19-04-2020, 12:04 PM
With the success of Ian’s thread, I'm starting similar but dedicated to getting help with restoration/conservation of something which is 7 underpinned, but with a 50’s body.
I’ve taken on a project for the garage here as my Woodie is isolated at my mum’s. I may have to sell that if work doesn’t pick up after we as a nation - and it - are back on the road. So the idea is to conceive a cheap runabout without destroying anything significant - and to return its 50's character and heritage.
I can however see it is the basis of a former race car vision - Speedex 750 body... but with full undertray up to the reconstructed front crossmember, and a tiny fuel tank. From Dave Armstrong's (and formerly Ian Clayton’s) excellent work, there are probably about 40 survivors presently known out of perhaps 150-200 bodies created from late 1957. It is a very pure shape which is easy to lose with later amendments and accessories.
I’m being systematic about assessing whether its historically significant. i.e. was it done when the frame was made in 58-62, or added on to the frame after purchase. All I can gauge is that the project was bought in 68 by last owner, and he has gradually got it together. But perhaps it was an unfinished project in the first place, as the aluminium inside the undertray looks so undisturbed. No decent engine - just a nice useable HC/SU’d two bearing unit from the RN the owner has had since 1960. Last taxed '72. and being renovated off and on since then.
But there are lots of questions - how would you get a rear spring out, or even jack up such a thing, when the undertray and the associated/additional tubular structure means that you can't lift a body off? I am starting to wonder whether, if parts have no Speedex heritage value, would it be better removing the lower part so one can get ‘in’ for its likely future use as a road car - i.e. even lighter. I’ll be grateful for your diverse thoughts as part of my overarching strategy on what to do.
I’m busy ripping out all in the recent glued-in carpets to access the tunnel (screwed) and floor (not quite sure), but it's all rivets underneath…
Present plan is to:
strip front wings to same aluminium as rear. (There is a slight historic precedent for retaining the front wings and lights as they were also used on the Lotus Seven S1.. as well as being original for the 750)
Ditch heavy-looking rear cover but find a good way of making a waterproof seal to the rear space access underneath
Bonnet to return to body colour
construct an egg crate grille - an essentially visual part of the 750 original equipment which isn’t easy or cheap to recreate without thought.
Black and white vinyl registration plates direct to body
find somewhere for a spare wheel
find some way of getting front and rear rame hoops sprouting from the roll cage to carry a proper hood in winter months… which could perhaps come back over the entire tail or end abruptly with a plexiglass panel within the roll cage.
consider whether the fuel tank is viable long term. i.e. I carry two more petrol cans with the perhaps 2 gallons it might hold?
Consider the undertray with respect of gaining access i.e. for replacing a duff rear spring.
Put dashboard appearance back 15 years from present 70s feel.
I’m not concerned with the engine - if I can keep the car light and concentrate on MPG then it will be a useable reliable car with many of the mods which are being carried with Sevens; i.e. hydraulic brakes, Bowden front axle. I'm warned that the thermosiphon effect on a low rad might not be good without an external pump, which this has not presently got.
? Battery position, whilst nicely made, not good for long cable runs. Could it conceivably be put further up toward engine, under dash or something?
So, a thread to keep to the title area, but I’ll be interested to know what you would or wouldn’t do! I see it as being heavily time consuming to get right but without a great deal of expense. And I’ll keep progress going over time.
690 CNM.JPG (Size: 180.08 KB / Downloads: 1,239)
I’ve taken on a project for the garage here as my Woodie is isolated at my mum’s. I may have to sell that if work doesn’t pick up after we as a nation - and it - are back on the road. So the idea is to conceive a cheap runabout without destroying anything significant - and to return its 50's character and heritage.
I can however see it is the basis of a former race car vision - Speedex 750 body... but with full undertray up to the reconstructed front crossmember, and a tiny fuel tank. From Dave Armstrong's (and formerly Ian Clayton’s) excellent work, there are probably about 40 survivors presently known out of perhaps 150-200 bodies created from late 1957. It is a very pure shape which is easy to lose with later amendments and accessories.
I’m being systematic about assessing whether its historically significant. i.e. was it done when the frame was made in 58-62, or added on to the frame after purchase. All I can gauge is that the project was bought in 68 by last owner, and he has gradually got it together. But perhaps it was an unfinished project in the first place, as the aluminium inside the undertray looks so undisturbed. No decent engine - just a nice useable HC/SU’d two bearing unit from the RN the owner has had since 1960. Last taxed '72. and being renovated off and on since then.
But there are lots of questions - how would you get a rear spring out, or even jack up such a thing, when the undertray and the associated/additional tubular structure means that you can't lift a body off? I am starting to wonder whether, if parts have no Speedex heritage value, would it be better removing the lower part so one can get ‘in’ for its likely future use as a road car - i.e. even lighter. I’ll be grateful for your diverse thoughts as part of my overarching strategy on what to do.
I’m busy ripping out all in the recent glued-in carpets to access the tunnel (screwed) and floor (not quite sure), but it's all rivets underneath…
Present plan is to:
strip front wings to same aluminium as rear. (There is a slight historic precedent for retaining the front wings and lights as they were also used on the Lotus Seven S1.. as well as being original for the 750)
Ditch heavy-looking rear cover but find a good way of making a waterproof seal to the rear space access underneath
Bonnet to return to body colour
construct an egg crate grille - an essentially visual part of the 750 original equipment which isn’t easy or cheap to recreate without thought.
Black and white vinyl registration plates direct to body
find somewhere for a spare wheel
find some way of getting front and rear rame hoops sprouting from the roll cage to carry a proper hood in winter months… which could perhaps come back over the entire tail or end abruptly with a plexiglass panel within the roll cage.
consider whether the fuel tank is viable long term. i.e. I carry two more petrol cans with the perhaps 2 gallons it might hold?
Consider the undertray with respect of gaining access i.e. for replacing a duff rear spring.
Put dashboard appearance back 15 years from present 70s feel.
I’m not concerned with the engine - if I can keep the car light and concentrate on MPG then it will be a useable reliable car with many of the mods which are being carried with Sevens; i.e. hydraulic brakes, Bowden front axle. I'm warned that the thermosiphon effect on a low rad might not be good without an external pump, which this has not presently got.
? Battery position, whilst nicely made, not good for long cable runs. Could it conceivably be put further up toward engine, under dash or something?
So, a thread to keep to the title area, but I’ll be interested to know what you would or wouldn’t do! I see it as being heavily time consuming to get right but without a great deal of expense. And I’ll keep progress going over time.
690 CNM.JPG (Size: 180.08 KB / Downloads: 1,239)
