Long live the roadster I say! I might think twice now about where I am going to source my parts, I'd much rather support a company who is promoting our car rather than business who obviously doesn't care!:(

One or two valid points in his rant. To support TT's comments thought I think it's important we (sound like a seasoned pro here... don't be misled:p ) look at the next generation of locost as I for sure found it really difficult to source a Sierra and was really interested in using a Beamer set-up but just didn't have the confidence to go for it.... a revised edition to the book with beamer/mx-5 specific build would be good in my opinion;)

I'm with you on this one Fabby. Didn't think he'd stay quiet for long
As for his 'F1' career, I have previously worked for many years at a high end motorsport outfit I can say he wouldn't have lasted long turning out the stuff he did and treating customers/clients the way he did.
It's just sour grapes and barely worth a responce.
If the kit car press (itself something of a shambles in recent years) takes notice of him then more fool them! After all it's not like they haven't heard of his reputation.....

The 'book' does need updating to suit new donors such as MX-5 and BMW but surely that's partly what the forum is about is it not? The supply of any donor will eventually dry up as it did with the Escort for the Champion locost. To keep the roadster going WE have to inovate with the use of alternate donors.

I also agree with Talonmotorsport, All businesses have to adapt to changing trends and fashions or go under, thats just business! It might be difficult for him but so was supplying the parts we'd paid for - Nuff Said!

What's the difference between a kit and a self-build? Most people buy the chassis at least in the flatpack form, some buy it ready made. Apparently, lots of people buy the wishbones pre-made. Virtually everyone buys the bodywork.

A friend of mine built a Tiger Cat. He bought a kit from Poland. The kit included a powdercoated chassis, front wishbones and I think uprights, and GRP panels. The rest he's sourced and built himself. The only essential difference is that there's a single company behind the Tiger design, whereas with Haynes there are several companies offering components. But even then I think the Tiger kit was made in Poland by a franchise: http://www.t-c.pl/.

mr george is well known and usually ignored. as for an updated book its in the pipeline but the single seater is coming first.

Hi Alga
I think your post starts to define the difference between a kit-car and a self-build. The distinction isn’t “black and white” and is perhaps raises a debate without a “one size fits all” definition. My personal view is I think of a kit car is a bolt together option married to the donor parts, generally controlled by a manufacturer (as you said). What builders don’t have, generally, is the choice of make or buy.

Building the Roadster we have choice, we can choose to make the parts that we feel able to, seek help and advise about the parts we don’t feel confident about and possibly buy them ready made if we feel the make option is beyond us. Let’s not kid ourselves, without the forum there is insufficient information in the book to make everything.

I personally choose to make as much as possible, this sometimes means learning new skills, make jigs and fixtures and often involves a hell of a lot more labour than ordering the finished parts online. It might be “sad” but for me this is part of the fun and the reason why I chose a “self build” option. Clearly some people, who are making this car, who have the skills, tooling, time and inclination, offer a range of ready made parts. I think this is great because it expands the number of people who embark on this mad project, offers the opportunity for some enterprising people to start businesses and for others it offers a way of raising some much needed money to fund their build. Because they choose to offer this service doesn’t stop it from being a self-build for those of us who choose this route.
Trif

Spot on there Trif.....;)

The original Ron Champion was based on the Cortina, evolved to the Escort then onto the Sierra. The Chris Gibbs version was written a few years ago and has started with the Sierra and will evolve to the MX5 and BMW.

We all have to adapt which is all part of the industry.

Back to Work......AndyH

There,s an interesting thread just been posted over on Locost Builders......

Titled "How long do I wait"......nothing more to say really :rolleyes: :D

.....or maybe thats why he wants the Ron Champion chassis to still be the main chassis folk are building.......takes so long to supply the parts folk order from him, by the time they get them , a new car has been designed :eek: :rolleyes:

cheers
andy