Robin Hood Exmo V8 Kit Car ( Westfield / Caterham / Locost / Lotus 7 )

For reluctant sale is a Robin Hood Exmo outfitted with a V8.

Fantastic little go kart bought on a bit of a whim and now for sale because a go kart just isn't practical enough for me to enjoy.   If I had the garage space to keep this alongside my mx5 I would. but the Exmo must be the one to go because Mrs won't go on holiday in it.  

I've had the car since January. and enjoyed it despite the weather (done about 2000 miles in it).   It really is a fantastic experience just turning the key and hearing the v8 roar through the short exhausts.   This is the fastest car I've ever driven. the speed is seemingly effortless. but it is a real pleasure to tootle about country lanes in too.   You WILL get a lot of attention in this car!  Kids can't help but shout at it (mostly good things!) and if you park it anywhere public there is normally someone complimenting it before you even get chance to climb out.

The kit is Ford Sierra based.   Engine is a Rover 3. 5l V8 with an Offenhauser inlet manifold and Edelbrock Carburettor.   5 speed gearbox.   I haven't had it dyno-ed but the informed opinion is that it is approximately 200bhp. but with masses of torque.   Its enough!

Comes with:
Full wet weather gear - newly installed catches so they aren't stiff/crusty. and the roof will stay on reliably at speedSide screensTonneau cover - though this does not appear to have the appropriate mounting points yet. or I'm missing something. 4 point harnesses in green - Comfortable. secure and no more of a faff than normal seatbelts
Nice black OZ alloys with good tyres all round - 3 of which have done <500 milesFull set of 4 alternative sierra wheels - 2 of which have brand new tyres. 2 of which have shoddy tyresHeater/fan matrix - Working but not fitted to the carAluminium passenger foot rest - New but not fitted to the car2x matching black vinyl seats with green piping. in good nick and on adjustable runners1x raw carbon fibre seat with rough cut outs - I'm 6'2" and 18 stone and fit in comfortably with this seat.   Surprisingly extremely comfortable.
Set of rear springs that are lower and with set of spring stiffners installed - The car looks amazing with them on but the spring rate doesn't agree with my weight and garage access. Set of brooklands style wind deflectors (as pictured) - Windscreen is currently fitted as I like to breath at 50mph+ and wanted the option of wet weather gear.
A V8.   This is worthy of its own bullet point.   8 cylinders.   8.
Kick-ass stickers on the back. these are easily removable with some heat. if they are too kick-ass for you. A nearly new extra large helmet and flowery girly helmet (medium I think)

Insurance for myself. male. 27 years old. No NCBs. 7000 miles. £200.   Thats £1 per bhp and less than my mx5 costs.   Insurance is really cheap on this car!

The bad bits:

MOT is due in June.   The last MOT had no advisories whatsoever.   To get it through this MOT it will need either the heating/blower & squibber system hooking up (all parts included except blower air/water plumbing). or the windscreen taking off. and possibly the current CF seat swapping out for one of the vinyl ones with runners.   Taking the windscreen off will take about 5 minutes. as will a seat swap.   If I don't get what I'm looking for pre-MOT I'll put it through myself and re-list.   I'm confident nothing will need doing for the MOT. The paint has flaked at one of the bonnet vents. and there is a piece at the back held on with stickers.   The good news is that the spray can paint (included) is a perfect match.   When polished up the paintwork looks superb.

I suspect first to see/drive will buy.   I did.   It doesn't take much v8 burble. amazing road holding ability. and snap/crackle/pop-ing on the over run to fall in love with this excellent excellent toy.   I'm happy to entertain serious buyers (no test pilots thank you) with a passenger ride. test drives only with the proper insurance and proof thereof.

I did buy this on a whim because it is shiny and sounds amazing.   I'm afraid I am not your typical kit car owner. ie having intimate knowledge of their car.   I will try to answer all questions. but honestly. I don't really understand how it all works. sorry!

Its a go kart. with a v8. and its the summer.   Its worth the grief you will get from Mrs so get bidding!

On 09-May-13 at 16:21:43 BST. seller added the following information:

Oops. I forgot a bad point.   The speedo is unreliable.   I suspect a broken return spring on the needle.   Its a mechanical/cable type and the odometer in the same unit is accurate. so the cable/propshaft side of things is probably fine.   A new dial may be required if this bugs you.   If you have time to look at the speedo you're going too slow.   If you can't breathe you're going too fast.

There has been a lot of interest already and many people have asked what price I will let it go for.   No I won't let you have it for £350 and a packet of crisps. but can't blame you for trying.

I'd like something around the £5k mark. given what I paid for it and its current condition.   I already have a couple of people interested at this price.   I think. given that there is little to compare it to. an auction really is the best way to determine it's worth so I'll just let it run and we'll see where it goes.

Will post some better photos at the weekend.

Thanks for all the interest  :-)

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