Hey Folks,
I'm new to this forum - so be kind

A few years ago a friend brought be the Ron Champion book and I loved it, so much so that I began to wander down the locost path, brought an old Escort, stripped it, and began to construct the chassis.
However I then went off to Uni and later Chile, whilst my febble beginnings were left alone.

I'm now back and considering my options...

1) Sell the bits I have, put it down to experience and tell myself that one day I'll either build one or buy one.

2) GET ON WITH IT!!! Roll my sleaves my and get back into the garage! But I am concerned that if I go on then it is a commitment to the end, not just some half hearted thing. So am looking for some encouragement!

Tell me guys, do I go on? Can I do it?
What's the feeling like of driving a car that you built? Is it all worth it? How much time, cash and knowledge does it need?

Thanks,
Ed

ps I really, really want you all to tell me to do it - so I guess that answers my own Q!

IMHO it's all down to time. Do you have the time to see the thing through?
You could call it 'time management' or 'time allocation', whatever but you need to establish a timescale. It matters not if the timescale is in months years or just in time for your funeral but once you have the timescale set, you can work out if you can spare the time. Or would you have too many other things on the go?
I have a garage full of projects, a boat full of diving gear and a motorybike but since the arrival of junior, I havn't seen the boat or the inside of the garage. Apart from popping into the garage to take bits to work to fix/make and then stuff them back in the garage untill I get time.
Of course a credit card is the alternative to time...............
I hope this confuses you even more.....

I don't have time but I am still building! It sounds like you have most the stuff together, I find getting the bits and making relevent changes the most time consuming bit. If your chassis is good it shouldn't take too long or cost too much, depending on what still necessary to buy or what you want to farm out,

Get on with it!

Caber

Why are you on line at 1am ??

You should be in bed so you're fit for a hard but deeply satisfying day in the garage

Go for it, I say

BUILD IT! If you don't, you'll spend a long time dreaming about what might have been. My friend & I started planning to build these cars in 1974 - I'm serious! - and it's a huge relief to actually be building finally (we're building one each, scratch-built). Can't help wondering how much fun we'd have had in the meantime if we'd built them back then. Mind you, they're going to be a far sight better than we could have done back then! If you've got the space, and can fit in the time somehow, GO FOR IT!!! Besides, youve got this forum and all the expertise that goes with it to help you!

The first time you sit in it (probably on a lump of foam or the bare floor), flick the switch, press the button and your beast comes to life is the best moment, from then on you'll want it to happen. Like someone said, set milestones (project plan) and tick 'em off one by one - seeing progress it what it's all about. With this site you'll never not be able to do anything involved. If you are doing it from scratch even better - I did and the sense of achievement is second-to-none (took me 3 years, with over one year of total inactivity due to work). Do the plan first, making each milestone a 'bite sized chunk' so you can measure progress.

DO IT!!!

Welcome to the site. As the others have said...just do it (isnt that from an advert?!)

Having no time (engineering student) and no money (student again) hasnt stopped me getting on with it. You have got to want to do it though. And keep the motivation up. The guys on here are good at that - especially when another one completes their car and gets on the road.

David

Go for it, you know you want to...

As others have said before you will always make time for the build, so whether it takes one year or ten just go for it.

everyone here are very helpful and if you have a problem then just ask and the answer will be forth comming.

JUST PULL YOUR SELF TOGETHER BOY AND GET BUILDING

you know you want to.

ditch

If you have some spare time (doesn't have to be a lot per week) and a modest amount of spare cash then go for it - but would you expect us to say anything different!

One thing I would say - unless you are a car engineering wizard, or prepared to put a lot of time into research/learning, then keep the car as near to standard as possible. Simple engine, no frills. Then you stand a reasonable chance of finishing it in a sensible timescale.

I wonder if there's anyone near to you who can give you a quick ride in their car, for encouragement. That's what triggered me to finish my car! (thanks to Jon Ison).

Have fun,
David-

As you posted, I think you have the answer! Just get back in the garage..

Also look at other peoples cars, go to a local meeting or a few shows... Should give you some motivation!!

If your chassis is nearly complete, your most of the way there..

One thing that has help me durring the winter months is having a warm and tidy dust free garage (i.e paint the floor), with a radio, makes it plesent.

Dan

Do it.

But dont blame us if you're skint and still building in two years.

It tends to happen like that.

For example, i guranteed that mine would be finished by April of last year.

But, if you can spare the time, and have nowt else to do for a wee while...

You too can experience the joy of grinning like a loon for an hour because you made a nice radiator bracket!!

[Edited on 17/5/06 by Jumpy Guy]

If you enjoy doing such things, do it!

IMHO, if you lack motivation, BUILD 2 with a mate. That way, you inspire each other.
If we hadn't built 2, I wouldn't be on the road now

Marcus

Definitely do it, and why not come along to the Northants group meeting. You'd be very welcome.

David

Don't faff about, just go for it!!!

Thanks guys for the response - just what I needed!

<takes deep breath in>

I hear by announce the continuation of my locost! Yippeee!!!!

Right now I'm going to have to sort out stages to complete one by one, think of a name for my project and then there is the little matter of doing it!

Oh, no chance anyone here is from Bedford?

Thanks again,
Ed

Before Mr Hellfire says...

Thought about a bike engine for it?

Don't get Hellfire started on bike engines pleeeeeze!!!!!

Seriously though, see if there are any meets near you as that is a great insentive to complete your build and you get mucho advice and all your questions answered in a short space of time.

Good luck with it and remember..

It aint rocket science!

Well I have just failed two SVA tests... and I am going again tomorrow for a thrid time and hopefully a pass.

DO IT... dont worry about the time or the failures.. its worth it.

I have done 350 miles just to and from the SVA place!... Nearly run the engine in as well

If you dont go for it, you never will.

Little and often is the key.

Good Luck... Start you mission NOW.


[Edited on 17/5/2006 by wilkingj]

Another great motivator would be to blag a ride in a car - any seven type - it'll blow your socks off!

I'm sure almost anyone on this forum (if they were close enough) would take you for a blast.

Marcus

quote:

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2) GET ON WITH IT!!! Roll my sleaves my and get back into the garage! But I am concerned that if I go on then it is a commitment to the end, not just some half hearted thing. So am looking for some encouragement!

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Another Bedford dweller!! Congratulations!! With the spirit of John Bunyan within you, you will triumph over any challenge!

Fraid I can't offer you a spin just yet, but you're welcome to pop round and learn how to make a locost take at least 4 years to build. Where abouts in da ghetto do you live anyway?

Liam

LIKE EVERY ONE SAYS GO FOR IT !

does it matter if it takes 6 months or even 6 years,
at least after you have finished it
you can sit back and be proud and tell every one I BUILT THAT from scratch
(not diggin at anybody )

I started building mine in oct/nov last year, and am about to finish the chassis. It's now at the point where I can sit inside it and think about the day i can finally say to all my mates that said I'd never do it HA HA. And then refuse to let any of the buggers drive it. Also, feel free to ask any question, no matter how silly you may think. If YOU don't know the answer it can not be silly to ask. As said, make it nice and simple, as this has already cost me a month or so due to having a wider, longer chassis.
I would say, if you follow The Book only cut chassis tubes one at a time and make sure it fits before you tack it in. Some of the book measurements are wrong.

Thanks guys. No doubt I'll be asking plenty of questions that I hope you lot have plenty of answers to!

Liam, great to see someone else from this historic place. I'm on Barnstaple Rd, off Polhill Rd, nr De Montfort. It would be good to meet up and maybe get to see you build. Is there a local meet?

If mine passes its SVA tomorrow, as soon as I get the plates / docs from the DVLA, I wont need an excuse to pop over and see you.. I am west of Cambridge... Bedford isnt far.. Could also meet up with any other Bedfordites

I'm keepin it real in da Kempston Rural ghetto - between kempston and wootton. There aint a bedford meet I know of cos there dont seem to be any more local builders, or finished ones anyway. Nearest regular meet is the northampton crew - maybe we could pop along and say hello. You're welcome to pop round and check out my beasty any time. Drop us a U2U and i'll give yo me number or whatever.

Liam

Oooh good luck with the SVA Geoff!!

Liam

As a said in the first reply to your dithering, if you can establish a time scale and keep motivated, do it. For me, getting the home made plenum, throttle body and Air Flow Meter working, and therefore, getting the engine running in the car was a great boost for morale. Just getting the wheels on will give you a buzz.
Good luck matey.

Cheers Owelly, Yeah I'm going to get myself sorted over the next week and draw up some sort of time scale.
I can't wait now to get the chassis finished and just sit in with a huge stupid grin on my face
I'll definately set goals to achieve and aim to get them done is a set time, but no doubt it will over run!

Geoff, how did the SVA go? Tell me you passed.. and that you'll be taking me out for a drive this weekend?

Thanks everyone for the replies, but tell me why do I feel like I'm sitting in a resaurant having ordered one of everything off the menu? mine you I'm feeling hungry!

Ed

Stop surfing this website and get on with it!

^encouragement not a bollocking!

i live half a mile from you. liam must have forgotten me!. e-mail if you fancy a spin.

quote:

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Originally posted by PAULD
i live half a mile from you. liam must have forgotten me!. e-mail if you fancy a spin.

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Liam, cars hardly missed a beat in years. must see how yours is getting on, especially as i tried so hard to dicourage you from going 4wd! Maybe I can encourage ELO to build simply!

Heh heh. Discouraging me from undertaking the 4WD beasty woulda never worked anyway!! Of course, I would have been finished ages ago though...

Still here's the latest - only major job is getting the megasquirt built and the engine running. Then gotta finish off the panels and wiring.

Liam
Rescued attachment DSCF0061.JPG

Very nice, still think you're barking.

When the two little turbos go on the V6 I'm barking. Until then I just like a challenging build!

Liam