Custom cars, locosts and redneck death traps.

[Hooffenstein HD]

Something I often think about is building my own car. I'm not talking about a "built, not bought" modified production car, I'm talking about a complete custom build based around parts off a donor production car. Something along the lines of a miata based locost.

Unfortunately I have no skills but I know there are some talented people on r3v. Lets see your locosts, kit cars, GT40 replicas, Lancia Stratos replicas, dune buggies, sand rails, Edge Piranha, redneck death traps etc.

If you've thought about it, let's hear your ideas. How would you build your own car and for what purpose?

[TobyB]

Guessing the trailer to haul the car doesn't count...

t

[Hooffenstein HD]

Come on, guys. I know r3vlimited has some really talented people.

Jaywood built this awesome thing.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=267548

[ELVA164]

Do all the race cars in our shop count?

[dannyyisntt]

I build machines that build car parts. Does that count?

[Andy.B]

I would love to build a Stratos replicar. Someday...

[Hooffenstein HD]

Do all the race cars in our shop count?

If they're not production vehicles, then they sure do.

[E30 Wagen]

I fantasize about it often, taking used BMW parts and piecing them together into a mid-engine two seater. Once an engine and gearbox are settled on, figure out suspension/steering design, fuel storage, driver occupancy requirements. Design a frame and body to bolt everything onto, build a precision jig for it, and weld it up. Bolt everything in and hope it all works. If successful, I'd try registering it for the road. Otherwise it would be a fun track-only thing.

Would only take me about 100 years.

[Hooffenstein HD]

I'd like to build a simple tube frame and use pretty much an entire E30 besides the unibody.

Use the whole front cross member, struts, control arms, sway bar, E36/E46 steering rack etc.

The rear end would be easy. It needs sub frame mounts and spring perches at the top and that's about it.

If made the right length you could even use an M20/M5*/S5*, Getrag/ZF and standard drive shafts.

Sure it might not be as good as a Miata based Lotus 7 replica/Caterham but it would definitely be a fun little rig.

[Wschnitz]

Id like to make a Stratos some day.... Some day Will some day...

[Hooffenstein HD]

Id like to make a Stratos some day.... Some day Will some day...

Would you go for a Hawk HF3000, or something else?

[ELVA164]

Here are the ones I definitely remember completely building:

1967 Lotus 41 Formula B





1962-1966 Ginetta G4 (we've built 2 and have 2 more):

First three cars are ours.

1958 Elva Courier MkI (a predecessor to the car in my build thread!):

This car started as two halves of a body and some suspension bits.

Three 1960 Elva 200 Formula Juniors, the only complete ones in the country (with my E30 in the background!):



1961 Elva MkVII:


etc. etc., we have plenty more. :D

[Hooffenstein HD]

Here are the ones I definitely remember completely building:

etc. etc., we have plenty more. :D

Need an apprentice? ;D

[ELVA164]

Need an apprentice? ;D

I am the apprentice! :p

[Wschnitz]

Would you go for a Hawk HF3000, or something else?

that would be the one that was on top gear wouldn't it? Id probably get that one, but do a better job putting it together. Im half believing that Clarkson put it together with how many things went wrong.

I think Id also put in an Alfa or a 1jz/2jz power plant. Might get hate but Toyota motors would be perfect for the way its set up imo.