MadaboutKitcars

As many on this forum don't look at another I post on, thought I'd share this:


The Tifosi Rana will be featured in a couple of the mags in the next few months.

Must admit I'm more interested in the photo than the car

If it's based on a Midget then it's going to be a non starter imho and with originals well under £10k I don't see many takers coming forward.

However it's been great to see your photography coming on leaps and bounds before our eyes. Quality improving every time, getting more and more jobs, great to see.

How did you do that particular picture, I've got photoshop and PSP so would love to know whats involved, ie any good online resources. Have got loads of pictures I would like to make more 'arty' and would love to give that method a go.

Cheers, John

John

It's a spot colour effect.

It is done by selecting the colour (or item) you want to use, copying to a new layer (there are other ways), then desaturating the original.

Sorry JG....but I think you are wrong on this one.....

Tifosi has it cracked on this one on three counts.....

1 - No chassis to manufacture...this is the big one. From my own experience producing the chassis is the most difficult/expensive/customer hassle part of manufacture. By using an existing chassis he bypass's major grief....which leads nicely on to....

2 - No SVA.....dont need to explain any further...

3 - And finally...decent Frogeye Sprite's are around £10K.....with a half decent donor and if you are prepared to comprimise on it not being a perfect replica you can build one for £4K....

I always thought Paul Banham had the right idea.

You may be right, I'm sure they will sell a few as it looks like they are an established midget/frogeye specialist so its a fair extension of their business.

However, if i was in the market for a frogeye sprite (which a quick google shows they can be picked up for anything between £4k - £10k for road legal examples) then it would have to be an original as they are attainable - no need for a fake.

Plus you'll be hacking up a Midget which in itself is regarded as a classic, not sure there'll be many people willing to do that, whereas people gladly took a grinding wheel to a Metro to make the Banham example.

I also think it would cost a lot more than £4k to put a descent one on the road. Double it and I think you'd be nearer the mark (off the top of my head £2k for descent donor, £1k paint job, £500 wheels and tyres, £500 on making good no doubt rusty bodywork, and we havn't even touched on the cost of the kit yet)

Just doesn't add up for me.

John

This is actually a VERY interesting car.

I think I probably come down with John on this Trev, but it's a close thing.

I owned a Midget many years ago when literally no-one wanted them and it was just a pile of crap, bodywise. Great fun though!

I can see the attraction of the Frogeye and they aren't exactly 10 a penny, but I think if I knew where there was a Midget in fairly decent condition I'd probably like to rebuild it rather than this rebody.

What makes the car interesting is that the decision for a car enthusiast on this sort of budget is..

Rebuild or rebody??? Very, very close call.

Another thought.

Would you restore a rubber bumper model?

Another one off the kartman Xmas card list.....

Figures talk lots.....

Didn't sell any Firefly's in 18 months.....

Tifosi have sold at least two kits already.....

Case rests m'lud

I totally agree with you on this one, Banham did have the right idea, unfortunately he had too many products, and most of them not as developed as they should have been.

The concept of rebodying an old Metro and turn it into a new Frogeye was great, but maybe it needed a little more advertising in the press........

I think a few kit manufacturers should reconsider rebodies in the future, and a modern design of the Frogeye bonded to the Metro or any Fwd. chassis would appeal to me.

I wouldn't do it on a Midget though.......

Hi Mark,
The whole set of pictures look great and they’ll make an excellent feature which shall appear in the April issue.
5 pages have been reserved.

Den

Thanks Den

I look forward to seeing it.

as are we all

Very interesting does anyone have any more info on these cars please? Is the paintwork colour on the photo achieved by image enhancement or a very good spray job??

Banham

The Bamham Sprite always struck me as a really good idea marred by poor production marketing and service.

I think Banham overtraded and sadly lost it in the process.

A bit like the Rover products such as the Maestro Montego etc.

Does anyone still make these Banham type Sprite conversion kits please??

Seeing it in the flesh at shows was very disappointing. Not a good finish at all imo.

We spent a bit of time polishing the car prior to the shot.

Kevin had a few problems with the paint on this (the demo) car. Not the fault of the body finish, more the painter.

The car uses an MG Midget as a donor so is about as close as you can get to the original.

Tiffosi Rana

hello -I'm just finishing off a Tiffosi Rana conversion done on a 1979 rubber bumper MG Midget. If anyone has any questions I would be happy to help. Yes I have previously owned a genuine Frogeye - but this has a near 100 mph 1500 cc engine, disc brakes, wind-up windows, halogen headlamps, comfy seats, alloys - not to mention remote alarm to central locking & radio/Cd/MP3 player. I am taking it to Tatton Park Classic Car Show May 31st/June 1st - for sale. It looks just like the photos on this thread.

Why sell it as you are only just finishing it?

Why sell it?

Hello - for me the fun is in the practical work. I am a retired metalwork teacher, I just enjoy having a project. Need to sell this to make room for the next - a motorhome conversion. Regards.

Panel fitting



Hi Your the only person i have come across so far who has built a Tifosi Rana, how easy a job is it ? particularly the rear end cutting / fitting ?

How good is the build manual? would you sell the manual ?

DAVE