Meet The Owners #1
Name: John Ing
Model: XCS 427 Square Tube
Date of Build: May 2021 – May 2023
Registered: July 1st 2023
Why did you decide to build a kit?
I had built a kit car 20 years ago and wanted to do so again. I was thinking ahead to having more spare time and having something worthwhile to spend time that I was interested in and that also kept me learning and active. I do like setting myself challenges and this seemed like a good challenge.
Why did you choose XCS?
I was impressed with the XCS set up and the engineering behind the car. I also liked the idea of all new parts and no need for donor parts. I thought the quality was the best I had seen. I had a vision of something bit more modern in the shape of the Cobra and XCS seemed to have a similar view to myself.
What tips would you give other builders?
Consider what is important to you and why are you building. Be patient and think ahead. Ask lots of questions and take lots of pictures.
How did you find the process?
I found the process fairly straight forward. Previous experience helped me and of course XCS were very accommodating with my questions.
What was the most challenging part?
One of the most challenging parts was fitting the LS364/450 engine and Tremec 6 speed gearbox. It is an extremely tight fit and needed four of us to get it fitted. There are parts of the build which need consideration and thought and some research, which makes them a bit more challenging. Examples are finding and installing the Canems ECU, getting the fuel system set up, wiring the dashboard, which enables it to be removed easily if needed. That said, the quality of the parts from XCS and the way that they fitted together really helped and was a much better experience than my previous kit car build.
What was your favourite part?
There are lots of highlights for me throughout the build such as; picking up the chassis and the boxes and bag of parts from XCS to begin the build, fitting the engine and gearbox, which required four of us, fitting the body, this time five of us, getting the car back from the painters and seeing the car in the colour I had chosen – awesome, collecting the car from the trimmers, getting through the IVA. However, my favourite was the first time I put the car in gear and it moved forward. It is where the thing you have spent all them hours turns into a car.
Where is your favourite place to drive?
At the moment, I have only driven locally to where I live, although there is a road where I can open it up, which makes me smile. As the weather improves this year I will look to go further afield and really see what it can do.
