Build your own sports car from scratch!

IcarusGreen

Am I a little mad to even be considering this?

I've been a (Army) Mechanic for 13 years and have decided to do something a bit different. I'm looking at buying an old smashed up Impreza turbo and utilising the parts to make a 2 seater 4wd sports car on a self built space frame chassis with a total (aimed) budget of £1000 including the cost of the donor vehicle.

Seriously - Have I lost my mind??????

nicklouse

not at all.

but have a look at what kits there out there first.

TheNorthernTrain

I've always claimed that IF i had the skills i would do something similar. I'd love to do something like that.

When we scrapped my old mans impreza we considered taking the engine out just so we could do something with it. Though neither of us know what we are doing when it comes to tinkering...

Not losing it at all. I thought it was every guys dream...

spennyy2k

have a look if the new sva test (may of changed name i cant remember) is still going ahead before jumping i, ive not been following car stuff for a year or so but if it is it could cause big headaches

IcarusGreen

nicklouse wrote:

not at all.

but have a look at what kits there out there first.

Kit's are costly, I can get a roadworthynon turbo impreza estate for £500 so I could probably get a crashed turbo for a similar price. I want to build the space frame myself and utilise the subframes, suspension, steering and other parts as part of the chassis. Half the point is to do it on a tight budget (less than the cost of my Bikes) and the best way to do that is by doing all the work myself rather than buying kits.

I have ordered,
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Build-Your-Own- ... 298&sr=1-1

&
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-Builders-Ma ... d_sim_b_12

as part of my research and have been scouring the web!

nicklouse

IcarusGreen wrote:

nicklouse wrote:

not at all.

but have a look at what kits there out there first.

Kit's are costly,

I know, but still have a look. you will be surprised what info you can pick up.

I have built/rebuilt/rescued a few cars/hit cars/race cars over the years.

IcarusGreen

spennyy2k wrote:

have a look if the new sva test (may of changed name i cant remember) is still going ahead before jumping i, ive not been following car stuff for a year or so but if it is it could cause big headaches

This seems to be a reoccurring issue from all the sites I've looked at, the key to passing this appears to be making sure your car meets this criteria prior to building and though out the build. Then be prepared to hang around for 3-6 months for the pass certificate upon completion.

IcarusGreen

nicklouse wrote:

IcarusGreen wrote:

nicklouse wrote:

not at all.

but have a look at what kits there out there first.

Kit's are costly,

I know, but still have a look. you will be surprised what info you can pick up.

I have built/rebuilt/rescued a few cars/hit cars/race cars over the years.

I'll keep my eyes open - I do like the look of the Fisher Fury.

Clank

IcarusGreen wrote:

Seriously - Have I lost my mind??????

Only in terms of total budget. Times it by at least 3, especially if it's going anywhere near the road or the track.

That aside, it's a fine idea.

mudsucker

I know a few people who use http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/.

Its a kit car builders forum. Might be useful if you want to know anything.

anjs

this was actually done my this lot a number of years ago by

http://www.delfino.co.uk/frameset.htm

Subaru goit a bit funny about it. Good source of info is

http://Bbs.scoobynet.co.uk

redvee

A neighbiour of my Dad has taken the engine from his TR8, a TR7 with a SD1 V8 lump, and put it in his Lambo Contach kit car. He used to work lates on teh buses and the engine on the quet nights was audible long before you could see the car.

Stevo_666

Nah, you're not barking but be prepared for it to take up way more time than you bargained for. A mate who is pretty mechanically minded built a pinto-engined Tiger a few years ago and it took him ages, despite having a decent amount spare time on his hands.

IcarusGreen

I recon it will take me a long time but keeping the cost down and building a solid car will be the priorities.

nicklouse

a tip. start with a wind screen, and try and use one that will still be available in 20 years.

IcarusGreen

My book from haynes 'build your own sports car' has arrived and after a read through, I've decided that I've got the skill & drills to build a Locost 'lotus 7 type' from scratch.



I'm still contemplating either a AWD version or maybe doing something with a cheap mini or beetle shell!



This will take some more contemplation before I throw myself into something this massive.

Andy B

One of my friends races in the LoCost series, she bought her car though. She took me out for a few laps of Cadwell in it, sweet handling and certainly quick enough with a Ford X flow 1300GT Engine.

It's been in the wars lately as she was mid pack and got tapped into a spin and a head on with another racer was inevitable

Car was a bit mangled, but she's got it sorted now

If you're gonna use it just for fun, then you could use whatever powerplant/drivetrain you like (within reason I guess)

I love the burble of a Scooby boxer engine, if it would fit & was within budget that's what I'd use

If you wanna do a few races you might have to check what you can use

IcarusGreen

Just interested in a fun fast road / track car thats a bit different and will give me something to build for a while. If I build a locust it will be a bit different i.e. AWD and the best thing about building it from scratch is that it can be designed to house any power plant

VWsurfbum

Go with the beetle/scooby AWD, easily done (within reason) parts are off the shelf and both doner cars will be cheap.

Imagine pissing the 911 boys off on the track days when your flashing them to get out the way