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Those who've followed this section of the forum for a while will be aware that I'm developing a new Dino replica called the D two. I've kept things under raps for quite a long time but I've just finished trimming the exterior of the first car and wanted to put a picture on here first and thank everyone for their continuing encouragement.
Take a look at the link below, the keen eyed amongst you may notice its currently rolling on Compomotive wheels. Chromadoras will be fitted shortly.
Kind Regards
Tom Marr
Crocus Automotive
hondekop13 Aug 2010, 6:11pm
Looks nice! Did you mount original bumpers or did you make them yourself?
Hi Tom car looks great do you have a website where we can see so much more of this highly desirable vehicle
Regards
Dave G
Dino Enthusiast
Crocus wrote:
Those who've followed this section of the forum for a while will be aware that I'm developing a new Dino replica called the D two. I've kept things under raps for quite a long time but I've just finished trimming the exterior of the first car and wanted to put a picture on here first and thank everyone for their continuing encouragement.
Take a look at the link below, the keen eyed amongst you may notice its currently rolling on Compomotive wheels. Chromadoras will be fitted shortly.
At present I've reached a stage in the car's development where I can start to develop a business around it. I've built a succession of prototypes leading to the current one. I've established that I can build a high quality car, although there's still work to be done before I'll be completely satisfied with it.
The challenge in front of me now extends to developing my company as well. At present I'm essentially a one man band, so its going to take time and further investment to turn this into an effective business. A website will follow but I have to consider its timing to ensure I can provide a proper service to those who take an interest.
Meanwhile cars will be produced and sold but they will be essentially turn-key road quality prototypes. These early cars may need specialist support so will be sold in a spirit of partnership to customers who are comfortable with that.
Encouragement is always greatly appreciated and if anyone wants to come and see what I'm doing drop me a line my workshop is in South Yorkshire.
hi crocus
your d2 looks great.You say it's a little longer and wider? than the original but from the photo it is hard to tell. I notice you have omitted the rain gutter.Your doors seem to fit very well,alot better than the old deon.And the quality looks good from what I can see.
Can I ask where you got your door and side glass from?
ian
Yes, you are right for the delay! But, it is strange that crocus ont send us informations about his project!
His first car picture was very nice.
I have a deon and my four shock absorbers are out of order! My problem is that I don't know what kind of shock absorbers I must but!!!!! If someone can help me.....
Yes, you are right for the delay! But, it is strange that crocus ont send us informations about his project!
His first car picture was very nice.
I have a deon and my four shock absorbers are out of order! My problem is that I don't know what kind of shock absorbers I must but!!!!! If someone can help me.....
Go to someone like GAZ etc and have some made for you
I have a deon and my four shock absorbers are out of order! My problem is that I don't know what kind of shock absorbers I must but!!!!! If someone can help me.....
Hi
I'm currently building a Classic Replicas Dino, I think the suspension set up is similar to the Deon (Pictures attached).
I measured the lengths between the coilover mountings when the suspension was fully compressed and the same when the suspension was fully extended and quoted these to a company here in the UK who made up Gaz units for me.
I can PM you with all their contact details and prices if you wish.
Hi Neil, your pictures of a Classic Replicas suspension do look a bit different to the Deon. The obvious thing is that it is five bolt. Would I be right in guessing that the hubs are Alfa Romeo 164? The upright/knuckle at the rear may be 164 too. The wishbones look very similar to a Deon - which was originally a Lancia Beta front upright used at the rear of the Deon and a FIAT 124 front upright used at the front of the Deon. But your front Classic Replicas upright will therefore have had a 164 rear hub adapted to it (or maybe an Alfa 75 V6 front hub - 98mm PCD hub or FIAT 2300 or Dino 108mmPCD???). I wonder what the geometry differences are Deon vs Classic Replicas?
Your right in saying it looks like deon suspension. That's because it was!! They took a deon and updated the hub carriers to get five bolt wheels. Gordon had done some work/loaned workshop space, not sure which, to deon who hadn't or wouldn't pay.They held a complete chassis with suspension hostage so to speak!! After the demise of deon cr was born hence the similarities.
There was a lot of talk in the Italian Exotica magazine about how there had literally removed the centre tunnel and high outer cill sections from the deon chassis that must of affected the chassis overall rigidity . They even contacted most deon / JHclassic's owner to offer this service to, as they put it, make your replica more original!!
Hi Neil, your pictures of a Classic Replicas suspension do look a bit different to the Deon. The obvious thing is that it is five bolt. Would I be right in guessing that the hubs are Alfa Romeo 164? The upright/knuckle at the rear may be 164 too. The wishbones look very similar to a Deon - which was originally a Lancia Beta front upright used at the rear of the Deon and a FIAT 124 front upright used at the front of the Deon. But your front Classic Replicas upright will therefore have had a 164 rear hub adapted to it (or maybe an Alfa 75 V6 front hub - 98mm PCD hub or FIAT 2300 or Dino 108mmPCD???).
Hi Ross
An article on the Classic replicas Dino in the Complete Kit Cars magazine of March 2008 states that the front and rear hub carriers/stub axles are from the MGF, modified to the Alfa 5 stud PCD of 5x98mm.
This is the only information I have but I know a someone who is building a De Havilland Dino which uses the MGF as a donor so I'll see if I can compare pictures with his to confirm.
Hi there! I have a Classic Replicas Dino (one of the last, I think). The front of my car is suspended on fabricated control arms with MGF uprights and brakes. The rear is suspended with fabricated control arms and uprights, using Alfa 164 bearing hubs and rotors with MGF brake calipers. The front MGF parts are modified for 5 lug wheels. The frame of my car is a copy of a Dino frame with rectangular main rails instead of oval. It seems that much of the car they were building at Classic Replicas evolved over time. I remember that chassis pictures that were sent to me from Gordon Ainsby initially, were of a totally different set up. /// Jon
It seems that much of the car they were building at Classic Replicas evolved over time. I remember that chassis pictures that were sent to me from Gordon Ainsby initially, were of a totally different set up. /// Jon
Hi Jon
The original buyer of the kit I now have took delivery in 2002 and from what I can see of the chassis it does look considerably different from yours.
Do you still have the pictures Gordon Ainsby sent you of the original set up? It would be interesting to compare them with what I have as I don't have any of the chassis without the body fitted.
Neil
The later cr chassis was altered to look more like jon's. Earlier chassis were a copy of deon/jh classic's chassis. If you search online for J H Classic's and look at his company's history you will find he has some chassis picture on his page.
Later as I quoted before he started removing the deon's high cill's and big centre tunnel.
I also think there was a later chassis that was almost a dino copy even down to copying the suspension.
I will look to see if I have any pictures, but I don't think I do. We're talking 2009 or so, but I'll check. I might have a few printed pictures. I'll get back. / Jon
Thanks Jon,
this is a fascinating topic. I know another forum member adapted Alfa 166 hubs to MGF uprights - which is handy since the Alfa 166 allows the fitment of original Dino Cromodora wheels (same 108mm x 5 PCD and same centre bore). The science of suspension geometry is a bit much for me so seeing what others have done in the past and got to work well is useful.
As for the chassis design - I think Deon/JH DGT was rather lacking in torsional stiffness despite the higher sills and tunnel. Ferrari's solution seems to have been to put in big heavy oval tubes to what is basically an unsophisticated platform chassis. So replicating the Ferrari low sills/low tunnel will yield the right look and space but be heavy and not exactly super stiff, CASCU makes exact replicas.
cheers
Ross (in NZ)
Hello,
Thank you for your answer.
You can find a picture of the rear whell or my Deon. I have removed the suspension (attached picture).
I'm also interested by informations about chassis modifications because I want to implement Ford cougar engine and also modify the pedals to win place.
Thanks a lot.
panel fit looks nice and tight and straight.
