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Jan 31, 2015 22:57:59 GMT
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What with three major projects on the go at the moment, I shouldn't really be looking at a fourth, but what harm can it do, its only looking, right?
Anyway, I've always fancied building something from the chassis up, instead of major repairs on more modern vehicles.
There are a couple of candidates on the market, which have a useful chassis, a Reliant Kitten for one, and most of the 4x4 Land Rover market although I think the 4x4 chassis is a little on the large side to be truthful.
As always, money is tight, did I mention three major projects already? So something that could be aquired quite cheaply would be nice!
eBlag is as useful as ever, returning anything remotely associated to "chassis", even an 18ft fishing boat!
Anyway, apart from the above mentioned vehicles, I've come up blank on what else has a separate chassis that could be of use.... Anyone?
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Depends on your plans, but I would recommend a Scimitar!!  |
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'96 Volvo 850T5 x2, '97 Alfa 145 Cloverleaf '96 Alfa 155, '91 XR2i 2.0 Zetec (sold), '88 BMW 520i slug (sold), '81 Escort Mk3 Project, '68 Mk1 Escort Estate, Berlingo Parts Chaser.
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Forget Kitten. I've had a Kitten estate, Salamander and Fox. The ungalv'd rot badly (all are now ancient) and made out of very thin gauge metal so even if they look sound on outside that can be paper thick due to internal rusting. Reliant front suspension service parts are very expensive also.
My choice would be the SWB Vitara. Cheap to buy, independent front suspension so easy to remove diff and half shafts to create a normal RWD layout. Gearbox can be changed for a RWD rather than 4x4 item using a SJ item albeit needed a common adapter plate if retaining the Vitara 1.6 engine.
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Last Edit: Feb 1, 2015 10:34:49 GMT by SamR380
I've got Rovers.
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scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 1,503
Club RR Member Number: 8
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Separate chassis vehicles?scimjim
@scimjim
Club Retro Rides Member 8
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Scimitar GTE (SE5/5a/6/6a), the 6b is available galv, or the smaller Scimitar SS1 (also available in galv as standard).
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Depends what you want to build on it! E.g. is it to avoid needing to go though BIVA etc on a roof chopped, full bodied car, or to build an authentic / period appropriate looking fenderless rod?
The Scimitar seems to be better for a full width (or fendered) body, but a Riley RM rolling chassis could be ideal for a '30s fenderless rod. The latter in 1 1/2 litre RMA / E flavour can be picked up quite cheaply with docs (and possibly some final remnants of the original steel, ash and material bodywork). Torsion bar IFS with rack and pinion steering means they drive a lot better than their age suggests. However, the entire front suspension cradle unbolts from the front of the chassis, so could easily be replaced with a beam axle if so desired, without any chassis mods.
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,790
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Separate chassis vehicles?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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Depends what you want to build on it! E.g. is it to avoid needing to go though BIVA etc on a roof chopped, full bodied car, or to build an authentic / period appropriate looking fenderless rod? The Scimitar seems to be better for a full width (or fendered) body, but a Riley RM rolling chassis could be ideal for a '30s fenderless rod. The latter in 1 1/2 litre RMA / E flavour can be picked up quite cheaply with docs (and possibly some final remnants of the original steel, ash and material bodywork). Torsion bar IFS with rack and pinion steering means they drive a lot better than their age suggests. However, the entire front suspension cradle unbolts from the front of the chassis, so could easily be replaced with a beam axle if so desired, without any chassis mods. now thats interesting, cos i know where there is one... rolling chassis with incomplete bodywork, so wouldnt cos me a lot i don't think. |
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Dez, I have loads of RM series tech and dimension data and also chassis ref pics should they be of use before committing to the purchase. Based on what I've seen on ebay, the going rate for a total wreck seems to be perhaps as much as £1k if the running gear is present, but less if not. The 1 1/2 litre saloon (A or E) is a shorter wheelbase and worth much less than the 2 1/2 litre saloon (B or F) - the C or D are the factory roadster and drophead, so won't be cheap even if in utterly vile condition! Quite a few years back, someone did build a very nice rod using RM running gear and wheels wrapped in polished ally panels - you may well know the one I mean as it featured in loads of the mags.
If tuned up, the 1 1/2 can produce surprisingly decent power for its age - in the RMs, they were in a lower state of tune due to pool petrol and the need for low down torque to lug the much heavier (than prewar) chassis & bodywork. The 2 1/2 in it's final form in the Pathfinder produced 110bhp at something like only 4.5K rpm. With o/d, either 80 or 90mph (can't remember which) was at only 3K. However, sadly these units aren't as easy to find as the 1 1/2.
I've always liked the idea of using one as the basis for a full custom coachbuilt style design (e.g. of a similar ilk to Phoney & Flashy Figoni & Falaschi) rather than an open wheel hot rod type build, but even then, I reckon that the original front end wouldn't look inappropriate should other mods require it for retaining the ID.
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,790
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Separate chassis vehicles?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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good info paul. ive just done a bit of googling and it should have a 112.5" wheelbase if its an RME as he told me, which is a sensible size.
i know its a 4dr saloon, as there is remains of a body, i don't know how much though, it certainly has no doors/wings/front end sheetmetal on it, or engine and box, but he may have some/all of them. id assume its a 1.5.
not aure which build you mean, but I'm sure i can find it.
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It's this one. The engine, box and rear axle were all Riley RM 1 1/2 litre. IIRC, it was chosen as the basis since apparently the Riley twin cam looked like a baby Offenhauser engine. |
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,790
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Separate chassis vehicles?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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ah, yes, i know the car. never realised it was riley based, cos its always touted round as a model A. i always assumed it was an ally repro body on model A based mechanicals. hot rodders telling fibs about the originals of their cars to make them seem cooler? perish the thought....
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Old chassis can last very well compared to modern lightweight items. I bought a 1936 Austin Ruby chassis for building a special and it was almost in mint condition - mainly due to the open channel section rather than box. Rover P4 chassis rolling chassis are cheap -  |
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,960
Club RR Member Number: 174
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Separate chassis vehicles?stealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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IIRC SWB Vitara chassis are the right size to put a Moggy Minor body on. It'd be a bit gasser height though - they need chassis work to go low.
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IIRC SWB Vitara chassis are the right size to put a Moggy Minor body on. It'd be a bit gasser height though - they need chassis work to go low. A gasser Moggy sounds awesome. |
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you can refine the search on Ebay to search just 'automotive' or similar.
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First gen Mercedes ML had a seperate chassis  Does come with v8s too... |
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 Click picture for more |
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colnerov
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,879
Member is Online
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Hi, Is the ML in the same situation as the MX5 in that it isn't a chassis but a subframe that carries all the mechanicals? I suppose it depends which bears the VIN the frame or the bodyshell.
Colin
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craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,998
Club RR Member Number: 35
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Separate chassis vehicles?craig1010cc
@craig1010cc
Club Retro Rides Member 35
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IIRC SWB Vitara chassis are the right size to put a Moggy Minor body on. It'd be a bit gasser height though - they need chassis work to go low. A gasser Moggy sounds awesome. That would indeed be awesome. what if you used a suzuki XC90 chassis as you can get them in 2wd and tbey are even less loved. |
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Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,790
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Separate chassis vehicles?Dez
@dez
Club Retro Rides Member 34
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ML are a full, proper chassis. Very heavyweight too. Suspension setup is rather agricultural, although the front is torsion bar so easily lowered.
IIRC suzukis are very easy to convert to 2wd as the gearbox and transfer box are separate, not a combined unit.
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As mentioned taxi chassis can be had cheap, 108" wheelbase if wiki is right too.
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