Kiwi car enthusiasts are perhaps the ultimate embodiment of the DIY attitude. We live and breathe it, and for a lot of us there is no challenge too big and no job we won’t get involved with. This attitude is what makes New Zealand so great, and is why our achievements reach far beyond what our size and our population would suggest we should be capable of. There are times, however, when we need to realise our own limitations and know when to seek professional help.

This month we will have a look into some of the dangers of modifying your pride and joy, to help you avoid some of the potential pitfalls.

In my day-to-day work I deal with all manner of projects, and a number have either been completed by the customer or have been brought to us when the owners realised that they had reached the limits of their skills.

Unfortunately, on too many occasions what we end up seeing is a disaster waiting to happen, with all sorts of potential problems that could result in damage to the car, the owner or others. Luckily, we do also get to see some home-built projects that genuinely impress us, with all the correct parts being used and a common sense approach to achieving the right result.

These are the projects that make me proud to be in this industry.

Below are some golden rules for you to keep in mind. (more…)