Kids Kit Car!!

Hi, I really want to build a Kids scale Kit car for me after being a member of the forum for a while I am Green with envy for anyone who has a Kit Car. I am 13 and because of that and uninthusiastic parents i am wnating to build on a super low budget. I was thinking of building around just over 1/2 scale (i'm small). Anyone got any ideas or tips on building a super super cheap one. (the problem is i would like to get started on the real thing but at the present time i don't have a garage or anywhere to build it) so as much as i would like the real thing for when i pass my test i thought building a 1/2 scale version (which i know where i could build, use and store) would give me practice for the real thing!

[Edited on 26/9/09 by mudbugracer]

What a brillliant idea, it's great to see you young guys taking an interest. Can't offer any advice, I sure someone on the forum will soon, but the very best of luck with your project. Barry

Thanks for the encouragement!! I put this post up last night as well and some of the advice was less encouraging! Thanks Barry


[Edited on 26/9/09 by mudbugracer]

I can (just) remember when I was 13 and was dead keen to build a Lotus Seven but didn't have the money.

Don't be put off by negative responses, as they are meant well and are the result of hard won experience.

One of the problems with building a scaled down version is that parts like wheels, tyres, steering racks, suspension components are all full size. You could possibly source these parts from things like golf buggies but it all adds to the cost and difficulty.

Using a small bike engine would not present too many difficulties.

I really would recommend going full size.

If you shop around for parts and don't mind that the car is built true Locost style then you can build pretty cheaply, but it will take a long time, think years rather than months.

It always help if you are building with a friend so that you have a support group when it all gets difficult.

One final point is that once it is running it is the best feeliong in the world and one which no amount of money can buy.

Good luck

Get in touch with Phelpsa.

He was your age (or even younger) when he started.

Great Idea Barry. Also, your post is written really well.

You can build a scaled down locost fairly easily, with 10" mini wheels (if you can find them) or at least 13". tou could still use the sierra diff, or even use a Go Kart axle and have chain drive from a mid or rear mounted small bike engine.

Get permission for somewhere to build it, and im sure some of us could help out and get some bits over to you. Maybe even a gazebo in the garden somewhere, Family member, neighbour or a big shed?

The biggest challenge for you would be welding i would imagine??

Ive always wanted to build, and still dont have time, but if you manage it i wish you the very best of luck.

A fella out the road from me did something similar for his son, however it was more of a off road go kart with a rear mounted 600cc bike engine. he also built him self a 1/2 or maybe 1/3 scale mk2 escort with a similar engine and layout. I think he used mini subframes, at least he used mini front hubs all round ISTR, which with 10" mini wheels looks about right. The chassis on both is a space frame where top rail is also the roll cage

however where do you plan to use it? for if just going be used about a field why not just buy a old car for £50, or buy two and weld them together make 4x4 and twice the power, assuming its for a field so wont get stuck!

At 1/2 scale I'd say that a plywood body shell would be best and easiest to build. Perhaps uprights & brakes for karts could be adapted. You'll probably need someone to weld up the wishbones and steering column components, though I learnt to weld when I was 15 on my first car which was a very very rusty Beetle so go for it

[Edited on 26/9/09 by Mr Whippy]

isn't this a repost of the one from yesterday!

what a cool project i would love to do this!

depending on your scale you could maybe use some go cart parts for the steering

lawnmower wheels might work

are you thinking of building it just for fun, or are you looking to get it road legal too?
would be like a road legal legends car

i remember a guy on here about 4 years ago (?) must've been 14 at the time, his parents didn't want him doing it either, there was all sorts about him persuading them he could do it. can't remember who it was.

similar thing happened to me. i had a mini which was rotten. learned all sorts from it, in the end i cut it up with a grinder and took it to the dump. i then found the chassis for the truck, my dad said "i don't want that thing in my garage" i bought it anyway, it got delivered a few day later, and i think he really likes it now he was looking forward to getting his garage back. thing is, i know his car won't fit in there anyway.

parent will always be unenthusiastic about these things. but if they've got an interest in cars, they'll soon come round once you start building

i think rather than the suggested plywood, go kart wheels etc, if you want road legal, take your prefered chassis, learn to weld, half all the dimentions (sort of...) and make your own chassis from steel tube. if you fancy a mid engine car, use a mini as a donor, and 10" wheels to keep it all in proportion
simples

The car would be just for fun!
I was thinking a rear mounted semi-auto quad engine possibly.

ah, cool, if its not to be road legal, you're open to whatever you want. take a quad as a donor, make up a new chassis and put all the bits in. again, mid engined is probably best for that.

or, make a off road go kart speak to nsdev about his grass track racers

hello, have a look at deno pics the first car is 1/4 size the next is 1/2 half size powered by wheel chair motors the big one goes at 30mph they were easy to make. one of the cars i built is one ebay but it ends in 4 hours number 280400222419 if any body would like to make one i would be glad to help. i still have all the moulds ect and where to get the wheels from. the wheel chairs are 4or 8 mph but you can change the controller to increase the speed keith

I would be veryy interested in some more info on building the 1/2 scale car. Thanks

P.S have you got any pics?


[Edited on 26/9/09 by mudbugracer]

[Edited on 26/9/09 by mudbugracer]

Have you seen this book:

Linky

Now, you may not want it to be off road, but takig the basic design and priciples it could easily be adapted, especially with the help available from this forum

yes i have lots of pics
Rescued attachment MVC-004F.JPG

or this one
Rescued attachment MVC-002F.JPG

Hi

I am past 50 and still not started yet, although I built a kitcar many years ago.
Have a look at this
http://www.adrianstomcat.co.uk/ABSFreestyle.htm
Looks fun, not quite a scaled down car, just small to start with. Basically a mini engine in a steel box.
Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

Chris

ive put a few pics in the photo archive, if you want a car to use a batt one is safe and very little noise, i drive the 1/2 size on the pavement , no gears just forward and reverse, i changed the speed controller to the ones that they use in robot wars. that was the dearest part i had to buy. the people that supply them are very helpful, i think it cost about £45, the 1/4 size one has just made £820 on ebay, i made it about 10 years ago, its the same as the one i made for ron champion keith

Did nobody mind you driving on the pavement or was it in a park or somewhere similar? Thanks