Introduction

Introduction

Welcome to my site. My name is Colin Monkman. I live in central Scotland. This site details the build of a Quantum Xtreme kit car. I hope this is of interest, or helpful to someone building the same or similar car.

• Right first things first. Why build a kit car?

Simple answer. I love driving, especially sports cars, and all things mechanical. I'm a practical hands on person, there's nothing I wont have a go at building or fixing (or taking apart to see how it works!). I get that from my Dad. He is just as enthusiastic about the car as me, and will be a massive help during the build.

• Why a Quantum Xtreme?

It takes a long time to choose a kit car thats right for you. Or at least it took me a long time. I would recommend that anyone thinking about getting one, needs to do a lot of research before deciding on "the car". Then once you think you've decided, go and have a test drive! Yes I know that's obvious but, very important. That dream car you've read about and looked at and definitely decided on, can seem a totally different car when you get in and have a drive. Remember there's no use spending countless hours in your garage building a car that you don't fit into, or drives like a dog!

After lots of reading, web browsing and visiting kit car shows, I decided on the Quantum because of its looks, (the rounded boot area is a refreshing change from the box "stuck" to the majority of sevens) overall build quality, stainless steel chassis, road manners and driver foot well space (Not in any particular order).

• The test drive.

On Monday 13th June 2005 I drove down to Devon, a 1000 mile round trip (told you I like driving). I stayed overnight at a B&B then set out early on the Tuesday to the Xtreme Works in Loddiswell. It was a dry sunny morning, a good start. When I arrived I was introduced to Richard the parts manager. He said I should go for a test drive first, then we could discuss the various options. He told me not to worry about getting back at a specific time. This would let me get a good idea what the car was like. The demonstrator was a 2.0 litre pinto with side draft carbs.

I climbed in adjusted the seat and harness, then fired up the engine. It was nice and loud, more so the fact that the exhaust was on the drivers side. The one I would be building has the Zetec engine, with the exhaust exiting on the nearside, thus deafening passengers (this is called forward planning). The first thing you notice is the amount of car that is in front of you, it takes a few miles to get used to it. The most noticeable difference to a normal car is the lack of a brake servo, the pedal has to be pressed harder than usual, however you soon get used to it, and obviously makes no difference to the stopping power. I drove the car on a mixture of roads to see how it handled, and was very impressed by how un-kit like it was. It felt very solid, no rattly bits. On returning to Quantum, I talked through the various options with Richard and John Sampson the owner. I had decided beforehand that it was going to be a kit-in-a-box option, as I had no space to store a donor Sierra. I eventually decided on the 1.8 Zetec, with optional rear disc brakes. I paid my deposit and set off home...