Donor chassis suggestions ?

[Compo_Simmonite]

I've always wanted to build a traditional style sports car with seperate or flowing wings like Morgan, T Series MG and such - can't afford the real thing
Just developing an idea at present so a mental exercise before even "putting pen to paper" but first off am looking at suitable donor rolling chassis. This would remain 100% original to comply with DVLA "rebody" rules. I'd probably buy a complete car with body that was beyond saving even though that could be quite dear as it'd give me a lot of "period" fittings as well as sellable surplus parts to recoup some of the outlay
I've had Austin 7 Special a few years ago so want something a little bigger this time.
Herald, Spitfire, Minor van, Beetle, Scimitar, Triumph TR's, Kitten, Lotus, MGA, already been dismissed.
I'm after something like Austin A40 Devon / Somerset or Ford 103E.
Any other suggestions ?

Thanks.

Paul H

[Furyblade_Lee]

I would 100% look no further than an MX5 / Eunos Mk1 and use the complete rolling chassis like MEV do. The whole lot will probobly cost you £500. There are absolutely NO downsides with that choice for what you are planning, and you will end up with a very capable car.

[Sam_68]

Furyblade_Lee said:

I would 100% look no further than an MX5 / Eunos Mk1 and use the complete rolling chassis like MEV do.

The MX5 doesn't have a separate chassis. It has a sort of backbone-style 'brace' (called the PPF or Power Plant Frame), but it's nowhere near strong enough or stiff enough to act as a backbone chassis in its own right - the bodyshell of the car itself serves the main structural function:



If I was the OP, and thinking in terms of availability, I'd be looking at a Triumph Herald/Spitfire chassis in the first instance (why have you dismissed them, OP?), I think, although knocking up a simple ladder frame chassis from scratch wouldn't be too difficult.

[Compo_Simmonite]

Sam_68 said:

: I'd be looking at a Triumph Herald/Spitfire chassis in the first instance (why have you dismissed them, OP?), I think, although knocking up a simple ladder frame chassis from scratch wouldn't be too difficult.

The reason I dissmised Triumph Herald / Spitfire is I want a leaf sprung live rear axle plus the modifications needed to the chassis for the style I desire (removal of side outriggers, front protrusions and rear boot supports) would mean BIVA test.
I'm not wanting to make a modern version of a 1950's special but rather duplicate the original 1950's techniques as well hence wanting a correct period base.

Paul H

Edited by Compo_Simmonite on Tuesday 24th January 12:22

[fuoriserie]

A panel kit using the Mk4 Mazda Mx5, th Mitsuoka Himiko

[vladcjelli]

fuoriserie said:

A panel kit using the Mk4 Mazda Mx5, th Mitsuoka Himiko

How much? Where from? And, is it a home job, or is it something a proper garage would have to do?

No money, so no hurry, but I really like that.

Only thing bothering me is the wheels look way further forward than on an MX5. Is it just an optical illusion?

ETA: Not a kit car, factory built mod. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...

Edited by vladcjelli on Tuesday 24th January 12:45

[Sam_68]

Compo_Simmonite said:

The reason I dissmised Triumph Herald / Spitfire is I want a leaf sprung live rear axle plus the modifications needed to the chassis for the style I desire (removal of side outriggers, front protrusions and rear boot supports) would mean BIVA test.
I'm not wanting to make a modern version of a 1950's special but rather duplicate the original 1950's techniques as well hence wanting a correct period base.

Fair enough... I think it's going to come down to what is available, more than what you'd like, then. We could go on suggesting alternatives until the cows come home, but if there are none for sale (with the necessary identity/V5), then it's not going to help you much.

Something like this perhaps?

[fuoriserie]

vladcjelli said:

How much? Where from? And, is it a home job, or is it something a proper garage would have to do?

No money, so no hurry, but I really like that.

Only thing bothering me is the wheels look way further forward than on an MX5. Is it just an optical illusion?

ETA: Not a kit car, factory built mod. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrive...

Edited by vladcjelli on Tuesday 24th January 12:45

Here you go, you can find all the info :

http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/english/lineup/himik...

PDF:
http://www.mitsuoka-motor.com/english/lineup/himik...

I'm not sure they supply kits though...but coud be wrong.

[Furyblade_Lee]

Doh! Sam I stand corrected...

But I would still prefer one of those with an extra fabricated chassis around it to strengthen it rather than some old soggy 50's or 60's nail. Could it be done??? And I just re-read the other posts, he WANTS leaf springs etc. I am out.

[Skyedriver]

They stretch the wheelbase ahead of the a pillar acording to the text
So that means IVA then?

[Sam_68]

Furyblade_Lee said:

...I would still prefer one of those with an extra fabricated chassis around it to strengthen it rather than some old soggy 50's or 60's nail. Could it be done???

I'm sure it could be done if you were ingenious enough, but it wouldn't retain the original chassis' 'identity', which the OP is wanting to do in order to dodge IVA... the PPF is just a minor subframe; the 'chassis' of an MX5 would be the unitary body/chassis unit.

...and if you weren't bothered about retaining the chassis identity to avoid IVA, the easy answer is to buy a Spyder backbone chassis rather than try to cobble something onto the Mazda PPF and drivetrain.

I would have suggested a Lotus backbone chassis to create something similar to the AF Sports (which actually used one of Spyder's Elan-replacement style spaceframe backbones), but for the fact that he want's something with authentically primitive suspension.