Kitman Speedster

At least 2 others here on SOC.  One was having problems mounting his doors using the supplied Honda hinges.  The other, I think, has a Coupe and was going to stop by to compare.  The build manual that is online at their site is the old CMC manual - so not a great matchup to their kit.

Door Mounting | 356 Speedster, 550 Spyder, Replica, Automotive Community (speedsterowners.com)

The CMC build manual leaves the builder to resolve many issues. One is the windshield installation which their instructions are poorly addressed.  It would be a positive business model for Kitman to actually assemble both their Coupe and a Speedster and produce their own specific build manuals. It's not easy to take on a large build project, that includes major fabrication skills, parts sourcing and mechanical knowledge.

Anyone know if the wiring is the same for an pan based Intermechanica  and the CMC manual ?

mostly hoping the wire colors are the same ,

Thanks for the info

There is a reason no one has been able to finish one of their kits to date.

Years ago I visited a company in Chandler, AZ who had a Kitman Spyder in their shop, I believe they said the quality was so terrible that their client wanted the car cut up and thrown in the dumpster. Not even kidding.

Thanks for the replies, I am not trying to start a bash Kitman thread I was just wondering if anyone building one of these from Kitman is having the same issues.  For example I had to mount the body to the frame this week so I can transport it to a new garage and I found out that the engine firewall is 2.5" to far toward the back of the car.  It actuall hits the oil cooler housing on the back of my doghouse fan shroud.   

I've seen that on other makes where the person that shortened the pan/chassis didn't get the section back together flat --- the shroud would also hit the rear engine lid.  I'd PM the other two owners here to see if they have that issue - maybe they could give you measurements.  I'm sure Chris's guys use a standard jig to ensure stuff is in a standard place

I've seen this issue on a number of home builds which is fixable via a couple different ways but in general a pita to do. The frame has to be perfectly level, if it is out a few degrees from absolute horizontal plane, you can run into the oil cooler to firewall clearance and the deck lid hinges hitting the shroud.  This is why I posted above..... " they need to build it "

When home builders cut and shorten their own pans, there is variability. We minimize the fitment issues by offering a complete tube VIN chassis for folks that do not want to deal with this.  Measurements have to be exact and even. When we do shorten pans, they are precisely jigged and assembled for strength. .......especially when builders want to put high torque electric motors in.

While my subchassis can act as a template for shortening a VW bug chassis....measurements have to be double checked and checked again. A "step cut" with external gusseting has been a good option for shortening the main tube. The subchassis has proven to be very helpful for our Canadian and Australian customers who cannot import VIN chassis.

I hope this helps to explain our rationale for what we produce. Every car is a bit different with each builder. We have standardization in our production process but once it leaves my control for final assembly differences occur. We make the base pieces that you cannot buy "off of the shelf".  Then you decide how to put the Lego pieces together.

In a "previous lifetime" , we did build complete cars and found that the hassles outweighed the rewards. The comment about the AZ Spyder in Chandler was from a builder that will not be mentioned and is no longer in busness for many reasons. That is why I simplified my business model ( and overhead $$) to return to profitability and quality.

As far as the build manual goes.... the old CMC manual (thank you  SO Library resources!)  is a general guide to give the builder a better idea of the process as opposed to an exact recipe. Every builder wants a car to their own desires , I have learned.

PM me here or e mail me or Jonathan if you have additional questions.

George.. get in touch with us and we will do our best to see what is going on.

kitmanmotors.j@gmail.com

kitmanmotors.c@ gmail.com

Thanks,

Dr.Chris

Thanks eveyone for the suggestion that the pan is the issue but I am not using a pan I am using the Kitman custom tube chasis for the build.  Once I move the firewall forward to meet the front engine tin I beleive everything else will line up. atleast I hope.