GRIZZ’s Chevy S10 - Random Rambling NEXT ROADTRIP 27/10/23

Already there mate!

Time has come to admit this car isn't going anywhere as I don't have time to spend on it so looking to sell it.

The good points -
It's a properly registered Dutton Kit Car (not still listed as an Escort or something odd like many kit cars).
Insurance is a pittance. We paid less than £100 through a specialist.
It's built to a decent standard
It's got a 1300 X-Flow GT engine from a Mk1 Escort so is decent power for the size and the engine is pretty desirable
Strong 4-speed box
It handles brilliantly. Done two track days and it was only really stuff like Elise that could keep up with it in the turns. On the straights everything beat it though as it's not fast!
Very basic so little to go wrong - no power assist on brakes or steering etc
Changed to modern post type battery from original screw-in ford type. Battery is virtually unsused for 5 years old so may or may not hold charge
Sports harnesses
Has a full roof and doors (small hole in roof that needs fixing)
Also has the shoulder level torneau thing
4x108 wheel fitment so any old school Ford rims will fit
It's road legal, has wipers, a (pathetic) blower, a window wash etc. MOT expired some time ago though.
Emissions are based on age so it's basically a no-visible smoke test. No CAT or DPF, EGR business to fail here
I 'think' there is enough original parts you could go through the process of getting an age related plate and be MOT and Tax free. I'm no expert on this though.


The bad points -
It's sat for a number of years. I managed to get it started recently with petrol directly into the carb but the jerry can of fuel in the tank didn't make it through to the front. Could be a blocked pipe, could be it just wasn't enough to reach the pick up.
It's a little buried in my garage at present (see photo at bottom) but in process of digging it out.
The exhaust manifold had a split so took it off to get welded (by high temperature coded pressure welders at work, it's probably the best welded exhaust you'll see) and it's only loosely refitted.
It's got a dynamo rather than an alternator. More authentic, but less power.
It's got drum brakes all around. To be fair with braided hoses and relatively skinny tyres they have no issue with the power, if you stuck a bigger lump in I'd look to upgrade.
It tops out about 70 or 80 so I wouldn't want to drive to Scotland in it
The rear leaf springs are on lowering blocks but BELOW the springs so think they're just to give the shock more room. Either way it handles well.
The radiator has a snapped bracket, needs welding back on
Couple of cracks to the body work we fixed to get it track legal. Not very pretty. Worse is the front left arch as below. We riveted a plate on to hold it together. We're not GRP experts.
The wiring is the original loom with some adaptations and original bullet style fuses. It all works but it's not the most pretty install you'll ever see.
The seats are narrow and low backed which works with the low level cover but you might like proper high backed ones instead
Being based on a very old donor car the gauges etc are more a general indication of what speed/fuel/RPM etc you're doing.
It's got pretty high side walled tyres on steel rims. Personally I'm fine with that and tyres are cheap and nobody is going to steal your rims but you might prefer some sexy alloy wheels with a bit less rubber to impress people as you do doughnuts outside McDonalds.
Handbrake isn't amazing, probably wants adjustment



Work needed to just get it MOT'd -
Charge battery
Work out why fuel isn't getting through
Reattach manifold
Fix radiator bracket
General check over, likely adjust handbrake

Work needed to improve it and make it A1 -
Repair body work better
Possibly some higher backed seats
Would be nice to rewire it all with one of those ready made kitcar looms
General blow over of bodywork to a decent colour

Work needed to go crazy -
The world's your oyster. People have fitted everything from Pinto to a V8 into these along with suitable wheel/brake/suspension upgrade and roll cages etc

Price -
I'm looking for offers around £1000. Sadly a lot of these are 'plate raped' and the ID used for unregistered kit cars to avoid the need to pass through IVA/SVA or whatever it's called these days so I'm wary if I sell for much less it's going to be used for dodgy purposes. Turning an unregistered, unchecked Robin Hood or similar into a 'road legal' car is the fate of many of these.
Please note it's registered in my mates name (it's a shared track car) but he can pop around with photo ID to prove ownership etc and that it isn't anything dodgy going on.


You can read the full thread here -
forum.retro-rides.org/thread/88591/1985-dutton-phaeton-series-1300gt
eternaloptimist, waynedear, and 3 more like thislike

Men with transits, best hope the real owner doesn't look at these pages

Austin Champ? Hustler? Something mini based but not a moke as very expensive these days?

Not at all interesting imho mate.

Suspect a base car will cost too



It is in the game, but some appeal more than others.

Eagle may be a better idea for sticking on a seven chassis as IIRC they are longer (Cortina based?)

What about finding a correctly-registered, IVA'd SWB VW beach buggy and swapping the buggy body for a Jago one?

They're used to be a beetle-based jeep replica in the states many moons ago


car-from-uk.com/sale.php?id=92290&country=us

A Veep!

I would be interested, but suspect the selling price would be set at a level where this sort of thing for me, would be too high.

I am scratching around in the very Sub £500.00 Bargain bucket.

Been offered a Jago (to be confirmed) for £350.00 in Scotland, which at about 380 miles x2 is 760 miles of fuel, food and fun.

However, no V5 but seems it was on the road before, now sans motor and trans.

Which kinda suits me.



No good to me, I want front engine RWD, but they look good.




You get my “drift”

I am specifically after the Owner-Type look, or as close as possible to it.

I am 1.83 or 6’ and around 19 stone, or 120kg of pure COVID19 non muscle at this point.

So sitting on it, like a Napoleon appeals.

The final result of this build is great.

forum.retro-rides.org/thread/205104/heap-retrograde-2018-special-eagle?page=1

Completely bonkers and as low as possible.

.

They often pop up under £500 sans engine/trans once they have been stripped by the ford boys...

I'll have a word this afternoon

.



So I guess I should at least add in this thread link.


All advice, hints, help etc welcome.


forum.retro-rides.org/thread/215488/grizz-purgatory-plastic-rezin-rockit


Galaxy May even get called into service if I don’t find an alternative cheap option on Shipley or similar to bring it down from Ayr in Scotland


Kinda excited, yes.