IVA passed

After five and a half years my Lister Bell STR build has finally made it across the finishing line. It has been one of the most challenging achievements I have ever undertaken, partly due to my own stuburn insistance to not sub out any part of the build and to go my own way here and there. I have never built a kit car or done a car resturation before so I am extreamly proud of the end result. There has been many rewarding and enjoyable days and some very miserable days in the garage but overall it has been worth every minute and I can't stop smiling.
I would like to thank everyone in the SEC who have provided a huge amount of support and encouragement over those five years who without which it would not be finished. Also to Lister Bell for their support and design of such a high quality product and last but by no means least to my wife for allowing me to realise my dream. Thank you all and good luck to those still working hard to complete theirs.
It feels sureal to see my Stratos sat in the garage waiting for its first run out as soon as the DVLA papers drop through the letterbox. We have lots of trips planned this year including two to France and we look forward to seeing lots of you fellow Stratos owners oput and about.

Safe driving
Steve
Attachment 23586

Steve.
Looks fantastic, well done.
Maybe see you at the Skipton garage day and we can all admire it.
Steve

Well done Steve. Now you can enjoy the complete Stratos experience, look forward to seeing in the flesh.

David

Steve
You better read this and get yourself some fancy dark sunglasses. https://www.stratosec.com/Forum/show...-First-run-out
See post #9

Yes it looks stunning in the Alitalia livery. I'm going to do a few local runs before venturing further afield and if it fits in with our other plans I'll be in Skipton.

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Originally Posted by Steve65

Yes it looks stunning in the Alitalia livery. I'm going to do a few local runs before venturing further afield and if it fits in with our other plans I'll be in Skipton.

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Great. I will provisionally order some sausage rolls

Steve congratulations on getting the car through the IVA hurdle
I know you will have a big grin when you take it for it’s first run out
hopefully the summer isn’t far away now, so shall look forward to catching up soon
and I’m also looking forward to our trip to France with yourselves and the others
Dave :cool:

Congratulations, it's a great feeling. The car looks fantastic. Now get out and drive it, and make sure to report back.

Thanks Guys. I'll post some photos of the first run and yes Dave France should be a blast.

'Nice one Steve.
No over center catches, I see?

Congratulations Steve... all the effort is worth it... enjoy driving it now !

Congratulations on getting through IVA, car looks fantastic. Enjoy it.

Congratulations Steve. Now for the best bit - that first proper drive. Get used to having your photo taken everywhere you go. Try and find a street with big shop windows and look at your reflection in them grinning like a Cheshire cat.

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Originally Posted by Phubb

. Try and find a street with big shop windows and look at your reflection in them grinning like a Cheshire cat.

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Peter knows a Greggs with a big window

As others have said congratulations - I have certainly felt your pain and pleasure in my own experience as a fellow novice. I am not quite there yet but hope to see you on the road sometime soon

Well done Steve, the car looks absolutely fantastic. I was wondering how you had been getting on since I saw you and the nearly-ish finished car last June. I seem to be following the same timeline as you - 2 3/4 years ago when I bought your build trolley you were waiting for body fit, and I was about to start. Now you have completely finished and I am waiting for body fit. So maybe in another 2 3/4 years time I'll be where you are. Can't wait!

Hope DVLA pulls it's finger out and you can get driving soon.

Congrats Steve. Looks awesome :cool:

Congratulations. The car looks ace.

Absolutely stunning. Well done Steve. Looking forward to seeing it in the flesh.

Bravo ! Mine will never be that shiny!!! A very high quality build & I have had the pleasure of seeing the hard to see bits!
DVLA will soon have the paper work done, then the fun really starts :)

Great stuff Steve !

Congratulations, it looks beyond beautiful in the picture. Hope you are proud and pleased in equal measures. Well done

Many thanks everyone for the kind words. It's certainly been one of the most testing challenges I've ever undertaken but one of the most satisfying too now it's passed.
Chris, I prefer the clean look without the over centre catches so I've installed some hidden secondary catches as I didn't want to just rely on the bear claws on the top of the B pillars.