Kit cars

[Tim]

I fancy something a bit different, mainly for tracks but also road legal.

Anyone she'd some light on kit cars; cost, whether to build or buy built, etc?

[nibnob21]

c20xe Caterham rep obviously.

[Samo]

build yourself. cheaper, fun building it, appreciate it more

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Ive often looked at the caterham academy, if i had the money i would definitely do it

[nibnob21]

There are often unfinished projects that go relatively cheap on eBay. Could go down that route and you won't have to do the whole shebang but still get a sense of achievement without as much of the cost.

[Tim]

What kind of price would a caterham set me back? Or what cheaper alternatives if it's a lot.

I'll take a look ok eBay for half finished ones

[Tim]

So a locost 7 seems the way forward (loosely based lotus 7), done over a long time buying parts whn I can should make it relatively affordable. 5-600kg with 200+bhp would be my target.

[Rob]

i know a few guys who have 7's

one bought it part done. ended up redoing all of it, and then had dramas getting it reg'd

one built a kit from start. passed reg easy but took 4 years.

last guy paid alot more, bought a ready done car and had no dramas.


out of interest dude, why a 7?

[Coleman]

5EXi, Mid Engined Honda powered Sportscar

My old manager built one of these. He used an mg tf for the most of it. Went through the sva no problem. Was a very nice looking car in the flesh. A civic type r engine can also be fitted.

[Rocksta]

Unfortunately Tim if you do this then it must meet all current EU regulations including things like having a Cat ABS EBS emissions, fuel consumption and all the other fun little things.

[Tim]

i know a few guys who have 7's

one bought it part done. ended up redoing all of it, and then had dramas getting it reg'd

one built a kit from start. passed reg easy but took 4 years.

last guy paid alot more, bought a ready done car and had no dramas.


out of interest dude, why a 7?

5EXi, Mid Engined Honda powered Sportscar

My old manager built one of these. He used an mg tf for the most of it. Went through the sva no problem. Was a very nice looking car in the flesh. A civic type r engine can also be fitted.

That's really nice but it doesn't seem different enough from a road car. It's a car I would buy but not build.

Unfortunately Tim if you do this then it must meet all current EU regulations including things like having a Cat ABS EBS emissions, fuel consumption and all the other fun little things.

Do one off kit cars? I thought there was exceptions

[tanktop]

It has to be checked to see if it's road safe such as the (SVA test). And you need the V55/4 form, but not heard of it needing ABS, or a CAT as a kit car.

[Dave]

I was going to say the same as above tbh... I really dont think it needs to meet and adhere to all of those systems to apss an SVA and get registered.

[Rocksta]

If it gets SVA tested and they decline it then it will have to go for type approval which requires all current regulations to be met.
It also depends on when you finish it.
The EU are changing a lot of rules in the next few years which will effect the UK

[tanktop]

If it declines it does so with a list of unfinished / unsafe work

For eg

Bolt thread not covered with rubber protect
Bolt extruding body paneling
Incorrect bolt used for seat sub frame

As you can see these are used as fails on the SVA test as the test is NOT an mot but a test to show the car has been put together correctly. That's why top gear built one was done in a garage at a race track.

[Rocksta]

Just asked the question at work and I was half right .
All safety related items must meet current regulations.
Brakes, lighting and emissions must all conform but you don't need abs. You will need a cat depending on the engine.
If you can prove the age of the engine then you may get away with it but if you can then it is considered a brand new engine and must meet current emissions criteria