Mk1 GT Resto/2 door conversion

[Downstairs Dave 37]

This is a great thread.Your work is outstanding.Am i right in thinking the 49? Ford you did came to a sad end? Seem to remember reading about that in Custom Car.If you are using MX5 bits why not go Duratec and six speed its the same animal isnt it?

Yep it did come to a sad end, I had a head on collision in France while at the European Hot Rod Nationals in 2007, wife was badly injured. Shattered femur and two broken arms, (no Seat belts!) so remember folks these are cars and are just as vulnerable as the modern stuff.

 

As to using a Duratec, its all down to pennies, the engine I've got will do, not massive power but I think the way a car looks and how its prepared is just as important as to how fast it can go. But I can always change the engine later if need be but I think the MX5 engine with supercharger will be quick enough.

[GhiaMk4/5 206]

Yep it did come to a sad end, I had a head on collision in France while at the European Hot Rod Nationals in 2007, wife was badly injured. Shattered femur and two broken arms, (no Seat belts!) so remember folks these are cars and are just as vulnerable as the modern stuff.

 

As to using a Duratec, its all down to pennies, the engine I've got will do, not massive power but I think the way a car looks and how its prepared is just as important as to how fast it can go. But I can always change the engine later if need be but I think the MX5 engine with supercharger will be quick enough.

Hope the wife is all sorted now, I know from experience some injuries take forever to mend and basically that's why I stopped using my GT for the school run, nearlly had a head on at 60mph with my 11 yr old son in the front passenger seat :thumbdown: it just made me think, the other car may be in the wrong, but in the event of a major collision there's not enough protection in the old motors.

I'm just rebuilding my Capri, just put a new roof skin on it and lead loaded it and can appreciate how much time and effort you are putting into your car, :thumbup: Have you got a paint scheme in mind.

[Downstairs Dave 37]

Here are a few pics of what I have done today, decided to weld in the boot panel support first..

 

 

Rear wing is all welded in now, will take some more pictures tomorrow.

[ludsonline 0]

Nice work Dave ;)..

[pinto boy 0]

top work m8

Edited September 28, 2013 by pinto boy

[Downstairs Dave 37]

here are some more pictures, also put the boot lid on to check on alignment, all looking good.

Shall be taking the drivers door with me to work so I can repair it during my lunch breaks.

 

 

 

[Steve 5]

Great work that is ,One of the best threads on here :thumbup:

[63 woody 0]

Hope the mrs made a good recovery from that,should make us all think.Again I am very impressed by your workmanship.Speak to Dave at Retroford re mounts waterails etc.Hes a good mate of mine and very knowledgeable when it comes to putting this family of engine in ANYTHING.Hes just built a Lada with a Cosworth built Duratec just because he can! I think hes had a twelve second qtr out of it on street tyres.Looking forward to further instalments Iain.

[citroentim 2]

Looking great Dave, you have done so much in the last few weeks since I last saw the car and all to your usual extremely high standard.

[westie289 0]

Am loving this thread, if you need any parts mx5 wise etc, drop me a message i work in a mx5 specialist garage :D

Keep up the good work! Can't wait for more updates :)

[Downstairs Dave 37]

Am loving this thread, if you need any parts mx5 wise etc, drop me a message i work in a mx5 specialist garage :D

Keep up the good work! Can't wait for more updates :)

Many thanks for that, will probably take you up on the offer as I'm bound to need some bits..

 

Glad your enjoying the thread.:rolleyes:

[Downstairs Dave 37]

Not a lot done on the car today as I spent most of the day sorting out the garage, you no what its like when you can't find something..:rolleyes:

 

Found my old roll over spit that I used to use on the Mk1 Escorts, so did a little modification to the mounts.

 

 

Should be able to get the car to spin round tomorrow..

 

Also had a good look under a racing Lotus Elan last week and was surprised to see how the suspension set up is to what I had in mind, diff set up is pretty much the same as the Mazda's.

#

I get the feeling the Japanese did copy the Elan when they designed the MX5...:rolleyes:

[rsvmk1 2]

Really great project to follow, top quality. :cheers:

 

I believe the MX5 brief was to have a small sports car that was as popular as the MG and handled like the Elan. They probably exceeded both :car:

[martog 128]

Really great project to follow, top quality. :cheers:

 

I believe the MX5 brief was to have a small sports car that was as popular as the MG and handled like the Elan. They probably exceeded both :car:

 

 

Quote from Marty in Back To The Future...

 

"What do you mean Doc? All the BEST stuff is made in Japan". :lol:

[lee b 1]

jim clarks road car, a lotus cortina 550VAR had independant rear suspension probably what chapman would have put on all lotus cortinas had ford not put finantail/buisness constraints on first. im pretty sure it had the donut type drive shafts that the elan had. im sure keith and steve booker have pics off the suspension set up.