Driving the Zero!

FINALLY! The DVLA got my documents back to me following a letter from GBS confirming the chassis was new and unused and also part of a kit. To be perfectly honest, it's come at the worst possible time. The final couple months of my final year in university at the point I should be working on my dissertation....

Despite the obvious, I should do my dissertation first thought process, I still went and got my plates made up and went straight to Tamworth to put them on the car...well the rear one at least. I can't find a suitable place to fit the front plate without blocking the radiator or risking snapping it off on the speed bump right outside the estate. Well 1 month of driving around Coventry and a trip down to Wiltshire and back and no law enforcement has said anything yet, although I have carried it with me after throwing it on the ground a bit for the "it fell off officer" speech until the sticker plate comes to fit on the top of the nosecone.

This is the time I've been waiting for since starting the build, the final, road legal, self built car. Amazing. Still can't get over that thought whilst driving. "I built this!"

Now I haven't had kids, but if you have and thinking about starting your own project, then do it, kids are overrated...and more expensive according to my parents.....

 

The car has been on the road nearly a month now. I have driven it the 100 miles down to Wiltshire to see the family and back and also between Coventry, Tamworth, around Coventry and just in general really. Without any need for a daily commute to work, and including the IVA test drives of 120miles total, I have racked up around 600-700 miles already! They sure do fly by!
So far the only problems I have had are:

• The battery going flat - turns out there is a drain somewhere, but a master battery cut-off switch has solved this issue whilst also improving security.
• The steering wheel came off - well I more pulled it off by trying to use it to pull myself out the car. Stupid really but lucky as there wasn't actually much thread engaged on the previous bolts! Longer bolts acquired and used!
• Fuel....yeah I ran out. Turns out the car will pull around 20mpg when driven relatively enthusiastically everywhere. Plus keeping revs at around 3000 as it sounds better than 2000....that's now changed and actually the 1000-2000 is much more pleasant to listen to.
• Overheating issues in traffic. Originally just driving at below 30mph would mean overheating but a coolant top up solved this major hurdle. Although sitting in traffic for a long period of time also raises the temperature a bit. May look to upgrade the fan - it was a cheap ebay purchase!
• Rain. Problem of having a fair weather car in the UK during April shower season. Not much I can do without controlling the weather...oh wait, I can buy a half hood! Shame that costs money I don't have yet...roll on the student loan! This is going to be my next purchase as soon as possible.

Overall the experience of building and now driving the Zero has been the best ever. Even with approximately 100bhp, weighing 550kg means that there is not much below £20k that can compete off the line. The thrill of being so close to the road and the acceleration is something I've never experienced before. Nothing can give you so much fun whilst simultaneously being so incredibly scary!