donor vehicles

[Carter36]

Looking at a project , cheap lightweight and reliable kit car and options for donors . I dont want to head down Bmw / MX5 route its been done , are there any small front engine rear drives out there Ive missed ? Maybe keep it simple with fwd or mid mounted , Im thinking C1 / Aygo does anyone see any problems using these , electrics etc any thought appreciated . I can build chassis / suspension thats not a problem and mould a body

[jas xjr]

I like the idea of something based on a boxster or an mgf . Maybe just a repanel job.
Look forward to seeing what you decide to do. Best of luck

[Carter36]

Boxster bit of a nightmare apparently due to dash / immobiliser. Already working on a couple of mgf projects but not a rebody, I did look at a couple of ideas keeping the mgf chassis standard to avoid iva issues

[jas xjr]

I was dreaming of doing a 356 inspired kit / repanel based on an mgf or a boxster. Just for speed and ease of build. Let us all know how you get on,please

[NiceCupOfTea]

If you want small, front engined, RWD - how about an old Suzuki Cappucino that's failed the MOT on rust?

[jas xjr]

BMW Z4 ?

[Ambleton]

Smart roadster for a mid/rear donor? Cheap and plentiful

[dom9]

Please keep the thread updated! Sounds like you've got some interesting ideas!

[Wanchaiwarrior]

Have you looked at a riot ? No affiliation or anything

[Frankthered]

If you're looking for overlooked donors, two spring to mind. The Jag S-Type and X-Type have never been used (to my knowledge) although neither are particularly small.

The other source of RWD that nobody seems to want to use in Mercedes.

The SLK/Crossfire might be a decent option,although most seem to be autos. Plenty about and pretty cheap at the moment.

[Skyedriver]

Ambleton said:

Smart roadster for a mid/rear donor? Cheap and plentiful

See the Alpine A110 thread...

[magpies]

I purchased a Jag S Type 3 litre Manual with 80k and 6m MoT for £600 Sounds and goes well. I've now removed said engine and box (checked the DMF and all is good - just a friction plate change) to fit into my TVR.

Thread on TVR S Series above.

Definitely a good doner.

[Funky Squirrel]

Would an rx8 be suitable. The wankle is small, light and develops good power. They are cheap to buy too

[Stiggolas]

What about some small panel vans, Mitsubishi etc do them and are RWD. The gearing could be better for a kit too as they're not exactly fast
My mates all think I'm daft as if I see anything interesting, I'll bend down and look at the drivetrain. Some 4WD cars have interesting rear layouts. Often looked under Honda HR-Vs etc...

[Mistrale]

I exchanged messages with Jeremy Phillips once about the idea of a Sylva Jester with C1 power - he really fancied the idea!

Engine is cheap as chips too!

[blearyeyedboy]

Funky Squirrel said:

Would an rx8 be suitable. The wankle is small, light and develops good power. They are cheap to buy too

This is exactly what was in my head.

Otherwise, I imagine much could be done with a Mk3 MR2, along the lines of the above-mentioned MGF/Boxster ideas?

[dom9]

Mistrale said:

I exchanged messages with Jeremy Phillips once about the idea of a Sylva Jester with C1 power - he really fancied the idea!

Engine is cheap as chips too!

I was wondering the same thing... cool little engine!

[Carter36]

I'm thinking c1, liege s type body. Mercedes is a great idea as the rx8, but it takes away from the small lightweight concept.
I think it's where the market is heading, to many big engine replicas out there that don't fit with today's market

[Equus]

Carter36 said:

I'm thinking c1, liege s type body...

Liege type body only suits front engine, though, which would mean an expensive gearbox 'conversion' (adapter plate or bellhousing) and separately sourced gearbox, for the C1 engine?

If you want to go down that route, Suzuki is the better option (either Cappucino, as already suggested, or the Carry van).

Looking to the future, a mid-engne arrangement seems more sensible, and the Sylva J15 has shown the way, there.

[Carter36]

Wanchaiwarrior said:

Have you looked at a riot ? No affiliation or anything

Riot looks good