Building "Thor"
Discussion
The next 10 days should be a pivotal moment in the build with seeing important components acquired. Sorry for the mystery but some purchases are a bit hush-hush, but I have high hopes.
I know most are expecting rapid progress with regular updates. I suspect they have never tried a build from scratch. There needs to be a fair bit of planning and investigation. In my case I started the wrong way round and acquired an engine, had a few ideas, then bought other assorted parts. This is not a great way to commence a build.
Then the planning and investigation started. So completely arse about face really.
Now more plans have been formed and following lots of investigation, I have spent time fabricating things to assist with the build. Today has seen me collecting a new compressor. My old one finally gave up the ghost while painting one of my engine dollies. It was built in 1961 (when we made things too last) and I have had it for 23 years and it has been a faithful old servant but there is now more air coming out of the crankcase than into the air tank.
The new one should be able to cope with paint spraying and sand blasting and is "only" 12 years old. Also bagged an airline hose reel and headlight beam setter for not a lot, so quite a good day despite the carp weather.
Paul
I know most are expecting rapid progress with regular updates. I suspect they have never tried a build from scratch. There needs to be a fair bit of planning and investigation. In my case I started the wrong way round and acquired an engine, had a few ideas, then bought other assorted parts. This is not a great way to commence a build.
Then the planning and investigation started. So completely arse about face really.
Now more plans have been formed and following lots of investigation, I have spent time fabricating things to assist with the build. Today has seen me collecting a new compressor. My old one finally gave up the ghost while painting one of my engine dollies. It was built in 1961 (when we made things too last) and I have had it for 23 years and it has been a faithful old servant but there is now more air coming out of the crankcase than into the air tank.
The new one should be able to cope with paint spraying and sand blasting and is "only" 12 years old. Also bagged an airline hose reel and headlight beam setter for not a lot, so quite a good day despite the carp weather.
Paul
Ran new compressor before bolting it down (just in case) and it runs fine.
The new tank is a bit bigger than before (270 lit) and the 7.5hp motor has no trouble filling it to 150psi in about 4 mins from empty. Great score for £250.
No more pressure variation paint spraying, sanding or even grit blasting for me. Wahooooooooo.
Paul
BTW. Next few days should be interesting too....
The new tank is a bit bigger than before (270 lit) and the 7.5hp motor has no trouble filling it to 150psi in about 4 mins from empty. Great score for £250.
No more pressure variation paint spraying, sanding or even grit blasting for me. Wahooooooooo.
Paul
BTW. Next few days should be interesting too....
Today has not gone as planned.
Went to an auction thinking I might buy two cars/chassis for my project but ended up with nothing.
How much would you pay for this?
It was guided at between £750 and £1500. I was prepared to pay quite a bit more if necessary but I was not prepared for what it went to....
£13000 at the fall of the gabble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was the under bidder at £12750 but quite glad I didn't get it at that to be honest. There is another 14.4% buyers premium to add so it actually cost £14482.
The second more complete car made £20000 + premium but that was guided at £5k to £10k.
The prices that the spares where fetching also suggested I need to rethink my plan to use RR parts. £1400 for a rad and grill, £3400 for 4 starter motors, £440 for 2 wheel spanners and everything would need refurbishing...............
More hair will disappear while I do some more head scratching.
Paul
BTW. The buyer of the above chassis is building a Bentley Blue Train replica with it and another bidder was planning an aero engine special, so there a few other nutters out there.
Went to an auction thinking I might buy two cars/chassis for my project but ended up with nothing.
How much would you pay for this?
It was guided at between £750 and £1500. I was prepared to pay quite a bit more if necessary but I was not prepared for what it went to....
£13000 at the fall of the gabble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was the under bidder at £12750 but quite glad I didn't get it at that to be honest. There is another 14.4% buyers premium to add so it actually cost £14482.
The second more complete car made £20000 + premium but that was guided at £5k to £10k.
The prices that the spares where fetching also suggested I need to rethink my plan to use RR parts. £1400 for a rad and grill, £3400 for 4 starter motors, £440 for 2 wheel spanners and everything would need refurbishing...............
More hair will disappear while I do some more head scratching.
Paul
BTW. The buyer of the above chassis is building a Bentley Blue Train replica with it and another bidder was planning an aero engine special, so there a few other nutters out there.
I could make a new chassis. It is all about the ability to register the car so that it doesn't require any government testing.
Anybody can build a car, but you need to do it so that it is legal and safe. However, there is no way I want some jobsworth telling me it can't be driven on UK roads.
Paul
Anybody can build a car, but you need to do it so that it is legal and safe. However, there is no way I want some jobsworth telling me it can't be driven on UK roads.
Paul
Thanks for all the input chaps.
I think I have sourced a chassis to enable me to take things forward. Time will tell.
There is another development on the horizon which will also speed things along. More on this in a couple of weeks time.
Couple of pics of the engines on their stands.
How about 24 cylinders and 54 litres in one car.........No, lets not be too silly.
Paul
I think I have sourced a chassis to enable me to take things forward. Time will tell.
There is another development on the horizon which will also speed things along. More on this in a couple of weeks time.
Couple of pics of the engines on their stands.
How about 24 cylinders and 54 litres in one car.........No, lets not be too silly.
Paul
I didn't feel that a car with that history should be converted into a special. It would not have been large/strong enough anyway.
The auctioneers expected it to go for far more but it would have cost £80k to restore and still have only been worth £60K when finished.
Rudyard Kipling's daughter only lived about 4 miles from where I am so there was a slight connection but it was not for me...
Paul
The auctioneers expected it to go for far more but it would have cost £80k to restore and still have only been worth £60K when finished.
Rudyard Kipling's daughter only lived about 4 miles from where I am so there was a slight connection but it was not for me...
Paul
The problem is I want to be able to drive it on UK and European roads. If I built something like Jay's car I would have to put it through SVA.
I want to go down a route that doesn't require any testing. In the US it seems possible to drive just about anything on the road.
I have looked at truck chassis and they are basically a straight ladder chassis and twist like mad. I hope the car will weigh between 2 and 2.5 tonnes when complete which is similar to the original Rolls Royce Phantom II. I expect to have to add a good deal of strengthening but I am not building a road rocket or dragster. I am after the grin factor, flames, noise, smoke, etc.
Paul
Oh, and it will be rear wheel drive...............
I want to go down a route that doesn't require any testing. In the US it seems possible to drive just about anything on the road.
I have looked at truck chassis and they are basically a straight ladder chassis and twist like mad. I hope the car will weigh between 2 and 2.5 tonnes when complete which is similar to the original Rolls Royce Phantom II. I expect to have to add a good deal of strengthening but I am not building a road rocket or dragster. I am after the grin factor, flames, noise, smoke, etc.
Paul
Oh, and it will be rear wheel drive...............
I must say I like the look of the basic shape of this, even if the "trinkets" are a bit OTT.
I have been giving gearbox and back axle some thought. I could use a Rolls Royce auto box (4 speed) mounted to the stepper box (needed as the engine only revs to 2500rpm).
Been thinking about truck axles. Trouble is they tend to have air brakes and not sure I want the complication/weight of an air system. I don't have experience or knowledge of older truck axles with non-air brakes so don't know what to look for.
More research needed.
Paul
I have been giving gearbox and back axle some thought. I could use a Rolls Royce auto box (4 speed) mounted to the stepper box (needed as the engine only revs to 2500rpm).
Been thinking about truck axles. Trouble is they tend to have air brakes and not sure I want the complication/weight of an air system. I don't have experience or knowledge of older truck axles with non-air brakes so don't know what to look for.
More research needed.
Paul
Edited by Storer on Thursday 31st October 21:34
Storer said:
I must say I like the look of the basic shape of this, even if the "trinkets" are a bit OTT.
I have been giving gearbox and back axle some thought. I could use a Rolls Royce auto box (4 speed) mounted to the stepper box (needed as the engine only revs to 2500rpm).
Been thinking about truck axles. Trouble is they tend to have air brakes and not sure I want the complication/weight of an air system. I don't have experience or knowledge of older truck axles with non-air brakes so don't know what to look for.
More research needed.
Paul
I think this is the car used in the film "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" - it is rather sad that I know that....I have been giving gearbox and back axle some thought. I could use a Rolls Royce auto box (4 speed) mounted to the stepper box (needed as the engine only revs to 2500rpm).
Been thinking about truck axles. Trouble is they tend to have air brakes and not sure I want the complication/weight of an air system. I don't have experience or knowledge of older truck axles with non-air brakes so don't know what to look for.
More research needed.
Paul
Edited by Storer on Thursday 31st October 21:34
Paul
ivanhoew said:
paul, to get a 'no need for sva' car ,as far as I can tell . you need an accrued 8 points ,that's
5 points unmodded chassis,
2 points axles stock
2 points suspension stock ,
and 2 points steering stock .
so you need the 5 points for the unmodded chassis ,. that means no moving the crucifix etc , BUT....
there's nothing I can find about adding strengthening to the chassis ..so maybe a lorry chassis that has the wheelbase you want , of the right era ,with whatever extra metal you want , would pass ?
there a website 'a.c.e' I think will find it, that seems to be specialising in mediating between the dvla and the modthusiasts.
robert
Hi Robert5 points unmodded chassis,
2 points axles stock
2 points suspension stock ,
and 2 points steering stock .
so you need the 5 points for the unmodded chassis ,. that means no moving the crucifix etc , BUT....
there's nothing I can find about adding strengthening to the chassis ..so maybe a lorry chassis that has the wheelbase you want , of the right era ,with whatever extra metal you want , would pass ?
there a website 'a.c.e' I think will find it, that seems to be specialising in mediating between the dvla and the modthusiasts.
robert
I missed your reply, hence the tardy response - my apologies.
I will look into what you have said but I also have a friend who thinks that we can get a letter from an authority on the marque which will short cut the system. I have to constantly keep one eye on the regs to ensure it fits the "system".
The thing is that none of us want to build a vehicle that is not safe to use on the public highway. We want them to be "special" and different, an expression of our inner self. My main reason for the build is to challenge myself. I am well outside my comfort zone with no engineering training but I enjoy the learning process.
Paul
guru_1071 said:
Storer said:
Been thinking about truck axles. Trouble is they tend to have air brakes
if your thinking of truck axles then look at mid 60's bedfords, they had hydraulic drum brakes that worked just like a car, nothing fancy at all.the 'VAL' model coach (with the twin front axels, in case you thinking of building something like the white car) use 16" wheels with 6 studs (also used on Bedford tk's etc), the 'VAM' models used 19" wheels with 8 stud wheels.
ive seen something before that the raf had a Bedford tk with a meteor fitted, so a tk rolling chassis would maybe be the way to go!
ive got some photos of some Bedford axles and chassis from when I meddled with VAMs and VALs if you want to see what it all looks like?
Paul
I like the look of this.......
but I bet the budget was somewhat larger than what I am hoping to get away with spending.
Shame they didn't use the V16 supercharged engine but it is only make believe and special effects can make it sound right for the film.
Can you imagine driving that down to Le Mans!!!!!
Paul
but I bet the budget was somewhat larger than what I am hoping to get away with spending.
Shame they didn't use the V16 supercharged engine but it is only make believe and special effects can make it sound right for the film.
Can you imagine driving that down to Le Mans!!!!!
Paul
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