how did you learn about cars?

sorry should have made it clear, i've had 2 spitfires, 1 which im almost finished rebuilding and one which i had a slight prang in.
 
Slightly unorthodox compared to most on here. :p

I got a degree in automotive engineering and then a job doing engine development at Lotus.

Then I realised that although I had practical knowledge of how everything should work I really needed some hands on experience so I bought a project car and some tools and mucked around with it lots.
 
I used to 'help' my dad from a very early age when he was messing with engines. It does help that my parents owned a 1958 Landrover when I was young, which constantly broke, so I learnt a lot about what engine bits were what, and why they went wrong etc. Then I owned minis for a number of years, which constantly break too!

So the key is - get an unreliable car, you learn quicker :D
 
kaiowas said:
Slightly unorthodox compared to most on here. :p

I got a degree in automotive engineering and then a job doing engine development at Lotus.

Then I realised that although I had practical knowledge of how everything should work I really needed some hands on experience so I bought a project car and some tools and mucked around with it lots.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a fun job :D
What car did you buy?
 
Started of with my dad always doing his own servicing, maintenance.

I then brought a honda mtx 50 at 60. I blew the engine up about 5 times in the year. It was bored out to 80cc with a few mods. Due to me being poor, I either had to scrap it or rebuild the engine myself. So I rebuilt it. Never re-built a car engine, but I would have a car.

I then wanted a charger, couldn't afford a nice one, ended up buying a really cheap one which needs tons of work. 2-3years later. I'm still learning.

Best way Is to dive into the deep end. I would advise not to buy something rusted though. Get something structurally fine, mechanically dodgy.
 
Vix said:
So the key is - get an unreliable car, you learn quicker :D
Click to expand...
Exactly. I was always running around in mk1 and mk2 escorts mainly and if they broke I couldn't get to college/work/out. I bought a Haynes manual and did most jobs in the end right from changing brake components to stripping down engines and rebuilding them, god I wish I'd had the internet back then though! I think the main thing is keeping track on what goes where - using plastic money bags from the bank for nuts/bolts and labelling them usually works for me! In the end I was up to the level where I was able to regularly rebuild a 'standard' a-series mini engine that revved to 9000 RPM for a car I used to race without worrying about reliability.

These days I tend to do less work on cars as my main car I wouldn't bother on, but I tinker around on my old Escort and now I have an MG ZS as a runabout car I have no doubt I'll be needing to do work on that at some point ;). I've changed the oil in it and I'll probably do the cambelt next as a precaution.
 
Last edited:
Get a classic beetle. I had a 74. They are really easy to work on. Very simple, look good, and parts are cheap. The scene is very friendly and very, very large.
 
Did motor vehicle maintenance at college plus i did engineering at college added to metalwork i did at school so reading haynes manuals was quite easy to understand for the mechanics part then add to that a welding course after hours/night school aided the bodywork stuff and working at metal fabrication factory aided the raw materials side.:D
Did a dead scrapper mk1 scirroco storm lookalike up shame i busted it round a tree 6 months after completion but thats another story :p
 
All the males on my fathers side have worked on cars/tractors/plant etc. so it was pretty much inevitable that I (and my brother) would follow suite.

If you literaly are starting from scratch it would help to know some theory at least (even very general theory from e.g. howstuffworks.com), but nothing is better for learning than actualy getting your hands dirty IMO.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom