Which car for ZCars-like project?
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:11 PM
Hi All 
Say I wanted to put a bike engine in a small car, behind the occupants, much like ZCars do all the time.
I'd like an enclosed car (be it soft top or coupe), therefore with a windscreen, so cars like the Sylva Riot or J15 are not suitable.
It looks then like a proven solution like the ZCars Mini line-up or similar conversion would be ideal.
However, I've recently found out that the Mini Marcos curb weight is a mere 476 kg (source Wikipedia), which is great given the relatively modest
torque of bike engines. And there's also the Fiat 500, which weighs 499 kg as standard.
So, would those two suit at all? Any other alternatives? Thoughts?
mark chandler - 12/3/13 at 10:14 PM
Scootz has a smart roadster that would fit the bill for sale.
daniel mason - 12/3/13 at 10:18 PM
reliant kitten. my mate unijacko67 is doing a honda s2000 powered one but a rear engined chain driven one should be possible.or a front engined prop
driven if you wish.
theduck - 12/3/13 at 10:18 PM
Smart roadster would be brilliant!
Benzo - 12/3/13 at 10:23 PM
Those z-car minis handle like a bag of sh*t..
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:23 PM
Smarts are WAY too heavy for me (the Fortwo is 730 kg and the Roadster is 840 kg). The Reliant looks pretty interesting at 508 kg, in fact:
"Reliant Kitten Bike Engine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAJv5iC89c0
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
iank - 12/3/13 at 10:25 PM
Fiat 500 works (though they are getting expensive) http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=172827
T66 has his Fiat 126 http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=148837
The biggest problem is probably the extremely short chains you get which causes wear problems.
[Edited on 12/3/13 by iank]
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:29 PM
Nice one.
Actually, now that you mention it, I had seen some 500 on Youtube before.
The 126 was quite heavier, around 100 kg extra, but still reasonable, 580-619 kg, lighter than standard Minis, quoted 617-686 kg.
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Benzo
Those z-car minis handle like a bag of sh*t..
That's odd, because they've made some expensive decisions on their design, in fact, their front subframe is rather sophisticated, with a
price to match.
Good handling is definitely a requirement because I'd use it for track days as much as for road use.
I wonder if a specialist could make it work properly by adjusting the suspension and geometries, given that the front subframe is fully adjustable.
Odd!
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:44 PM
quote:
The biggest problem is probably the extremely short chains you get which causes wear problems.
I'm not convinced by the chain method either, despite it being the preferred solution for the majority of mid bike engined cars including
Radicals and so on. I often think about going single seater by putting the engine to the side of the driver, in a Locost configuration (north-south,
prop shaft).
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
Volvorsport - 12/3/13 at 10:45 PM
do you mean the z cars fwd one or the spaceframe rwd one (spins like a top)
if your from spain a nice seat 500/600 should be possible to secure ...........
T66 - 12/3/13 at 10:49 PM
Hillman imp - imp Paul has a busa one
Reliant kitten - groggy has a Saab turbo one
Scott's Smart on a space frame will be as light as a light thing. Don't dismiss it. A spider style smart, with a bike engine would be very
different.
iank - 12/3/13 at 10:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Alez
quote:
The biggest problem is probably the extremely short chains you get which causes wear problems.
I'm not convinced by the chain method either, despite it being the preferred solution for the majority of mid bike engined cars including
Radicals and so on. I often think about going single seater by putting the engine to the side of the driver, in a Locost configuration (north-south,
prop shaft).
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
MEV Atomic uses that layout http://www.roadtrackrace.co.uk/rtr_atomic_gallery.html
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
do you mean the z cars fwd one or the spaceframe rwd one (spins like a top)
if your from spain a nice seat 500/600 should be possible to secure ...........
They're all mid engine RWD as far as I know. They have several stages, from a conversion using a custom rear subframe only (for the engine), to a
full spaceframe, and also a Mini look alike called Monte Carlo featuring a GRP body over a bespoke spaceframe chassis.
Yes, Seats are still affordable here, as well as Simcas (French).
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
T66 - 12/3/13 at 10:53 PM
No chain in my fiat, far too short wheelbase.
I managed to find a Quaife powertec axle, thank you scootz
Alez - 12/3/13 at 10:58 PM
quote:
Originally posted by T66
Hillman imp - imp Paul has a busa one
Reliant kitten - groggy has a Saab turbo one
Scott's Smart on a space frame will be as light as a light thing. Don't dismiss it. A spider style smart, with a bike engine would be very
different.
Imp is heavy. Kitten is light. I'd like a enclosed car, so no spider...
Anyway, I can't buy right now, just thinking different ideas, not looking for a car to buy (yet?).
Alez - 12/3/13 at 11:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by iank
MEV Atomic uses that layout http://www.roadtrackrace.co.uk/rtr_atomic_gallery.html
Yes, that's the one I got the idea from. Far from enclosed, but yes, that's the layout. I would put the engine quite a lot more to the rear,
though. That said, I'm wary of the engine being so close to the driver because of safety, heat and noise.
Alez - 12/3/13 at 11:08 PM
T66, what a cool project, mate, I love it. The round tube chassis is looking awesome, congrats.
quote:
Originally posted by T66
No chain in my fiat, far too short wheelbase.
I managed to find a Quaife powertec axle, thank you scootz
That's very interesting, I shall keep an eye on your thread to see how good it all comes together.
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
Macbeast - 12/3/13 at 11:13 PM
Ford Zephyr - what else ?
[img]http://
Z car
[/img]
( for those who weren't watching TV in the 1960s ) 
[Edited on 13/3/13 by Macbeast]
Alez - 12/3/13 at 11:17 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Macbeast
Ford Zephyr - what else ?
Have you been drinking brake fluid again, pal?
Alez - 12/3/13 at 11:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by iank
Fiat 500 works (though they are getting expensive) http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/viewthread.php?tid=172827
"Using the above classic mini transfer box bolted straight on."
Cool! Liking that.
[Edited on 12/3/13 by Alez]
ashg - 13/3/13 at 01:08 AM
i have got an imp they weigh absolutely nothing mine is fully gutted at them moment and i push it around all the time with one leg out the door while
steering
MK9R - 13/3/13 at 06:29 AM
How about a GTM??
imp paul - 13/3/13 at 06:45 AM
ash is bang on the money nothing heavy here lol
this is how the shell is with no floor omg
froggy - 13/3/13 at 08:07 AM
I have a spare kitten van at work and if I was doing another one I would buy a cheap mx5 , simple ladder chassis using both Mazda subframes and use
everything else as the seats fit etc . 1.8 donor would make 130hp 800kg daily driver . The running gear fits under a scooped out mini van with clubman
front so no issue with a reliant body .
Mid engined gives me great traction but no where near as much fun as rwd
ashg - 13/3/13 at 08:18 AM
quote:
Originally posted by imp paul
ash is bang on the money nothing heavy here lol
this is how the shell is with no floor omg
holey S**T paul i knew you were going for it but thats another level
Alez - 13/3/13 at 10:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
How about a GTM??
They are aorund 750 kg.
Alez - 13/3/13 at 10:15 AM
quote:
Originally posted by imp paul
ash is bang on the money nothing heavy here lol
What do you plan to use as body panels, Ash, kitchen film maybe? Nice one.
motorcycle_mayhem - 13/3/13 at 11:23 AM
Clan Crusader.
Light and (perhaps) the most beautiful of choices. Yes, I am biased
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWoLpDMZFts&list=UUyFWzcAohQlXMs-nutECxEw&index=7
Simply hang the Z-cars type frame from a well-bolted-in rear roll bar.
bi22le - 13/3/13 at 12:39 PM
what about a suzuki capaccino thingy.
There was a bonkers one reviewed in PPC about a year ago. It had a busa lump in which is sweet as the manufacture is all the same, good pub banta!
Alez - 13/3/13 at 01:46 PM
quote:
Originally posted by froggy
Mid engined gives me great traction but no where near as much fun as rwd
I assume by RWD you mean engine behind the front axle and RWD. I've driven good handling examples of both rear-mid engine and front-mid engine.
For a car which engine accounts for a significant % of the total weight, I choose rear-mid.
My Ultima, for example, gives me the feeling that the engine is sitting where it should. My Locosts, on the other hand, felt like the most effective
way to take a bend involved making them oversteer in order to place the engine right between the rear wheels and the target direction, then push the
engine from there, so to say. You end up using the rear wheels for steering, which, in a car with that layout, makes sense from a physics
perspective.
On cars where the weight is more spread because the car itself weighs a bit, like for example my MX-5, front-mid is alright.
Looking at it purely from a fun perspective, I agree front-mid is fun, specially in sevenesque cars and similar, in which you often find yourself
describing circles around the engine since the driver sits pretty much on the rear axle
Alez - 13/3/13 at 01:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by motorcycle_mayhem
Clan Crusader.
615 kg but I agree it's a pretty cool car. I didn't know there were quite a few GRP monocoque cars, in fact I only knew about the GTM line
up and the Mini Marcos and Midas Gold.
MK9R - 13/3/13 at 01:55 PM
wonder how much an elise would weigh without the K series and gearbox??
All these weights you quote do they include car engine and box?? obviously a bike engine saves a fair chunk of weight, a 5vy R1 complete engine weighs
in at 65kg
Minicooper - 13/3/13 at 01:57 PM
If you have already bought the classic mini transfer box it's a bit late, but if you haven't I would suggest you turn your engine the
correct way round and use a jackshaft to a more normal chain driven diff, this will give you more weight forward and too the right, if you want to,
and also let's you use a long chain with plenty of room for an electric reverse aswell
This is the style of jackshaft I bought for a previous project
Cheers
David
froggy - 13/3/13 at 01:58 PM
Mine is the same track /wheelbase as an Elise and the z cars Monte Carlo is very similar , smaller than that especially track would be hard work to
drive on the limit . Mine is just over 800kg but has a good chunk of weight up front
Minicooper - 13/3/13 at 01:59 PM
Found an old drawing I did
Cheers
David
MK9R - 13/3/13 at 01:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
wonder how much an elise would weigh without the K series and gearbox??
All these weights you quote do they include car engine and box?? obviously a bike engine saves a fair chunk of weight, a 5vy R1 complete engine weighs
in at 65kg
just answered my own question, K series engine with nox is 130kg, so you save 65 kg straight away.
Alez - 13/3/13 at 02:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
wonder how much an elise would weigh without the K series and gearbox??
All these weights you quote do they include car engine and box?? obviously a bike engine saves a fair chunk of weight, a 5vy R1 complete engine weighs
in at 65kg
All those weights are for stock cars in standard trim, so a finished project would weigh less. In the case of GRP monocoques, the weight loss would be
mainly from the power train. In the case of steel bodied cars, it would be the power train, plus replacing the bonnet and maybe some other panels with
GRP, side windows with policarbonate, you know the story, then again these would get a spaceframe for rigidity and safety (as shown on T66's Fiat
126) or at the very least a rear subframe, so who knows.
Alez - 13/3/13 at 02:09 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
just answered my own question, K series engine with nox is 130kg, so you save 65 kg straight away.
Well, a standard Elise S1 is 725 kg, and S2s are around 860+ kg.
MK9R - 13/3/13 at 02:10 PM
http://www.tdkracing.com/ The full Grp mini??
Alez - 13/3/13 at 02:16 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
http://www.tdkracing.com/ The full Grp mini??
Looks expensive, but yes, I think that would be a top choice.
mcerd1 - 13/3/13 at 02:54 PM
a bog std. pug 106 is about 760kg (s1 4speed) - and it could loose a bit easily enough
or the citroen ax is even lighter (same running gear)
FASTdan - 13/3/13 at 03:01 PM
On the subject of the Z cars mini's, why do they handle so badly? I've heard/read it several times, but as has been said they've got a
lot of adjustability built in, surely they can be made to handle well?
On another note, my vote goes with the Busa cappucino!! Great suggestion!
[Edited on 13/3/13 by FASTdan]
scootz - 13/3/13 at 03:15 PM
A Banks Lotus Europa or a Banks Smart Roadster!
Linky
Linky
And as others have alluded to, I have the perfect donor for one of them... 
MikeRJ - 13/3/13 at 04:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Alez
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
How about a GTM??
They are aorund 750 kg.
Which GTM are you referring to, there are several different cars? The GTM Coupe weighs around 610kg with an A series engine and box. The original
Cox GTM was weighed at 533kg (with 10 inch steel wheels etc).
Volvorsport - 13/3/13 at 04:20 PM
or a davrian , if you can find one....
parkiboy - 13/3/13 at 05:21 PM
Another vote for the hillman IMP here!
T66 - 13/3/13 at 06:28 PM
IMHO - I fully anticipate twitchy handling with the Fiat, happy to turn in rapidly but also swift to snap into spinning oversteer at the drop of a
small hat. My car is different, built for fun, thats about it.
Only my own take on why the Zcars are not brilliant on a circuit, but weight distribution is the key here, linked to that , a sensible wheelbase.
Mine has the weight distribution of an old 911, the wheelbase of a Fiat 126, and lots of power hopefully. If I was building a circuit racer, I wouldnt
be where I am, MK Midi / Riot/ seven type of car would be my choice.
BTW - Take a look at your Ultimas front suspension, then look at mine.
I suspect the differences in bodyshell weight are academic , as mine consisted of side panels and roof, it could of easily been an Imp/Mini or Smart
mounted on my chassis. Thank you Nat & Cal....
imp paul - 13/3/13 at 06:33 PM
body panels here you go lads
Description
and yes ash i have got my leg in o nooooo lol
[Edited on 13/3/13 by imp paul]
Pat_T - 13/3/13 at 08:03 PM
I thought this was very cool when it was posted! Just needs a decent bike motor...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25968
Description
Description
[Edited on 13/3/13 by Pat_T]
iank - 13/3/13 at 08:19 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Pat_T
I thought this was very cool when it was posted! Just needs a decent bike motor...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25968
Description
Description
[Edited on 13/3/13 by Pat_T]
That's John Beardmores car (JB on here, though he doesn't visit much these days)
http://www.beardmorebros.co.uk/website%20pages/new_project.htm
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:20 AM
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
a bog std. pug 106 is about 760kg (s1 4speed) - and it could loose a bit easily enough
or the citroen ax is even lighter (same running gear)
Yes I had already checked the 106, not the AX though.
quote:
Originally posted by bi22le
what about a suzuki capaccino thingy.
quote:
Originally posted by FASTdan
On another note, my vote goes with the Busa cappucino!! Great suggestion!
725 kg as standard, pretty heavy for the narrow track, isn't it?
[Edited on 14/3/13 by Alez]
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by scootz
A Banks Lotus Europa or a Banks Smart Roadster!
Both look fantastic. A friend told me once that the Roadster was the best handling car he had driven, I was impressed because he's also driven
the Elise and others but he said the Roadster corners better.
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:34 AM
quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by Alez
They are aorund 750 kg.
Which GTM are you referring to, there are several different cars? The GTM Coupe weighs around 610kg with an A series engine and box. The original
Cox GTM was weighed at 533kg (with 10 inch steel wheels etc).
I meant the Libra (I think that's the one you mean by Coupe). The Wikipedia page doesn't say weight, so I searched for "gtm libra curb
weight" on Google and got the ballpark figure from
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/
I didn't know about this earlier Coupe, but I'm really liking it.
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:39 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Volvorsport
or a davrian , if you can find one....
I didn't know that one, apparently it was extremely light at around 460 kg, and it looks really nice too.
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by T66
Mine has the weight distribution of an old 911, the wheelbase of a Fiat 126, and lots of power hopefully. If I was building a circuit racer, I wouldnt
be where I am, MK Midi / Riot/ seven type of car would be my choice.
And my choice too I've set good handling as requirement because that's key for having fun on track days but that's about it.
I'm happy to consider any cars that "look like a good idea". Obviously you wouldn't do that for racing, as you would tend to
choose a well proven solution, often mid-front engined like you suggest.
quote:
Originally posted by T66
BTW - Take a look at your Ultimas front suspension, then look at mine.
Well, I'm extremely impressed about my Ultima's handling but not so much about its front suspension complexity, in fact my one isn't
even rose jointed:
http://www.vm-electronica.com/ultima/ultima_adv_11.jpg
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:51 AM
quote:
Originally posted by imp paul
body panels here you go lads and yes ash i have got my leg in o nooooo lol
That's looking absolutely brilliant.
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Pat_T
I thought this was very cool when it was posted! Just needs a decent bike motor...
http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25968
Neat job. I wonder how much it weighs, though.
[Edited on 14/3/13 by Alez]
T66 - 14/3/13 at 01:16 PM
Food for thought....
http://www.zanga106.it/
http://www.motonews.pl/forum/?op=fvt&t=121769&c=0&f=25
X19 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foIMG7hQ0CE&list=FL2UOz7BHSoffi6pMMlTq3hQ&index=83
Fiat 600 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgGOvFaPHD0&list=FL2UOz7BHSoffi6pMMlTq3hQ&index=143
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw8mAp3G5b8&list=FL2UOz7BHSoffi6pMMlTq3hQ&index=183
Volvorsport - 14/3/13 at 01:39 PM
tim duffee is stii producing davrian follow on cars for competition ........
imp paul - 14/3/13 at 02:20 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Alez
quote:
Originally posted by imp paul
body panels here you go lads and yes ash i have got my leg in o nooooo lol
That's looking absolutely brilliant.
cheers mate
Alez - 14/3/13 at 03:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by T66
Food for thought....
http://www.zanga106.it/
http://www.motonews.pl/forum/?op=fvt&t=121769&c=0&f=25
X19 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foIMG7hQ0CE&list=FL2UOz7BHSoffi6pMMlTq3hQ&index=83
Fiat 600 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgGOvFaPHD0&list=FL2UOz7BHSoffi6pMMlTq3hQ&index=143
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw8mAp3G5b8&list=FL2UOz7BHSoffi6pMMlTq3hQ&index=183
Good stuff.
I had already considered the 106, 600 and X1/9, all of them much heavier than the 500, but I'm sure they are all fine for bike power once
reworked.
Some body elements of the cars on the second link reminded me of the not too subtle MG Metro 6R4 rally car
[Edited on 14/3/13 by Alez]
mcerd1 - 14/3/13 at 03:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by AlezSome body elements of the cars on the second link reminded me of the not too subtle MG Metro 6R4 rally car
so does that mean your looking for a good metro shell now ?
T66 - 14/3/13 at 04:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
quote:
Originally posted by AlezSome body elements of the cars on the second link reminded me of the not too subtle MG Metro 6R4 rally car
so does that mean your looking for a good metro shell now ?
Now a Metro would look very good with wide arches, and theres not many about. Metro gets my vote.....!
some more food...
[Edited on 14/3/13 by T66]
Alez - 14/3/13 at 08:52 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mcerd1
so does that mean your looking for a good metro shell now ?
You guys are terrible.
quote:
Originally posted by T66
some more food...
Good food.
The cars on the last two pics look weird, though. I think there's a limit to the maximum extra track width you can add. The first car is right on
my limit (or slightly past, probably, but maybe some careful styling can fix it). That's me, anyway.
[Edited on 14/3/13 by Alez]
Alez - 14/3/13 at 10:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MK9R
http://www.tdkracing.com/ The full Grp mini??
Also there's this:
http://www.zen55560.zen.co.uk/UltiMiniIntro.htm
Any good?
rdodger - 14/3/13 at 10:33 PM
fiat 595 barchetta fibreglass bodyshell complete opening doors | eBay
One of these!
Alez - 15/3/13 at 10:25 AM
quote:
Originally posted by rdodger
fiat 595 barchetta fibreglass bodyshell complete opening doors | eBay
One of these!
Shame it doesn't have an enclosed interior, because it looks great.
alowry - 15/3/13 at 12:26 PM
As a zcars mini owner I feel the need to defend them when reading comments suggesting they handle like badly.
Autocar published an article & youtube video of their test of one a few weeks ago & described it as having 'unforgiving limit
handling' which my be a fairer description of them & other extreme track biased cars. They also commented they suspected it was capable of
posting lap times comparable with a current 911!
They might be hard work to drive close to the limit but to write them off as being s*?!e handling is unfair on a company who have spent years racing
& developing their product to the degree they have!
O.k rant over, i'm off out to work on the car......please god don't let me put it through a hedge after defending it on here!
Adam.
Here's the autocar review:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ABcXh9KtQ
& some great driving by Tim Schrick if you skip through a bit:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT437kWV8Rc
scootz - 15/3/13 at 03:35 PM
I just had a quick squiz through that vid, so this may be wrong...
The Z-Cars was on slicks and only managed to beat the production mini by a second!?
alowry - 15/3/13 at 04:56 PM
Michelin P220's according to the mag' article so wet race tires. They reported the zcar broke down before he could set a quick lap hence his
comment about suspecting it would be comparable to a 911. I'm no fan but that new mini is setting the quickest lap times of the modern hot
hatches so no slouch itself.
I'm only hoping to suggest they don't handle as badly as previous comments might indicate, realistically it's not a car for mixing it
with the Radicals etc but they are raced & hillclimbed successfully.
Adam.
Alez - 15/3/13 at 08:51 PM
I would like to comment on my personal understanding of what good handling is, from my admittedly limited track experience and driving skills.
To me, the concept of handling is related to the behaviour of a car while understeering (front slides), oversteering (rear slides) AND drifting (both
front and rear slide), as well as the transitions (no sliding to sliding and back to no sliding).
Handling is therefore not related to reference lap times (a professional driver will overcome bad handling through driving skills), cornering speed,
or even tendency to under/oversteer. For example, early straight six TVRs such as the Tuscan are known to have poor handling (you may remember J.
Clarkson having a laugh about that on the track), but they are fast around corners, simply because, even though they will spin if they go, they
won't go easily.
So, to me, "unforgiving limit handling" equals bad handling regardless of both lap times comparable to a current 911 and race and hillclimb
success.
How much of that may be true for the ZCars Mini, I'm clueless about, Tim Schrick's review suggests its handling is actually alright, and I
suspect bad reviews may come simply from poor tuning, since obviously, a car with fully adjustable suspension geometry needs a good amount of
attention, expertise and time on the track not needed in less sophisticated solutions. I'm just guessing.
Like I said before I'm not at all into racing (otherwise I would look for a proven solution with good race heritage, like say a Fisher Fury for
example), lap times mean nothing to me, but I do want good handling, because the better a car handles, the easier it is to use it as a tool to improve
your driving skills, and to me that's the most important thing for having fun on a track day. On that respect, I have learnt the most from track
days with my MX-5 mk1 under the rain, despite all my kit cars having been MUCH more exciting and informative in terms of feedback to the driver.
Does that make sense at all?
[Edited on 15/3/13 by Alez]
Dopdog - 15/3/13 at 10:20 PM
I would like to add my bit to this as well, I have been to the Z Car factory and was taken out by Chris (a few years ago now) and was more than
impressed with the cars ability. In fact we still talk about how well the car handled years later. First class conversion and well done to the man.
only reason i did not get one was it was still a mini!! each to his own but not my cup of tea it was absolutley planted FANTASTIC.
Andybarbet - 15/3/13 at 10:40 PM
I know of a complete super imp that is looking for a new home.
Hasnt been on the road in 11 years but has been stored in an open sided barn.
I have been offered it for free but with a 1976 mini, 21 year old vespa, kitcar to build & a growing family i cant take it on 
Engine was started last year too.
Let me know if you might be interested, it was offered to someone else until i found out they planned to just sell it straight on! We just want it to
go to a good home & maybe see it back on the road in one way or another.
froggy - 16/3/13 at 09:36 AM
my first mid engined setup in the kitten was a tl1000 v twin running on 10"wheels with 165/70/10 tyres . 460kg 120hp and the most fun to drive
with plenty of slip angle and no snap oversteer .when i went up to 13" with 50 series tyres it lost all the movement and would push on rather
than the rear coming out .
T66 - 16/3/13 at 12:17 PM
1968 Sunbeam Stiletto Hillman Imp Partially Restored | eBay
Alez - 16/3/13 at 07:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Andybarbet
Let me know if you might be interested, it was offered to someone else until i found out they planned to just sell it straight on! We just want it to
go to a good home & maybe see it back on the road in one way or another.
That's very generous of you.
I can't take it, though. I'm sure it's well worth a trip to the UK for collection (I live in Madrid), but I don't have a trailer,
and more importantly, I'm not a builder, so I have no garage, no skills and no tools to work on it
Is no one else here interested???
[Edited on 16/3/13 by Alez]
Benzo - 16/3/13 at 08:06 PM
Bought this today as a project, Imp Super/thunder saloon based on March F3 car.. Originally BDA engined with hewland box!
Should keep me busy for a while..
Andybarbet - 16/3/13 at 08:27 PM
Ooops.- didnt realise you were in Madrid :-)
Thats would be a serious journey just to pick up a car !
Good luck with the search.
