1950's Special - Microplas Mistral

[Pandora]

Not the clearest photos, but here's how I did the rear gearbox mount on mine - some 3mm x 50mm flatbar bolted tight on the tail of the box, mounted onto a couple of exhaust bobbins to take the vibration mounted onto a bracket on the chassis. simple as could be.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/446457...7632087827009/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/446457...7632087827009/

[Paul L]

Daglocks – Welcome to the forum Andrew.

What are the rest of your plans for this build?



Personally, I think it would look much better with a small wind deflector screen.

Although I do know driving a car without a roof can be nerve racking at times.

It would be great if you could start a build thread for this.

Good luck, Paul.

[daglocks]

Hi Paul
Here is the progress so far on my Mistral:

https://flic.kr/s/aHskSmPmvR

Its been a long hard slog, with many parts missing.
The hardest part was correcting the steering fault. the steering arms had been fitted pointing forward to meet the repositioned steering rack, but were pointing outwards, giving reverse Ackerman. That means the outboard turning wheel was moving more than the inboard. I don't think it would be long before the tyres scrubbed out.
I rotated the arms and pinned them through the suspension leg, and lengthened the steering rack.

The gearbox carrier was missing, so that was a game. I worked out the original engine and gearbox must have been an early side valve unit.

I am ready to vinyl wrap the car now so won't be long before MOT malarky!

[lancelot link]

Originally Posted by daglocks

The hardest part was correcting the steering fault. the steering arms had been fitted pointing forward to meet the repositioned steering rack, but were pointing outwards, giving reverse Ackerman. That means the outboard turning wheel was moving more than the inboard. I don't think it would be long before the tyres scrubbed out.

I'd be amazed if you could hold that in a straight line on the road ..I got some angles horribly wrong on the first Hot Rod project I attempted , 30 odd years ago ...took the car up the road and it was very scary ...totally could not hold a straight line ...

[daglocks]

AH! what do you think is wrong with the steering geometry? I corrected the Ackerman by rotating the steering arms, it is standard morris minor apart from the arms at the front now. Castor is the same. Ackerman the same, wheels and hubs the same, All tips gratefully received.

I accept there may be a little bit of bump steer as the rack push rods are tilted down a little, but shouldn't be too bad.

[daglocks]

Originally Posted by Pandora

Not the clearest photos, but here's how I did the rear gearbox mount on mine - some 3mm x 50mm flatbar bolted tight on the tail of the box, mounted onto a couple of exhaust bobbins to take the vibration mounted onto a bracket on the chassis. simple as could be.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/446457...7632087827009/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/446457...7632087827009/

Thats a really nice Project Pandora. Is the car finished now, and are you going to sell the body panels?

[Pandora]

Originally Posted by daglocks

Thats a really nice Project Pandora. Is the car finished now, and are you going to sell the body panels?

Sadly, I sold it a year or so back - I really enjoy the pattern making side, but it was just taking tooo long, and I was lured by a racy Austin A40......

Sold to a chap who will complete it, but I don't think he has any plans to sell mouldings - they were specific to that unique chassis

Love this Mistral project, great job.

Al

[daglocks]

I understand the time involved making moulds. Its a very long road even if you abandon perfectionism!

I have an Austin seven rolling chassis for my next project, Ime thinking of building in from wood.