Longest build time?

[Kitcat]

OK, who here holds the record for the longest build time? (Never-ending upgrade-itis does not qualify-slngshot:)).

 

I will define this as starting from when the build actually started to when the car was driven ( ran, stopped, turned) on a public road. Not necessarily licensed-wh/is a whole different contest!

 

Thinking about starting, making plans to start, researching plans, etc., etc., do not count. I am talkiing about when actual construction started (frame was begun-or arrived from the supplier).

 

This thread was inspired by my neighbor, JohnK, whose recent post shows he began his Ultralite in 5/05 (!). CAN ANYONE BEAT THAT?

 

Mike

[yellowss7]

Mine wasn't that long. Placed order December 24th,1999. Picked up Kit at Customs August 20 something, 2000. Start build. Engine arrives October 2000. Start legal procededings to get issues resolved with dealer. :boxing::rant:

 

Actual build time 80 total hours. Car registered and on the road by August 2001.

[scannon]

He isn't on this forum but a friend of mine bought a Caterham kit and a built twin cam engine back in 1976. Took it out of the crate and did a few things, then put it back in the crate where it remains to this day. That's 33 years, give or take a few months.

 

It drives me nuts but he won't sell it to me. I just want to put it together.

[slngsht]

(Never-ending upgrade-itis does not qualify-slngshot:))

 

damn, I was just gonna hit reply when I saw that :blush:

[MHKflyer52]

How about if your still building things for your car like trunk cover, convertable top, etc.. If that qualifies as still building then I will say I have been building for five yrs and counting as I have had my car on the road just over five years now....:rofl:....

[Alaskossie]

Scannon,

 

I know the person you are referring to....just keep using your best powers of persuasion on Mr. S., ok?

 

This doesn't qualify under the criteria of time-of-acquisition to-time-of-completion because the clock is still running, but I have been informed by a reliable source that a fellow in Denver owns several early Lotus sports racers which he keeps in a barn and never shows or drives -- and he also owns an original Lotus 7 Series 2 kit, still in its original crate from Lotus, never unpacked or assembled.....a virtual time capsule. At this rate, the car will probably be buried with him....

[scannon]

Mr. S has so many stalled projects that I doubt he will ever complete the Caterham. I keep offering to buy the Caterham but he hasn't wavered yet.

 

I've heard of the fellow with the Series 2 crate but didn't know about the sports racers.

[11Budlite]

Probably doesn't apply to this thread, but I bought my Birkin as a running dealers demo with a little over 200 miles on it and spent the next 5 1/2 years repairing and upgrading the car until I finally got it running (again!) in 9/07. That has to be some kind of record for futility! :banghead: :blush:

[DeanG]

Scannon,

 

I know the person you are referring to....just keep using your best powers of persuasion on Mr. S., ok?

 

This doesn't qualify under the criteria of time-of-acquisition to-time-of-completion because the clock is still running, but I have been informed by a reliable source that a fellow in Denver owns several early Lotus sports racers which he keeps in a barn and never shows or drives -- and he also owns an original Lotus 7 Series 2 kit, still in its original crate from Lotus, never unpacked or assembled.....a virtual time capsule. At this rate, the car will probably be buried with him....

 

I hope that when the kit gets opened someone will be there to record it in great detail. A modern archaeological dig. A chance to record a bit of Lotus history that can be all too easily lost.