My idea for a fun project

[Byard]

I have use of a field so recently I've been thinking of buying a sub £300 car or as cheap as I can find, removing the doors, bonnet, boot, wings, shell, everything so your just left with a chassis and engine and 1 seat. Maybe welding in some above head support, there you have it, a great fun little buggy. It will also be fairly quick regardless which car you use due to all the weight removed!

Any forseeable problems with this idea? Has anyone ever done this before?

[Mr Gear]

Byard said:

I have use of a field so recently I've been thinking of buying a sub £300 car or as cheap as I can find, removing the doors, bonnet, boot, wings, shell, everything so your just left with a chassis and engine and 1 seat. Maybe welding in some above head support, there you have it, a great fun little buggy. It will also be fairly quick regardless which car you use due to all the weight removed!

Any forseeable problems with this idea? Has anyone ever done this before?

One problem... by removing the "shell" you are also removing the chassis in anything built after about 1970.

It would also fail MOTs, but totally uninsurable, and probably be highly dangerous.

[Pothole]

Mr Gear said:

Byard said:

I have use of a field so recently I've been thinking of buying a sub £300 car or as cheap as I can find, removing the doors, bonnet, boot, wings, shell, everything so your just left with a chassis and engine and 1 seat. Maybe welding in some above head support, there you have it, a great fun little buggy. It will also be fairly quick regardless which car you use due to all the weight removed!

Any forseeable problems with this idea? Has anyone ever done this before?

One problem... by removing the "shell" you are also removing the chassis in anything built after about 1970.

It would also fail MOTs, but totally uninsurable, and probably be highly dangerous.

Ahem.

[S18DMW]

Mr Gear said:

Byard said:

I have use of a field so recently I've been thinking of buying a sub £300 car or as cheap as I can find, removing the doors, bonnet, boot, wings, shell, everything so your just left with a chassis and engine and 1 seat. Maybe welding in some above head support, there you have it, a great fun little buggy. It will also be fairly quick regardless which car you use due to all the weight removed!

Any forseeable problems with this idea? Has anyone ever done this before?

One problem... by removing the "shell" you are also removing the chassis in anything built after about 1970.

It would also fail MOTs, but totally uninsurable, and probably be highly dangerous.

I don't think the car will ever be MOT'd or insured again to be honest....

[Byard]

Mr Gear said:

One problem... by removing the "shell" you are also removing the chassis in anything built after about 1970.

It would also fail MOTs, but totally uninsurable, and probably be highly dangerous.

Of course it would fail an MOT, it won't be going on the road!

[Mr Gear]

Byard said:

Of course it would fail an MOT, it won't be going on the road!

Well you didn't say that did you? Have fun!

[Magic919]

I have the use of a field said the OP. Who'd guess where he was going with that?

[Byard]

Someone must have done this before but I can't seem to find anything.

[C8PPO]

Byard said:

s have been doing this for years but I can't seem to find anything.

[thinfourth2]

Don't remove the roof as this makes the car tend to fold in the middle

[Defcon5]

I wouldnt remove the door, last thing you want is ann arm ending under the car in the event of a rollover. Plus what will you do if a badger decided to live in it?

[K87]

Car's don't have a separate shell and chassis anymore. Removing the shell will leave you with 2 subframes not connected and an engine barely supported

[falkster]

We did it once with a 2cv but I can't think of any other car that has seperate shell/chassis.
Why not get a buggy or whatever they're called? There's always plenty on eBay!
I'd fancy one but nowhere to drive it!

[Rawwr]

K87 said:

2 subframes not connected and an engine barely supported

Worked for British Leyland for many, many years.

[Byard]

K87 said:

Car's don't have a separate shell and chassis anymore. Removing the shell will leave you with 2 subframes not connected and an engine barely supported

Maybe use an angle grinder and leave the bottom of the car intact would be better then.

[danposs86]

Yeah just cut out all the weight, make it as light as possible, but with some strength still in it.

[VEA]

Defcon5 said:

I wouldnt remove the door, last thing you want is ann arm ending under the car in the event of a rollover. Plus what will you do if a badger decided to live in it?

http://youtu.be/4r7wHMg5Yjg

Eta, youtube linky no worky... Honey badger!

Edited by VEA on Wednesday 3rd August 12:19

[Byard]

danposs86 said:

Yeah just cut out all the weight, make it as light as possible, but with some strength still in it.

I'll just be keeping the floor and a bit around the engine to keep it held in.

Anyone want to hazard a guess how much weight will be removed say i started with a 1000kg car?

[rob.e]

[Major Fallout]

I remember watching a video on you tube ages ago, they were showing how much weight effects acceleration.

They got an auto Honda I think it was and did a 1/4 mile, then started taking bits off. Until it was just a shell with an engine and half a pint of fuel.

But dammed if I can find it again.