What was the "lightbulb" moment that made you build a roadster.

[brainbug007]

For me I always wanted to learn to work on cars and started looking at ultima's... I quickly realised it would cost way too much and was digging around when I came across the book and the rest is history so to speak

[twinturbo]

Ultima to a roadster, a nice logical leap there

TT

[brainbug007]

Well forgive the pun but the roadster was the ultimate diy kitcar in my opinion Not having been in an ultima I can't say for sure but I wouldn't have thought they'd be that different in terms of performance as aren't they alot heavier which is why you have to put such a big engine in them?

[Johno]

Well I had a choice...
Summer house or car....errrrrrr.... told missus I got a book to build a sports car on a budget (your fault Tony) wife said go for it...Lol
The problem I have now is I didn't tell her how "BIG" the budget needs to be......
Now when I ask her to order a part all I keep getting is "HOW MUCH"

What should I do and is this common? (not told her about shocks/seats/bodywork....etc)
I did think about trading her in but milage is too high and body work was too rough... If she reads this I'm in dep s**t.
So guys how did you overcome this major problem, can't find it in the Haynes book anywhere.....

Thanks Johno

[baz-r]

no light bulb for me realy. mine started meny years ago when i must have been somewhere between 15-17 years old i thort it was a great idea to build a kit car from a old rusty relic.
all i had to do is wait 15 years until i had a house with a garage to be able to build my own one but buy that time a kit would not have scratched my itch. i seen haynes had redone the old locost book and about 3 months before i was moving to our new home i treated myself to a copy and also at that point all the main parts where availble from 3ge that where only 10 miles away so i thort it would be a great option to suit me

[Cyberbeej]

Id have to say mine was when i was about 14 when i my dad didnt allow me to use power tools.
I build GoKarts from prams etc.
Came across the problem of drilling a hole throught the 2 bits of wood to fit the steering bolt. Problem solved by using a drill bit in a pair of Vicegrips and a hammer, It consisted of tap turn tap turn. Eventually got through.
Since then i've never looked back, currently building my 3rd kitcar and i've certainly got the can do attitude. Nothing that can't be achieved with a little research.

[HandyAndy]

My "lightbulb" moment was being given the green light from er indoors

In reality, when I retired from bike racing I missed the adrenalin rush of the racing & so set about finding someway of getting something to give me a bit of a buzz, had always liked the 7 style of cars but always thought they would be out of reach cost wise,

Then 1 day whilst me & mrs were in Halfords buying a kids bike , I left the mrs to decide on the bike & had a wander around the shop & found the book stand, & a book caught my eye ( yes the bible ) , stood there reading thru it the whole time we were in the shop, the mrs found me after buying the bike , I showed her the book & said "I,m gonna do this 1 day", yeah yeah was her reply, off we go & left the shop.

Two weeks later was my birthday, & the mrs had bought me the book & said " Go on then get it done "

So, I got the wifes "green light" .

cheers
andy