David S

Looks fab Jamie. You are way ahead of me. As for the sat nav thing, have a look at my blog as I I have given it a go to build one into the centre console. It may be along the lines you were thinking. I am happy with the results but it may not be everyones cup of tea.

It is coming along really well and looking good.

A factory spec Zetec, if you buy all new parts from them, will run to around £12K (including IVA etc)

Alvaro. That is the right e-mail address. It is not like them not to answer but they may be very busy preparing for a show this weekend. I can't answer for Emerald or ETB as I haven't dealt with them.

I would also be interested to see this as I can't make up my mind whether to fit one or not and how hard or not it is to fit may help me with my decision.

Alonso

Brilliant, I jumped up out of my chair when Vettel went off. Excellent race.

The other option for the steering wheel is to just use the old Sierra one, if you still have it, and then change it afterwards. As for the chassis number, I couldn't see anything in the IVA manual so it must be a DVLA requirement. I think it has to be 17 digits/characters long and can be made up, as long as it is unique. For example GBSZERO1234567890. It has to be on the manufacturer plate and the chassis on the off side front of the vehicle (I think). It has to be either on a plate welded to the chassis or stamped in to the chassis using letters with a minimum height (I think it is 3mm, but it may be 4mm) and without any gaps so no other letters or numbers can be inserted. Hope this helps.

Dan. I can't add to anything that has already been said except to wish you a speedy recovery.

Great report, sounds like a fantastic day. When my Zero is finally on the road, this is the sort of trip I am looking forward to doing.

Sorry, looks like it is still a work in progress. We will have to wait a little longer.

I suspect there may be poblems with them and I suspect that the sterring lock won't work either. You have to have some form of security device fitted to the car and the steering lock is the most simple. The aftermarket steering wheels don't seem to work (the Mountney ones don't) so I would suggest using the Sierra steering wheel for the IVA and then swap over afterwards. This was the advice I got from the factory.

You mean there were words we were supposed to read ll!

Shame, but first day of a jazz guitar course for me so won't be able to make it.

I am going to the fatory for some parts on Tuesday so I will enquire about the build manual with a view to getting a copy for myself. I know they have been working on it for a while so it will be interesting to see what the finished product is like. I still haev enough to do with my build that I could get some use form it.

I think it was DeanColin's Zzero that failed on the seats as he had fitted the runners but in the furthest most forward position the examiner couldn't do up the lap belt. As Nick said, fit them without the runners for the IVA.

I have not had any major problems with GBS. When I have ordered parts on line, they have been quick to be delivered. When I have gone to the factory with 2 A4 pages of questions, they have always been happy to spend an hour with me going through them (Ben has been a star in this respect). I have always had prompt answers to any questions when I call the Technical Support line. If I had one gripe, it is the lack of a build manual. I know the Zero is a reasonably simple car to put together and there is great support there to help you through the build, but a build manual helps put things in to logical steps.

Welcome to the forum. As mentioned, have a look at some build blogs (link to mine below) and also the photo accounts. I am constantly looking at Shaft's picture and Gixerboy's for reference and there are several others as well. Everyone on here is really friendly and will help you every step of the way. Oh and by the way, your English is fine, definately a lot better than my Spanish will ever be!!

Jamie I had the same issues with the gap on the crecents but once the bottom of the rear stays was lifted as per the instruction on Nick's images, the whole panel sort of rotated backwards and upwards a bit and the gap went. I just need to do the final fitting, which I might tackle tomorrow if I am feeling brave. I won't be putting the fold in like Nick has as I am not sure I would get it right. David

That's great, thanks John.

I have made up the rear panel and I am reasonably happy with the overall shape and fit. I have not rivetted it together yet, choosing to use the self tapping screws to line it all up etc. I know I need to bond the rear panel to the chasis rails underneath before rivetting them but have other people bonded the other joins, i.e. where sides meet the bottom part and on the top edge? Also, do you add the edge strip before or after you rivet it all together. It is all so final once it is in place so are there any things that anyone would recommend are done prior to fitting it?

Not the most taxing, but the most daunting for me was the scuttle and the rear panel. Not because they are particularly hard, but because they will be on view and will look pants if you get them wrong!! They really filled me with dread but if you take your time and do them step by step, they are actually a lot easier to do than you think. I am sure if I did a few more I could make them a bit better, but they are certainly acceptable as I have done them.

It is very sad regarding the circumtances of the sale, but that looks like a very nice car and even with the cost of the the IVA, someone is going to get a very good deal.

I would agree with John. I am keeping a detailed spread sheet of everything I am spending and looking at what I have spent so far and what I still have to pay out, it is is looking at around £12K. The factory say about £10K for a Zetec powered Zero but probably don't include IVA etc. I have also kept a separate list of all the other expenses such as van hire, tool hire, new tool box, new tools etc but you may not need to spend in any of these areas. It is also very easy to get caught up in the trap of spending a little extra on things. For example, a pair of seats from GBS are £150 but you may want different seats that cost £200 each. You could re-use the Sierra wiring loom, which is free, or use an aftermarket one costing £150 or get the GBS plug and play one for £400. All these sort of things soon make the cost go up. We are all different and have different budgets and priorities, but as you can see, you can get a cracking car for about £8K (see Shaft's car) and whatever you spend, the grin on your face, as the advert says, will be priceless.

Welcome to the forum. As already mentioned you will find lots of brilliant advice on here from all sorts of very knowledgable people. I am about 6 months in to my build and it is coming along nicely. Not sure if I will have it finished in 12 months like Nick did, but I am just enjoying the process, which is all part of the fun of owning a kit car.