Humpty Dumpty Time
 

WOW!!!!!
Guys, just when I thought it was to be plain sailing, I have a lot to consider.
Dave, Marc and Tim, a bundle of positives. I do have access to folding machine at the garage owned by BIG KEV. He is also a tremendous fabricator.
I would love to see a chopped body on a chassis, but my gut is telling me, extend my chassis.
I wish I had done the cut before completing the rolling chassis.

Humpty Dumpty Time
 

I've ordered my kit based on the Herald sizes. Mike is going to supply a standard Herald subframe which I will use to extend and build the required out riggers to the chassis.
Again I'm very lucky to have BIG KEV, his expertise when it comes to building and fabrication. I'll share with KEV the suggested thicknesses of steel that the guys have used on their builds, and post what we eventually use.

Humpty Dumpty Time
 

So the chassis build started at the rear end and worked my way forward. A couple of hick ups as the pics will show. Spot the back to front stuff all you keen builders.
Its all been changed now.

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Do the front foot wells need to be that deep?

I don't think I published them, but I ran my calcs with a safety factor based on the force that would be experienced on a 100 kg passenger in the seat (given the geometry of the herald seat runners) and the force to compress the front springs all the way, in static fast load like a big bump. Given that al is less stiff than steel real world in extreme (crash) will be different due to bending etc. I'll go for 2mm in the strongest alloy practical. The original floor was about 1mm steel and ribbed for a stiffer shape. I'll be using a lighter grade sheet for the rest of the cockpit though. My heat shield is .5mm and that's really prone to bend, crease and dent, so I won't go that thin on the inside.

Anyway, just some thoughts while I can't sleep at 3am!
T

That's a really satisfying part of the build, I remember that! Very nice putting all the clean parts back together.
Looks great Carib!

PS re the floor I also checked the raw stats of how thick the alloy had to be to match the strength of the steel and got a similar thickness. Depends on the alloy of al, varies hugely. 2mm al is still lighter than 1mm steel
G'night all

I'm sure you already know this, but it is worth double checking...

If you start welding structural extensions on to the chassis you can't use the re-body rules and will need IVA. :icon_sad:

You are allowed to bolt extensions to the chassis, or build the extensions into the body shell itself and then bolt that to the chassis.

Good luck, Paul. :)

PS
Your rolling chassis is coming together nicely. :cool:

Agreed Paul, but the Type 49 Corsa guys do that, and do not appear to have issues. Whether they declare the mod I don't know but... Just saying.

Personally, I would run a Herald chassis with the full length body. CC - you could sell your chassis and swap to a Herald, and have a far simpler life. All your goodies will bolt directly on, so no real loss.

YMMV

Ally panelling - I will probably still go for thinner, and maybe look at adding ribs for strength. But my heart tells me the floor pan just needs to keep my feet off the ground - doubt it adds much in crash situations. And I plan on a centre tunnel with full structural panelling, along with the side chassis and frame rails. So should be plenty strong enough for me. Advantage of 1.2mm or thinner is ease of bending/forming. 2mm is going to increase the difficulty, and hence the chance of me getting it wrong.

BUT! Interesting that Mike has resurfaced and is making you a body - maybe he will be able to give me a receipt now (and my grill and side vents and headrest...). Will be good if he is actually back and active with the Miglia... IF anyone manages to catch him please do ask that on to this forum via one of the many threads please. He just seems to "not receive" my messages or answer my calls. Shame, as he seem(ed) a nice guy to work with.
But interesting to hear the other views - keep 'em coming.

More Humpty Dumpty Time
 

Thought I would bring my build pics up to date as I await my subframe from Mike.
I am eager to cut and extend my spitfire chassis but the guys at the garage are stopping me until Mike sends the subframe which will be used to position all the outriggers exactly where they need to be.
Also they want to ensure the total length matches the body which has been designed to fit on the frame.
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More Humpty Dumpty Time 2
 

The build continues
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More Humpty Dumpty Time 3
 

Getting bored waiting on Mike and subframe but thats just me being impatient. its only been a few weeks since the kit was ordered, but in my mind I want to have the body on and in place before winter so I can spend this winter on the interior and external trims.
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Humpty Dumpty with Wires
 

Got a great deal on the Hubs and spinners but have found them to be the short type.
The add did not say for 13" wheels only. I have 15" which need the longer hubs. Not to worry that all part of doing your own build, making mistakes and making them good. So they will be back on ebay soon and replacements ordered.

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Chassis looks nice and fresh. The short splined hubs are a lot cheaper than the long ones but like you say, will only take the 13" wires. It's a common mistake which has also been made by the seller of the Miglia that's ending this evening on ebay.

Hope you get your frame in good time, that's an exciting part of the build when you have a working 'moon rover'.

the build continues
 

With the chassis on hold till I get my subframe, its time to look at the electrics and wiring of the engine.
Ok I have this race prepared Redtop engine with a BMW E36 five speed box.
I need to get them cleaned and joined together and tested ready to drop onto my extended chassis.
A few days off this week, rain is forecast so no reason to go driving.
Anyone ever done this combination?
I had intended to use a ford type 9 box but the racing boys are grabbing them off ebay for stupid money.
This should do the trick at a fraction of the cost and the bell housing matches without ordering from racing specialist.
Pics to follow

clean chassis
 

Yes Towed, I'm really pleased with the final look of the rolling chassis. Only wish I had given the extension more thought previously. All is not lost, I will set up my engine and gearbox ready this week. I also have to build the engine mounts, reshape a standard exhaust to compensate for the front wheel drive engine being used as a rear wheel drive unit.
All been done before so I'm not creating anything new, but using the best ideas of whats been done previously.
The roof of my lockup is filled with wire, stainless steel exhaust units, the walls have ECU units and wires, steering columns, lots of everything.
The good thing is I've been buying lots of bits on Ebay for the past nine months so I have most of what I need, just have to put it all together.

With regards chassis modifications such as welding major structures on or modifying wheelbases etc. it isnt allowed by the strict rules of the current DVLA system. minimal body mount modification is about your lot , no shortening of outriggers or similar , as the confusing regs state ..

My unofficial view on this at the moment would be .... DVLA are currently treating this whole not thought through area of car construction in their recent changes , as only a paperwork exercise ....so , if you are planning on registering a potentially awkward one , do it now !! before this changes.

chassis is looking exceptional , keep up the great work and photos !!!!!

Waiting for Mike
 

Bank holiday and no subframe yet from Mike, so to keep things on the move its time to put the engine and gearbox together and fire up this baby.

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waiting for Mike 2
 

Exhaust need to be cut and adjusted, and engine mounts roughed up ready for installation.
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Mate your engine makes mine want to scurry back to the museum where it belongs

Tim