Newbie

[jonte]

Hello All.

I've been a member now for a couple of weeks or so and thought it time to introduce myself.

Whilst priviliged to have been accepted as a member of this most excellent forum I have to admit that I'm totally out of my depth here - in fact, it's the only thing I can contribute with any authority

Like a lot of dreamers, I'm full of enthusiasm but simply lack the knowledge, skills and where-withall to make it happen.

For starters, I'm ashamed to say that as an almost 50 year old male, (hope this doesn't sound too sexist!) I really don't know one end of a car from the other (mechanically) apart from putting air in the tyres, water in the washer bottle and, occasionally, the right fuel in the tank - I'm not exaggerating!

As far as tools go, I own a set of six screw drivers, a couple of spanners a hack saw and a hammer - all hardly used - and that's about it really. I'm proficient with none and suffice it to say: I certainly can't weld! However, I do have a 20' x 8' garage available, space allbeit limited by the ubiquitous bicycles, gardening implements, spin dryer and my son's weight-lifting equipment.

Unusually, but fortunately in terms of hobbies, I find myself with quite a bit of spare time; converesely, funds are limited.

However, as I wrote earlier, I'm nothing if not enthusiastic and willing to counter some of my drawbacks - for instance, I'm thinking of enrolling on a basic MIG welding course, although it'll probably turn out be just something else I'm cr*p at

From browsing here and other areas of the worldwide wotnot, I'm aware that short cuts are available in the form of very reasonably priced chassis kits in various states of completion together with a plethora of auxilliary items to ease my plight - but with blind enthusiasm, I need to do it the hard way so want to start from scratch - Yes, I agree

Whether I actually get started remains to be seen but don't bank on it!

I'll end now to let you get back to something far more worthy of your time, but please permit me one attempt at sounding reasonably 'grease-monkey' like; here goes:

I've a new shaped (1996 reg'd) 1.0 VW Polo that's seen better days but which has/is being used by my son as a run-around but not for much longer. Is it possible that it could be used as a donor? I think I'm right in thinking that it's FWD although I've read elsewhere on the forum that some FWD donor engines can be converted to RWD and adapted to take a Ford type gear box. The only time I've seen the Polo mentioned here is in rleation to the radiator/cooling stuff so perhaps it's a no-no? I imagine in any case the engines's not fit for purpose in a much as it's not very high powered and possibly too heavy?

Probably adapting the chassis to fit is way beyond an imbecile anyway; it's just that it would save a bit of cash and I could learn a bit about mechanics stripping down the bits - still dreaming

Anyway, thanks for reading and for all the excellent advice, blogs and build diaries. Fantastic!

Jonte