In 1999, I felt the need to build another kit car. This time the financial side of it would be funded by myself and after building the Geep, I felt it was time for a more involved build. Initial investigation into the current crop of kit cars pulled up three potential candidates. I decided against a Seven style car as they seemed a bit impractical although great fun. A bike engined car was out due to requiring one bottle of asprin per hundred miles travelled. I didn't want to make a replica - I wanted something that can stand up in it's own right. This narrowed it down to the Phantom GTR, an Ultima or the GTM Libra. The Phantom wasn't available as a kit yet and looked like it would cost too much anyway. An Ultima, well, maybe when I'm extremely rich. Although though the basic chassis and body kit seems affordable, when you tot up everything you would need for a build it gets all out of control. That left the GTM Libra. After travelling up to Sutton Bonnington, I knew the moment I saw it I had to have one although I pretended to myself that I could be objective about it all.

I came home with all the information, priced it up and went, OK, if I must. I placed an order for a red kit (there weren't many of them about at that time) and arranged for a collection date. I had the intention of using the 1.8VVC engine from the outset so informed the factory of all details.

Once again I set about trying to find a donor vehicle. This proved more difficult than you would think. It seems K-Series Metros were short on the ground! Eventually I tracked one down at £500 from a scrappy. Went to have a look, it seemed in a bad state but I needed something so paid them and got them to deliver it.

Then I set about pulling the Metro apart. Easier than you may think and only took a relaxed weekend from start to finish working on my own. Mainly all I used were standard hand tools and a large angle grinder. The most interesting part was depressurising the hydrogas system with the angle grinder.... Use the link on the left to see the destruction of the Metro.

Collection of the Libra involved hiring a Luton van (it was recommended as one part of the body shell can fit above the cab) and venturing up to Leicestershire. At his time I was living in Berkshire to it wasn't quite as easy as it is now that I live in Leicester. I collected my friend Luke from Leicester and we ventured to Sutton Bonnington. We spent the Saturday morning wrapping everything in fabric (Luke worked for a fabric warehouse so he had access to loads of off cuts) then loaded the van and off I went.

Back at home in Berkshire that whole thing unloaded very easily and was set up in the garage. I spent a couple of weekends fixing the suspension on which all went very quickly. Shortly after that, I moved house (I was living at my parents) and found a house near Basingstoke to share with Jessica that had a garage. Trouble is the garage was in a block at the end of the road, had no power and leaked like a sieve. Consequently the Libra remained at my parents much to their enjoyment. I then moved to Leicester with Jessica and we rented a house but it had no garage. The Libra remained at my parents. Finally in summer 2001, Jessica and I bought a house in Leicester with a garage. Wooo Hooo. In February 2002 I was ready to get the kit and through a friend of my Dad, hired a 3.5 tonne truck complete with driver and willing side kick and moved the kit, two engines and all other assorted bits to Leicester. Then the fun could start....

Fortunately, during this time I was able to refurbish almost every part of the car and also purchase the majority of parts needed to complete the build. Through this I befriended the guys in Parkers, Green Lane Road, Leicester. I now receive a nice discount on everything I buy from them, although it's not a surprise when you consider how much I have spent with them! A large quantity of aftermarket parts were purchased from Demon Tweeks and after some haggling a 10% discount received on it all.

As of 18th August 2003, the build is complete! I attended SVA in Shrewsbury - about 100 miles from Leicester - details available on the SVA page. Unfortunately it didn't pass, but it was all minor points that are easily sorted. Retest is booked for the 29th August. After SVA, the 'extra' bits will be added.

---

Engine

A 1.8VVC engine was sourced complete with gearbox and was supposed to come with an ECU. I was stiffed on the supply of the ECU so had to source one through Reyland Motors. This was supplied by Martin complete with matched 5AS and two plips. Excellent service and I can't recommend them enough. The engine will be fitted with a lightened flywheel and uprated clutch (when I get round to sticking them on) supplied by Power Train Products. It will also be fitted with a 52mm Trophy throttle body (Power Train Products) and remote fuel regulator (Demon Tweeks). These will be fitted after SVA to ensure compliance with the emissions regulations. Breathing will be through a K&N 57i induction kit (see Kinnor Services http://www.filterpower.com).

Lightweight Flywheel	AP Racing Clutch	Trophy Throttle Body

MGF K&N 57i Induction Kit	Fuel Pressure Regulator

---

Chassis/Body

The 'chassis' on the Libra is a fibreglass monocoque and as such doesn't require any special treatment. The underside will be coated in underseal however, to reduce road noise and prevent gel coat cracks from stones.

All holes into the main monocoque have been sealed to prevent water ingress. The wheels have been powder coated black (Thanks to Beta Powder Coaters, Pindar Road, Hoddesdon), a black front splitter is ready to be fitted after SVA and an aftermarket spoiler is to be fitted to the boot. This is the same as on Greg Starks V6, but mine is currently stopping my loft floor boards from taking off. The front vent, bonnet vents, side vents and rear vents are covered in black mesh.

E-Tech Spoiler	Powder Coated Wheel

---

Brakes & Suspension

The suspension uses GTM supplied upside down coil over oil shocks and is fitted in stock GTM form. The front brakes use EBC Turbo Groove vented discs with reconditioned callipers which have been painted red and loaded with Green Stuff pads. The rear brakes are Rover 200/400 with the solid discs skimmed as required and fitted with reconditioned callipers also painted red. All wheel bearings have been replaced due to the fact they will be primarily turning the opposite way to the Metro due to the side swapping during build

EBC Turbo Groove Disc	EBC Green Stuff Pads

---

Interior

The interior is fitted with the GTM hard trim option pack (to be trimmed in alcantara) and also the GTM instrument pack. The colour will be a mixture of grey and black. The steering wheel is to be an OMP item as will the gear knob and pedals. The seats are red and black Cobra Sidewinders fitted with inflatable lumbar support. The stereo consists of an MP3 player to be mounted in a bespoke central console. Seven speakers are fitted, two in the rear panel, two in the side panels, two in the footwell area and a sub box on the rear shelf. Two amps are fitted in the footwell area. Two interior lights have been fitted, one in the footwell and one in the rear section of the roof. Door switches have been fitted for the interior lamps. All bezel plates and the central console are finished in carbon fibre sheet. A push button starter to to be employed for the extra sense of occasion. Heater controls are located in the right hand switch recess because the switches will be fitted in the central console.

GTM Dial Option (finished in Carbon Fibre Sheet)

Cobra Sidewinder

OMP Steering Wheel	OMP Gearknob	OMP Pedals

---

Performance

It certainly isn't slow.

---

Total Cost

Totting-Up continues on the costs page.

---

Where is it now?

In my garage begging to be driven.

---