1000cc spaceframe clubmans racer

[BRI MK1]

hi its brian ive probably got some orignal 998 cooper pistons so if you need some give me a shout they will be cheap to help keep your cost down regards brian.

[Pandora]

Well, I moved house in late November, and I have finaly got the chassis into the new garage, and already I think I should have definately bought a house with a bigger garage! engine and box to follow soon, and then I can start to make a bit of progress, as the whole thing has been in limbo for over a year.

Oh, and I found a guy who is remanufacturing this:



A genuine period style GRP bodyshell. I know it's a bit older than the chassis, and I had planned a clubmans style body, but I have to say it's awfully tempting (and a lot quicker and more realistic, given the size of the garage) I'm imagining it with a wraparound screen, maybe wire wheels.........

I think I might well have plenty time to make up my mind though!

Al

[guru_1071]

at 58 quid that's a bargain

[Tupers]

at 58 quid that's a bargain

I'll take two!

[Pandora]

now featuring in a 'for sale' section near you!

[Pandora]

Now with added engine!

A busy weekend free from kids saw the engine mounts mocked up and then tacked in, and the gearbox mount sorted. engine positioned as far back as possible for gear lever position whilst still allowing dizzy cap to clear chassis when it's taken off!

I have also made a load of progress with the body plans for the clubman bodywork - should get the rest of the plans finished off this week.

Edit.... OOPS! that's a big picture!

Al

[Pandora]

Had a free day so thought, "what the hell, let's make a bit of body for the car......."

I'm actually pleasanty surprised how much I actually managed to get done in a day.

Hopfully will get a bit of foam onto it later in the week, and get a chance to transfer the body sectionds for the rear onto MDF.

Al

[InimiaD]

Your jigsaw must have been red hot.

Great work though. I wouldn't know where to begin if I had the same job to do.

[Pandora]

I did use a Jigsaw, but it was mainly done using a small bandsaw. Not sure about them getting hot, but I think the neighbours might not have been too keen on the fact they were running all day in the garden, with a hoover going as dust extraction!

Still, if they thank that's noisey, that's going to be nothing to the noise if I ever get the car finished and running!

[rich@minispares.com]

it looks as if it 'wooden go' now al


(sorry....)

[Pandora]

yeah, wooden start.

Think I'll call it the MDF special



Al

[Pandora]

nearly done......

Well, not quite, but I've started to block in the main shapes on one side, which I'll then take sections through across the car at key points so it's (hopefully) symetrical.

Took a bit too much out with the rasp in places, but I'll just make the skim of filler a bit thicker to compensate....... Big sweeping surfaces are tricky with the rasp - I should have used 80 grit paper on a board, but I didn't have any and I was keen to crack on, so my own fault, and an easy fix.

Instrument bulge / screen cowl next, then onto the nose cone (though it will all be part of the same panel......

Al

[Pandora]

It's fun this design lark - so much easier than that nasty rusty steel stuff!




Hmmmm, it really is turning out like the Mink! - look how similar the ofset engine bulge is, and the extra lump for the carb.

[Pandora]

Got a chance to spend a couple of hours on it tonight - what people with kids do on a Friday night instead of going to the Pub!?!

Anyway, finished blocking in most of the upper surface and took it to a rough shape. The gap in the surface of the nose cone is just to give access to assembly bolts so I can take off the nose section to form the inlet at a more comfortable height.

Next will be to start building up the nose cone lower sides and inlet, then onto building up the flare at the corner where it goes from nose to bonnet. Also need to make the engine bulge and the one over the carb(s) once I decide what to fit



Al

[Pandora]

Have any Sprint owners moved their filler cap to ge the bonnet to shut? - One of the Elvas at Bo'ness had the filler on the side, I think, but I can't find my photos.

Anyway, the reason I ask is that I mocked up the bonnet bulge in card and it's..... well, it's..... a whopper! I could reduce it a fair bit, but even then the filler cap is just too high, so I think it has to go, but to where????

any experience would be apreciated

Al

[GraemeC]

Is it using a mech fuel pump? If not you could possibly fill in the filler and fabricate a fill pipe that bolted to the pump mounting?

I'm sure I've seen a project somewhere that flushed in the filler then had a new neck welded to one end of the rocker cover so the cap was no higher than the top of the cover.

[Tim]

I've seen the filler cap moved to the breather on top of the flywheel housing, on later units.

Tim

[Pandora]

My pal just suggested adapting a tappet chest breather.

All seem far better than the current set up.

[tedmcedd]

Is it using a mech fuel pump? If not you could possibly fill in the filler and fabricate a fill pipe that bolted to the pump mounting?

I'm sure I've seen a project somewhere that flushed in the filler then had a new neck welded to one end of the rocker cover so the cap was no higher than the top of the cover.

I did that on my minus!



Looks good!

Really interesting project!

[Pandora]

That's where I'd seen it done!

Minus, Minisprint, they're all the same!

Cheers!

Al