Build times, fast, slow, or otherwise

[nabeshin]

Any kit, any model, delivery to legal. I suppose without paint is fine. I realize some kits have less going on than others.

What is the fastest anyone has built a kit?

What about the slowest?

What percentage of builds are abandoned? (For whatever reason)

[OSU Cowboy]

It only took me 11 years and 2 months to build my MK3.1. Several reasons for this. 1) Any time it felt like "work" - I put up the tools and turned off the lights. I never wanted to feel as if I was slogging through the build just to get it done. 2) I was working away from my home 1 to 2 weeks of each month during most of that 11 year period. 3) Family commitments. 4) I'm no master mechanic. Not sure there is anything on the car that hasn't been installed and removed at least 3 times. Lots of time spent on the two forums in order to get things done right. 5) Time spent looking for that tool that I just had in my hands - incredibly frustrating at times. I was simply amazed and amused at myself for how many times this happened.

Still no body work and paint after having it on the road now for ~ 5.5 years. Had I known how much enjoyment I would have from driving it (nearly 25K miles on it now) I think I would have figured out how to get it done faster than I did. OTOH - I did enjoy the build process, although there would be 6 to 9 month windows of time where I didn't touch it due to work or simply motivation.

[herb427sc]

I have been working on and off for 26 years. (1999)

Go-kart (2024)

Scheduled for paint in August this year.

[CDXXVII]

You only get to pick two in a construction triangle.

Good, Fast, Cheap

I took 5 year to build mine. Primarily to spread out cost but as a side benefit I got to spend a bunch of time on the little details.

Sometimes it's the little things that make a build great.


In my opinion, the build is one of the most rewarding parts of the journey. Why rush it.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Built a Coupe in 3 days :p

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=212799&d=1745079610

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=212800&d=1745079815


https://youtu.be/KfCUeNA6cH8?feature=shared

Full disclosure...2 other pro-builders and myself did it in the FFR display at the SEMA show and some prep work was done before we actually began assembly ;)

Jeff

[JimStone]

I have been working on and off for 26 years. (1999)

Go-kart (2024)

Scheduled for paint in August this year.

Ding! ding! ding!

You are the winner, sir!

[Aleinsteingenius]

I am just about to start building. My wife said "Don't build it too fast or you will have to go build another one".:rolleyes:

[GoDadGo]

It took me five years because life got in the way.
Three kids transitioning from private high schools to college wasn't cheap to say the least.
Add in one boogered up engine, one chopped off and reattached pinkie, two weddings and three funerals slowed my progress to a crawl.

For the record, I was very much afraid that I would never get the Redbone Roadster finished.

[FRM]

5 months here sans paint. Was/is a complete 289 kit and a blueprint crate engine. Both of those sped things up a lot I believe. Knocked down the parting lines and did temporary paint to get past title and registration. I had just retired when I started and kids are all grown and out of the house. Haven't decided on paint, but when I do I'll tackle that next. Lot's of fun driving around.

[Ducky2009]

My build went pretty fast. Delivered 2/17/17, First Start & Go-Kart 6/2/17, Licensed 9/1/17, Drove in gelcoat and painted a year later. I still have a partially blue garage floor. lol

Background: I'm retired. I grew up drag racing, fitting engines in cars not intended for high horsepower, so it was a pretty easy build. That being said, the forum was a big help in sourcing parts, and ideas for mods.

[gbranham]

Built my MkIII minus paint in 4 months. 20 years later, when I built my MkIV, I wanted to savor the build. 20 months minus paint, and I still feel like I got done fairly fast.

Greg

[PMD24]

5 months here sans paint. Was/is a complete 289 kit and a blueprint crate engine. Both of those sped things up a lot I believe. Knocked down the parting lines and did temporary paint to get past title and registration. I had just retired when I started and kids are all grown and out of the house. Haven't decided on paint, but when I do I'll tackle that next. Lot's of fun driving around.

Wondering what you applied as temporary paint?

Thanks,
Pat

[nabeshin]

Thank you all for responding. I didn't see a thread like this on here.

When I order my Coupe someday, I hope to be done within a year.

[dbo_texas]

When I picked up my kit I was sure I’d have the build done within 1 year, then body with and paint within another 6 months. Here I am 4 yrs later still working in the build. First start in the very near future. Young kids take up most of my weekends.

[FRM]

Rattle can gloss black.

[F500guy]

I just titled mine, not yet painted. Took just shy of 22 months, received the kit end of June 2023. I can point to a few mods that together took about 3 months of my "build time". Did have a pre-made BPE engine which helped. I am retired but have grand kids, other hobbies, aging parents to assist and president of HOA, so not entirely free time every week. I estimate I did 20 hours per week average. Biggest issue was I need my garage space for other stuff so I wanted to get it to a rolling/running chassis. Did that in less than a year.