kennyrayandersen Posted September 5, 2009 Author Share Posted September 5, 2009 Kenny, As for the picture, keep in mind it's all relative... both cars are smaller than what you drove. One is tiny, the other is itsy-bitsy;) That being said, a Birkin was my second choice. Lol – I guess everything is relative. Your point is well taken – another reason to paint either of them a retina searing color. People talk about saving money building or assembling things themselves, then mention the scary hours of time invested in scratch building, or even assembling something. I understand the investment of 1000's of hours from the I-built-it-myself perspective. It's the journey not the destination. But, if what you want is a car to drive and the fun of screwing it together is attractive, but a luxury you cant afford, then buy something someone else has made. From a purely dollars and sense perpsective, you can make a great deal capitalizing on some one elses tireless efforts. I am not sure what Martin is hoping to get for his amazing scratch built Se7en. But if his hours invested were fairly priced (let's say $100 hour for his talent and skill at car fabrication) then he will probably take a loss when his car sells. If you just value the car by the cost of its components, then he will make a killing. But the components didn't build themselves. When I factor in what I make an hour in my vocation, then it makes sense to have some one else do the construction. I couldn’t agree more, which makes it a tough decision. I’m one of those who gets a LOT of satisfaction for working with my hands. I really enjoy when you make something and it’s better than downtown and people are all "you didn’t make that, really?” but having said that generally you are right about comparing your vocational compensation. I also make jewelry, among other things (loudspeakers, etc.). People are always saying – “man, this is really nice. Have you thought about doing it for a living?” My reply is – “I couldn’t afford to work for $5 bucks an hour”. I’m just too slow an meticulous. As an engineer I get paid to be slow an meticulous (aren’t you glad the wings don’t fall off the airplane you’re riding in? lol) I think the biggest mistake most self-constructers make is that they think there time is worth much. This is NO slight to anyone, but it’s just reality – anyone should be considering they are putting as car (or whatever) together for fun – selling for anything much beyond what you got into it (unless maybe it’s 100% scratch-built, in which case you might nearly get a ‘kit’ price out of it), is gravy. Case in point is Chad Marsh’s car, which looked to be fabulously and meticulously assembled… let’s just say someone got a heck of a deal on that one, eh? So, even for me, bolting a kit together ain’t about saving any money, it something I would REALLY enjoy. If I ever won the lotto (which would be pretty tough since I don’t buy lotto tickets), I would just buy some land, build a shop, and that would pretty much be the last you’d see of me! I think that is a good choice of action. Brian and Dick are both fine people, and I would not hesitate to deal with either of them. I think you can buy either car at any stage of completion from a bare frame to turn-key. A rolling chasis where you just install the drivetrain and tune the entire car may fit your desire to create and your time constraints. I think you will find parts are available in the U.S. for either car. The Birkin uses a Ford Zetec or Duratec engine, found in the Focus. You may want to check out Birkin's support group [/url]http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/birkinowners Whether you prefer size small or extra small, either is much more fun than any production car I have driven. Thanks for the link, I’ll check out the site and see what the chatter is. There used to be some performance versions of the Focus – is that still the case? Europe always seems to get the hot-hatch versions that we in the States seldom get. Since I’m right near the track at Cresson, the car may eventually see some track time. It would be nice to have a couple hundred horsepower available for that, though I’m not trying to get to hung up on that. Being FROM TX, and actually in the area where both of these gentlemen are doing business, and being a guy that is pretty interested in cars, you hear about people doing business here. I’ve heard good things about both Brian and Dick, so that doesn’t concern me too much – I’m more interested in the actual cars, assembly or maintenance issues, parts availability, and any particulars that make one or the other more or less desirable. I realize that they are ‘different’, but they both look plenty fun and appear to be a quality products. I’ll just have to get over to Arlington and Lancaster and check them both out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted September 5, 2009 Share Posted September 5, 2009 Kenny, WCM owners have a site for technical issues/help. Brian checks in and contributes as well. You'll see some pretty hardcore Auto X guys there and they often find things to trick out or improve on. http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ultralite_USA/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powderbrake Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 The Ultralite has the same wheelbase as most all sevens, and is a bit wider in the tread and body width, but isn't really that much larger overall. Here are some pics from a different perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennyrayandersen Posted September 8, 2009 Author Share Posted September 8, 2009 I guess when you get a wide-angle lens, and get the Birkin behind and the S2K up front close, the S2K looks a lot bigger -- your pics make them look much more the same size -- perspective is everything. I joined the S2K group, but for some reason I can't seem to post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted September 8, 2009 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I guess when you get a wide-angle lens, and get the Birkin behind and the S2K up front close, the S2K looks a lot bigger -- your pics make them look much more the same size -- perspective is everything. I joined the S2K group, but for some reason I can't seem to post. It is a Yahoo group you have to get approval from the moderator before you can post. Chuck Spera is the moderator. I will contact him about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilteq Posted September 9, 2009 Share Posted September 9, 2009 Kenny Be careful of Chuck. He is in a colony of guys infected with "upgradeitus." To say Chuck's condition is contagious is an understatement. It is more like he is the Midwest Distributor. Approach with caution. On the other hand, his racecar is very cool. Since size matters, notice that his XR7 (second from the left) appears to be about half the size of the other Ultralights in the attached image. Blaine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rv-4mike Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Kenny, I have an Ultralite S2K that I bought as an on again off again project. Finances as well as time issues have turned it into a very long build process, but I am still making progress (slowly). I'm unable to PM you (for some reason my config doesnt allow me to originate a PM but I can send a PM in reply??), but if you shoot me a PM I will reply and tell you a little about my build experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 thats the first pic I've seen with a XR7 next to a S2K... man that thing is low! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 Kenny Be careful of Chuck. He is in a colony of guys infected with "upgradeitus." To say Chuck's condition is contagious is an understatement. It is more like he is the Midwest Distributor. Approach with caution. Blaine Probably a fair warning..... Chuck does things one way, 100% right, no holds BARRED... He is an absolute wealth of knowledge... Cheers 7evin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7evin Posted September 12, 2009 Share Posted September 12, 2009 thats the first pic I've seen with a XR7 next to a S2K... man that thing is low! That's Chuck .... Down and Dirty.... I think his is the lowest of the XR7's ... It is not street driven at that altitude I don't believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheelturbo Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Are there any XR7's up for sale anywhere?? i would love to pick up one! they are nasty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Are there any XR7's up for sale anywhere?? i would love to pick up one! they are nasty! There was a green and tan one in CA that was for sale. There were only 5 or 6 made so finding one will be a little tough. I will find out if that one is still available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheelturbo Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 it would be a bad ass 7 to have if you ask me!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarheelturbo Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 thanks so much might be something for me to look at! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunslade Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Sorry, just sold mine. It was on the for sale section of this site about 2 weeks ago. Just put it on the truck to go back to Texas yesterday. I think it was number 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austin sr Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 (edited) Hello. My name is Chris Austin, and I also live in the Metroplex. I have been reading this thread and thought I would chime in. Sorry I took so long, I don't get on line much sometimes as I travel for work as you do. I also am an Engineer (aircraft) and my background and experience sound similar to yours. I was into motorcycles for years, but decided my chance of getting killed was more important then the fun of the sport. I decided to find a safer substitute, and the Seven fits the bill perfectly. I agree with basically everyone here, and the bottom line is what you want in both the build and finished car experience. There is a difficult balancing act here for most people, between time, money, and personal preference i.e. looks etc., with time being the most important for myself. Which of these wins out is up to you, just remember that your choice my change later! My choice for a Seven was fairly easy (at the time) to make as I also wanted domestic parts and wanted to deal with someone local, and both Dick and Brian fill that bill. I live just a few miles from Brian. I would not hesitate to deal with either one and have, and will do so again. I personally have both a completed S2K-R (Goldie), and a different version of the S2K which looks more like a traditional Seven (Pearl). I would be glad to make either of these available for you to check out. I also have the first production LM body to look at, if you are interested. This body will fit on an S2K to make a very different car, but you can always take it off and go back to the classic look. 2 cars in one. If a little more power is called for the S2000 supercharger kits available will bolt on the S2K and boost power a bit. I also have one of those to look at. ;-) It sounds like you already talked to Dick, and I agree that you should check out his products also. I would gladly own a Birkin and hope to do so myself. If I can help in any way, please let me know. Chris Austin Edited October 1, 2009 by austin sr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mondo Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Will be interesting to see the LM complete... and see how it cuts thru the air. I noticed "Pearl" has a more traditional cowl set up, hadn't seen that before. Nice stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austin sr Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Thanks Mondo. I would love to see the LM complete also but I decided not to use Pearl and that is the car it was to go on. Also I have way too much going on right now, so I think I will sell the body to someone that wants to use it on an existing S2K. I may even sell Pearl if I can't sell some other cars soon. I need to buy a car for my Daughter and family comes before toys.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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