Hi All

Here’s no.24

Mark 2 chassis with Rover T series engine from a ’97 Rover 820 Vitesse with wasted spark ignition. Gearbox (from Pete) is actually from a rover 827. I had quite a job with the engine management, being new to the game, and ended up stripping out most of the engine loom once I’d figured out the Rover wiring colour inaccuracies. I also put separate fuses for the main engine components (stepper motor, coil, etc) so as to more easily identify problems were they to occur. I managed to over-heat it initially because of a drive failure to the stock water pump: I’ve since installed a Davies Craig pump in line, just before the pump housing so as to replicate the original layout as nearly as possible. This has worked a treat, and last year in French traffic for 90mins and 30+C heat the temp gauge didn’t move at all.

I’ve built the car to use as a daily driver, so despite my links with Shelsley Walsh (I’m the Chief Medical Officer)  I am NOT going to knock bits off as I go up the hill in anger. [ ….though perhaps if I found another to buy I might campaign that one] With that in mind its got some creature comforts like an alarm that immobilises the lock, a simple immobiliser, self dimming Int lights and an arm rest! One solution I am proud of is an MX5 headlight lift motor on the front crash frame that when activated completes a cycle and in so doing pulls the Volvo bonnet catch (I found simple solenoids just not strong enough). This means the bonnet is secure as it can only be opened from inside, once the alarm is inactive.

Body work has been “adapted” to suit me, as it appears most folk have done. Mine has had a lot of attention as I’ve recreated an Elise style roof with the targa rear window section. I’m on hood no. 2 now and its [virtually] waterproof as well as easy to put on & off, small enough to stow, and doesn’t lift at any speed <100mph, which I more than enough for me! Widened front wheel arches, small diffuser fins at the rear and after market light clusters as well as opening up the front grill have all made it “my” car. After our French road trip last year (2000 miles and 3 breakdowns fixed en route) Gilly bought some Tour de France polka dots for it: “King of the Mountains” and Shelsley Walsh seems rather apt IMHO.

So, its a usable road car. The VERY reason I chose this and not some Locaterfield or snake to build. I use it as my work & fun car, relegating the Alpina estate to luxury barge, kid transport and load bearer status. Tame in traffic & very fast on the open road with perfect balance: I love it!

 

No.24 alongside the luxury barge

 

 

fixing the car outside a Leclerc supermarket “somewhere” in Northern France

 

Chris