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Kit Car repairs, Kit Car builds, Classic Car restoration

Classic Car repairs, Citroen H Type van specialists

7 Type specialist repairs

New Page Added

>>>>>>> H VAN COFFEE SHOP <<<<<<<

  Yorkshire Kit Car and Classic Car Specialists    

We are a small family run business established in 1979 in west yorkshire repairing all kinds of cars and light commercial vehicles, mainly modern and not so modern european make of vehicle.We have been getting more and more involved with the locost 7 book build cars, having built several cars both for pleasure and business.We have recently finished building a V6 ford cologne engined car which is proving to be a very reliable and easy to drive car.Have also built a Ford zetec engined locost which was our first locost which was built from book now been on road for around five years, we have rebuilt a NG TF and Quantum vehicles for different customers, new work in at present includes major accident repairs to citroen H van,more modern accident repair on a ford puma millenium edition, also some work to do on a Heinkel/Trojan bubble car, not worked on micro cars for a long time will be different.All this work is now completed, have now more work to do on classic vehicles, there is a Daimler coupe to bring back to its former glory alltough mainly cosmetic as only covered 40000 miles been stored for last fifteen years or so only being driven for the yearly MOT test, a true timewarp Daimler, also a Jaguar XJ6 Coupe will be arriving when the Daimler is finished with a bit more work to do than the daimler needed. 

    A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KIT CAR

The Kit Car industry has gone through some changes over the years, but there is still a thriving community of Kit Car enthusiasts and small manufacturers dotted around the UK. As early as 1896 the idea of a car that was sold as components to be assembled at home by the purchaser was conceived, but it wasn`t until the 1950s that the Kit Car industry and popularity developed in a big way. Because rust protection was still not well applied in the motoring industry, companies found a niche market producing shells and components for cars which would work in unison with older mechanical parts from cars whose own exterior had corroded or broken. In the UK up until the 1970s some of the more major automobile manufacturers sold their cars disassembled as `components` as this exploited a loophole in the tax system which meant that they didn`t have to pay car tax. Here`s a quick top 5 of the most popular classic Kit Cars.

Caterham 7 - To see why this is the daddy of Kit Cars, have a look at the history below

Triumph TR7 - Big on the Kit Car scene and made popular when released in 1989 by Robin Hood Engineering for less than a grand!

Lotus Elan - It seems that Lotus can`t be faulted for the adaptability of their cars, as this was originally available as a kit car in the 60s for the more frugal speed freaks out there.

Nova/Stirling Kit Car - Founded in England in the 70s, Stirling produced a series of kits that bolted onto VW chassis, notably the Beetle giving Ferrari looks at budget price

AC Cobra - Again a 60s design that has endured in the Kit Car world, this racer has great heritage and looks, and is the result of Anglo-American engineering

The most popular cars to be replicated by the Kit Car industry and its followers was the Lotus 7, the design of which is still used and modified by Kit Car enthusiasts and manufacturers, the most famous of which is arguable the Caterham 7. After production of the original Lotus 7 ended in 1972, Caterham bought the rights to the 4th generation design of the car and began producing it themselves in 1973. Because of the popularity of the original and the flexibility of the design, in 1984 the `Starter Kit 7` was released which was a set of the entire disassembled components of a 7 which were designed to be compiled by the customer. Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the original 7, and though the engines and manufacturers may have changed, the original is still a motoring idol for kit and sports car fans alike.

In terms of the Van market within the kit and replica car modification scene, the Citroen H is the original from which all others draw inspiration. Originally produced between 1947 and 1981, the versatility of this vehicle was appreciated by organisations from the police to the dairy farmers, and is nowadays reserved for enthusiasts who restore and maintain these old vans to show off at events or to go camping, just as they were intended. If you`re looking to buy a Kit Car or a Classic Car it`s important that you get the right kind of car insurance, and comparing the available offers or using an insurer that specifically caters for vehicle ownership of your type is advisable, as is considering the risks of owning such a vehicle.

THE LOCOST PHENOMENON

The Ron Champion book details how to build a Locost sportscar and is now in it's 2nd edition. The first edition had a few mistakes in the chassis measurements but the second edition corrected these. If you want to build a car, this book contains comprehensive plans to enable you to do it. It is very unlikely that you will do it for £250, most builders are reckoning between £1500 and £2000 depending on the specification although someone has reputedly built one for less than £50. The book is written is plain English and assumes no previous knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on safety when using tools with many tips on what and what not to do. One extra bonus is that there is a lot of manufacturers sprung up making and selling parts to the book dimensions which means if you decide to go for it all the parts are freely available, there is also a lot of advice out there on the web and in good forums.where you can ask for advice and tips, so you can look to find out more about the Locost. There is also a race series so if you fancy getting involved in budget motor racing this is for you.

There is a thriving club with over 500 members with builders from around the world. There is also a Locost mailing list on the web and many Locost related websites. If you are dubious about welding, many of the components can be purchased from several suppliers. You can decide how much you want to do yourself.

There are some errors in the book, but these have been documented by other builders and are available on the net.

Apparently this is Haynes Publishing's best selling title in 40 years. If you want to build your own car then buy this book, but unless you are very lucky, don't expect to do it for £250.
 

ANOTHER CITROEN H VAN

We have another Citroen H van arrived at the end of april, we are doing quite a bit of welding and painting, also removing part of side to form a counter and canopy to sell coffee and pastries from, will add pictures of work being done as we progress, so if of any interest keep an eye out for how the work is progressing, we now have quite a bit of experience in these Citroen H type vans as we have done major work on quite a few now, will give  advice if needed on the purchase or repair just get in touch.This vehicle is now finished and will be going for paint in the near future there are finished pictures on the H van conversion page.We are expecting another H type conversion mid july which will be used as a kitchen, allthough this van is quite a mint vehicle so will only need the side opening out to form the serving area.The van is a little later model so will need the side cutting out as does not bolt in like the earlier models do so are a little different to do. 

THE H VAN IS NOW PAINTED

The H Van is now almost finished it has gone to be fitted with the catering equipment etc, will be at various shows and exhibitions  throughout the rest of the summer months, keep your eyes out for it and try the goods on offer, pics now here.

A NEW RESTORATION 1951 LAND ROVER

There is a new restoration arrived a 1951 Land Rover 80 in a sorry state to look at but all there really, the vehicle has only had 1 previous owner before the owner were it was purchased from, who bought it in 2001, who did nothing with it but store in his building, will now be recomisioned by us and restored to a high standard for the new owner.Will be adding some pictures in the near future

FORUM

 We have now set up a forum to post a buy, sell and wanted section, plus advice and tips, please have a look and join to post anything of interest, there is also the guest book which you can sign and leave any suggestions or thoughts on what to include on the site.Although take up of membership hasnt been great If we can get a community built up of kit and classic car minded people it will be a great help to anyone building, restoring or contemplating owning a kit based or classic car, have now added a forum topic for the H van, if anyone wants any topics added let me know then i can open a new discusion in the forum.Click link at bottom of page to register only takes a couple of minutes.

KIT CARS and CLASSIC CARS

We have expierence of all types of vehicle having repaired all vehicles from Porche 911 major restoration work also major accident damage on modern Boxter, have recently reshelled an early Mini firstly removing roof and converting to soft top and fitting mg metro engine, fitted new inner/outer sills and floor in 1970 Jaguar XJ6, work in progress at present includes restoring Ford CVH locost 7 and major accident repair on a Citroen H Van, now completed and being used daily for the owners business.We have just had a more modern classic arrive for major rear accident damage repair a MGF will need a section of boot floor and back panel trying to keep MG name alive the owner says, Also a modern BMW Mini Cooper S for major accident damage to front nearside has arrived for repair.There are some pics of finished cars and work in progress please have a look round site for an idea of what we can help with.

GALLERY

We have now set up a gallery were you can post your own pics and comments, you will have to register but only takes a minute or so,images will be checked by a admin after posting and will be removed if deemed unsuitable by them so please keep this in mind when posting, please add your pics of your cars vans or projects 

LINKS 

If you would like a link adding in the links section just send an email to me and I will include you, I would like a link on your site if you have one but only if you want to link back to me.

geoff@kitcarland.co.uk   

Will visit and give advice on any build problems or with help with welding painting etc for expenses and a reasonable hourly rate also, mail for costing for visits or phone for advice we will help if at all possible

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