Bring that Beat back... 1991 Honda Beat

[Rocket.]

Peter been busy working on the rotten bonnet replacing steel and trying to build up a new edge.










A lot more work to be done but coming on well. Also more work on the shape for the rear cover where hood used to be, template in wood for shaping first then into GRP or Ali.




Throttle body back from vapour blasting.



Working on a shape for perspex sides screens



Height adjustable Gaz shocks now arrived.

Edited by Rocket. on Sunday 23 December 20:04

[Rocket.]

Rakanisheu said:

@OP

I have a BEAT myself but unfortunately somebody decided to slash the roof over the Xmas period. Where did you get the replacement roof for yours?

I have a new roof (dark blue) in a box if it is any good to you which you can have at cost, please pm me if interested.

In response to other posts about screen chop. We'll have to agree to disagree, I am happy with the advice I have received but thanks for your thoughts, in the event I am wrong and it is too flexible then as mentioned before I am up for investing in additional chassis strengthening / bracing to mitigate this, there are some fairly straight forward options open to us, the car will run relatively soft suspension and will never go near a track.

Also we will make sure it will be road legal.

The Beat got Christmas presents.

Edited by Rocket. on Tuesday 1st January 14:13

[Rocket.]

Beat was wheeled out into the sun today, Peter working on shaping the humps behind the seats, really pleased with how the look is coming together.

[Rocket.]

Sorry can't help with English workshop manual but would love one too if you happen to find one.

So you are asking an Essex boy if he wants to remove a spoiler ?

It's a good idea to check so Peter took some pictures with and without and I'll let readers decide what they think, I think I know what I prefer but will wait and see in flesh next week before I decide.

With



Without

Edited by Rocket. on Friday 11th January 18:20

[Rocket.]

It's been a little while since the last update, Peter continues to be busy shaping a wooden template for the rear cover I went over to have a look and test the height of the cover.







Pistons have now arrived from Japan, also testing new Rad for size and the side plate sized clutch.





Also now toying with Porsche Viper green, Peter airbrushed a little on, will also test dark royal blue similar to the old Tyrrell F1 cars.





Drivers seat now repaired.

[Rocket.]

Xaero said:

L100NYY said:

Honda Championship White? A la NSX Type R?

Could badge it as a Honda BeateR

I like this idea.

except I don't really like white, so I think it will have to be green.

[Rocket.]

Yep shouty is good I think, spoiler still undecided, quick update on the Beat configurator

Edited by Rocket. on Wednesday 30th January 16:41

[Rocket.]

Cheers for all the positive comments, it's a fun little project and nice to hear peoples opinions on it.

With regards to when will it finished, we'd like to think middle of this year sometime it is hard to put a time frame on it really. The main body, bonnet and bumpers are getting closer to being ready to prep for paint. Peter still working hard on the buck/template for the rear cover which will then be made in fibreglass.

For the engine we have most of the bits needed now bar the crank and rod shell bearings, gasket set and some ancillary items. The engine shop will rebore and then we can rebuild it soon I hope.

Most of the suspension and brakes are done or almost ready to go back on and interior is basically sorted bar a good clean of carpets and plastics. The finishing details will take longer than expected no doubt (perspex screens, exhaust system etc.) but truth be told I am really enjoying the journey so in no major rush to finish but some summer fun with it would be great.

[Rocket.]

Tyrrell F1 blue test paint

[Rocket.]

Well done with your purchase ! Shame about the windscreen, be very careful jacking up the car before investigating or effecting a repair.

With hindsight I wonder if a lexan windscreen will pass an mot ? Might be worth investigating as if they can it could be your best bet to get one made. There was a 2nd hand screen on ebay recently too, alternatively get the grinder out

Good luck on the engine, in case you haven't found it yet there is good info and a very helpful facebook group too.

[Rocket.]

I bought this Boss from one of the Japanese websites, it wasn't expensive about £20 from memory. I haven't test fitted it yet though.




Peter has been busy, more colour tests, doors off repairing rust, bonda primer, and more work on the hood cover template. Also testing his airbrushing skills with a quick Honda badge for ultimate weight reduction. Will let the pictures do the talking.

[Rocket.]

Misterrd said:

Great thread OP.
there was a wheel dealers episode where they couldnt find a replacement screen, so found a screen with the same curvature and then cut it down to shape.

take a watch - its fascinating - maybe something you could consider.

season 14 ep 4 saab 96

Thanks I am someway past the refitting a windscreen now (even though I do still have the surround/frame just in case) but that is clever stuff none the less.

[Rocket.]

L100NYY said:

I'm not a fan of white cars in general but I would be very very tempted to paint it Championship White a la Integra/NSX R versions.

I think it would look retro cool but also give it a bit of a factory Beat Type R version?

I do get where you are coming from with the tie up of Championship white with Type R versions of Integra / NSX R but the only white I really like is more of an Old English white which I am just not convinced would work on this car, also I've seen a Beat in white and it was not really for me.

[Rocket.]

To get some idea of how small the Beat is here it is parked next to Petes lovely Midget.

It is shorter and narrower, but the doors and interior space are much bigger on the Beat, clever packaging by Honda with the 660cc 3 cylinder mid engine layout.









Another colour to think about, Amaranth Violet

[Rocket.]

Been a while since the last update but we have a colour choice



Quick test on the rear wing and back on the car







The front now test fitting the new rad and battery bracket in place (moved from rear to the front)





Boot being patched up and finished with an Ali cover plate for the old vents





Peter toying around with potential rear badges, the type R or airbrushed 'H'






Rear end now in primer

Edited by Rocket. on Tuesday 19th March 16:56

[Rocket.]

Kawasaki Candy Lime Green metallic

[Rocket.]

Cheers all, red badges it is

Ref engine bits so far so good apart from 3 new oversize forged pistons and rings which took a while to find in Japan and basically cost the same as the original car purchase price...

Hopefully engine shop will have finished reboring and balancing bits by the end of next week so Pete can get on with rebuilding it.

[Rocket.]

Peter been test painting a few more panels, we had some reaction on the paint on the boot lid but the bumper came out well and is lacquered.






I am a bit obsessed with how small this car is, here next to a Mk2 MX5 and it looks 2 foot shorter overall !





Engine bits are coming back from the shop ready to be assembled soon





Peter now getting nice shape on the rear cover, hopefully not long before he can take a mould from it for the fibreglass cover

[Rocket.]

A while back we were toying with air intake and air scoop options, so now weve decided on a 70's F1 style.

[Rocket.]

If only we were quite that brave, but I fear with it fitted we will negate the need for the factory fitted 84 mph speed limiter