RS200 kit possibility

[Twincam16]

Guys - a thought.

I like my Mk 1 MR2 a lot. It drives superbly, it's very reliable and it handles and sounds like an exotic.

However, it is a little bit rusty - the wheelarches are bubbling a bit and the bodywork is looking a little bit tatty. Nothing structural, mind, but a bit ropy nonetheless.

But it got me thinking - could I replace the front and rear sections of my car with fibreglass Ford RS200 replica clamshell panels? There seem to be kits out there based around all the wrong cars (Maestro Turbos, front-engined Fords and Subarus), and yet mine's mid-engined and the engine itself was based on (ripped-off from) a Ford BDA anyway.

It seems to me that I could probably retain all the glass, the doors, roof and centre section of my MR2 and replace the front wings, bonnet, bumper, side-skirts and rear bodywork sections aft of the rear screen with RS200 bits. All that would really be needed would be Sierra rear light clusters and RS200 headlights - everything else could be re-sited or cannibalised.

So - do any kit gurus on here reckon it would be possible to replace some rusty/tatty panels with RS200 bumpers and clamshells on my Mk 1 MR2?

It just struck me that the dimensions were so similar, why has no-one done it before?

[Furyblade_Lee]

Think it will not look correct unless you use the correct Ford glass, doors and windscreen, and in fact would possibly look "pants". SBD do (did?) a Sierra version. A possible option may be the (horror!) Banham version on a Maestro shell, BUT gut it out and install a full cage / subframe and engine in the back from something a bit tasty (ie like how Z-cars do their mini's.) At least that will look pretty much visually perfect, and go like stink! A cheap Volvo T5 for instance would give an easy 300bhp+ in a 1-ton vehicle

[Twincam16]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Think it will not look correct unless you use the correct Ford glass, doors and windscreen, and in fact would possibly look "pants". SBD do (did?) a Sierra version. A possible option may be the (horror!) Banham version on a Maestro shell, BUT gut it out and install a full cage / subframe and engine in the back from something a bit tasty (ie like how Z-cars do their mini's.) At least that will look pretty much visually perfect, and go like stink! A cheap Volvo T5 for instance would give an easy 300bhp+ in a 1-ton vehicle

To be honest I'm looking for a way of replacing body panels with things that won't rust, rather than creating an RS200 replica. It just struck me that a Mk1 MR2 would be a much better candidate for conversion than a Maestro or anything else front-engined.

Ideally I wanted to do something along the lines of this:



The Group S rally MR2, which I'm sure would be possible to recreate with some fibreglass panels to replace the steel ones, but no-one does one.

I'm on a bit of a tight budget and I'm not really up to doing a full build, I just don't want to have to deal with the rust again.

Does anyone know of a kit which involves replacing MR2 panels with fibreglass ones?

I was thinking of partially adapting some Karmeleon panels:



But only using the front wings from that kit, keeping the existing front bumper, so I got the Group B 'wide-arch' look at the front. But what to do at the rear?

If the relevant body panels could be stripped off and the RRS200 panels fitted, I'd be interested.

The dimensions look right:

Edited by Twincam16 on Monday 11th February 17:00

[Joe T]

I think you can still buy all RS200 bodywork, not sure if this lot still do it http://www.sportsandleisurecars.co.uk/index_003.ht...
Why not buy the panels and have a go yourself or buy a knackered MR2 to experiment on first before ruining a good car.

[Twincam16]

It's all academic now, sadly. I was told by my mechanic last night that what I thought was surface bubbling actually goes straight through the chassis in a number of critical places and as such the car is a write-off.

Incidentally, if anyone wants an MR2 with a good engine and a superb gearbox, interior and electrical system, drop me a PM.

[e21jason]

Interesting thread as I was offered an rs200 tub, panels and a set 6 of "factory" moulds yesterday

Any opinions on a grp/kelvar monocoque rs200 with a transverse duratec as a project.

Jason

[Podie]

e21jason said:

Interesting thread as I was offered an rs200 tub, panels and a set 6 of "factory" moulds yesterday

Any opinions on a grp/kelvar monocoque rs200 with a transverse duratec as a project.

Jason

Why use a Duratec? Would have thought a YB would be more logical choice..?

[Joe T]

The moulds sound interesting I wonder which model they have come from?

Edited by Joe T on Wednesday 13th February 16:25

[costina]

e21jason said:

Interesting thread as I was offered an rs200 tub, panels and a set 6 of "factory" moulds yesterday

Any opinions on a grp/kelvar monocoque rs200 with a transverse duratec as a project.

Jason

you lucky lad i'd snap um up if i was you!!i've always wanted to do a RS200 kit with a cossie turbo lump

Paul

[e21jason]

Hi

I suggest a duratec as a see a project like thison 2 levels, one a replica at lower cost that orginal a mid engined version using standard componets and a grp tub, + a total replica about the came cost as an orginal but with an alloy turbo block yb qualife seqential 4wd etc.

Jason

[renrut]

Looks like I'm 6 months behind you Mr Twincam.

I also have an MR2 Mk1 suffering rot. However I've been rather smitten by the MR2 Group S car. Does anyone know of anyone who does a kit even vaguely similar that I could modify? Or am I gonna have to get good at welding?