Conference terri::cars_uk

    
    Car       Fairthorpe Electron Minor
    
    Owner     Chris Gale
    
    Location  Queens House
    
    Status of Car Dismantled for Chassis repairs
    
    Will turn up at a meet with or without car . Some friends of mine
    hired Goodwood for a day a year or two back, just an idea.
    
    Chris.

The Moss Roadster first appeared in 1980 as a one-off special.  It was designed
by John Cowperthwaite as a "body-swap" for a rusting Herald/Vitesse, but is now
available as a comprehensive kit to take either Triumph or Ford parts.

JC sold Moss in 1986 to Hampshire Classics, who made such a mess of things that
three Moss owners got together and bought up the company themselves.  They've
been running it since 1987, achieving a consistent 50-60 sales a year, although
this is now on the increase.

The Moss range comprises the two-seater Roadster, similar in design to Morgans
and the MG TF; the Malvern, a 2+2 identical to the Roadster apart from the hood
and rearmost two feet of the bodytub, which has a more vertical rear section to
make room for the back seats; and the Monaco, a 1950s style racing car.  For a
while there was also the Mamba, which I think looks a bit like a Karmann Ghia
with an MGB shaped rear end (although my Karmann-owning brother will disagree!).

About 600 cars have been sold altogether, and there is a thriving owners club.
This is probably because you get a year's free membership when you buy a kit!
The club also encompasses the JC Midge and Locust (Lotus 7 replica), although
these are made and sold by a company unrelated to Moss.

I'm currently building a Moss Roadster, based on Ford components.  It uses
cortina front suspension (wishbones, etc), mounted at a narrower track than on
the cortina, with an Escort steering rack.  At the back is an Escort live
axle, mounted on four trailing arms and Panhard rod, with coil-over-shocks.
Engine is any Ford x-flow or 1.6/2.0 OHC, with suitable gearbox.  I'm getting
a 1600 large-valve x-flow, and standard Escort MkII gearbox.

The build manual gives several alternatives for fixing the steering column; I'll
have to see which way works best and tell you then!

The body is all grp, and comes with a coloured gel-coat finish, which saves a
trip to the paint shop.  Mine's BRG (or will be when they've made it!).  The
body tub is one-piece, apart from the gearbox tunnel which you trim to the
required size before bolting in.  There are then the four wings (the front wings
sweeping down to form running boards), bonnet sides and top, and nosecone.

The kit also includes radiator grille, windscreen, plus loads of other bits,
with hood, carpets, etc available as extras.

Moss have the sensible policy of selling chassis separately to the rest of the
kit, and they keep a supply of chassis in stock.  So you can go and buy one, and
build up the rolling chassis while waiting for the body and accessories.

Scott

PS Now we've got a register shouldn't we go down the pub or something?

    I've only had the Westfield for a week, so I'm still in finding out
    mode.
    
    It's a 7SE (solid back axle), first registered in July 88 (previous 
    owner was a traffic cop!)
    
    Engine is Ford 1600GT xflow with twin 40DCOEs and produces 85bhp at the
    wheels (rollong road last year), so someone's breathed something in to
    it. As the exact spec is a mystery, and it's a little rough at the
    bottom end, I'm planning on a strip down, balance, cam, and head job in
    the near future. I'm looking for around 115bhp at the flywheel, with
    good low end tractability and reliability. If I wasn't typing this now,
    I'd be on the phone to Oselli to see what they can offer, but they've
    closed so it'll have to wait until Monday. Finance for this will be
    coming from the sale of Shirley's Metro, so reasonable offers should be
    sent to the above address.
    
    Gear box is 4 speed Cortina, with gear lever extension to prevent hand
    damage to dashboard - or is it the other way round!
    
    When I picked it up last Thursday, the ride was hard, to say the least.
    This was found to be due to the Spax's being set on their hardest
    setting! Before I had a chance to adjust them, the lack of suspension
    movement over bumps sheared the rubber bobbin on the silencer mount,
    and the silencer joined the scenery.
    
    The suspension was quickly adjusted from rigid to firm and the silencer
    mount replaced. Suspension still needs proper setting up, so look out
    for me in Hypermarket carparks on Sunday mornings.
    
    Other mods have been modifying the wipers so that they stop doing
    imitations of split screen Minor 1000's, fouling the top edge of the
    windscreen, and throwing their arms away for a finale, and improving
    the crankcase ventilation.
    
    Currently I bring the Westfield into Newbury along the A4 from
    Reading 2-3 times a week - but only when it's raining!@!@!
    
    The idea of a DECkit car club meeting is a good idea, but I not sure
    that I can make July 8th. What about a get together somewhere in the
    REO-NEW-UBO triangle one evening before that.
    
    That's all for now
    
    Dick

First, the Company...

	This was founded in the mid 70s by Paul Moorhouse.  Initially, it sold
the roadster based on Triumph running gear.  Paul started the business after
building two one-off specials (!).  It was orginally designed for
hill climbing and if you go see any, there's usually a Marlin to watch.  The 
roadster can now be based on almost any BL running gear and comes in two forms,
long and short wheelbase.  So, no matter what your height, you can still fit
in the thing.  Although, they still make a 7 seem roomy.

	The Berlinetta is the other model.  This was introduced in 1984.  It is
larger than the roadster, but off the same general style.  It is a two plus
two with such added luxuries as wind up windows and a hard top for winter.  The
Berlinetta is based on Cortina or, as from last year, Sierra mechanics.

	Both models have passed all of the appropriate EEC safety tests and 
Marlin is a member of STATUS, although not SCMG.  Both models incorporate a 
very strong triangulated ladder chassis (3" x 3" x 3mm)  with a windscreen 
surround that also acts as a roll bar.

	What do they look like?  Well they are a bit Panther Kalister-ish with
overtones of 1934 Alfa Romeo and Riley.

	So far, around 1500 Marlins of one sort or another have been sold, 
making Marlin one of the oldest and most established kit manufacturers around.
The owner's club is very active with around 700 members.

And my car?...


	It is a Marlin Berlinetta.  I built it between October 1986 and August
1987.  It is based on a 1600 GL Cortina.  All shocks, bushes and bearings were
replaced and the drivechain swopped for a Ford reconditioned 1600 GT engine
clutch and gearbox.  Fuel is delivered courtesy of Weber and exhaust taken away
by Janspeed.  Ignition is by Luminition and cooling by Kenlowe.  As for power,
around 95 at the wheels (rear of course).  It goes around corners as if on
rails, although the ride can be said to be traditional English, ie very hard.
I use it every day for work to get to DEC Park.  Guided tours and demonstration
drives by appointment only.

Dave.

PS Yes, I'd like a get together (but only if the cars come too).  Either make
it quick or leave it several weeks - my wife is due any day now...

    
    I've got an RMB Gentry. It's a MG TF replica based on the Herald
    chassis. Fibreglass wings and ally body. It's still under contraction.
    Renewed interest may mean that it might see the road later this year!
    
    Is RMB (Roger Blockley) still making cars? I haven't seen any adverts
    for quite some time. I bought my kit nearly 10 years ago, progress has
    been delayed due to other projects (kitchen, garden, greenhouse and
    general house maintenance).
    
    Bill.
    
    

    I am not currently a kit car owner, but my my wife is getting
    suspicious with the increase in kit-car mags around the house.
    
    I guess I'm in phase 0, ie seeing what's out there.  I dragged the
    family to Stoneleigh so now I have a short list, any help in shortening
    it would be appreciated...
    
    The list so far:  BRA Cobra replica,  Merlin Roadster, GTM Rossa
    and JBA Falcon.
    
    Any advice/experiences on these?
    
    Chris  :-)

    
    Car.. 		Sylva Striker MKII
                        
    Owner..		Guy Malcolm (DEC Park 1   G3/5)
                                          
    	Currently waiting for LVLO in Minster Street, Reading, to pull
    their fingers out and come and 'inspect' my kit..
    
    	Car has a Fiat 1438cc twin-cam, 5 speed 'box, twin Weber 40's
    with K&N air filters, full stainless LOUD exhaust. Suspension is
    SPAX all round, the front being inboard, the back being a series
    of trailing and leading arms and a panhard rod connected to a MKII
    Escort axle.
    
    	The car is similar in shape to a Caterham 7 (ally side pannels/GRP
    nose and tail).. but with only 2" ground clearance (the sump/bell-housing
    being the offending items), it looks like I may have to park in
    the Post House car park.
         
    	Sylva have designed/built a number of kits which have been
    competing with some success over the past 4-5 years.
    (Star/Leader/Striker MKII/MKIII/Clubmans). DECkits on a day out
    at a track? Mmmmm... now thats a nice thought!!
    
    Guy 		[:-)
    
         
    

    CAR		DAVRIAN T8
    
    STATE	WAS INHABITED BY VARIOUS FORMS OF WILDLIFE BUT AFTER
    		DISCUSSIONS GREENPEACE IS NOW VACANT
    
    LOCATION    VERNHAM DEAN NR ANDOVER
    
    HISTORY	LAST USED IN 1982 WHEN IT FINISHED 2nd IN SCOTTISH GT
    		CHAMPIONSHIP.
    		IT HAD A 1600 DBA AND A HEWLAND BOX(WISH IT STILL HAD!!)
    
    A gatherring in July would be a good idea. If it was at Goodwood
    or Mallory etc I could get some free practice in, when its finished
    (July 2000)z

After much deliberation and wallet-searching there has been a change of plan.
The Moss will now have a Sierra 1.8 CVH engine (anyone know what CVH means?) and
a Sierra 5-speed 'box.

The engine is a low-mileage s/hand unit off a crashed car.  It's one of Ford's
newest engines, only introduced last year.  Ford quote 90 "PS" (which I think is
the same as BHP?), but someone rolling-roaded one recently and got 120 BHP at
the wheels from an unmodified unit!  (Or so I'm told...)

The gearbox is brand new, and as I'm buying it "trade" it's half the price a
Ford dealer would charge me for it, though I still can't quite work out why...

I just hope it all fits under the bonnet!

Scott

>>            <<< Note 1102.11 by IOSG::MARSHALL "Argle Bargle IV" >>>
                               -< Moss Addendum >-

>>After much deliberation and wallet-searching there has been a change of plan.
>>The Moss will now have a Sierra 1.8 CVH engine (anyone know what CVH means?) and
>>a Sierra 5-speed 'box.

    Compound Valve Hemisphere!. Means the top of the chamber's a complicated
    shape :=)
    
    Richard

    I currently own a Moss Roadster based on a 13/60 Herald. I bought it
    from John Cowperthwaite when he was in Store Street, Sheffield. Its
    currently out of MOT but I'm sorting that out in preparation for
    selling it to finance my next project...
    
    ..which is the Ford based GENTRY. (re .5) My Brother-in-law bought this
    business from Roger Blockly about 18 months ago. They now have chassis'
    for Triumph (Herald/Vitesse/Spitfire), MGB and Ford (Cortina front,
    Escort rear a la Moss). Body options are the two seater TF look-a-like
    and a 2+2 version. I can give anyone further info or they may be
    contacted at :
    
    S.P Motors
    Unit 5
    Moatway Industrial Estate
    Barwell
    Leicestershire
    0455-846302
    
    
    Andy Beale.

The Ford based Moss uses an Escort MkII live axle, fixed with four trailing
arms and a Panhard rod, bouncing on triumph coil-overs.

The Gentry keeps the Escort leaf springs, which I am led to believe looks a bit
odd as they protrude too far at the rear of the car.  Can anyone give more
details on this.

Scott

    
    I have just sent off for brochures on the Roadster and the TM, I'm
    thinking of having a crack at one of them over the winter.
    
    Has anyone actually worked out the total cost of putting one of
    these kits together, just the basic model rather than anything fancy.
    Can it be done for around #2500 or I am being too hopeful?  Any
    help or horror stories appreciated.
    
    Cheers
    
    Gerry
    

The Moss price list gives (this is really the minimum you should buy from them):

Roadster Kit: �1495
Chassis:      � 295
Hood Set:�     � 235
Carpets:      �  85
              =====
              �2110
+VAT          � 316.50
              =====
Total         �2426.50

Then you need all the mechanical bits, so no, you can't do it for �2500...

Although the hood is quite expensive, it's very high quality and includes
frame, sidescreens and all fastenings.

The Moss literature estimates a minimum of �3500 to complete a car.  Verbally
they now say �4000, as their brochure was printed over a year ago.

But for that price you will have to choose between mechanical quality and
appearance.

For my build, my original estimate was �5500, including wire wheels (�700+)
That was using mostly reconditioned with some s/hand un-recon parts.

Now I've decided to do things a bit better and everything is either new or
recon, including a new Sierra 5-sp box.  The exception is the engine, which
is a low-mileage s/hand Sierra 1800.

The new budget is now the expensive side of �6000.  I'm not adding it up yet,
as I see no reason to upset myself more than necessary.

If you want a �2500 car, buy a Spartan and a cortina wreck, don't bother
reconditioning anything, and drive around in an ugly clapped out heap.
(Note this is the build route Spartan recommend.)

I don't know where you're based (might BELFST:: be Belfast?) but you're
welcome to come and see my part-built Moss and have a chat about it.
I and it are in Ascot (East Berks.)

Scott

    Aren't the last few replies getting a bit off the beaten track?
    
    I thought the purpose of this note was to maintain a register of all of
    those people who are daft enough (like me) to own a kit car.
    Discussions on kit cars themselves are catered for in note 366.
    
    Dick

Since when did the title/purpose/basenote of a topic bear any relation to the
subsequent replies in it?


Scott ;-)

    Re .15
    
    The Ford chassis for the Gentry is supplied with short leaf springs
    which dont stick out the back.
    
    If anyone wants more Gentry info they can ring me on 849-3324
    
    Andy Beale

    
    
    Name:	Tom McIntyre
    Location:	Enterprise House
    Car:	Cobra
         
    Details:	
    
    The kit is currently in the 'getting ready for the chassis' stage.
    This means that the garage/attic/two sheds etc. have pieces of car
    in them..... If you read the 366 note you will know that I have
    had some dissapointments trying to get this project off the ground..I
    was very nearly hoodwinked into sending 2K to Brightwheel..just
    before they went under...since that close escape I have managed
    to locate a reputable (?) manufacturer in Bolton. 
    
    The chap is using the brightwheel chassis and body and is providing
    a limited service regarding build-ups and parts..he actually advised
    me to source most of the parts elsewhere..and has given me addresses
    etc...seems reasnoble to me.
    
    Anyway, the kit is due to be collected on 28th of July..3 weeks
    away. I already have the engine (Rover V8) and 5 speed box. The
    engine has been completley rebuilt, partly by myself and partly
    by a machine shop. The G/box is unchanged from the donor..it sounded
    all right when I drove it home and I will test it more fully when
    the chassis is rolling. I also have all the running gear (Granada
    3 ltr) which has been stripped, new bushes, bearings etc. 
    
    I hope to start assembly in August, and have it running by Christmas.
    I don't intend to spend all my waking hours on the car (or rather
    my wife doesn't intend) so it wont be on the road 'till next Christmas
    ('91).
    
    Tom
    

Name:	Kevin Whitmarsh
Loc:	Snamprogetti House
Car:	JAGO GEEP

Looks like WWII jeep.  Fibre glass body on V. solid steel
chassis.  Escort II suspension.  2000 OHC GT engine.  Sat
on 195/60 X 14 NCT.  Goes fairly quick, and holds the
road quite well for a 'jeep' type vehicle, has suprised a
few GTI drivers.  Good fun off-road, although
a change of tyres to m&s types would probalby be useful.

Originally completed it about 2 years ago, although
have not used it much in the last year (about 200 miles)
so I keep thinking I should sell it.

Kevin.

With summer now fading to a memory, time is running out for another kit car
meet over a pint. As I missed the last one, I will take it upon myself to 
organise this one, if anyone's interested.

With the evenings drawing in, how about a Saturday or Sunday lunchtime do, at
a pub with a flat car park (for the low ground clearance boys), somewhere in the
Reading-Newbury-Basingstoke triangle.

Rather than clog up this note with a 30+replies discussion on the relative 
of pub A vs time B vs day C vs brew Z, please Vaxmail me on NEWOA::HENNEMAN,
and I'll coordinate things from there.

Over to you all

Dick

	Dick, do you have an entry in message router so I can get at you from
	my ALL-IN-1 account.

	I don't seem to be able to reach NEWOA::

	Thanks,
	Heather

           <<< Note 1102.24 by BIGHUN::THOMAS "The Devon Dumpling" >>>


>	Dick, do you have an entry in message router so I can get at you from
>	my ALL-IN-1 account.


HENNEMAN @ New

or

DICK HENNEMAN @ new

>	I don't seem to be able to reach NEWOA::

BIGHUN does not know node NEWOA

but try  VANISH or VANDAL (members of NEWOA cluster)

	Vanish worked a treat,      Thanks

    Got your mail Heather
    
    Dick

Well I don't think there's any kit car owners left in DEC but here goes anyway:-

CAR:	GTM Rossa Mk.2

OWNER:	Daniel Howell

SPEC:	Mini-based mainly. 1380 Avonbar engine, 96bhp @flywheel 
	(peach of an engine, hats off to the boys at Avonbar!).
	Mid-engined, rear wheel drive 2-seater with removeable hard top/ soft top.
	Other minor parts off Metro, various Fords, Austin's, etc.
	Discs/drum servo brakes, still only a 4-speed 'box (groan!),
	central locking, modified bits'n'bobs, Alpine stereo system,
	home made bits all over the place!

WHY?!	Because I've just fallen in love with the thing as soon as I saw a photo
	of one. Never looked back since (though there's been some close
	moments, like when its piston rings went and I nearly sold the bugger!)

Anyone out there into this sort of thing/car?

Dan @Reading
;-)

    
    No assumptions should be made ....
    
    
    Car : Gilbern Invader MkII
    
    	  1971 3 litre. All there, but currently reduced to its original
    	  kit car status as a basketcase -- actually, it's in much smaller
    	  lumps than when it was a kit.
    
    	  Will be rebuilt one day .......
    
    Colin

Enlighten me on this Gilbern Invader then... a replica, is it?

DAN.

    Simon Coupland in the Warrington Office has a Westfield and I know of
    at least two others in this office who have cars. They don't delve in
    this notes conference too often, think about the % of employees that do
    come in here. It isn't many.

    
    Gilbern a real car, not a replica :-) Replicas didn't exist in '71,
    except for pretend Le Mans Bentleys & would-be Austin 7 team cars ......
    
    Gilbern were one of the very few indigenous Welsh manufacturers. Built
    a few thousand cars, as complete cars & as kits.
    
    Invader came as Mki, MkII, or MkIII, from '68-ish through to '73. MkIII
    was never a kit. All had Essex 3 litre lumps, & all were 4 seater
    sporting cars. 0-60 in 8.1, 130 mph according to contemporary road
    tests -- good for late 60's/early 70's.
    
    Fibreglass body, spaceframe-ish chassis from small section box tubing.
    
    One day my frog will resurface as a prince, but it's a fair time off...
    unless I'm laid off.
    
    
    Colin

Hmm, sounds rather tush (sorry, a brummy term there!).

I hope it makes it back onto the tarmacadam where it's meant to be.

Is there something wrong with it then, or does it just need
tidying up?

Dan.

    Getting back to the base note :
    
    
    I'm 2 years into building a GT40 replica (not a kit). The chassis &
    body panels were made by KVA, another Welsh outfit. Sadly KVA is no
    more, the owner slooped of in his yacht never to be seen again.
    
    Having said that, there is a very healthy GT40 replica owners club who
    support both GT40 kits & replica builders.
    
    Current status : chassis painted, rolling on Ford Granada axles with
    Granada brakes,
    steered by Mk3 Cortina rack & column, pedals courtesy of Cortina,
    Engine is a Ford 302 V8 (about 5 litre) with a 4-barrel Holley carb 
    & gearbox is a Renault 30 4-speed (couldnt find a 5-speed)
    transaxle unit driving rear wheels, but I've not worked out yet how to
    drive them !
    
    Next job : Fit gear linkage from back of car to rh mounted gearlever.
    
    Next update 1996.
    
    Tony Jasper.
    
    

    
    What was the original engine and gearbox?
    
    Jonathan

    Bah! GT40! I'm gonna really sulk now.
    
    Mike_who_has_always_wanted_one

    
    Gilbern was bought in Wales by me as a last-hope basket case (the car,
    not me!). I've always wanted one to keep at my Welsh house. Should be 
    painted yellow & called "Daffy" to be in sympathy with the dying days 
    of flower power evident as the Invader was launched ...
    
    Previous owner had taken it down, but split with wife & never got round 
    to putting it together again .....
    
    It's shown in the original log book as a kit car -- ie "assembled from
    a kit of parts", to quote the text.
    
    Colin
    
    

    Original GT40 Engine & Gearbox...
    
    Always Ford V8's, the size varied from 270 ci to 430 ci ( 7 Litre).
    The 427's won LeMans in '66 I think, then the 302's won in 68/69.
    
    Gearbox was originally Collotti, which couldnt handle the heat/power, &
    later & successfully, ZF. ZF is a German gearbox company, they still
    make high quality gearboxes for about �4000. Thats why I bought a 
    Renault 30 box :-).
     
    
    Tony 
    

    Anyone from the Reading area going to Castle Combe action day this
    year?
    
    Dan