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.
I was given a Dyane 6 as a courtesy car from a garage back in the eighties. I loved it - full of character, unburstable twin cylinder engine, great brakes and a full length fabric roof. I even managed to overtake a 205 GTi in it when he had to slow down to go over a level crossing and I didn't.
We raced a 2CV6 for a couple of seasons including the Mondello 24 Hours in 1996. You can't help but fall in love with a car when you can do an engine change in 20 minutes and lift the engine on and off the bench with no assistance.
For the 24 Hours, we were running to nearly 8,000 revs with an engine that was put together carefully but near-enough bog standard. We did the equivalent mileage to get from Oxford to Reykjavik with 11 scheduled pit-stops and just 60 gallons of fuel. The only race car that I know of that laps quicker in slightly damp conditions than it does in the dry.
Aye. There's a lot of love for the tin snail. It would be good to follow a UK build. We started a demo but events overtook us. I do remember the donor strip being insanely easy but the wiring loom was a revelation. All the wires were Green!
And now..... The news and we begin with frames! AndyP57 has been cracking on and completing the Pilot frames and also making final 'tweaks' to the Navigator frames and if I say so myself they are brilliant!!
Also we are ready to ship the first Pilot over to the merry old land of Oz, which we are quite excited about as it's a country we would like to see more of them (plus they drive on the correct side of the road......bonus! )
And we end the news with news that today has been quite a productive day as we have done our spring clean of the workshop and we have also officially started our next car code-named '[COLOR="Red"]Phoenix[/COLOR]'
(We or correctly) I am quite excited by this build as 1) we get to get our hands dirty and 2) have some fun
Watch this space...
(Also as always if I have forgotten anything then AndyP57 will fill in the blanks)
[COLOR="Red"]A black out image I have produced of the bonnet of 'Phoenix'[/COLOR]
Yep, apart from yourself it's very quiet on the Cordite front
My own build was put on hold last year shortly after AndyP57 delivered my kit. When i got into the Sammio thing I had a garage and plenty of free time but that changed with the arrival of my daughter and the subsequent house extension to house her
The garage made way for the extension and even though i'm full of admiration for you building without one but it's certainly not something I fancy doing
I'm hoping a new garage will be built in the next couple of months and i'll then be able to kick off the build. It was always planned to be a long build, good job really!
Still waiting on some bits from Ribble as well which AndyP57 knows all about
I'm still lurking around here. I've been making progress with my cordite, all be it very slowly. I'll update my thread soon with the latest but as with craigt family stuff (my wedding mostly!) is slowing me down and sapping funding.
Project has turned into a full nut and bolt rebuild with the latest estimate being a rolling chassis and running gear in the Autumn followed by frame and body fitting and then completion next summer (if i'm lucky).
I know you've had trouble getting your engine started...I have no idea when my was last started but my best estimate is somewhere in the 90's!
For those of you who wanted to know what happened to the Cordite, I manage to find this one image I took.
This was a sad day when the [COLOR="Red"]very last[/COLOR] shell to be pulled from the Cordite mould arrived at the workshop and the Cordites fate was ultimately decided..
[COLOR="Red"]As you can clearly see, it practically took pieces of the mould with it! (Note, the blue patch on the rear was a part of the 'de-humping process)[/COLOR]
[COLOR="Red"]Rear of the shell..(Note, the blue patch was part of the De-humping process!)[/COLOR]
AndyP57 and Viatron can fill in the blanks and give a more detailed account....
It does look a mess but when we get the moulds finished, the difference will be so worthwhile. Mac (Viatron) has written a very good account of the process and all will come together as a single thread for all to see soon.
CraigT & Adam1979 - In my world, family comes first, which is one of the many reasons my project is taking so long.
But it is definitely worth waiting for a garage Craig, as attempting to build outside is a biblically dumb idea!
Adam I get the feeling you'd have a better idea how to get an engine to start after decades compared to my months!
Andy & Andy - Don't get me wrong, I am 100% behind your ideas to rework the shell & internal framework.
Clearly the original Cordite builders are going to be a very select few compared to Spyder/Pilot & Navigator builds.
It will be a nice milestone when the first one is actually on the road.
CraigT & Adam1979 - In my world, family comes first, which is one of the many reasons my project is taking so long.
But it is definitely worth waiting for a garage Craig, as attempting to build outside is a biblically dumb idea!
Adam I get the feeling you'd have a better idea how to get an engine to start after decades compared to my months!
Andy & Andy - Don't get me wrong, I am 100% behind your ideas to rework the shell & internal framework.
Clearly the original Cordite builders are going to be a very select few compared to Spyder/Pilot & Navigator builds.
It will be a nice milestone when the first one is actually on the road.
Cheers, Paul.
Watch this space for the new one, I can see that being more successful than Cordite ever was!
We have been cracking on getting all the turnkeys done at a similar time to each other. Today saw our #1 turnkey receive its body, which we put on for a trial fit as it is the first car to have the new frame....... and it fits like a glove with no 'swearing' needed and the seating position is slightly lower than normal thanks to the new floor pans.
A few images of the car with the body on (not bonded).
[COLOR="Red"]Note: There are a couple of voids but these will subsequently 'disappear'[/COLOR]
And obviously the 'silly' shot
[COLOR="Red"]A very dusty AndyP57![/COLOR]
Also we are looking forward to receiving our special delivery later this week, more on that in the very near future!
As always, if I have missed anything then AndyP57 will fill the blanks in.
I think I can see a couple of hairline scratches on the o/s rear wing that may need a smear of knifing putty prior to paint. Apart from that it looks perfect!
I think I can see a couple of hairline scratches on the o/s rear wing that may need a smear of knifing putty prior to paint. Apart from that it looks perfect!
The master of understatement strikes again........
Aye, That's the reason this one was pulled from the sale batch. Unfortunately the mould had to be moved after gelling and before laying up so the gel moved. Rather than scrap it we thought we'd use it for our own line. Glad to say the new frame does its job admirably and the full sized floor pand make seating even lower than before. Up to now, this build (and number 2 which is following close behind) has been hassle free
We've just waved goodbye to a kit we believe will be the furthest build. This one is going to be packed on a boat travelling to Brisbane Australia and I do hope the builder joins us on the forum.
)
to a kit we believe will be the furthest build. This one is going to be packed on a boat travelling to Brisbane Australia and I do hope the builder joins us on the forum.