23 replies to this topic

[Steve G]

My Latest Project.

 

I've fancied a Scamp since having a ride in one age ten back in the early 80's. Ebay is a dangerous thing and when I spotted this within sensible collection distance it seemed a really good idea at the time to buy it !

 

 

 

 

 

 

The picture above actually shows it after a bit of a tidy up and temporary re-fitting of the front subframe so I could roll it off the trailer. Initial inspections reviled it's led a very hard life and various bit's of it were bent, Scamps do get used off road a lot so it's done well to survive as well as it has. I've since found out it has spent most of it's life on a farm in Kent.

 

Strip Down

 

 

 

 

 

Stripping the body panels off resulted in this. The main problem areas were the front subframe mountings and the rail at the back where the trailing arms bolt on. Both had bent and needed replacement.

 

 

New Box Section.

 

 

1 1/2" box section is easily available now so it took a bit to get hold of some for a reasonable price. This is my metal store at the moment the new stuff is on the left and the rest (which will probably get used on the Scamp) is left over from fixing the car trailer, plus some other bit's I have found in the garage.

Edited by Steve G, 16 March 2015 - 07:50 PM.

[Steve G]

The Plan.

 

Originally I was going to build a completely standard Scamp (if there is such a thing) as it would have looked in the catalogues but because it had suffered so much I have decided to modify it slightly and keep it for road /track day use only. A cahnce find of a picture showing a very early MK2 chassis made me realise it would be fairly easy to lower the ride height by altering the subframe mounts. I needed to remake them anyway so thats where I started.

 

 

After a lot of head scratching this is where it is now.

 

 

 

 

There is still a bit more to do on the front. Over the winter I am planning to build up the front subframe with the engine and suspension and then fit it to the chassis. I can then make sure there is enough clearance around the carburettor and exhaust, fit the engine steady brackets and work out where the shock absorber mounts need to go back on. I also want to work out where the inner wheel arches will fit to give the most footwell space as it's a bit tight as standard.

 

Once the front is finished I can start looking at the back end. The bent trailing arm mounting tube needs replacing and the rear wheel arches will need to go up to give more clearance with the planned lower ride height.

 

I've been messing about mocking up how it will look with a new windscreen surround. the windscreen as standard is very vertical so I will probably angle it back to cut wind resistance a bit !

 

 

Unfortunately with winter just about here I will have to turf it out of the garage so my other halfs MX5 can go back in. I need to build a shed for it I think.

Edited by Steve G, 06 October 2014 - 11:39 AM.

[humph]

^{Interesting project. May I ask what the seats are out of, like the look of them.}

[leadly]

Very interesting indeed.

They look like Alpha Romeo 156 seats to me.

[Steve G]

Yes well spotted with the seats. I'd been trying to get hold of either some late mini seats or a Corbeau to match one I already have. I got fed up with looking and when I spotted these at the breakers I grabbed them.

They aren't bad as they are quite low but I will still ned to make up some sort of subframe to fit them, not too sure about the colour but I will just have to paint the body to suit. They did have side airbags which I have taken out but they are far better quality then any aftermarket seats you can get for the money.

[MrBounce]

This is very similar to my mate's Scamp which was stolen and torched about 12 years ago. It's bringing back a lot of happy memories.

[Steve G]

This is very similar to my mate's Scamp which was stolen and torched about 12 years ago. It's bringing back a lot of happy memories.

Not too similar I hope ! I think mine has been outside so long there wouldn't have been any chance of it catching fire due to all the moss and mud it had in it.

I spotted your thread the other day and was impresssed with the paintwork. Not sure what to paint mine with yet but it really needs grit blasting first as there are some bits you can't get into to clean up properly.

[RossKnight]

Following this! Want a scamp just for the comedic factor

[sledgehammer]

I like the basic-ness of it

 

i am how ever surprised at the lack of triangulation or gussets 

 

but that said 3mm 40x40 box is pretty strong

[Steve G]

I'm using the mechanicals off a Mini I built years ago. That used to upset a few hot hatch owners, so hopefully with a bit less weight and what will end up a stiffer body it should be a lot of fun.  They certainly aren't what you could call pretty !

 

With the mechanicals removed I will at some point rebuild the Mini. This is pretty rust free and I fancy turning it into a Mk 1 replica. Thats a project for another day though. Here is the engine I am going to use.

 

 

Along with the more raked back screen I might build some sort of air duct into the bonnet in the hope it makes it a bit aerodynamic. I read somewhere that is you operate the windscreen washers on a Scamp Mk2 at speed all you do is wash with wing mirrors, fixing that would be a start !

Edited by Steve G, 16 March 2015 - 07:55 PM.

[Steve G]

I like the basic-ness of it

 

i am how ever surprised at the lack of triangulation or gussets 

 

but that said 3mm 40x40 box is pretty strong

I'm going to build some diagonals into it. Mk3 Scamps has some extra tubes in the engine compartment so I will add those. I have also joined the front of the floor to the bulkhead. Normally they just rely on a solid bolted subframe for strength. I think the subframe might have broken on mine causing the chassis to bend.

[sledgehammer]

I'm using the mechanicals off a Mini I built years ago. That used to upset a few hot hatch owners, so hopefully with a bit less weight and what will end up a stiffer body it should be a lot of fun.  They certainly aren't what you could call pretty !

 

they are cute - and have a mini type of land rover series 1 feel to them

 

a sort of , 'don't put it on if it isn't needed ' utilitarian feel to them

[Steve G]

What about this ?

 

 

I was trying to re-arrange the front to make use of a front mounted Metro Radiator, makes it look happy !

Edited by Steve G, 06 October 2014 - 06:28 PM.

[Alburglar]

My Latest Daft Project.

For a minute (reading this on my phone) I thought that said my latest drift project!
Lol

[domdee]

nice project!

 

cane believe how basic the chassis is lol