Building "Thor"
Discussion
ivanhoew said:
so paul , does this mean you now have two chassis,4 engines ,4 axles ,one bodyshell? whats the final combination going to be ? could you now sell the other rr stuff and get 14k to add to your build fund ?
robert
Have you been peeking in my garage Robert? That is quite an accurate list for Rolls Royce parts but I also have a Minerva chassis, Bentley 3 litre axle, radiator and many other parts, Bentley 8 litre differential, various wheels and tyres plus lots of other bits and pieces.robert
Most of it I will not need so I plan to sell on something like £40k's worth to help fund the build and replenish my coffers a bit.
I do hope it doesn't turn out to look like Chitty....
Paul
Purchased a battery, added some fresh petrol then with a bit of hot wiring (as I have no keys) and some expert assistance (thanks Charlie) the Phantom fired up.
4 or 5 cylinders at first but gradually more. The clutch worked, so a test drive was called for. The brakes seemed to function with a firm shove. The steering, though heavy and with some play, pointed it in the desired direction.
So off for a run down to the village and back. Slipping clutch and a substantial oil leak from inside the bell housing became evident.
It has lots of components we don't see on cars these days. A lubrication system for all suspension pins. Hydraulic self jacking system. Adjustable dampers to firm up or soften the ride.
Great fun. Should be a real blast with a 27 litre fire breathing engine............
Paul
Sorry no pictures. You can't drive and take pics too.
4 or 5 cylinders at first but gradually more. The clutch worked, so a test drive was called for. The brakes seemed to function with a firm shove. The steering, though heavy and with some play, pointed it in the desired direction.
So off for a run down to the village and back. Slipping clutch and a substantial oil leak from inside the bell housing became evident.
It has lots of components we don't see on cars these days. A lubrication system for all suspension pins. Hydraulic self jacking system. Adjustable dampers to firm up or soften the ride.
Great fun. Should be a real blast with a 27 litre fire breathing engine............
Paul
Sorry no pictures. You can't drive and take pics too.
Storer said:
Picture from the drive back. Stopped for coffee.
The Discovery is an auto and it never got into top gear (6th) at any point on the way home but sat there at 1600rpm in 5th at 45mph. Brilliant car, now with 97000 miles on it!
Paul
When you see how the RR makes your Disco look petite, you realise just how big that old girl is!The Discovery is an auto and it never got into top gear (6th) at any point on the way home but sat there at 1600rpm in 5th at 45mph. Brilliant car, now with 97000 miles on it!
Paul
Max_Torque said:
Storer said:
Picture from the drive back. Stopped for coffee.
The Discovery is an auto and it never got into top gear (6th) at any point on the way home but sat there at 1600rpm in 5th at 45mph. Brilliant car, now with 97000 miles on it!
Paul
When you see how the RR makes your Disco look petite, you realise just how big that old girl is!The Discovery is an auto and it never got into top gear (6th) at any point on the way home but sat there at 1600rpm in 5th at 45mph. Brilliant car, now with 97000 miles on it!
Paul
Paul
your problem/added challenge will be that the phantom 3 has a massive cruciform in the middle of the chassis, so you will need to move that backwards to get your meteor & gearbox in.
the B80 engine that's in it (a popular conversion when the original v12 engine started to play up) is worth half decent money as they are used in the 'replica' wo Bentleys, they used to be common and pretty cheap (came out of fire engines), but the supply is starting to dry up.
I have seen an S1 chassis (very similar to the PIII) that has had a foot or so welded into the chassis to extend the engine bay. the people who did it added a series landrover steering idler box into the chassis to make all the steering rods etc work without extending the column. a really neat solution!
I love this project!
the B80 engine that's in it (a popular conversion when the original v12 engine started to play up) is worth half decent money as they are used in the 'replica' wo Bentleys, they used to be common and pretty cheap (came out of fire engines), but the supply is starting to dry up.
I have seen an S1 chassis (very similar to the PIII) that has had a foot or so welded into the chassis to extend the engine bay. the people who did it added a series landrover steering idler box into the chassis to make all the steering rods etc work without extending the column. a really neat solution!
I love this project!
Max_Torque said:
Possibly stupid question, but what sort of tyres are you going to be able to run? Your creation is going to be heavy AND powerful after all?? "Dually" rear axle maybe?? ;-)
the Napier Bentley uses wire wheels and Blockleys, he uses singles if he is racing it, twins if he is sprinting/hill climbing itI don't think they last too long though!
guru_1071 said:
the Napier Bentley uses wire wheels and Blockleys, he uses singles if he is racing it, twins if he is sprinting/hill climbing it
I don't think they last too long though!
The last time I saw the Napier Bentley at Wiscombe (a couple of years ago) it was on single rears and Dunlop Racing tyres, generating copious volumes of rubber smoke,I don't think they last too long though!
rolando said:
The last time I saw the Napier Bentley at Wiscombe (a couple of years ago) it was on single rears and Dunlop Racing tyres, generating copious volumes of rubber smoke,
they may have been dunlops not blockleys, its a while since ive seen it race - he never seems to go to the vscc meeting at cadwell anymorehe can certainly smoke them, that's for sure!
Storer said:
Picture from the drive back. Stopped for coffee.
The Discovery is an auto and it never got into top gear (6th) at any point on the way home but sat there at 1600rpm in 5th at 45mph. Brilliant car, now with 97000 miles on it!
Paul
Would it be wise to not mention towing limits?!The Discovery is an auto and it never got into top gear (6th) at any point on the way home but sat there at 1600rpm in 5th at 45mph. Brilliant car, now with 97000 miles on it!
Paul
Either way, fantastic effort on the whole thing! Can't wait to see how you get on dropping the new engine in!
ARAF said:
I wonder where they are getting the engines from? There is also a discrepancy in the power figures quoted and those produced by a Merlin.I would hope these engines are no longer airworthy as they are not exactly numerous. They are also very expensive if they are. Worn out Merlins (but still runners, just!) are at least £35k and you would be looking at a big bill to rebuild.
They would sound awesome though!!!!!
I took the Phantom and my Meteor engine to our local classic car meeting last night. Ran the engine a couple of times and has an information sheet on the car explaining what I plan to do.
Most couldn't believe I was going to get the engine to fit but some think I should rebuild the car to original condition as it is such a nice looking car.
The trouble is I know it will cost between 100% and 200% of what the car will be worth when finished. Also, I will just have another RR Phantom III by Barker when it is finished (not such a bad thing but not quite what I want).
Hope to go to the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club (I am now a member) annual gathering at Rockingham Castle on the w/e of 21/22 June to gather a bit more info and maybe some inspiration.
Paul
Most couldn't believe I was going to get the engine to fit but some think I should rebuild the car to original condition as it is such a nice looking car.
The trouble is I know it will cost between 100% and 200% of what the car will be worth when finished. Also, I will just have another RR Phantom III by Barker when it is finished (not such a bad thing but not quite what I want).
Hope to go to the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club (I am now a member) annual gathering at Rockingham Castle on the w/e of 21/22 June to gather a bit more info and maybe some inspiration.
Paul
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