Another new Viper owner

[osgood]

Harry, I think it fair to warn you now looking at what you have its going to be a very long road ahead, having said that its not impossible to end up with a good finished item.
Although alcoholism, divorce, mental illness and a not so flexible credit card springs to mind, you could find your Bank Manger living in!

As regards brackets every thing has to be made (purpose built) for your car there is not bolt together Lego type bits with this kit. As I have already said the build manual you can throw in the bin, it refers to pictures for reference but no picture and it also relates to a left hand drive most of the time.

By now with all the private Pm's and posts you are getting a picture building up although not a Vang-off I hasten to add !! I don't wish to put you off and all the help you need is on this site but as Miket has said I would think carefully about what you are getting yourself into here. Not all Vipers have a short body for the chassis, how this latest drama has come about I am not sure other than so many of these items being made all over the country from time to time by different people.

Anyway Hard Hat best of luck you will need it Osgood.

[hardhat_harry]

Hi Osgood,

I am due to pick up the body and chassis on Sunday and pay the rest of the purchase price. I have left a small deposit to secure it but after all the comments I think it may be best to let the guy down and he can keep the deposit for his 'trouble'.

What do u think?

[wilf]

Harry - I have observed a fellow club member and his Viper build. It has not been a pretty sight.

I personally would not attempt one, and I have built other Cobras. There is no factory support, only what you can get from kind folks like those you find here. Every single bracket etc. that you need would have to be custom made, and no-one can tell you what spec of parts for all the runnng gear etc. works and what doesn't, again with the exceptioin of people here. Every item you mount has to be thought about, repositioned, holes drilled etc.

My opinion (for what it's worth) is that a Viper build is for a very experienced kit builder with access to significant metalworking equipment (inc welding).

If that is not you, consider finding a more mainstream, maybe part-built kit like a Pilgrim, Dax, or AK ( and there are others) with a manufacturer still in existence who can hold your hand and recommend what does, and what does not, work.

As others have said, the cost to complete a kit is pretty much the same, whatever base you start from. Your proposed base does not even have bonnet, doors, or bootlid - major issues all.

If you persevere with this one, and end up with a good finished result, my hat would be off to you. Hard or otherwise.

[Miket]

After typing a reply, I have just deleted it, I agree with Wilf.

[hfbradley01]

Harry

I have a digital Viper Build document I can send if you want.

Cheers

[hardhat_harry]

Yes please!! I'll PM my email address

[kdavies3]

I'm with wilf and Mike here, I would walk away from this one if I were you.
Go and find a more orthodox kit. They do turn up on a fairly regulare basis.

There's no need to put yourself through all that pain that others have already warned you about.
There 's another Viper on Ebay at the moment no bids at a start of £2500, at least that one has all the panels with it.
But the Viper is never going to be aneasy road.

[osgood]

Originally Posted by hardhat_harry

Hi Osgood,

I am due to pick up the body and chassis on Sunday and pay the rest of the purchase price. I have left a small deposit to secure it but after all the comments I think it may be best to let the guy down and he can keep the deposit for his 'trouble'.

What do u think?

Harry, I will be straight on the line with this one, firstly I will go along with Wilfs comments and as he will tell you thats a first! The Viper build in normal circumstances as said is not for the faint hearted and as Wilf point out you need two degrees in mechanical engineering also be able to fabricate stuff yourself to keep the cost down. I think it fair to say with what I see you have there you are on a looser from the very start. I and the lads here will give you every help we can if you decide to go ahead, but if you have to build yourself I would seriously think of another option other than the one you have at present. Best of luck Osgood.

[hardhat_harry]

I have walked away from this one but I feel like I wasted the guys time.

I've rang him as explained all about his kit as he didn't have a clue about it.

I said if I can get him a build manual I'll forward it on to him so at least it is easier to sell as kit with build manual looks better than kit without build manual.

He may try to build it again with the manual you never know.

Thanks for all the great advice at least I dodged that bullet and I wont be as hastey next time!!!

Carry on saving!!