Hello all

[Boxhead]

Hi all, Brand new mwmber here and wanting to introduce myself.

I live in what is just about the dead centre of Australia, a town called Alice Springs.

I am (nearly) 44 years old and qualified motor mechanic.
Now play with cars purely as a hobby, having recently built a Shelby Cobra replica.
It is now time to start researching for next car to build.
Sorry to say my first choice would be a Lamborghini Miura SV but there does not appear to be many comprehensive kits for these.
Second choice was the Stratos.

Are there many replica kit suppliers of these wonderful cars around?
If so, can anyone steer me to what they think is the better kits to get, my preferance would be for one that uses many donor parts, and have a pretty good quality body from the mould.

Lastly, are there any Aussies on here who have been down this route before :-)

[The Slug]

Hi Boxhead,

There are two main manufactures Hawk and ListerBell, both make good kits.
As to which is the best for you, only you can decide.

I am building a ListerBell so folk may say I'm bias towards them, others will be along shortly to talk about the Hawks but in answer to your question "have a pretty good quality body from the mould" I would have to say that the ListerBell has less work to do on the body than a Hawk (Ask the people who have built one recently)and you also have the option of leaving the Gel finish if you don't wish to paint.

That said both Cars are good and it is all down to you as to which you pick, I'm sure you will be happy with either.

One of the main differences is that the Hawk uses the 30 year old, tried and tested, Fiat/MG/Alfa parts for steering and brakes etc similar to the original, obviously the original used there own Fiat "empire" parts. (You can go your own route of course as many builders have done)
The ListerBell uses modern bespoke parts for its steering and brakes etc.

Neither car is a totally accurate replica despite the hype you hear, the original had a steel shell, both replicas have fibreglass, and lots of other smaller details are not 100% right either, but unless you have a genuine car to look at, your not going to tell as they are both so close.

Both stop, start, and work fine, both will take a range of engines, most people like the Alfa V6 these days.
As I say its down to you, contact both makers and deside yourself is the best way.

I understand a least 1 LB is being built down there and I sure there must be Hawks as well.

If you decide to Join the club then this opens up the rest of the forum with lots more info on all the cars and how to build them etc well worth the money.

All the best
Ian

[Boxhead]

Hi Ian, Thank you for the reply.

I had emailed Lister before joining here and have had good feedback from them, and to be honest as it sits right now would probably be my preferance.
The body work stuff is a major factor and with alot less work required this makes teh "kit" more appealing to me.

There are a few items included that may not pass rego in Australia (such as the brake package), but I would need to investigate that further (in Australia calipers must have dust seals - most "racing" calipers dont)

My engine preferance would be LS1 with 6 speed transverse gearbox.
http://www.v8archie.com/v8Archie/Prod3.htm
I have a spare LS1 at home with wiring, ecu and I have software to tune it from my Cobra build.

[turbonutter]

Thats a big engine to squeeze into a stratos! Personally I think any replica should have an italian engine, but if it will fit why not be different.

Brake wise I dont remember what calipers are on the Lister Bell, but I use HI-Spec Billet 4 Calipers & they are dust sealed.

[strat24v]

Hi Spec on the LB. Think they do both sealed and unsealed.

[jeffdavison]

imo.. too much motor. Remember you have an extremely short wheelbase car and an extreme rear weight bias. Car might be too much of a handful to contol comfortably.

JD