the forgotton donor?
Discussion
Any own got an idea for the "ideal" donor? that the industry just don't seem to be using and you can't think why.
Mine used to be the volvo 340!!! to be used with a bike engine in a 7. Weight is the problem with my idea, but I saw that by using the transaxle from the volvo (gearbox in rear axle) you could have 2 gear leavers, one from bike engine, one from trans axle, and like on a mountain bike you could effectivley change front or rear ratios...and even got a free reverse box.
Mine used to be the volvo 340!!! to be used with a bike engine in a 7. Weight is the problem with my idea, but I saw that by using the transaxle from the volvo (gearbox in rear axle) you could have 2 gear leavers, one from bike engine, one from trans axle, and like on a mountain bike you could effectivley change front or rear ratios...and even got a free reverse box.
BMW 3 series offers a very reliable
set of mechanics and a wonderful range of engines. The configuration of North-South engine and RWD makes it the natural successor to the Sierra
.
My paper advertises examples as cheap as £200 and what’s more, they’re still in production. They’ll therefore be available for a long time to come.
I note that some manufacturers are utilizing the 5 series, but I think there are more 3 series about.
Den
set of mechanics and a wonderful range of engines. The configuration of North-South engine and RWD makes it the natural successor to the Sierra. My paper advertises examples as cheap as £200 and what’s more, they’re still in production. They’ll therefore be available for a long time to come.
I note that some manufacturers are utilizing the 5 series, but I think there are more 3 series about.
Den
kitcarman said:
BMW 3 series offers a very reliable
My paper advertises examples as cheap as £200 and what’s more, they’re still in production. They’ll therefore be available for a long time to come.
I note that some manufacturers are utilizing the 5 series, but I think there are more 3 series about.
Den
what kits are there currently based on the 3 series BM, I was thinking of retiring mine soon and this be a fitting end for it
Roman Kit Cars make a 289 Cobra replica based on the 3 series bmw
www.romankitcars.co.uk/
Other than dunno sorry!
www.romankitcars.co.uk/
Other than dunno sorry!
dontlift said:
BMW 3 series offers a very reliable
My paper advertises examples as cheap as £200 and what’s more, they’re still in production. They’ll therefore be available for a long time to come.
I note that some manufacturers are utilizing the 5 series, but I think there are more 3 series about.
Den
what kits are there currently based on the 3 series BM, I was thinking of retiring mine soon and this be a fitting end for it
Think NG cars were demo-ing one...
I'd have thought the 3 series would have been a better donor due to the weight the suspension is designed to carry being closer than the 5 series to most Kit cars....... suppose we will have to see.
Is the quality of the 5 series bits better than the 3 series ie designed for larger wheels?
Anyway whats wrong with the sirra bits, I've had my cossie for 9years in quite a high level of tune and never had any problems, and with its coilovers it handles faultlessly, I have no doubts that it would out handle a sorted M3 of the same era.
Is the quality of the 5 series bits better than the 3 series ie designed for larger wheels?
Anyway whats wrong with the sirra bits, I've had my cossie for 9years in quite a high level of tune and never had any problems, and with its coilovers it handles faultlessly, I have no doubts that it would out handle a sorted M3 of the same era.
andycanam said:There’s no technical problem
Anyway whats wrong with the sirra bits. . . . . . .
. It’s the fact that they are disappearing fast that is of concern. Sierra was replaced by FWD Mondeo more than a decade ago. Popular kit cars need a plentiful supply of cheap donors cars
. In a couple of years the Sierra shall be as scarce as Cortina’s are presently. I’m thinking about what the Sierra’s logical successor is going to be. Den
. Playing the devils advocate: Why bother having a donor at all?
When I looked at the components I am going to need for my Rush, they are essentially the hub carriers, diff, shafts, brakes and steering column + a few odds and sods. In all they are not a large proportion of the components, primarily because I am going the v8 route.
Now you only have to look in a Demon tweeds catalogue or the back of a kit car mag and there are adverts for custom shafts, diffs gear boxes and the like. Brake kits can be bought over the counter and it is not beyond the wit of man to make your own hub carriers.
So why go the route of tying a performance car to a particular donor? I understand at the cheaper end of the market that cost would be prohibative but in the more mainstream cobra, seven and GT wannabees why go to the hassle of choosing a donor you know may dry up?
It has always irritated me when you see these adverts which say all you need is a donor for £50. Yeah right. MOre like add £500. And then add the cost of refurb parts.
just my 2p worth and I am willing to be persuaded otherwise.
BTW does Ultima use a donor or is it all custom build?
When I looked at the components I am going to need for my Rush, they are essentially the hub carriers, diff, shafts, brakes and steering column + a few odds and sods. In all they are not a large proportion of the components, primarily because I am going the v8 route.
Now you only have to look in a Demon tweeds catalogue or the back of a kit car mag and there are adverts for custom shafts, diffs gear boxes and the like. Brake kits can be bought over the counter and it is not beyond the wit of man to make your own hub carriers.
So why go the route of tying a performance car to a particular donor? I understand at the cheaper end of the market that cost would be prohibative but in the more mainstream cobra, seven and GT wannabees why go to the hassle of choosing a donor you know may dry up?
It has always irritated me when you see these adverts which say all you need is a donor for £50. Yeah right. MOre like add £500. And then add the cost of refurb parts.
just my 2p worth and I am willing to be persuaded otherwise.
BTW does Ultima use a donor or is it all custom build?
IMHO we'll see a few more mid engined kits coming along in the performance end of the market and more front wheel drive cars in the budget end, just to make use of the donors that are about.
Having said that, we'll probably end up with more multiple donor kits.
When you see kits like the Sunrunner & Mojo, you wonder if they represent the halfway house between the two ends of the spectrum for the future.
Having said that, we'll probably end up with more multiple donor kits.
When you see kits like the Sunrunner & Mojo, you wonder if they represent the halfway house between the two ends of the spectrum for the future.
There was a time when it was possible to buy a relatively simple kit and a relatively ‘matching’ donor car and to economically ‘convert’ the later using the former. It was this concept which really took off in the 1980’s to produce the industry which presently exists.
The Dutton, Eagle, Jago, JBA, Pilgrim and numerous other popular kits like these got people started.Many of whom gained confidence and went on to build more complex ‘next generation’ kits.
I’d like to see a return of the simpler donor car concept not least because it intrinsically keeps costs down and tends to keep mechanical complexity to a minimum.
The reason is that I believe we need to see an influx of ‘young blood’ into this industry, to keep it healthy and buoyant. For this reason, I’m keen to see more ‘starter’ kits which cost less to build and which are less mechanically daunting
. That’s why I’d like to encourage the development of a fresh generation of single donor car kits.
With the inevitable demise of Ford’s Sierra, I’m wondering what (if anything) is going to replace it in a year or two.
Den.
in the 1980’s to produce the industry which presently exists. The Dutton, Eagle, Jago, JBA, Pilgrim and numerous other popular kits like these got people started.
Many of whom gained confidence and went on to build more complex ‘next generation’ kits. I’d like to see a return of the simpler donor car concept
not least because it intrinsically keeps costs down and tends to keep mechanical complexity to a minimum. The reason is that I believe we need to see an influx of ‘young blood’ into this industry, to keep it healthy and buoyant. For this reason, I’m keen to see more ‘starter’ kits which cost less to build and which are less mechanically daunting
. That’s why I’d like to encourage the development of a fresh generation of single donor car kits. With the inevitable demise of Ford’s Sierra, I’m wondering what (if anything) is going to replace it in a year or two. Den.
How about...
A mid engined car using Audi/VW longitudinal engines. Lots of choice and still in production. Includes V6, W5, W6, W8, W12, Straight 4 or 5, Turbo4 or 5. I've heard the mechancals last a long time so by the time they get into kits they'll still be OK.
A simple sports car based on a Ford Fiesta/Puma. One Donor. Still in production. Fair choice.
Slightly off topic but how about a four seater coupe. Big gap in the market. I can only think of Spyders re-chassis of the Elan plus 2.
A mid engined car using Audi/VW longitudinal engines. Lots of choice and still in production. Includes V6, W5, W6, W8, W12, Straight 4 or 5, Turbo4 or 5. I've heard the mechancals last a long time so by the time they get into kits they'll still be OK.
A simple sports car based on a Ford Fiesta/Puma. One Donor. Still in production. Fair choice.
Slightly off topic but how about a four seater coupe. Big gap in the market. I can only think of Spyders re-chassis of the Elan plus 2.
Gassing Station | Kit Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff