This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
It won't be painted by then but I'm hoping to at least have the body together and fixed in place. I'll just need the lights in and a seat and technically its drivable ! Pictures to follow...........
Here are a few pics from the weekend. The rear end sits on the "7" upper chassis at exactly the right height . The side shots show the fitment of the deep dish wires with the correct size tyres all bolted up. My measurements of the "7" wheel base and track were pretty close to the TR so I'm really happy with the combination with the wheels bolted in place. The Ford 1700 cross flow is good but I plan to fit a V6 at some point as it will make the right noises !
Shots of the engine and the surplus fuel tank. A real shame I can't use the tank, its massive at around 37 gallons and built to Ferrari specifications, all hand crafted in aluminium. Its listed on ebay if anyone wants it but I've put a silly ( imo ) asking price just in case a genuine TR owner might want it as a spare !
As builds go this is straight forward, you can put that down to the "7" being the right size and shape and planning everything in advance. The body has fitted in all the right places. The car will have a "short" driving position, the "7" has a laid back driving position, the TR is very upright. But having studied the original Testarossa that is what they were like back in the day.
Just got back from a trip to Italy so I'll be back on this week with any luck.
The plan is to get the front end off the chassis and start work on the scuttle and bonnet. That will be a few days work but once that is done I can fit it to the chassis with the required brackets and fixings as per the completed rear end assembly.
Just got back from a trip to Italy so I'll be back on this week with any luck.
well your name is Lucky ..so you should be ok ...
The plan is to get the front end off the chassis and start work on the scuttle and bonnet. That will be a few days work but once that is done I can fit it to the chassis with the required brackets and fixings as per the completed rear end assembly.
looking forward to see how you get on with the bonnet etc. I am not very good with aluminium , don't have the patience or understanding of its properties to do much more than basic panels ..so tackling a concave panel with a wired edge etc would be a job too far for me ... That's why I give jobs like that to my aluminium man who has all the right gear to do the jobs ...
A bit of progress over the last few days. I've managed to remove the front end and make a start on the inner arches. These are quite complex as they form the inner and outer wings/arches and blend into one seamless section.
Also picked up an engine better suited than the Ford Kent engine. It might be missing a few cylinders but the Cologne V6 I found was supplied new by Ford and still in its crate! Its not a V12 but with the original ones changing hands at £75k plus for rebuild I was never going to get one.
The Cologne V6 can be made to sound right, that's the main aim and having fitted one once to a Cobra 289 replica I know they can go well too.
When you have finished the body, would it be worth taking a mould?
Would there be a market for a replica built on an old Locost?
Would do away with the IVA which is a big bonus.
When you have finished the body, would it be worth taking a mould?
Would there be a market for a replica built on an old Locost?
Would do away with the IVA which is a big bonus.
You wouldn't be the first person to ask that question. I've had several pm's on the subject. I have no plans to do that.
The "7" has proved to be the ideal base car and there is no better alternative.
Some more progress with the mechanical bits. The Ford X Flow engine is out to make way for the Cologne V6. I've also had some laser cut flanges made for the exhaust boxes. A set of eight so I can make up four boxes the same size and shape as the original car.
The aluminium bodywork is on going.
You wouldn't be the first person to ask that question. I've had several pm's on the subject. I have no plans to do that at the moment. I'll see what reaction the car gets when its finished and on the road. If I get lots of questions like, "where can I buy the kit ?" etc, then I might think about it.
Mmmn exclusivity is nice
Or
Do you want to go to a show and see your car copied ? It’s a toughie
I was hoping to be nearing completion by now but I've had a few set backs, work and home related ( non car related ). But, the old 1700 X Flow is sold. I've got the 4 exhaust silencer boxes made up ready to fit. The front body work is getting close but still needs more work ! Its all moving forward, slowly !
At last it looks like I can carry on with this project, I should have a clear run at it now right through to completion !
Progress over the summer has been really slow so I need to catch up, I'll be posting updates and photos every week, I hope.
I have fitted the Cologne V6 engine to the existing type 9 gearbox and fabricated new engine mounts. The thermostat housing clashed with a chassis member so I had to make up a 20mm spacer, other than that it went in ok.
A little progress to report at last ! I've made a start on the scuttle panel which was missing from the body when I purchased it. A little involved as I've had to make a wooden former to get the double curved profile correct on the bonnet return edge/lip. This former has allowed me to shape and profile the aluminium panel, its worked out quite well.
I've also removed the original wiring loom. On inspection it was a bit of a compromised birds nest. It was going to need extending, chopping and modifying a fair bit anyway so I decided to start from scratch. The new loom is going to be very simple, even compared to the "7". There are no wipers, no washer bottle, no electric fuel pumps etc, this will be an ultra basic loom with just lights and a couple of instruments to worry about. The Ford column stalk controls are gone and simple switches will be fitted on the dash as per the original TR.
A few photos of the work I've done over the last week or so.
The curved box formers have made easy work of the bonnet return edges.
The scuttle panel along with the roughly formed bonnet edges sitting in place. A bit more work needed on these parts before final fit !
The engine has been in and out a few times, next time it goes in should be the last.
The interior is stripped back to bare bones and cleaned up. Also welded up all the holes along the top chassis rail where the old Locost body was rivetted on.
In the case of the scuttle panel it is a fairy simple shape so the aluminium will easily form and stretch over the former around the bonnet return edge. Its easy to work as its quite soft and malleable. I use a domed plastic mallet so you can form the internal radius's . Luckily I had the screen and frame which allowed me to get the correct profile, it would have been guesswork without it !
