These have been a bit of a stop , start project as time has been tight and they are a bit more complex than our other offerings to create...
Basically , we can now offer a body in the style of the Porsche 550 Spyders from early to mid 50's. Our version has been tweaked a bit to make it our own and is based around an 87'' wheelbase. ( most replica's of this model are 85-86'' , genuine cars are 83'' but thats considered a bit short for handling and space issues )
We are basing ours around a modified Beetle chassis rather than the regular totally new frame options available ....it helps keep the cost down , makes keeping an age related registration a bit easier when SVA'd ( yes , these will need to travel that route ....) and is a bit easier for the home builder to build.
Your original Beetle chassis will need the engine cradle removing , our adaptor plate welding in place to accept the new rear subframe , the original floorpans removing and the spine shortening by 16.5'' - we can do this to a customers chassis for £350.
The package we are offering is by no means a total package ...we are offering an outer skin bodyshell with seperate double skinned bonnet , seperate double skinned doors , integral dash ( LHD or RHD ) and seperate clamshell rear section.
BODY ONLY - £1495
We also offer a rear tubular subframe ( example pictured is a pattern , so in 25mm box but production versions will be tubular as they are visible when clamshell is open. Also doesn't show shock mounts yet , but they are incled , as is rear framework for hinging the clamshell.. )
This subframe enables you to 'flip' the engine and gearbox around to make the car mid-engined , as per the original cars. You will need to turn the diff. and rear halfshafts around as well to get the correct drive format. This flipping procedure is regularly done in the U.S. as a means of making sand rails more competitive and also in the building of Trikes etc.....as a result of this , mid mounted shift kits , hydraulic clutch conversions etc are all easily available to make this conversion reasonably straightforward.
This rear framework is bolted to the chassis by means of the original body mounts and a conversion plate that replaces the original engine cradle.
A seperate perimeter framework is also available to support the rear bulkhead , create outer cill bracing , new floorpan area and front bulkhead hoop.
There is a seperate subframe that supports the nose of the car as well....
METALWORK AS ABOVE - £600
To complete the mid mounting procedure , you will need extended and dropped rear spring plate extenders..these simple bolt to the original spring plate and axle.
£60 pair.
And a rear adaptor plate to accept the new subframe £30 each
ALL THE ABOVE BOUGHT AS A PACKAGE £1950 ( OR £2250 IF WE MODIFY CHASSIS )
This will still leave the home builder quite a lot of work , we are working with a VW parts manufacturer to create hinges , latches etc but this is all readily available from various sources already , so not too much of an issue...but it isn't as simple a build as our others , it will need SVA etc...
It is however , a cheaper than currently available option to build an iconic sportscar in your own way to a level of finish that suits your pocket and tastes.
Finished examples of these cars , not the Banhams , but the 'correct' style examples regularly sell for between £15-30,000.....so despite being a slightly more complicated build than our regular Sammio Spyders , the rewards are there to be gained .....
heres a few pics of the kit under development. It doesn't show the frame in its entirety - front hoop and floor braces aren't present. We are accepting orders now ....usual 4-5 week lead time applies ...
THANK YOU FOR READING