818C is discontinued. Best sources for locating used/partial builds for 818C?

[sparrow801]

From my recent conversations with Dave Lindsey over at Factory Five as well as what I’ve been reading in the forums here, it looks like buying a new 818C kit will no longer be an option for me going forward. In my experience, you should love the car you’re going to build or you won’t have the motivation and perseverance needed to see a project through from start to finish. With that idea in mind, I will say that I like Factory Five’s other kits, but I don’t love them. I have no interest in building one of Factory Five’s other cars, including the new F9. For me it’s either an 818C or it’s a kit from another company. The reason I want to do a Factory Five build so badly is because they have what other companies don’t: resources, education and an active builder community that can lend a hand when I encounter obstacles (which I know I will). With these other companies, you buy the kit and you are stranded on an island and there are almost zero resources available to you.

Where are the best places to find and buy partially-built 818C kits? My only concern is that if I buy a used 818C kit or a partially-assembled build then I will inherit someone else’s shortcuts and mistakes, especially when it comes to body panel fitment. Is buying a used 818C kit just asking for additional hurdles and obstacles that simply aren’t worth the trouble and the time investment? What are the community’s thoughts on this? I really appreciate everyone’s help.

[aquillen]

I think it obvious you won't get a kit of the 818C untouched unless you happen across someone who bought then never built. Does happen, I personally know one guy who got his that way. But as the months/years pass those will be few and farther between. A kit assembled but still body off would be what you are looking for if you want to know what was assembled underneath and what you don't like when you see it - so you can resolve. Asking on this forum is probably the first place, then search ebay, bring trailer, so on.

If you can scare up a partial build, consider "fixing" what bugs you as part of the kit build. Heck, that is true for a raw unopened kit for that matter - very few are happy to just build to the manual without changes. Heat gun, drill out pop rivits, etc. and scrape off glue, redo it. Might be part of the fun.

I'm so happy with mine, I'd go that route tomorrow if I had to.

And for as long as I have interest, there are always updates and more mods. Right now I can say, consider power steering for a street car, in town and parking lots it is making me happy. (need to post in my thread I guess.)

[fletch]

Art said it well. If the 818C is your passion, go for it! I'm 3+ years into a build. I bought a second-hand kit from a forum user (Bob_n_Cincy). I was very comfortable with my purchase despite not having seen it in person because of Bob's transparency and his participation on this forum. His help, and that of so many others on here, have made the build feasible for a guy like me - mechanically inclined, but with limited automotive experience a only hand tools.

I also agree with his comment that you would probably want to change things about the build whether they be FFR design decisions or those of the previous owner. That's just the nature of these cars since you're not replicating anything. Go your own way and try to have some fun with it.
Best of luck!

[Jeff Kleiner]

This isn't 818 specific but applies to the purchase of any previously started FFR project. I have built 3 roadsters for customers which were started by the original purchaser (who was not the owner/my customer in any of these cases) and the best advice I can give is to trust nothing that has been done. After checking over the first one upon it's arrival as a roller I took it completely apart back down to the bare chassis for a complete do-over. The second and 3rd ones were not quite to that point but still required a 60-70 teardown of the work that had already been done. My point being that if you find a started project you'll be much better off if you don't go into it with the mindset of "Wow, all I have left to do is A, B and C" but rather be prepared to redo it all from the get-go and if you find that you can leave some of the previously completed work as-is consider it gravy!

Good luck!

Jeff

[Dave 53]

My car had a previous owner that got it to a very rough go kart stage. I found it on Auto Trader. Super nice gentleman. I spent a full year un****ing his work before I ever opened the build manual . I had to redo every system in the car. But, now I know and can say I've touched every bolt, wire and hose and it's mine. What he lacked in ability, he made up for in the extensive list of upgrades (I've got a carpet kit, trunk kit, carbon front splitter and rear spoiler I'm not planning on using if anyone is interested). His receipts for the engine and tranny rebuild and Wilwood brakes alone are what I paid for the entire "pile of parts that sort of looked like a car". While I had to redo a lot of his work, he did the donor car teardown which I had absolutely no interest in - it was a fair trade off.

If a car you are considering has yet to be registered, make sure to research what paperwork you will need from the seller to be able to register it.

[cob427sc]

There's an 818c unfinished for sale right above this posting and it's from a reputable builder. He can provide all the info you want along with a better feeling on your end that the work was completed by a knowledeable builder!

[Herbiedogg]

If anyone is looking for an 818C, I have a 2015 818C that I built between 2016 thru 2018. Car is complete with a clear IL title. Donner car was a 2002 WRX. Will send pics to interested parties. Couple highlights: IWIRE harness build #610, FF Wheels, FF Carpet, new seats, runs great asking $22,500