First American DNA Build

[Munkyking]

I thought I would start a thread of the first American DNA Build.

It's also probably going to be the slowest (as I have just bought a tear down house) and the coldest... Its in Minnesota.

The kit has finally made it to Minneapolis and I started the unpacking of the kit on Saturday.
Thanks to DNA for their help in getting it out to me and for the amazing amount of packing they included so that nothing was damaged in shipping.

One of the first questions I think some people would like the answer to is the size of the box it gets shipped in.

Mine is about 6 x 6 x 3 feet and once empty will probably become a playhouse for my Godson... It also weighed in at 3/4 of a ton!

I have taken some pics but need to get some ftp software to load them onto the web. Will hopefully post some in the next few days.

So far, progress is getting everything together (donor car, kit and some 360 wheels) and the required permission from the boss (wife)!

If anyone wants to come out and have a look PM me. Don't be shy, especially if you want to help / bring beer! 

[Munne]

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Munkyking]

Here are some pics as promised...
Box of goodies - note the US customs seal!


What you get inside....


Why are most of the donor cars (that have had accidents) silver? I think insurance companies should take note (and then I should paint my car a different color) 


And some wheels from ebay!


All I need now is some time where it's not so cold that your fingers freeze off as soon as you go outside for 2 mins...

Bought myself an American voltage grinder in the sales this weekend ($8 so it must be good quality) so a good thick coat and some courage and the project should be well and truly started...

[dorige56]

how it with the air to make cold!!!    

[Munne]

Is that an original 356 I see there shining away? 

This will become a very cold build... better buy some gloves! 

[Munkyking]

I wish!
It's my last project, an Intermeccanica 356 Speedster.
It's a bit like the British Chesil speedster but attempts to be as close to the original as possible so has no modern creature comforts (such as winding windows) DOH! 
That's why this time I'm building something with aircon, a working heater, a good demister, crumple zones and something more than a lap belt! 
The speedster is still fun to cruise in though.

[sbsport23]

Wow, how does that body fit in that box. Seems a little small compared to the entire rear section of the car.

You got a little early christmas present. Must have been alot of fun to open that up. I'm soooo jealous. I'll definitely be following your build and I hope to go see it in '08 but it all depends on the little one that's coming in feb. So we'll see.

[CdRsKuLL]

Cant wait to see you get started :-).. I'm nearly finished on mine now.

Hell it looks cold there.. what temp is it ?

[DNA AUTOMOTIVE]

Wow, how does that body fit in that box. Seems a little small compared to the entire rear section of the car.

You got a little early christmas present. Must have been alot of fun to open that up. I'm soooo jealous. I'll definitely be following your build and I hope to go see it in '08 but it all depends on the little one that's coming in feb. So we'll see.

On Export kits the cill section is split but jigged to bolt together simply to allow for cheaper transit otherwise the rear section would make the shipping more than double in cost.

[Munkyking]

Well I have to admit no progress this weekend.

I do have a couple of good excuses (the dog ate my homework )

No, I'm currently tearing down a house and that came first on Saturday. Hopefully a few hundred $$$ of copper towards the cause! Then on Sunday I couldn't find the damn car to start pulling the panels off (6 inches of snow and no garage for it!)
It's been about 21F here which they say on the telly with wind chill is about -7F. Cold enough to freeze your fingers off!

I did have some good news, my latest ebay winning arrived... Can you spot the difference?


Its a DUB City Hotwheels and very 'blinging!'

The apple of my eye is off to Vegas at the end of this week so should get a little more garage time so fingers crossed for more action (in the garage that is!) Freezing aside!

Just a quick note on DNAs comment, they asked me how I wanted the sills shipped and gave me the choice and decided that I could just about manage the bolting together and a quick grp skim, compared to the extra cost of shipping! Looking at the kit it looks pretty easy (though amazingly sturdy compared to my old Westfields body panels!) Though those are probably famous last words!!!

I read on another site (sorry Steve but I have sinned  ) that only 10% of all kit cars bought actually get finished (USA?) by the original purchaser. Has DNA got any idea how many of theirs have been finished by the original purchaser? From the people that have contacted me the number must be nearer 100%!

Hope to have something to report in my next posting!

[DNA AUTOMOTIVE]

I would say that all that have gone out are finished or being worked on none of them are standing around waiting to be finished

[deftspyder]

Hi there... i see you got that model to remind you to get outside, suck it up, and work on the car no matter what the weather

I'm near LA, and am wondering what you paid in shipping to get it to minn?

thanks,
-Bill

[DNA AUTOMOTIVE]

shipping is roughly $1100

[EVANS MOTORSPORTS]

Hi Dude,good luck with the build,any help or advice you need on your build give us a call if steve is busy.We have been involved with the DNA team for a good while now and built a few cars,painted up steves car on here, so well acquainted with all the ins and outs of the build......Cheers .... John at EVMO Liverpool.

[Munkyking]

Thanks mate - much appreciated!
I'm still trying to sort out a place for my 356 replica over winter to free up some garage space. Then I will be able to get suck in. Someone keeps telling me I have to go shopping. You would think it was nearly Christmas or something!!!