I've got some new 245-60-15 Avon CR6ZZ tyres that I was going to fit on the front of my Cobra. I've since decided against that, so thought I'd try an old one that I've got on a rear wheel and see how it looked.  If it looks ok with the body, I might put the new ones on.  If I do I'll probably fit 215-60-14's on the front





I found these images on another site of a buggy with Avon CR6ZZ 245-60-15s and I quite like the look of the rear tyres on it.

( not my photos)

Both pans were rusty on the buggy, so I spent a little time shortening a new one this afternoon. I'd spent quite a bit of time looking at various articles on how people were shortening their pans. It seems that the Chevron cut is most popular, but as I suffer with mild OCD I didn't like the fact that the Chevron cuts through the pressings in the floor, thus making it look as if its been cut

I spent quite a bit of time figuring out how I could do this with minimal welding, excellent strength, whilst still looking factory. I made a number of templates to see how various types of cuts would look. I settled on the one pictured below.

As we all know, butt welding the pans together gets hard going, especially with  a MIG welder, as it has a tendency to blow holes in the joint, thus making it, not only weaker, but look naff. A butt joint is only as good as the person welding it and their welding equipment.

Even though I'm a qualified welder, I decided to make life easier and to make the joint stronger, I decided on a small overlap joint of 10mm. This can of course be welded from both sides of the pan making it extremely strong. I made various templates, marked it where I
wanted to cut it and set to.

The main template takes the shape of the rear part of the floor, as this is where I want the join, it's the strongest part of the floor and once welded, linished, and coated, should be nigh on invisible.

I first found the centreline of the pan I wanted to use as a datum point. I then centred up the pan template, and drilled two 4mm holes along the centreline. When realigning the two seperated halves of the pan, these will act as my datum points. I then drilled a further two holes 15.75 inches on the centre line, from the first ones, this is the amount I want to shorten it. Once the two halves are joined, these holes centre the two halves,  and also put them at the required distance to be taken out when shortening the pan.

Once happy it was time to make the first cuts. At this stage everything is 4mm over size to allow for a trim for a finer closer fit Once happy with it. I trimmed the seat runners and jacking point off quickly with a cutting disc. I'll go back to that again to trim them properly prior to welding.

I'm going to leave it like this until I get a chance to offer it up to the body. Once happy I can weld it all together. All in it took 2.30 hrs to get to this point.

Hopefully the photos will make sense of my rambling 

The pan template




4 mm holes drilled and transferred through the template 15.75 inches further down the pan. This is my guide to ensure its all square





Hopefully this will make sense of it all.

The two halves are held together with clecos at this point. I still need to trim it a little better , but its almost ready for welding, woo hoo!!

 

Nice work.    Are you adding new thinking to the cutting of the spine?

Excellent photos nige, even I understood what you are doing 😂 Going to look brill Deb

Nice work.    Are you adding new thinking to the cutting of the spine?

No the spine is already done 

Another step closer, had some photos from Rob, who's building my engine and hopefully it'll be ready for collection next week, woo hoo!!
Very happy with the whole process in having Rob do this work 

Exhausts refurbished and fitted

Schweeeet. Liking the simplistic look. 

This engine makes statement...... As all things in an original style buggy.... "less is more"...    All the best to everyone for the new year

Nigel..... Are you related to this guy ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165288625137?hash=item267bf843f1:g:EKQAAOSwGUZh5cc-

Enjoyed reading about your built.

My first buggy was a Rat too.

Loved my old rat.

My first buggy was a Rat too.

Loved my old rat.

Same here  always trying too keep an eye out for it