rattley old buckets of nails driven round by proud owners who are seriously kidding themselves.
Any experiences?
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All kit cars put the driver in serious danger of ridicule. Especially those which claim to be replicas. However, if you are interested or barmy enough to get involved with one it can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Whatever you imagine it might cost, as indeed with most things automotive, it will actually cost double that.
I had a Westfield as a toy from the mid 90s until its lack of a third seat became a problem.
Have to say, it was probably the most fun I have ever had driving. I think it does depend on where you live and your lifestyle. At the time I lived in rural Scotland and had instant access to fabulous roads with minimal traffic. Also I had space to store and work on my wee car. We had no kids in those days and could just decide at the drop of a hat to go off somewhere in the car. We took it on holiday a few times, getting down into France and Spain. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Now, though, we live in an area of much greater traffic density and storage would be more of an issue. Also there are other small people to consider so it no longer makes as much sense.
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A colleague started his Westfield in Spring 2007, he built it using a fairly basic toolkit in his uncovered backyard and finished it in Spring 2008.
The online Westfield community is excellent and he had a number of owners local to him who were more than happy to help. Regular telephone calls to the factory were also required as the manual isn't updated as often as the car is!
He enjoyed it knowing he built it and when something went wrong he knew how to fix it in 5 minutes, but you don't do it to save money. You can pick up a built Westfield cheap enough.
Unfortunately his car was written off in July thanks to a crazy motorcyclist who could have killed him, but he took the payout off the insurance company, bought back the car and it will be rebuilt over the winter.
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We took it on holiday a few times getting down into France and Spain. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
You drove from Scotland to Spain in a Westfield? Respect!
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Yes, and through the Alps on a couple of occasions. Like I said I think you have to be slightly unhinged..............
Great fun though.
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I would love to have the courage to put one together and I really admire those who have. Bloke I know built a kit ...think it was a Caterham? The worrying bit was getting it inspected for roadworthyness he reckons....also had numerous washers left over which is a bit of a worry!
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A chap down the road from my old house built a kit car in the mid-90's. It was a proper quality job and have a thundering Rover V8 which sounded like hell on earth. His was perfection on wheels and I can well understand why someone would want a kit like that.
I cant recall the name of it offhand, but it was a sort of hotrod style thing, and a beauty at that.
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This is where id go for my lottery car though, just has to be done!
www.vintageclassics.uk.com/
Not sure which id have but hey, atleast its different :-)
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nice cars Stu but I think the wheels are all wrong on them. Too small. Old cars like this need tall thin wheeels to carry the effect of a carriage (I M O).
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How about some 20 inchers with spinners? :-)
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