I'm bored but i have a plan

[spud69]

As above. I've spent the last 4 years self emplyed, my own boss, but due to a downturn in work i'm now sat back behind a desk waiting for 5 o'clock. Anyway i have a plan.

What's the consensus of opinion for being a part time builder for the roadster and selling these on, probably through piston heads, as a new car. I have somebody who can rent me some garage space and i now have the knowledge and tools to build the Haynes to a good standard. I need to carry on working for a while to clear my overdraft but while i do this i could build another roadster with a view to selling then eventually ditch work to do this full time.

Last time i talked to MNR and Great British Sports Cars (Robin Hood) they both said they have never been busier and i know i can undercut them on price with spec just as good. The cars will be the same as mine through iva with cvh engine then upgraded to a brand new zetec on carbs / throttle bodies. Or would it be better to go for a new registration rather than age related?

Anybody considered this or got any experience, or would there be any problems using the Haynes design to sell on.

[Tatey]

If you decide to make a business of it you'll need to take out product liability insurance, which would be around £5000 once you start off. The insurance basically covers you incase something goes wrong with a car and someone gets injured because of it.

It sounds like a good idea, but i'd guess that you'll have to get permission from Chris and possibly haynes in order to do it, since you'll be profiting from Chris's idea.

[Bonzo]

I did give this matter some thought a while back.

Firstly, would you be building as an amateur or as part of a business. ?
You may find it likely that the IVA process is different between the two.

If you are going to be presenting cars for on a regular basis as an amateur built one, it will almost certainly flagged up on the systems at both VOSA & DVLA.

I think the only option would be to produce cars as a low volume manufacturer.

What sort of numbers per year would you want to build ? . Would you build to order ?
Several cars on the go at the same time would lead to a large capital outlay

One of the major issues is that of final pricing. From what I have seen of the 7 type self built car. It is often very difficult to sell a car for enough money to fully recover the initial build costs.

As far as I know, to obtain a current registration mark, the car will have to be built using all new components. Although I think you can use one fully reconditioned component provided it is to an as new spec, with documentation to prove it. ( Limited to engine, gearbox & diff I believe )

As you say though, the kit car market is reasonably buoyant, in spite of the current economic climate.

My advice, find a gap in the market & exploit it !! ;)

[spud69]

Thanks Bonzo,

you're about the same as me in your thoughts about this, i think the way forward is to build another part time, take about 6 months, and test the market.

The ideal outcome would be to manufacture as a low volume manufacturer, 6 per year, making to order. Maybe the best way forward is to put out some advertising and see what interest there is out there. I think once people looked at the product and tried the 'demonstrator' there could well be a market for it. Especially considering the price of Caterhams and others.

[Bonzo]

There would definately be no harm in building a market tester. ;)

Building a second car would give you a wonderfull chance to build to your own liking & taste.
Bet there was many a time during your first build you said to yourself " I would have done that different if I had to do it again " :)

I say go for it, worst case is you'll end up with a much improved Mk2 verion of the Roadster. :cool:

True. Many of the top manufacturers of 7 type cars carry a high price premium. :eek:

[Chris Gibbs]

Spud you have a PM ;)

Cheers

Chris :)

[les g]

Spud you have a PM ;)

Cheers

Chris :)

OH DEAR
Big Chris has just hit spud with a multi million pound lawsuit and and a 50% rake off of all future profits !!!!!!!!!!!!
and by midday Monday will also own 95% of his house, wife, kids and dog!!!!!!!!

LOL
the meaness of it all eh
LOL
cheers les g

[Chris Gibbs]

I've got to do something to assert my authority :D

Cheers

Chris :)

[Bonzo]

I wasn't aiding & abeting, honest :eek: :eek: :D :D

[spud69]

OH DEAR
Big Chris has just hit spud with a multi million pound lawsuit and and a 50% rake off of all future profits !!!!!!!!!!!!
and by midday Monday will also own 95% of his house, wife, kids and dog!!!!!!!!

LOL
the meaness of it all eh
LOL
cheers les g

Too late Les and Chris the ex-wife already did that 8 years ago, but now i'm happy.

Anyway thanks for the responses, my daughter is going to help me put a web page together just to test the ground.

If so i intend to do one part time just to see how it goes.

Cheers...Andy

[Bonzo]

I hope the project goes well for you Andy :cool:

[fabbyglass]

Then want you want is a nice full body to go on the Roadster so you have two styles but share the same chassis....;)

[spud69]

Then want you want is a nice full body to go on the Roadster so you have two styles but share the same chassis....;)

You shall be top of the list Mark, trade prices of course...;) ;) ;)

Just had my baby on the rolling road, 150bhp at the flywheel. Bit dissapointed but i still have the stock exhaust manifold on with homemade exhaust and homemade inlet manifold. He recommended i change these and i think he's right. Still 290bhp/ton, my mazda rx8 was 170 so for 4k as opposed to 23k and think i'll be happy with that.

[Bonzo]

Thanks Bonzo,

you're about the same as me in your thoughts about this, i think the way forward is to build another part time, take about 6 months, and test the market.

The ideal outcome would be to manufacture as a low volume manufacturer, 6 per year, making to order. Maybe the best way forward is to put out some advertising and see what interest there is out there. I think once people looked at the product and tried the 'demonstrator' there could well be a market for it. Especially considering the price of Caterhams and others.


Still giving this matter a little thought. :)

If you decide to go full speed ahead with your plans. Give a little thought into building a set of good quality, sturdy jigs. ;)

You'll be glad you did if things take off. They will take hours off the the production times of some of the components. :)

[Jezzer99]

If you're looking for a business opportunity, isn't RAW Engineering up for sale? No idea what you'd be looking at for that sort of thing but quite interested though :D

[spud69]

Just found out that one of my pilot jet screw was missing out of one of the carbs so engine was only running on 3 cylinders, not sure about high revs but definitely at low to mid. New one coming tomorrow so should boost the power a bit. Bit disappointed motoscope didn't spot this though, i thought it was running a bit rough at tickover so took each plug out and cylinder 2 wasn't firing.

Anyway, for the jigs Bonzo i shall be making permanent jigs on the next run to be used on future builds. I've also started putting all the chassis plates onto autocad, i'm friendly with a local engineering shop with an automated plasma cutter so that i can have them cut out all in one go.

I think RAW engineering will be a bit out of my league pricewise, i'm stilling at the planning stage and sorting out money to see me through the first build but i've got a share in a garage sorted out at only £30 per week so its getting there.

This ones just gone on pistonheads so the money is there, even with a reconditioned pinto engine rather than a brand new zetec:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/1068461.htm

Andy