Fun replicas

[Trevsked]

I’m in the market for a bit of fun and perhaps something I can fiddle about with. I like kit cars, always have, and tempted with a Caterham or I was looking at the Tiger ERA 30 and Westfield 11. Both attractive cars in my eyes but can see they are different propositions as regards performance. I’d use it generally as I do every car I have but it has to be a good drive and I’d take it on the odd track day especially those that can’t accomodate the GT430 regarding noise. Places like Goodwood and Brands Hatch. I’m sensible enough to know neither will be very good but still of interest. £20k is probably the limit so has anyone got any views/experience or indeed alternative suggestions. And yes I know an Elise would be far better all round.

[C8RKH]

Not sure why you think it would probably be not too good, I think either of those cars would be a hoot and would be on my list. Beautiful. Simple. Fun. Exhilarating. Just do it.

The Tiger cars sounds awesome:  https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/Details/86190/tiger-era-30

[pete]

 

[Barrykearley]

There’s various kits about for the older retro stuff.

it doesn’t have to go fast - it’ll feel quick and a hoot to boot 👍

[pete]

6 minutes ago, Barrykearley said:

There’s various kits about for the older retro stuff.

 👍

That's a bit unfair to Trevor

[pete]

[Barrykearley]

[C8RKH]

Is that the new Porker 911 and a half GTS 1.4 @Barrykearley?

[KAS-118]

Blimey - if I was looking for that kind of car - I'd have already bought that Tiger ERA 30 - what's stopping you?

[Trevsked]

I like all the above cars, maybe not the Jester 😄. The ERA is possibly my favourite and the Westfield 11 being a more attractive car to the eye. That ERA was the Tiger show car and then bought by a fella that spent a few bob on it and didn’t seem to drive it. It was then for sale at a Caterham specialist in Kent for £17k where the current trader bought it. He spent money on it too tidying it up and adding the livery which I think is nicely done. Tiger have a car for sale too which I went to see and that’s new but cheaper however not painted and runs an Audi 80 engine and box on twin Webber’s. I visited both cars and don’t really fit in the red one with its Tillet seats as my knee hits the bottom of the dash but that can be solved and it’s a very complete car. Trouble is when you get to £20k there’s quite a lot of competition from Caterham and Lotus/VX220 all of which would be easier to move on once I’d had enought, plus they have some form of weather protection. The less expensive Tiger car that’s available appeals precisely because of that, its new and I fit, just. I’m sure it will cost every bit of the red car by the time I’m finished and would still have the wrong engine in it but that’s not really the point. Fortunately I’m on holiday at the moment and can’t rush into my usual hasty decision making. All the cars I’ve looked at are the wrong move but will be positive experiences I’m sure, if you get what I mean.

 

Trevor.

[Trevsked]

The new but unpainted Tiger.

 

[Chillidoggy]

I like the ERA and the Westfield 11, however I wouldn't have another open top car after years of getting soaked in my Cobra. In fact it was one of the main reasons I bought an Esprit, as I had become fed up with being weather-restricted. It's no fun when it rains, so the amount of time available to drive them will be short, unless you enjoy driving in oilskins, or a dry-suit.

I have always fancied the GTM Libra, and still do, but they're rare.

As for re-selling, don't be surprised if whatever kit car you buy is more difficult to shift than herpes, so it needs to be the right price to start with.

[KAS-118]

Hmmmmm....I always thought Herpes was really easy to 'pass-on' 🤔

😜

[Trevsked]

Yes agree totally Ian, all the cars out there hang around in the classifieds for ages, as indeed these have done. I’m sure they are worth the money but very difficult to find homes for. Be a shame to miss out on the experience and take the easy route back to Esprit ownership, although I did see a Stevens N/A that I fancied. Going up in price and possibly a bridge too far is the Ultimate Spyder.

 

Trevor.

[Chillidoggy]

Just another thought - what about an Elan? The original one, not the M100. The weather protection should be reasonably good, and the resale value may be better than a kit. Or they getting too pricey these days?

 

And what's happening with the A310 project? I was really looking forward to seeing that one.

[C8RKH]

I'd go for an Elan+2 with the 130bhp engine. I think they are lovely looking cars and not the stupid money a +0 would cost you.  Would of thought they would be easy to work on, easy to have fun it, and easy to shift on, probably with a profit too!  

[Trevsked]

First off lets get the first rule of Replica Club sorted. You're not allowed to talk about profit! It's everything that is wrong with classic car ownership these days. I yearn for the time when you bought whatever you wanted for a reasonable price, had fun fiddling and driving and hoped it didn't cost you a fortune in the process.

I've looked and still looking at plus 2's and yes they appeal, good call. They won't fit the track day scenario without a bit of modding and on an older car I think that may spoil the road drive but I'm not opposed to it as do like a little focus in my cars. 

Sad to say the A310 has just gone as the Alpine community is incredibly slow at doing anything and because values have risen so have restoration prices, was quoted £30k to finish it.

 

Trevor.

[Chillidoggy]

Having read that - Caterham 7 and a dry suit.

End of thread.

 

No wait - Caterham 21.

[Trevsked]

Caterham 21 is a very good call and I know where there’s one available but needs work. Saw it a couple of months ago and it was just going off for a bit of paint, trouble is it had a little history in the past but we’ll repaireed. I’ll have another search for a better car now you mention it. Good looking cars too.

 

Trevor.

[Chillidoggy]

And it has some weather protection for those of us who are getting a bit long in the tooth!

Just thought of another one - MGTF. Cheap and cheerful.

[Steve V8]

Nobody's mentioned Ginetta, some good, some not so, but still a good racing heritage, and some great fun to be had for well within budget.

 

[Neal H]

The trouble with a Caterham 21 is that a nice S1 Elise is better in every way...

If Caterham, then surely a 7. The plastic tent roof offers decent weather protection if you have the time and patience to construct it.

[Trevsked]

There’s a G40 that’s appealing at the moment but it’s a fairly serious track car and might be just a bit too serious but yes Ginetta are attractive. 

The Elise and Exige of course are the pick of the bunch but I do like a left of field car. Caterham (SV) the obvious choice for me.

The Dehaviland DGT Dino is the best replica of its type I’ve seen (pics only) and that’s based on an MGF, be a good all rounder I’d think.

 

Trevor.

[Trevsked]

Example

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201803244887974?radius=1500&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&make=FERRARI&postcode=wd79la&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

[Chillidoggy]

Very nice looking car, apart from the white paint. It’ll sit around a while at that price because it isn’t red, and because it hasn’t got a V6 in it.

I’d be tempted to go and kick the tyres.