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The first of the '…Is Born' series is presented by former vet turned TV motor mechanic Mark Evans. Mark builds a Pilgrim Sumo - a replica inspired by the 1960's supercar the AC Cobra.Over 15 episodes, 'A Car is Born' is a step by step guide to building a supercar from a kit - from choosing the kit to taking the finished car for testing by Ian Forrest - Chief Racing Instructor at Knockhill Race Circuit.The philosophy of the show is a simple one - to provide anybody watching with the confidence and the knowhow to have a go for themselves. Although Mark is an avid car enthusiast, he had never tackled a project like this before, but it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of his life and has sparked a passion for engineering projects. A Car Is Born helped give a welcome boost to the whole kit car industry; it has been estimated that from an audience of over 2m so far nearly 2000 people have been inspired to purchase and embark on their own projects. The Kit CarBuilt from a very high quality kit, The Sumo comprises of a very tough fibre glass body which is assembled on an extremely durable, long lasting, steel chassis, built like they used to build them. We can supply your chassis galvanised so that it will last for a very long time and resist all the efforts of our British weather. Pilgrim have a high regard for the personal safety of their customers; this is why the Sumo chassis is made from such strong material and plenty of it. it has a massive steel transmission tunnel backbone and panelled steel bulkheads braced to the main chassis structure. The chassis is JIG assembled and MIG welded by craftsmen. The body is hand-laminated with layers of fibreglass impregnated with polyester resin, resulting in a very strong structure which is not degraded by water or road salt, and with a high quality gel-coat surface ready for keying and painting. The bonnet, boot and doors are all supplied double skinned for maximum strength. Ford components form the mechanical basis of the Sumo. They are reliable in operation, inexpensive to purchase and easy to repair and maintain. The easiest and cheapest method of obtaining a complete set of mechanical parts is to take them from a "donor car". Pilgrim have selected the Ford Sierra or the Ford Granada Mk5 as the donor car for the Sumo. There are thousands of these cars on the road with rotten bodies but in excellent mechanical condition. Their perfectly sound mechanical parts (engine, gearbox, axles, suspension, wiring loom, pedal box, steering column, etc) are serviced, cleaned and repainted as necessary prior to use in the Sumo. Engine choice includes all those fitted to the donor. For those requiring shattering performance, powerful engines from Rover, Ford or Chevrolet can all be fitted. Out on the road it is easy to see why the Sumo is so popular, indeed, it is difficult to go anywhere without drawing admiring glances and the envious gaze of other road users and pedestrians. The rumbling exhaust, comfortable driving position and that feeling of being as one with the car, invites the open roads. The power to weight ratio in such a light car is enormous, allowing excellent acceleration from the lights. The Sumo’s well balanced and positive handling characteristics provide the driver with the confidence of complete control. Driving is fun once again.
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