Hi guys and happy new year!
I'd like to ask a favour...
I have a 'rolling' chassis I'm turning into a very standard Manx.
I'd like to get it from where it is now, to a legal, drivable buggy in time for Le Bug Show, SPA.
Not long, i think you'd agree, especially for someone who's never built a buggy before. So this is where i'd need your help.
I think a schedule will perpetuate the build and keep me focussed. What I'm after please, is a bit of advice (hopefully from someone who's been through the process already) on when i'd need to be doing things and where i should be at certain points on the build so i can get it to SPA.

So working backwards, my deadline will be the end of July.
I'm assuming it may take a couple of weeks to get the car IVA'd and registered so to be on the safe side maybe i need to say the finished buggy needs to be ready a week into July.
It takes about 6 weeks to get the body made i think and i have no storage at all, so the body will have to go on as soon as it arrives and I'll have to work carefully around it. So I guess the timing of the shell arrival would have to be coordinated with what else needs doing.
My chassis currently has wheels, brakes (needs a reservoir and bleeding), suspension, gearbox and engine (but no wiring or fuel line) and I'd like to think i could finish the painting this weekend ready for things to start being built up.
There are some things i can do after the deadline- paint/trim etc, it's not going to be a show car. If it means i can get the car moving, I'll leave recovering the seats etc until i get back. I have big plans for ICE and a few other bits but that can wait, it will be basics only to get it safe, legal and through the IVA in time.


Now, if you guys think this is all a bit tight and I don't have much chance of meeting the deadline, please be honest, I'd rather know so i don't get my hopes up

Is it all possible? Is there anything else we need to know? Can you help?
Here's hoping and it will be muchly appreciated.

You could do worse than to follow the GP build instructions. The only difference would be the screen mounting and your making or buying a suitable steering column support but they're pretty straight forward.

http://www.akhet.co.uk/sparky/BuggyManual.pdf

I would also contact your IVA/SVA dept and ask them what the lead time is to get booked in.
And dont forget a bit of time just in case they decide that you need some adjustments for classification.

Good luck and keep us informed

H

You have plenty of builld time the iva test dates and registration process time is unknown. I put a lwb jas together for super gimmer on here over a couple of weeks and his rolling pan needed new brakes and halfshafts swapping. No soft top or everything painted up perfect or powder coated just a straight cheap build.

You have your pan done so the engine can be got running so basicaly you have a body on, column in,lights and wiring, fuel tank then bonnet and screen, seats and roll bar. Then a hood if needed. And time for the retest if needed.

As said best start contacting DVSA about Iva booking times

Oh and Flags and Co built a buggy in a weekend...............................

http://www.manxmaniac.co.uk/holidaysAndShows-VolksWorld2011-ProjectRaspberry.php


H

Cool, Thanks for your input everyone!
I've ordered some kunifer fuel pipe and I'm picking up some MX5 seats next weekend for £50 so quite excited to try and fit them.
I'll get some photos together soon of my progress and get a build thread going and you guys can tell me where i'm going wrong.

You'll need to check in your IVA manual how and how often the fuel pipe needs to be cliped to the chassis. Also their regulations regarding types, lengths and allowable fastners re. the fuel flex hoses. Good choice of seats BTW.

I'm picking up some MX5 seats next weekend for £50 so quite excited to try and fit them.

I got some custom brackets made for mine.  I'm looking at getting some more made up so if you want I can get a price for an extra set.

Brackets for where? to mount them to the floor or the runners?
Yes please

Lol, yes I'm going to attack the IVA requirement 'book' tonight to see if i can make head or tail of it... from what I've read so far, there seems to be a lot of ifs and buts 
I've been told to leave the screen off until after the test too so i don't have to faff about with wipers and the like before my deadline is up 

The brackets bolt to the floor (not the old runners) and then the mx-5 seats drop in and bolt to the brackets.

I'll strip a pair out of my buggy and get them to the engineering firm.