MadaboutKitcars

My Mistral

Hi all. I will be starting this little beauty soon. It came without engine and gearbox. I have an overhauled A series to go in but not sure how the rear gearbox mount is attached to car.
The chassis is a mystery if anyone has any ideas please let me know. It has Morris Minor (I know!) running gear.

I would be very interested to see other completed mistrals if any are near Bucks/Oxon.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskSmPmvR
Andrew

Andrew

Try Richard Disbrow the Historic Specials man in the Fairthorpe Sportscar Club.

[email]rjdisbrow@btinternet.com[/email] .. say Chris Gale sent you :-)

Chris

finished Mistral

Hi Andrew
If you give me call I can put you in touch with my Landlord who has just built his.
My number is 07733282947
Cheers Andy
We're based in RG20

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/44645707@N00/10230257416/in/album-72157632087827009/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/44645707@N00/15049618937/in/album-72157632087827009/

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.

If it went to wind deflectors, would the screen fit Scottie's XKSS?

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!

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

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 ...

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.

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

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.

check out the 'Salamanda' special built by Oliver Way - the ultimate wooden body on an A7 chassis. It was at a pal's wedding and just the most amazing piece of work.

What's the plan with the wrap on the Mistral? just easier than paint due to the condition of the mouldings?

Al

Thanks Al
Yes, I have seen Olivers Salamanda and it is an inspiration for me!
This will be the third vinyl wrap of a special for me.
I have repaired the fibreglass and stars in the gel. The purpose of the vinyl is not to address this, but to provide a flexible finish for the very thin body.
The Rochdale owners club endorsed my work by writing a feature about my GT in their magazine. It was also featured in classics monthly a few years ago

Vinyl doesn't last as long as paint, but nothing lasts forever!

ah, excellent - I had visions of some 'Max Power' style graphics!

my plan with the clubmans was old english white with a broad tartan vinyl stripe over the middle. I have the vinyl, but not the car.....

Next time.

Al

Daglocks – Wow!

You’ve done an amazing job to get from this…



To this.



And I like the engine colour too.



Good luck, Paul.

Has anyone else built a Mistral bodied project yet?

Al

New Mistral build spotted today at the 50s Specials Show at Cotswold Wildlife Park, Burford.
Sorry no pics of that car and didn't get a chance to speak to the owner but the build looked advanced and almost ready for paint. Trailered there.
This is an earlier Microplas, registered in Switzerland:

[LEFT][SIZE="6"]Saturday September 7th

Lunch at The Pelican Inn[/SIZE][/LEFT]

[SIZE="4"]Froxfield, on the A4 between Hungerford & Marlborough

[url]www.pelicaninn.co.uk[/url]

We are welcome and booked from 11am with lunch at around 12.30pm

There are two spacious car parks, where we can have a drink and talk Tribute Cars.

Afterwards you / we can drive round a bit of Hampshire to the [/SIZE]

[SIZE="7"][SIZE="6"]Silk Mill at Whitchurch[/SIZE][/SIZE]

[SIZE="4"]for tea, overlooking the river Test, last orders 3.30pm.

[url]www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk[/url]

If you are interested the Pelican Inn also has a room or two overnight on the Friday and or Saturday. We are staying there Friday night.

Please let me know if you will attend or at least think about it.[/SIZE]

[SIZE="5"]REPLY to Kidge on his site

OR The Owners site

OR PM me

OR email [email]kidge.elder@btinternet.com[/email][/SIZE]

Latest URL for info about the original Mistral cars and their production history is now at http://www.fordspecials.co.uk/microplas.html