hi
im always thinking about my next project and one thing ive always fancied is a sand rail type buggy like the UVA fugitive, i need to know more about the suspension on a vw beetle ive just been watching yt vids on buggies and the front looks like it just bolts on with clamps presumably to the floor pan ?, how is the rear attached to the floor pan ?, do i need to use the floor pan to keep the identity i assume i do and not shortened i guess ?
anyone got any exploded views of beetle suspension and how they attach to the frame/floorpan
what would be the best way of acquiring a front and rear axle ? just hunt through ebay for them or buy a cheap complete cheap beetle to remove the suspension and floor pan from ?
thanks Andy
Andy... vehicle identity is defined in two manners. One where a vehicle has a body separate from the chassis. In this case the chassis is the identity not the body and the VIN number is stamped into the chassis. In the case of monocoque construction the vehicle is "one piece" so it`s id is as per it`s entirety.
The vw chassis..... Front beam is secured to the frame head with 4 bolts. The rear of the chassis terminates in two "horn" type structures to which the gearbox bolts. The engine bolts to the gearbox. Picture the gearbox/engine assembly as "hanging off the end of the chassis. The gearbox/axle assembly is described as a "transaxle" being all one unit.
Floorpans... these are two sections, nearside and offside that are removable and replaceable. The VIN number is stamped into the central tunnel structure. You can remove & renew floor pans with no issue... just use original thickness items which are expensive but miles ahead of the floppy cheapo versions unless you strengthen them. Take a look at my build thread..."Birth of a Buggy in the members build section for extensive details and photo`s which should answer any query you may have. ;-)up ;-)up
Fugitive type rails had a full tube frame chassis so did not use the Beetle floorpan and the front axle was indeed held on by clamps, the rear torsion tube by u bolts.
If you want to avoid having to pass a type approval IVA test you could use a completely unmodified Beetle chassis with some sort of frame bolted above using the standard Beetle mounting points.
You'd probably be best looking out for a complete rolling chassis with logbook as a basis for the project to save a lot of time parts chacing.
paul ;-)up will go and have a look at your biuld now thank you
David i think that makes sense, i will try and learn a bit more about types of suspension before i buy a beetle
best get a correctly registered rail as suggested and rebuild it, Kingfisher Kustoms did over 200 Chenworth rails then they also did Kammando rails a home grown version other companies were UVA they did off road and street and rails from VW powered to rover V8 mid engine ones.
Kingfisher do the Overlander frame uses a standard beetle pan so a rebody not an SVA test build there are also some Dreamshack frames around on beetle pans but quality was patchy.
i agree finding a correctly registered fugitive would be best but i think ive got more chance of knitting fog than i have of finding a cheap fug
im still looking to see whats about
this might be an option ??
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/176027821163
This is the sort of frame you could fit to a Beetle chassis.
Use only the original body mounting holes though and do not drill any additional holes at least until you get the v5c description changed.
If you're starting with a full donor vehicle a photo of it showing its number plate may help you in the future.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1144478679863804/?ref=facebook_story_share
If you intend to restore "? A sandrail type buggy I'd avoid any uva fugative,they were thrown together and the majority are swing axle(not DESIREBLE), ALSO THE DRIVING POSITION IS AWFUL
Quote from: Manxdavid on November 15, 2023, 12:42:02 PM
This is the sort of frame you could fit to a Beetle chassis.
Use only the original body mounting holes though and do not drill any additional holes at least until you get the v5c description changed.
If you're starting with a full donor vehicle a photo of it showing its number plate may help you in the future.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1144478679863804/?ref=facebook_story_share
morning
yes thats the sort of thing that interests me, im impressed you found something "sand rail" for sale i never can, its the shape i like, i dont mind if its vw based or not, i have an audi v6 engine and box i would probably use instead of the beetle engine/box or even my subaru forester engine
this is where im heading
(https://i.postimg.cc/7L3bv5dt/screenshot-869.png) (https://postimages.org/)
i dont like all the rear over hang you normally get which an audi or subaru engine would cure as the engine would be forward of the box
i realize the seats etc would need to go forward to give room for the engine, or maybe use a transverse engine and box out of a much later beetle 2 lt water cooled with autobox,
Quote from: buggypete on November 15, 2023, 12:50:30 PM
If you intend to restore "? A sandrail type buggy I'd avoid any uva fugative,they were thrown together and the majority are swing axle(not DESIREBLE), ALSO THE DRIVING POSITION IS AWFUL
i think i would rather biuld one from scratch rather than restore an old frame, driving position i can change, and whats the alternative to swing axle IRS ?
im thinking i will buy a beetle and fit a tube frame to it , then try and get the V5 amended to VW sand rail then go from there with the engine choice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J_NzaS6d3I The overlander from KK is just that as long as the chassis is 100% standard it is a simple DVLA form and some photos to change the V5 this is good forany cage on a beetle pan.
Quote from: snoopy on November 16, 2023, 01:36:25 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J_NzaS6d3I The overlander from KK is just that as long as the chassis is 100% standard it is a simple DVLA form and some photos to change the V5 this is good forany cage on a beetle pan.
ha i had no idea they were still going used to go there ( west Bromwich ? ) 25 years ago
i used to have a a fugitive with a rover V8 in it, Renault gearbox if i remember correctly, it was so unreliable that i could never get it to work for more than 10 minutes at a time, then along came a berrian with a fiat twincam in it was great for racing around the fields but its road manners left a bit to be desired at the time they dident seem worth keeping but how times change lol, will see if i can dig out some picture of them,
the overlander you posted the link to looks just the ticket still got the looks i like but might be more suitable to run on the road too
i will investigate the price of an overlander frame
The overlander with body kit looks more useable.
Thats three now I know of that used/ use the twincam motor my daily driver buggy there was one other kango now scrapped and your Berrien, get the photos up ;-)up
Quote from: baloo on November 16, 2023, 10:19:12 AM
im thinking i will buy a beetle and fit a tube frame to it , then try and get the V5 amended to VW sand rail then go from there with the engine choice
Just bear in mind that even after amending the logbook, any cuts and changes to the chassis and/or drivetrain changes outside of the 8 point rule and you're still technically into IVA territory.
Latest DVLA/DVSA purge has seen Mk1 Escorts with bubble rear arches deregistered because of the cutting of the rear wings and alterations albeit minor, to the monocoque structure in fitting the arch extensions.
Hi do what I did get yourself a complete chassis build a frame bolt it on send log book off with body change. You do need to keep original suspension,engine and gearbox and an unaltered or modified chassis to avoid issues but I had no problems sent a few pics with logbook,came back few weeks later with all changes. If you're interested I do have a few chassis's (swing axle and irs) and lots off parts to get you going.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BbZL6k09/230-E94-EF-892-E-404-A-A15-A-E4-EA738-B131-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBgKsfnV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SRZXzdSX/3-BAFA889-6668-43-EB-A759-B2-BF3-EA9-C582.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xNzjwKbY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/k4mtrDY5/5-EC9866-A-0-B34-46-CA-A37-C-4-A06845589-EC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdfpxyk6)
;-)up ;-)up
Quote from: snoopy on November 16, 2023, 01:36:25 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J_NzaS6d3I The overlander from KK is just that as long as the chassis is 100% standard it is a simple DVLA form and some photos to change the V5 this is good forany cage on a beetle pan.
Forgive me if I'm wrong Snoopy, but I believe they move the Handbrake and gear stick on the Overlander and as this requires cuts to the tunnel could very well be classified as a chassis modification by VOSA
Quote from: Roadrunner on November 27, 2023, 01:20:37 PM
Quote from: snoopy on November 16, 2023, 01:36:25 PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J_NzaS6d3I The overlander from KK is just that as long as the chassis is 100% standard it is a simple DVLA form and some photos to change the V5 this is good forany cage on a beetle pan.
Forgive me if I'm wrong Snoopy, but I believe they move the Handbrake and gear stick on the Overlander and as this requires cuts to the tunnel could very well be classified as a chassis modification by VOSA
There's certainly some cutting and fabrication been done there.
If DVSA/DVLA called for that to be inspected following a rebody which they may well do they'd certainly require it to be IVA tested.
(https://i.postimg.cc/NjPt1tLn/Screenshot-20231127-141050-3.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Had not looked into it in detail but moving the levers is IVA test territory so £325 tax above 1500cc and mot's when required and you pay for LEZ incursions into cities.
Quote from: Manxdavid on November 17, 2023, 09:18:11 AM
Quote from: baloo on November 16, 2023, 10:19:12 AM
im thinking i will buy a beetle and fit a tube frame to it , then try and get the V5 amended to VW sand rail then go from there with the engine choice
Just bear in mind that even after amending the logbook, any cuts and changes to the chassis and/or drivetrain changes outside of the 8 point rule and you're still technically into IVA territory.
Latest DVLA/DVSA purge has seen Mk1 Escorts with bubble rear arches deregistered because of the cutting of the rear wings and alterations albeit minor, to the monocoque structure in fitting the arch extensions.
yep im aware of their double standards ,i see some electric conversions are having their log books pulled for drilling an 8mm hole in the boot floor to bolt a bracket to, just crazy and yet my pal has just had a camper conversion done on a 3 year old van and its been cut to bits , holes for the water waste like 3" holes, holes for the shore power to plug in, holes for the heater exhaust to go out, holes for a towbar so he can drag a smart car about and a huge hole for a sun roof but thats ok apparently
Quote from: Jbug61 on November 26, 2023, 06:33:42 PM
Hi do what I did get yourself a complete chassis build a frame bolt it on send log book off with body change. You do need to keep original suspension,engine and gearbox and an unaltered or modified chassis to avoid issues but I had no problems sent a few pics with logbook,came back few weeks later with all changes. If you're interested I do have a few chassis's (swing axle and irs) and lots off parts to get you going.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BbZL6k09/230-E94-EF-892-E-404-A-A15-A-E4-EA738-B131-C.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ZBgKsfnV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/SRZXzdSX/3-BAFA889-6668-43-EB-A759-B2-BF3-EA9-C582.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xNzjwKbY)
i think thats a sensible plan start with a rolling floorplan with engine weld up a frame and get it re classed, ive been hunting around to try and get an idea of prices, i spent to much time looking though lol as i missed that beetle on ebay that went for five hundred and something with out an engine mind, i will message you and see what you have if thats ok
thanks Andy
(https://i.postimg.cc/k4mtrDY5/5-EC9866-A-0-B34-46-CA-A37-C-4-A06845589-EC.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rdfpxyk6)
and i did have a look around for info on the KK overlander but couldent find anything on the tinternet like price, lead time, options etc
but i was always crap at hide and seek as a kid so perhaps its out there somewhere
Quote from: baloo on November 30, 2023, 05:33:35 PM
and i did have a look around for info on the KK overlander but couldent find anything on the tinternet like price, lead time, options etc
but i was always crap at hide and seek as a kid so perhaps its out there somewhere
KK have never been a good company when it comes to websites etc. They're fine to deal with face to face but all this new-fangled 30 year old internet business seems to be beyond them 🤔
well ive been giving this some serious thought and maybe i should be heading for a beach buggy rather than a sand rail type, will have a look about for a second hand shell, but its not simple, l like the looks of a swb and i dont mind shortening a chassis but that throws it into iva territory
so a lwb might make more sense, i would also like it to be tax free if a buggy can be ? as the way i read it it needs to be not modified in the last 30 years and be at least 40 years old so thats not going to work out either lol
Re historic if you go long wheelbase and stick with as much as you can its just a body swap so should keep the status of the donor.
Believe me the build isn't as simple as that makes it sound.
Any reason for an old shell? Plenty of good looking new ones available and by the time you've fixed and painted an old one you are probably approaching the cost of new
My advice would be this
If you want a Classic Vehicle with free tax and all the benefits that go with it, then buy one that has already been built, strip it down and rebuild it how you want it
If you want to build a NEW vehicle, then you have to comply with the pitfalls and rules associated with new vehicle construction / IVA / SVA etc etc
If you want a Rail, or similar to be getting on with, then there are quite a few out there - for instance, I went on Facebook Marketplace and with a few seconds found a few by simply typing in VW SANDRAIL into the search.
May not be what you want, but I found this in under 10 seconds of looking - They are out there
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/306334195127535/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A615c0190-7c34-48b5-ac51-000be845c15e
Quote from: Doon L001 on December 02, 2023, 11:43:27 AM
Re historic if you go long wheelbase and stick with as much as you can its just a body swap so should keep the status of the donor.
Believe me the build isn't as simple as that makes it sound.
Any reason for an old shell? Plenty of good looking new ones available and by the time you've fixed and painted an old one you are probably approaching the cost of new
i agree its just a body swap if i keep it lwb but looking on the gov website it says to retain historic status in must be unmodified in the last 30 years
is fitting a new fiberglass body shell classed as a modification ? i would think so, finding a correctly registered buggy would be the best bet and then rebuild it but i havent seen any for sale in my price range
i was only thinking of second hand shell as ive been offered one for £200 l know it will be peppered with holes and require work but grp is fairly easy to work with and having looked on westcoast buggies at new bodies its 2k for a new shell, well £1350 for the tub £350 for the side panes and £300 for the windscreen but it dose look nice and shiny though lol but thats not out of the question though, ive been talking to jbug61 about buying a chassis/floorpan off him, something will happen at some point and i will know what im doing then,
Quote from: Dave DND on December 02, 2023, 12:41:42 PM
My advice would be this
If you want a Classic Vehicle with free tax and all the benefits that go with it, then buy one that has already been built, strip it down and rebuild it how you want it
If you want to build a NEW vehicle, then you have to comply with the pitfalls and rules associated with new vehicle construction / IVA / SVA etc etc
If you want a Rail, or similar to be getting on with, then there are quite a few out there - for instance, I went on Facebook Marketplace and with a few seconds found a few by simply typing in VW SANDRAIL into the search.
May not be what you want, but I found this in under 10 seconds of looking - They are out there
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/306334195127535/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A615c0190-7c34-48b5-ac51-000be845c15e
buying an old one and rebuilding it would be plan A, lets see what i can find thanks Andy
Quote from: Dave DND on December 02, 2023, 12:41:42 PM
If you want a Rail, or similar to be getting on with, then there are quite a few out there - for instance, I went on Facebook Marketplace and with a few seconds found a few by simply typing in VW SANDRAIL into the search.
May not be what you want, but I found this in under 10 seconds of looking - They are out there
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/306334195127535/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A615c0190-7c34-48b5-ac51-000be845c15e
thats really nice, would look great in a solid colour but at £9000 its twice my budget lol
(https://i.postimg.cc/NLvrSTN0/screenshot-872.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Quote from: baloo on December 02, 2023, 11:18:42 AM
i would also like it to be tax free if a buggy can be ? as the way i read it it needs to be not modified in the last 30 years and be at least 40 years old so thats not going to work out either lol
You've not understood the rules correctly.
Historic road tax status applies to vehicles 40+ years old. Modifications are allowable in theory.
VHI as in Vehicle of Historic Interest status only applies to MOT exemption. A vehicle must be 40+ years old, have Historic tax status and have had no 'substantial modifications' in the past 30 years.
The criteria for Historic road tax and MOT exemption are different.
A vehicle can have Historic free tax if 40+ years old but not necessarily be MOT exempt if it's been modified.
Quote from: Manxdavid on December 02, 2023, 04:27:12 PM
Quote from: baloo on December 02, 2023, 11:18:42 AM
i would also like it to be tax free if a buggy can be ? as the way i read it it needs to be not modified in the last 30 years and be at least 40 years old so thats not going to work out either lol
You've not understood the rules correctly.
Historic road tax status applies to vehicles 40+ years old. Modifications are allowable in theory.
VHI as in Vehicle of Historic Interest status only applies to MOT exemption. A vehicle must be 40+ years old, have Historic tax status and have had no 'substantial modifications' in the past 30 years.
The criteria for Historic road tax and MOT exemption are different.
A vehicle can have Historic free tax if 40+ years old but not necessarily be MOT exempt if it's been modified.
sounds good to me, would be happy with free tax and dont mind taking it for an mot once a year
Quote from: baloo on December 02, 2023, 02:12:22 PM
i was only thinking of second hand shell as ive been offered one for £200 l know it will be peppered with holes and require work but grp is fairly easy to work with and having looked on westcoast buggies at new bodies its 2k for a new shell, well £1350 for the tub £350 for the side panes and £300 for the windscreen but it dose look nice and shiny though lol but thats not out of the question though, ive been talking to jbug61 about buying a chassis/floorpan off him, something will happen at some point and i will know what im doing then,
Give me a shout at FF Buggies (http://www.ffbuggies.co.uk) 0845 643 5815
We can provide you with a solid colour LWB FF Buggy shell with side pods for £1300 in a solid colour (any RAL or BS5252) or if you want to go metal flake then these the price starts at £1600. Screens are available from Heritage Parts Centre - always work looking for a discount code for these
Quote from: Roadrunner on December 03, 2023, 10:26:44 PM
Quote from: baloo on December 02, 2023, 02:12:22 PM
i was only thinking of second hand shell as ive been offered one for £200 l know it will be peppered with holes and require work but grp is fairly easy to work with and having looked on westcoast buggies at new bodies its 2k for a new shell, well £1350 for the tub £350 for the side panes and £300 for the windscreen but it dose look nice and shiny though lol but thats not out of the question though, ive been talking to jbug61 about buying a chassis/floorpan off him, something will happen at some point and i will know what im doing then,
Give me a shout at FF Buggies (http://www.ffbuggies.co.uk) 0845 643 5815
We can provide you with a solid colour LWB FF Buggy shell with side pods for £1300 in a solid colour (any RAL or BS5252) or if you want to go metal flake then these the price starts at £1600. Screens are available from Heritage Parts Centre - always work looking for a discount code for these
hi thanks for the offer
i think ive settled on a swb varaint, now dont take it personally but your arse end looks a little saggy :o it may well be age ;)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nhMpdxMs/screenshot-879.png) (https://postimg.cc/21ps6PQm)
i think im going to use a transverse engine and box as im not keen on the engine out the back which means i need more body work at the rear
ive been looking at various models and the doon looks the closest to how i think i want it , are they still in bussiness, when i follow the links i just get this
(https://i.postimg.cc/g0ZdWKVm/screenshot-880.png) (https://postimg.cc/5HbD5LKR)
Best speak to Lee at Volksmagic in Oldbury he does the Doon bodies for Chad on 0121 541 2278
Quote from: snoopy on December 04, 2023, 03:42:04 PM
Best speak to Lee at Volksmagic in Oldbury he does the Doon bodies for Chad on 0121 541 2278
thank you ;-)up
Quote from: baloo on December 04, 2023, 03:14:33 PM
hi thanks for the offer
i think ive settled on a swb varaint, now dont take it personally but your arse end looks a little saggy :o it may well be age ;)
Think it's just the angle of the photo. Doon is a lovely buggy too. ;-)up
Get to a meet and see them
Quote from: Roadrunner on December 04, 2023, 07:50:37 PM
Quote from: baloo on December 04, 2023, 03:14:33 PM
hi thanks for the offer
i think ive settled on a swb varaint, now dont take it personally but your arse end looks a little saggy :o it may well be age ;)
Think it's just the angle of the photo. Doon is a lovely buggy too. ;-)up
im sure its fine in the flesh, im still looking at pictures and trying to work out the different styles, looking at the pic/banner at the top of the page the right hand red buggy has a short boot revealing a lot of the engine, the green one next to it has more bodywork covering the engine which is what im after, l also like the sidepods, so on my shopping list l have side pods "long" bodywork at rear and an opening bonnet and swb
Quote from: Doon L001 on December 04, 2023, 10:43:38 PM
Get to a meet and see them
i will after christmas i imagine
Quote from: baloo on December 05, 2023, 09:14:42 AM
im still looking at pictures and trying to work out the different styles, looking at the pic/banner at the top of the page the right hand red buggy has a short boot revealing a lot of the engine, the green one next to it has more bodywork covering the engine which is what im after, l also like the sidepods, so on my shopping list l have side pods "long" bodywork at rear and an opening bonnet and swb
From those requirements Doon fits the bill, especially on the opening bonnet front.
Not sure if Rob at East Coast Buggies have the opening bonnet mould for the Manx style buggies, if he does then the Sidewinder is an option. This does have a large opening at the top, but a standard UK oblong number plate can be fitted here. This is not as open as the Prowler (available from East Coast) which is the red one you mentioned at the top right. There is also the Classic (Manx) from East Coast which is the other Red one in the banner. The Sidewinder had wider arches to fit under tyres under the body which would normally protrude on the Manx.
You have gone full circle here from a LWB that will not need an IVA test to be correctly registered back to a SWB that will.
Doon also do a LWB which looks good and has the opening bonnet.
Quote from: Roadrunner on December 05, 2023, 09:31:50 AM
Quote from: baloo on December 05, 2023, 09:14:42 AM
im still looking at pictures and trying to work out the different styles, looking at the pic/banner at the top of the page the right hand red buggy has a short boot revealing a lot of the engine, the green one next to it has more bodywork covering the engine which is what im after, l also like the sidepods, so on my shopping list l have side pods "long" bodywork at rear and an opening bonnet and swb
From those requirements Doon fits the bill, especially on the opening bonnet front.
Not sure if Rob at East Coast Buggies have the opening bonnet mould for the Manx style buggies, if he does then the Sidewinder is an option. This does have a large opening at the top, but a standard UK oblong number plate can be fitted here. This is not as open as the Prowler (available from East Coast) which is the red one you mentioned at the top right. There is also the Classic (Manx) from East Coast which is the other Red one in the banner. The Sidewinder had wider arches to fit under tyres under the body which would normally protrude on the Manx.
You have gone full circle here from a LWB that will not need an IVA test to be correctly registered back to a SWB that will.
Doon also do a LWB which looks good and has the opening bonnet.
hi, yes i think the doon looks a likely candidate, ive just messaged them on thier FB page to ask about cost, lets see if they reply
Quote from: Roadrunner on December 05, 2023, 09:31:50 AM
Quote from: baloo on December 05, 2023, 09:14:42 AM
im still looking at pictures and trying to work out the different styles, looking at the pic/banner at the top of the page the right hand red buggy has a short boot revealing a lot of the engine, the green one next to it has more bodywork covering the engine which is what im after, l also like the sidepods, so on my shopping list l have side pods "long" bodywork at rear and an opening bonnet and swb
From those requirements Doon fits the bill, especially on the opening bonnet front.
Not sure if Rob at East Coast Buggies have the opening bonnet mould for the Manx style buggies, if he does then the Sidewinder is an option. This does have a large opening at the top, but a standard UK oblong number plate can be fitted here. This is not as open as the Prowler (available from East Coast) which is the red one you mentioned at the top right. There is also the Classic (Manx) from East Coast which is the other Red one in the banner. The Sidewinder had wider arches to fit under tyres under the body which would normally protrude on the Manx.
You have gone full circle here from a LWB that will not need an IVA test to be correctly registered back to a SWB that will.
Doon also do a LWB which looks good and has the opening bonnet.
yes full circle but thats what happens when i start investigating stuff lol, its the side view i just think the swb has the " right" proportions if it needs an iva so be it
Doon.... Chad went the extra mile when designing the Doon. (with IVA in mind). The Doon has the "return edge" on tub perimeter. "Recessed" area for speedo. Etc etc.
If you're thinking transverse rear engine and hence going the IVA route you may want to look at the Acme Berrien GTX for ideas.
https://youtu.be/Lf4DU8khPns?si=ZBVSY2Mn4WHkv2RX
Quote from: Paul1953 on December 05, 2023, 12:00:50 PM
Doon.... Chad went the extra mile when designing the Doon. (with IVA in mind). The Doon has the "return edge" on tub perimeter. "Recessed" area for speedo. Etc etc.
yep it looks good, struggling to find who makes it or contact details, where do i buy it from, the website is down are they still trading ?
Quote from: Manxdavid on December 05, 2023, 12:21:18 PM
If you're thinking transverse rear engine and hence going the IVA route you may want to look at the Acme Berrien GTX for ideas.
https://youtu.be/Lf4DU8khPns?si=ZBVSY2Mn4WHkv2RX
Hi
i had seen that its what started me off thinking about the transverse engine i rather like that i think its neat, plus i have an 07 reg 2lt beetle here thats bodily challenged but runs perfect that could donate its drive train at no cost
Quote from: baloo on December 05, 2023, 12:30:44 PM
Quote from: Paul1953 on December 05, 2023, 12:00:50 PM
Doon.... Chad went the extra mile when designing the Doon. (with IVA in mind). The Doon has the "return edge" on tub perimeter. "Recessed" area for speedo. Etc etc.
yep it looks good, struggling to find who makes it or contact details, where do i buy it from, the website is down are they still trading ?
Doon bodies are made and sold by Volksmagic in Birmingham. Snoopy has already posted their details.
Most buggy bodies are made as sidelines by people with other jobs so bear in mind that they may be too busy to update websites etc. Not everyone lives their lives online.
Lwb Doon. Several about, including mine, and they look good IMHO. Stance is mostly down to wheel and tyre size etc
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDPPRx0R/IMG-20220904-172918594.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0LVCHVY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/76jfZskz/IMG-20220905-095108462.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/njYHd1MV)
Pie valley buggies did a mid engined MGFbuggy a few years ago and Ed has gone in with Dave Fisher on projects.
http://www.pievalleybuggies.co.uk/home.html
Quote from: Doon L001 on December 05, 2023, 02:31:46 PM
Lwb Doon. Several about, including mine, and they look good IMHO. Stance is mostly down to wheel and tyre size etc
(https://i.postimg.cc/mDPPRx0R/IMG-20220904-172918594.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/r0LVCHVY)
(https://i.postimg.cc/76jfZskz/IMG-20220905-095108462.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/njYHd1MV)
good looking buggy, even as a lwb it still has good proportions l might have to consider a lwb, im sure i will be going with a Doon
Quote from: snoopy on December 05, 2023, 03:36:40 PM
Pie valley buggies did a mid engined MGFbuggy a few years ago and Ed has gone in with Dave Fisher on projects.
http://www.pievalleybuggies.co.uk/home.html
i remember them dont think ive ever seen one in person though, ive always liked the K series engine despite its reputation for eating head gaskets , ive used them in a few of my projects
(https://i.postimg.cc/dt7T4jT7/screenshot-224.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RhYJvN2V/31mgfbuggy2009.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/x1MNSj5n/screenshot-226.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Quote from: snoopy on December 05, 2023, 03:36:40 PM
Pie valley buggies did a mid engined MGFbuggy a few years ago and Ed has gone in with Dave Fisher on projects.
http://www.pievalleybuggies.co.uk/home.html
Not sure they are still into the same projects at the moment :-X ;)
Something ringing a bell.... Didn`t they solve the head gasket issue by introducing a toughened up version ?
Quote from: Paul1953 on December 06, 2023, 05:44:03 PM
Something ringing a bell.... Didn`t they solve the head gasket issue by introducing a toughened up version ?
oh yes they had head gasket failure by the truck load around 40,000 miles and it was almost mandatory that you replaced the head gasket, the old boy next door ( l lived in longbridge on the site of where they were made) worked on the development of the engine long before it appeared in the metro and the tale he told me made sense, all sorts of versions and capacities of the K series engine were tested and signed off for production but before serious production starts the bean counters get to poke their noses in to the equation, the accountants implemented all sorts of cost cutting amongst which was to replace the metal dowels in the cylinder block that serve to locate the head gasket with plastic ones which saved tuppence a year i would imagine, either way the head gasket over time cut into the plastic dowels allowed the gasket to shift and cause head gasket failure, so they might have saved tuppence but they created a reputation which they never shook off, everyone knows mgf engines are crap lol, yes they did switch to metal dowl pins after the damage was done, plenty of uprated head gaskets available too l consider it to be not a bad engine once the hg issues are resolved, it ended up in the lotus , its very light weight which is thier ethos, add lightness to tune, one of the mgf's ( might be trophy edition ) is 160 bhp which from 1800cc engine is pretty good going, the old bench mark of 100bhp per litre is still very valid today even with fuel injection, the K series engine can achieve 90 bhp per lt and more if modified compare that with any engine you like , for example the rover V8 in its first incarnation of 3.5 lt in the range rover was 125bhp or 150 in the sd1 that works out at about 40 bhp per lt about par for something on carburetors, dunno what an old beetle is say 60bhp ? and 1.6 lt ? which would mean about 38 bhp per lt, that makes the k series look good, but 100bhp is hard to achieve even now the only car l know that dose it is the honda V tec with its fancy cams and 9000 plus rpm, probably others out there its just the only one i have studied, obviously this applies only to normally asperated as with a turbo you can just keep on shoveling the air/fuel in till the exhaust glows cherry red , so you can tell from that i rate the mgf engine as a good engine spoilt by accountants, desgining an engine should be an engineers job not a bean counters
Quote from: snoopy on November 16, 2023, 03:46:49 PM
Thats three now I know of that used/ use the twincam motor my daily driver buggy there was one other kango now scrapped and your Berrien, get the photos up ;-)up
i was just on my old laptop and found some ancient pics
this one had a rover V8, i cant even remember what happened to it
(https://i.postimg.cc/wMkQM4gy/screenshot-890.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/2jdw0yhk/screenshot-888.png) (https://postimages.org/)
and this one was a fiat twin cam
(https://i.postimg.cc/jSBPxYP3/screenshot-891.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/43ttn21f/screenshot-892.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/63fvf7SF/screenshot-893.png) (https://postimages.org/)
and ive now bought a buggy will get some pics of it and perhaps someone can tell me what it is
thanks Andy
well this is what i ended up with, it came with a beetle "chassis" that is rusted beyond what i want to mess with so might just buy all new parts and make a new one, it seems to be 94" wheel centre to wheel centre so i guess it a lwb body its on a Q plate and the v5 states VW sports what ever that is
anyone recognize what make the body is ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/8zXnZWNq/thumbnail-2023-12-22-T175706-631.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/HLJvRxLj/thumbnail-2023-12-22-T175720-613.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/VS8Fbznc)
It's a Mk1 Rat long wheelbase with the front wings trimmed back.
If the chassis is at all saveable it should be kept with that V5C as it has been inspected at some time and is correctly registered so a great start for anyone's project.
A chassis spine registered on a Q is an ideal base you can space frame and steel sheet the pans just means £325 a year tax if over 1500cc less for smaller cc and you pay for LEZ and mot. Hopefully an unmodified Q from 1983 can become historic in 2024 but if they clamp down on historic use a tax paying Q may be an advantage.
Quote from: snoopy on December 22, 2023, 09:47:35 PM
A chassis spine registered on a Q is an ideal base you can space frame and steel sheet the pans just means £325 a year tax if over 1500cc less for smaller cc and you pay for LEZ and mot. Hopefully an unmodified Q from 1983 can become historic in 2024 but if they clamp down on historic use a tax paying Q may be an advantage.
I had an online chat with DVLA recently and was told that Q reg will never become liable for Historic tax class. Hopefully the minion and the supervisor that I spoke to were wrong though.
The current concensus of opinion from the K & R folk, and there are only a few, is that existing Q plated vehicles will not be applicable for historic vehicle recognition. However DVLA still has a miss match of what individuals come up with in their interpretation of the "rules" so who knows. It` s quite some years now since the proposed DVLA / VOSA overhaul of all kit/home built/modified vehicle registration first arose and I am wondering if it ever will be rolled out. They continue to build up the physical infrastructure but who knows when they will believe it`s in place in sufficient quantity. I am sure they don`t ;D ;D (Some of you will already be aware that DVSA are physically checkin, at random, vehicles parked at meets etc this is obviously a precursor).
The term vw sports / sports convertible are just two of the classifications you find allocated on occasion. For the moment don`t overthink DVLA / DVSA just go out and enjoy building / driving your buggies / sand rails etc.... I have not once been stopped by the police when out in my buggy although on occasion I have been followed for some miles. Guessing ANPR camera usage has ruled out the need to stop for checks.
The beauty of ANR is it only pings for attention if you have no tax, mot or their is a criminal marker against the number or registered keeper so an incorrectly registered buggy does not show up.
Quote from: Manxdavid on December 22, 2023, 11:50:19 PM
I had an online chat with DVLA recently and was told that Q reg will never become liable for Historic tax class. Hopefully the minion and the supervisor that I spoke to were wrong though.
From my understanding admittedly from a year or two back when we were fighting DVLA was that nobody there had even considered that a self built home made kit car would actually survive long enough to meet the age criteria and that most would have been taken off the roads from falling to bits or scrappage schemes.
Not sure anyone has formerly challenged it to my knowledge - Might be worth putting it to the FBHVC and get their thoughts on it as most of the committee higher ranks have some serious clout as far as I can tell, as like myself, they are also on the external list of DVLA experts and could could ask that question as a collective rather than a single Marque.
Quote from: snoopy on December 23, 2023, 11:15:23 AM
The beauty of ANR is it only pings for attention if you have no tax, mot or their is a criminal marker against the number or registered keeper so an incorrectly registered buggy does not show up.
....unless you were driving an untaxed and an unMOTed car for a pre-booked MOT appointment which would be a completely legal thing to do...
Quote from: Paul1953 on December 23, 2023, 08:29:37 AM
The term vw sports / sports convertible are just two of the classifications you find allocated on occasion. For the moment don`t overthink DVLA / DVSA just go out and enjoy building / driving your buggies / sand rails etc.... I have not once been stopped by the police when out in my buggy although on occasion I have been followed for some miles. Guessing ANPR camera usage has ruled out the need to stop for checks.
im not over thinking it im quite happy with a Q plate it means somewhere in history its been inspected and deemed legal enough to have a Q reg issued, ive just filled the v5 out to send off and i was wrong its doesent say VW sports
it says VW Sportster i dont know if that relates to a specific model of buggy or if its a generic term for a beach buggy style
There was no buggy called a Sportster. It's been a generic term dreamed up by some specky civil servant. It's fine for a buggy though.
Is it on Historic tax class? If not there's a slim chance it could be flagged for inspection if you come to change it and if it's been off the road for a while. You'd need to cross that bridge when you came to it though.
The only down side of a Q plate with a 1500cc plus motor is the £325 road tax but they are bullet proof as it cover undetermined age and model.
A but they are bullet proof... Agreed..... That`s another xmas over..... All the very best for the New Year ;-)(-;
Quote from: snoopy on December 25, 2023, 07:34:54 PM
The only down side of a Q plate with a 1500cc plus motor is the £325 road tax but they are bullet proof as it cover undetermined age and model.
1500cc engine is in the lower tax band of £200 a year. A 1500 engine rebuilt with 1641 b&p's (who's going to check?) and twin 34ict's would be loads of fun in a buggy.
(https://i.postimg.cc/MpLWcJQF/Screenshot-20231226-090654.png) (https://postimg.cc/JsbwggKN)
i can live with paying for the ved, i expect it will only be taxed for 6 months of the year, cant imagine it would be much fun in a buggy in dec,jan,feb etc
v5 says its a 1300cc but as it dident come with an engine it will be getting a water cooled engine and box :o
will wait for the v5 to come back before deciding which route to take looks like i can buy just about every panel to rebuild the chassis spine as new
i found myself perusing ebay looking for instruments, i would like a really clean dashboard just fiberglass in body colour with no holes or instruments in it, clearly i need some form of instrumentation and these came to my attention,
new shape mini pod with a rev counter and indicator lights, its appeal is that it would mount onto the column behind the wheel and its got a back on it already easy to mount nice and simples, would have to convert the rev counter to a speedo and re wire a few of the lights but would be minimalistic and leave the dash free of switches/gauges,
light switches wipers etc are all on the column, and you can get one for less that a tenner
(https://i.postimg.cc/sg2h6vJW/screenshot-906.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9QNqvCxn/screenshot-907.png) (https://postimages.org/)
and if you want more info on the status of your engine then there is this version also
(https://i.postimg.cc/rp0tT33F/screenshot-905.png) (https://postimages.org/)
then i remembered there is a rover 75 dash on the shelf in the shed which i saved because l liked the period style of the clocks but i would have to hack a hole in the centre of the dash for this, but i do like it
(https://i.postimg.cc/tgKn4DGd/screenshot-909.png) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/63C22RBk/screenshot-908.png) (https://postimages.org/)
so after a lot of thinking and pondering ive decided that i dont fancy welding the beetle spine back up as it needs just about every part replacing, i will do just not now more of a summer job when its warm out there, so when the v5 comes back it can go on sorn and sit patiently waiting for me to do something with it,
in the mean time i have ordered a new predator shell off FF buggies extremely helpful chap there, cant remember his name was it Gordon ?
anyway im going with a suzuki vitara chassis and will send the V5 to be amended accordingly
i want it to look just like a normal predator apart from not having an engine hanging out the back, so the first thing i need to decide is which vitara chassis should i use, the mk 2 or grand vitara has a power steering rack and the back axle locted by a 4 link set up, this would be my preferred choice ...... but it has a quite a bit of chassis protrusion forward of the front wheels and i cant just lop it off if i want the keep the reg with no iva,
i really dont want to extend the front of the body or wings so i started looking at the vitara mk 1 chassis and thats got much less protrusion maybe 3" that looks like it will work,
(https://i.postimg.cc/q7Rc7ykk/thumbnail-2024-01-08-T133555-476.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/k20R1V6Z)
(https://i.postimg.cc/zGpS50Yt/thumbnail-2024-01-08-T133603-706.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/tsZVNdTW)
only downside i see is the mk1 uses a steering box instead of a rack but i guess i can live with that
i will throw the second hand body i have on both chassis and see how it all fits the tight spot is going to be the top of the front suspension towers but from measurements it looks like it will work
once my new body arrives i will start a biuld thread
An alternative build ;-)up ;-)up not seen a swb shell on a 4x4 base vehicle they are lwb bodies so far until somebody proves me wrong with something I have not seen.
well the suzuki vitara has a pretty short wheelbase as they come and its more of a soft roader the chassis has a very low centre section a bit like a beetle, it sort of lends itself well to a buggy body, well we see if thats true soon lol
further more not all vitaras were 4 wheel drive they could be bought as 2wd same chassis just a 2wd gearbox if it was manual and a 4wd gearbox with no front output if it was an auto, if i use the 2wd version that i have then you have no front diff and driveshafts that force the engine to be mounted up high to give clearance to the sump, which means the engine can go way down low so i dont have to put a scoop in the bonnet
you can see the low chassis centre section in this pic of one of my old projects, you can get a V8 engine and all of its induction equipment below the level of the suspension towers
this buggy will probably be powered by a suzuki V6 with autobox and rwd only
(https://i.postimg.cc/JzQ0LLx4/screenshot_142.png) (https://postimages.org/)
you can even get a lexus quad cam installed below the the suspension towers in a suzuki
as can be seen here
(https://i.postimg.cc/J4k622Th/rrrrr.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nCnGs0f8)
the suspension towers i see as the limiting factor as to wether this will work or not
i think the beetle wheelbase is 94" or there abouts and most swb versions seem to be around 14" shorter
vitara is about 86" for the swb so there is only a 6" discrepancy
i have a load of suzuki stuff up for sale and when it sells i will be ordering another body of FF this time a Jazz as its a longer swb at around 83" so somehow or other im sure i can make it all work
I`m liking this - Nice to see something different ;-)up
well it should only be different under the skin the aim is to make it look just like any other buggy except with 150hp power steering abs etc etc , rear end might be a challenge but i have some ideas
i find myself trawling the internet for pictures of buggys and looking at side pods and front over hang
(https://i.postimg.cc/L5fw0G70/thumbnail-2024-01-08-T152422-455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9F3XSnv)
i particularly like the side pods on this the opening could be just black paint in my case
and looking at the front bonnet overhang i might get away with the grand vitara chassis rails
time will tell
i can be quite pedantic about how things look and in my experience if you get a line a little off it changes the whole thing, for example on the orange buggy the front wheel arch has a flat on the top, my liking is for the arch to follow the wheel to make it look symmetrical, is that the right word
(https://i.postimg.cc/c1prgYcs/screenshot-927.png) (https://postimages.org/)
i would need to remodel that something like this
which is why i bought the second hand body so i can chop it up and play around with shapes
(https://i.postimg.cc/g2DJT7bJ/thumbnail-2023-12-22-T175656-368.jpg) (https://postimages.org/)
(https://i.postimg.cc/28n346Hn/thumbnail-2024-01-08-T152422-455.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3dJKhKQw)
last picture should be the second picture but you get my drift
The front wheel arch may end up essentially symmetrically framing the wheel or I think better described as you want the front wheel arch to echo or match or compliment the round tyre shape...
I can describe things but not so sure I could cut the fibre glass such that it remotely enhanced the wheel shape !
Those spoked wheels look so good I hadn't really taken in what the wheel arch was doing....
Quote from: Hugh on January 08, 2024, 06:08:54 PM
The front wheel arch may end up essentially symmetrically framing the wheel or I think better described as you want the front wheel arch to echo or match or compliment the round tyre shape...
those spoked wheels look so good I hadn't really taken in what the wheel arch was doing....
hi Hugh
yep that sounds right to me
Hi i have always loved Suzuki jeeps I have had 3 convertible ones great fun and reliable, if you are selling Suzuki things I am looking for a spare wheel for my Suzuki 2020 version ( no longer doing convertible vehicles which is a shame). Full size or space saver if you have one for sale. Cheers Deb
Quote from: Dipsy Deb on January 09, 2024, 10:54:28 AM
Hi i have always loved Suzuki jeeps I have had 3 convertible ones great fun and reliable, if you are selling Suzuki things I am looking for a spare wheel for my Suzuki 2020 version ( no longer doing convertible vehicles which is a shame). Full size or space saver if you have one for sale. Cheers Deb
Hi
everything im selling is suzuki sj based which uses a wheel with a stud Patten of 5x139.7 your 2020 is to new for me lol it uses 5x114.3 wheels, if any of mine fitted you could have one for free, there is a suzuki breaker down Gloucester way im sure he would have one, can find you the details if you want
thanks Andy
he is in evesham not Gloucester ::)
never bought off him but he is always advertising suzuki stuff
(https://i.postimg.cc/vZjs31Q0/screenshot-929.png) (https://postimg.cc/NK1S0j2X)
Thanks very much I will give them a shout. Good luck with the build. 👍
well i did a little tinkering as i had a free hour yesterday, i was fiddling with the lwb bodyshell and the grand vitara chassis the front over hang on the chassis which i thought was going to be the problem wasent after all
(https://i.postimg.cc/3xvVbRS1/thumbnail-1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/gxGgxYPL)
i end up with around 2" of the chassis sticking out which is fine, i can roll a 2" tube into a curve and make a neat front bumper and attach to this ;-)up
its the back end which is an issue it has far more over hang on the chassis than the mk 1 vitara does, in one way it would be good to use as is as it houses the fuel tank which means i could make the rolling chassis drivable before the body gets fitted, but i would need to either extend the back of the body a bit or disguise it some how maybe with a fg bumper
its this giving me issues
(https://i.postimg.cc/1Xd7vhDb/thumbnail-10.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D4qczNjc)
its not a lot to long but enough
(https://i.postimg.cc/xjpZfHBg/thumbnail.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Wtr8SDNJ)
mk 1 vitara has far less rear over hang, but i guess thats what happens to vehicles as new versions come out they get longer bigger wider and heavier ,
i think i will be building this on the mk1 chassis so i dont have to alter the chassis at all, wanted to use the mk2 so i had a power steering rack instead of a box but hey hoe
body sits down on the chassis fine and dandy, i know its a lwb but will shorten it down once i get into it
(https://i.postimg.cc/026Bbjsv/thumbnail-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MvSDLWH3)
mk1 chassis rear over hang is 6" less
(https://i.postimg.cc/4NhWX06N/thumbnail-2024-01-10-T132615-393.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/F7NyZDC2)
There was a supercar released not that long ago (cannot for the life of me remember what it was - possibly Ferrari?) that had a set of rear engine fins that almost looked like a set of old 1980's rear window plastic louvres, but upside down - it actually looked pretty cool
It was the first thing I thought about when seeing your rear end before you commented about wondering how to disguise it
Just a thought
Quote from: Dave DND on January 11, 2024, 01:40:51 PM
There was a supercar released not that long ago (cannot for the life of me remember what it was - possibly Ferrari?) that had a set of rear engine fins that almost looked like a set of old 1980's rear window plastic louvres, but upside down - it actually looked pretty cool
It was the first thing I thought about when seeing your rear end before you commented about wondering how to disguise it
Just a thought
any and all suggestions gratefully received, if you find any pictures even better
i found these pic mooching around on youtube, seems to be an engine cover but the shape is quite nice and quite a few buggys have them so i guess commercially made,
(https://i.postimg.cc/hjrzVTH5/thumbnail-3.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8J7zSJkR)
(https://i.postimg.cc/bJ3rZ8nX/thumbnail-4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qh64FPQQ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1sPc9QC/thumbnail.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxWMY5JV)
(https://i.postimg.cc/v82DMYMf/thumbnail-6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xqH93SX1)
(https://i.postimg.cc/DyW0w9yD/thumbnail-7.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rhCxN9t)
i was thinking something like this but wider with the rear lights and number plate built in might buy me 3 or 4" which is probably all i need
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1sPc9QC/thumbnail.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxWMY5JV)
and to make one i was just looking at a vitara front bumper like this
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gt6cDphf/screenshot-930.png) (https://postimages.org/)
it would need narrowing a touch by taking a bit out of the middle, then cut the centre lower section out and replace with a diffuser, and the recesses for the front fogs would become the position for round rear fog light
once its chopped and fettled i would take a mould off it and make a glassfibre one
(https://i.postimg.cc/jdNWXV0f/thumbnail-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mv6K6FGZ)
Ferrari Daytona SP3 was the one that came to mind
(https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/2022-ferrari-daytona-sp3-107-1659298021.jpg?crop=0.448xw:0.410xh;0.274xw,0.343xh&resize=980:*)
;-)up
thats not bad at all is it
Quote from: baloo on January 11, 2024, 04:56:10 PM
i was thinking something like this but wider with the rear lights and number plate built in might buy me 3 or 4" which is probably all i need
(https://i.postimg.cc/T1sPc9QC/thumbnail.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/vxWMY5JV)
and to make one i was just looking at a vitara front bumper like this
That rear bumper and cage like tubes on the back of the yellow one looks great Far better than the usual tubular cage
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gt6cDphf/screenshot-930.png) (https://postimages.org/)
it would need narrowing a touch by taking a bit out of the middle, then cut the centre lower section out and replace with a diffuser, and the recesses for the front fogs would become the position for round rear fog light
once its chopped and fettled i would take a mould off it and make a glassfibre one
(https://i.postimg.cc/jdNWXV0f/thumbnail-5.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Mv6K6FGZ)
slighy going of track here but as i hunt around the internet researching different shapes of "beach" buggy i keep coming across these , called a tow'd i believe ?
(https://i.postimg.cc/qRqnW2vC/screenshot-931.png) (https://postimages.org/)
does anyone know if there is a uk supplier of these body panels ?, it might be an idea to use up the beetle chassis that i have in the shed
The Meyers Tow'd was never sold in this country, two clone kits were imported a while ago ago and the body panels from one of those get listed on eBay occasionally.
Tow'd didn't use a Beetle chassis, it had its own custom tube frame.
(https://i.postimg.cc/BvLkcLQS/1238349.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/B83mJvKk)
Well that's a bummer then on 2 counts, one I can't use my beetle "chassis" and two l can't buy any panels for it, shame I quite like the look of them lol
thank you
so after lots of pondering ive decided which chassis im going with and its the grand vitara chassis same wheelbase just a slightly more beefy chassis with the addition of a steering rack instead of a ponderous steering box and the back axle is located with a 4 link set up as apposed to the 3 link in the mk 1 chassis,
as im going to need to supply pics to dvla of a complete car then a chassis and then a finished body swap i need to start with a complete car not one of my already stripped chassis, out in the yard is an X90 which is just a vitara with a different body on, chassis drive train etc is just the same
(https://i.postimg.cc/PJbm3xNL/screenshot-939.png) (https://postimages.org/)
mine has the benefit of already being 2wd so even less for the dvla to pick up on
chassis looks like this with the body off
(https://i.postimg.cc/T2nqYkQR/screenshot-938.png) (https://postimages.org/)
you can see there is no front diff or driveshafts on that pic also there is a big space under the sump where the front diff should be on a 4wd version , the limiting factor on trying to get a fiberglass shell on to this chassis is the height of the front suspension towers, they just squeeze in under the front wings and then the bonnet runs up from there
im going to have to drop that engine and box down by about 6" to get it under the bonnet but by not having a front diff i have the room to do that, which i can do by altering the engine mounts on the engine and not the chassis
that engine is a 1600cc 16v unit suzuki says it produces 105bhp in stock form, you can also get a 2000cc version a 2500cc version and a 2700cc version rated at nearly 200bhp should you feel the urge to practice your 0-60 times
l think im going with the original engine and box in case dvla want to inspect it then its all cosha
A sensible move build simple and keep running gear as original as possible.
i agree completely standard chassis running gear and engine should make it simpler
so thats about it for this thread l will start a biuld thread if anyone is interested ??
over and out
Andy
Quote from: baloo on January 19, 2024, 09:03:20 AM
l will start a biuld thread if anyone is interested ??
over and out
Andy
Absolutely - Get a build thread started as would love to follow this one ;-)up
Really interesting and good luck with it
well i fell at the first hurdle lol
i started clearing out the yard behind the barn trying to get to "suzuki corner"
i managed the clearing out bit to get there
(https://i.postimg.cc/2jwYRV2j/thumbnail-11.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7bfdSPFj)
even found the X90 near the front which is the vehicle i was intending to base the buggy on
(https://i.postimg.cc/m2pGkJv0/thumbnail-12.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ykRGrQYP)
(https://i.postimg.cc/0y61wZxr/thumbnail-13.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fVhP4cVh)
guess what no number plates on it, im hoping they are in the boot, i bought this from a salvage yard i thought about 10 or 12 years ago but looking at the yards description still chalked on the bonnet it was 2003 ::)
wow time passes quickly 20 years ive had this thing lol
(https://i.postimg.cc/fybrhTRk/thumbnail-9.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/zb9jCNW1)
so if the number plates arnt inside it then im going to swap to another base vehicle, i dont fancy trying to explain to dvla why i dont know the reg of a vehicle ive had for 20 years lol
I think that some of the motor traders and garages can still do an hpi check from a VIN number and that just might throw up the reg number
I know it used to be the case but unsure now?
You can try pinging Gary Big GP (https://www.beachbuggy.info/index.php?action=profile;u=17) I know he's managed to find Reg from VIN for some people
thank you guys i will go and get the vin number tomorrow
well the number plates were in the boot, but when i try looking up tax or mot online it says vehicle not found so rather than open a can or worms im going to jump ship and use this one instead, mk 1 vitara
(https://i.postimg.cc/Xv40Rn2m/thumbnail-26.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Js6gJCC5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5yZhnJYP/thumbnail-27.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/30FfxPZp)
and ive started a biuld thread
https://www.beachbuggy.info/index.php/topic,15016.0.html