The Clubman - What is it? 

Clubmans, or Clubbies as they affectionately referred to by the people who build them are a light, quick, two-seater sports car that can either be built from scratch or from a kit. They are descended from the Lotus 7 and the famous modern interpretation, the Caterham. They are constructed with a steel space frame chassis and have simple Aluminium panelling with fibreglass nosecone and cycle guards on the open wheels. Due to the embracing of Colin Chapman's quote "More power makes you go faster in a straight line, less weight makes you go faster everywhere else", their lightweight of approximately 600kg means they have incredible acceleration and cornering capabilities.

Building a Clubbie is a matter of cost vs time. 

Scratch builds are built from the ground up or in other words from a pile of steel into a car. Scratch builds or "Locosts" are very time consuming to build. Usually, with proficiency and friends they can be constructed reasonablly quickly, with an average Locost build times from 1-3 years. If you don't have to pay other people for their labour they have the potential to be cheaper than a kit. You will also need own a larger array of tools, such as MIG or TIG welders, etc.

Kit builds tend to be quicker and can suit people with fewer mechanical skills. They are somewhat more expensive and some part/component hunting is still required. Most kits contain a chassis, panelling and fibreglass sections as well as miscellaneous bits and pieces to make sure they are put together without worrying about fabrication. Most other Australian kits to date require the customer to do the work to find components to make their kit work or offer the parts "at a price". A kit is also generally a tried and tested way to go as you know others with the same kit have gotten through registration and you can rely on their knowledge and help as well.

Update: while still building mine I have found that modifications to accommodate engine, gearbox and provided parts are still required with the kit. Before powder coating and full assembly it is STRONGLY recommended by me that you do a dry-assembly of all parts (note different bushes will be required as the ones provided with the kit will not survive the powder coating process and are also impossible to get out without damage). Holes may need to be redrilled for proper alignment and it is a good way to check whether you have all the parts required. Also extra nuts and bolts will almost certainly be required so find somewhere nearby that stocks a large range of metric bolts and nuts. Please note: from my experience this kit is not a simple bolt together car and sometime is required to make everything fit. It is however still far easier than a scratch build.

WHY?