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.
Showing Season 1 of 1
Season 1
1999
No overview available.
01. Episode 1
1999-07-01
Mark meets Ian Stent from Which Kit? at the National Kit and Performance Car Show, before visiting the factory where his kit is manufactured.
02. Episode 2
1999-07-08
Mark goes shopping for tools and a second-hand car to provide spare parts, taking the Owners Club secretary along with him for advice.
03. Episode 3
1999-07-15
Volunteers from the local college strip the second hand car of spare parts, and the engine and gearbox are sent to a specialist for reconditioning.
04. Episode 4
1999-07-22
The rear axle is reconditioned with some components being sent away for powder-coating, and Mark gets a progress report on the engine.
05. Episode 5
1999-07-29
Mark installs axles, suspension hubs and brakes and engineer Dave Peters chips in with some tips as they succeed in creating a rolling chassis.
06. Episode 6
1999-08-05
A reconditioned engine is built up and bench-tested, and Mark checks out extras from retro-look air filters to race-tuned carburretors.
07. Episode 7
1999-08-12
Mark puts together the engine, gearbox, a new clutch and the exhaust, before testing to see if everything works!
08. Episode 8
1999-08-19
Mark rivets the body parts onto the chassis, finding out about shut-lines, panel fit and GRP from engineer Robert Kemp.
09. Episode 9
1999-08-26
Mark chooses an authentic walnut dashboard from a vintage gauge company before sanding and polishing it, ready for testing.
10. Episode 10
1999-09-02
Mark puts his personal stamp the interior of his replica AC Cobra, buying everything from carpeting and door lining trim to seat belts.
11. Episode 11
1999-09-09
Mark gets to grips with wiring his replica AC Cobra, installing a loom, connecting electric components and fixing that all-important car stereo.
12. Episode 12
1999-09-16
It's all about basic aesthetics today as we learn how to finish off a GRP shell by masking and priming the car bodywork ready for finished topcoat.
13. Episode 13
1999-09-23
Mark fits the hood, headlights, bumpers and racing wheels, and visits specialist suppliers for the badges to put his individual stamp on the car.
14. Episode 14
1999-09-30
Mark's creation undergoes the Single Vehicle Approval test and we travel to Bristol for the vehicle inspector's opinion on how the car measures up.
15. Episode 15
1999-10-07
Mark takes his creation to a kit car show to see how it compares to other models, and gets feedback from the experts as the car is entered for a car club track day.