I purchase a speedster kit from Kitman last month and have started my build. I have seen posts about Kitman door hinge issues. Looking hang the doors with the Honda CRV hinges. Anyone have dimensions or reference photos for placement? Any help would be great!
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I would contact Kitman and find out what they have the doors fitted for.
Kitman has a build manual at their online site.
Yes it’s a CMC manual which doesn’t address the door hinges. I have done plenty of research and gained lots of information from this site. Which is much appreciated from everyone here. I have everything cut and mock up with the exception of the doors and don’t want to make Swiss cheese trying to make them work. Photos and measurements would be great appreciated from someone that has completed the door install with the Kitman hinges.
Thats why I like old IM builds , as they were delivered with doors and hoods mounted ,
Getting the doors right is a big problem with most kit cars ,
My '89 CMC "deluxe" kit came with the doors mounts. I have an early CMC/FF build manual that has the builder mounting the doors as well as the fiberglass kick panels/firewalls. I can provide it but it doesn't use Honda hinges so probably of no use!
Did Dr. Chris ever actually build a car? I don't think he did, and I suspect that's why he doesn't offer much helpful advice.
It would be nice to know what hinges to use and have a reasonable template for how to bolt them in.
I'm pretty sure he built his Subaru mid-engine coupe, but Carrera Coachworks either did the frame/suspension or had someone do it. I believe it's the only one in existence.
I am hearing you though, Ed, they only make parts NOT finished cars.
I had toyed with buying Brock's Kitman coupe about 4 years ago, but declined in the end.
The CMC build manual wasn't great - but would be very frustrating for a shell that didn't exactly match it. At least someone who actually built one should mark up the build manual with added info. I recall reading the CMC build manual which said to drill/cut where the dimples were. Huh - no dimples with the body I got. I had to call to get a rough template for the windshield posts.
Here's early FF/CMC build manual page for the door hinges --- which aren't from a Honda for sure.
The marketing for Kitman is still lacking customer support and you're on your own Similar to going to a dentist and they had you a blob of epoxy and a UV light saying : "You're on your own".
Dang. Condolences to Chris. Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a tough battle.
Thank you for posting the obituary for Jonathan. He was my step son and handled most all of the day to day questions regarding builds, including the issues of hanging doors. It has been very difficult losing an only child for his mother and me and no parent should ever have to bury their child. I have stepped in and taken on the day to day phone calls for Kitman and have deeply appreciated the comments of condolence that I have received.
Have I built a car? My green Coupe was acquired when it was half done and I finished it. When I owned a 4000 Sq. Ft shop that built Speedsters and Spyders in 2014 ( and only one coupe) , I was the one paying the bills and overseeing the business as I ran my daily dental practice. I closed the shop when I came in one day unannounced and the 3 employees were smoking pot and welding ( Not good!) , It was at that time that I chose to " zero based budget" my operation and shift from turnkey production ( not an easy task) to providing the base kit body and chassis which no one else really provided to the home builder industry. My subchassis has provided options for international builders that they would not have otherwise to build kit cars.
Yes, I have learned a lot about mounting doors on replicas. Also about window frames on Coupes. You cannot hang doors on flexible fiberglass bodies until you have that body securely mounted to a chassis. Too much flexure. Since Kitman bodies are bolted on to the chassis by the customer and not fiberglassed to a chassis, it is impossible for me to sell bodies/ doors that are pre hung without the support of a chassis. I include door hinges with the kits. I use Honda CRV door hinges since there is a ready supply from the local Honda dealer nearby. I use cast metal door hinges from West Chrome in Temecula CA. I laminate metal plate inserts in the A pillar body and door front mounting area so you can hang the door hinges through steel and fiberglass for stability.
It is very difficult to find 356 A coupe original Porsche window frames. This was a big limiting factor in producing coupes. Original frames were about $1000 each for beat up ones that you had to rehab yourself. The cheap pot metal ones from Hong Kong that I ordered for $600 each arrived bent and unusable. You could literally bend them in your hand. That is why I chose to manufacture my own frames from 304 stainless steel and provide matching windows for a lot less to the customer/ builder.
As far as the future of Kitman Motors goes........ moving forward !! I feel like I am watching others ( you know who they are) in the So. Calif. going down as I hear of terrible customer service and filing for bankruptcy. I am fully retiring from dentistry and letting my license expire this October. Searching for a replacement for Jonathan to do the retail side of Kitman Motors, I have a qualified person in negotiations now. Kitman Motors is profitable and delivers good products on time, as agreed upon, with transparent pricing. That is just good business. I have been dumbfounded at the business shennanigans of others in this industry and how they " got away with it for that long". Enough said....... don't get me started. Your ears might start burning!
I will be paying more attention to SOC going forward as I have fewer directions that I will be dealing with in retirement and turning 70 years old. ( I have my first grand daughter to distract me!!) I deeply value and appreciate the fellowship and honesty of SOC on every issue. A continual commitment to honesty , transparency for this forum is paramount and appreciated. If you have any questions to me directly then PM me or call me at 619-889-8337 or e mail me at kitmanmotors.c@gmail.com I will not BS you.
Sorry for going on and on. I will be more of a participant in SOC now that Jonathan is gone forever.
Gratefully Yours,
Chris
Chris Kleber DDS. Kitman Motors ,Owner ( and SOC advertiser!)
FYI, this is the kind of build that customers do before the coupe body is bolted on and then doors are hung. Should you ever have a fender bender, fire, or other mishap, you can unbolt the body to replace it instead of trying to cut it off a fiberglassed on body.
