JohnL's build.....MX5 based haynes roadster

[JohnL]

Hi all its kinda cool being able to add something to this page I spent the last few weeks having a big trademe clean out round the farm. Just finished cleaning out a shed and making it lockable. Been on a spend up and got a mig. Ive read every web site published, got 3 books.....
But....
I still havent made up my mind. I love the idea of an older style series 2 or 3 seven. There is something about doing a Ford based car, but Im also playing with the MX5 based car. I have plans for both.
and to make it worse, I had been all settled on a MX5 journey, when picking up my Quad from the mechanic up the road he had either a Mk4 cortina or sierra in the shed with lichen growing on it, and I know he wants to move some things on, he also has a bunch of Jags laying around!

anyway, I will make my mind up soon. But there are generic parts to both directions so I can start I guess.
made a table today

The shelves in the shed have assorted car parts from the last owner, Herons were painted here in the 80s

Will be racking the brains of Iain down the road and Bogus7 as I go as they are nice and close
cheers
John

[JohnL]

next step, buy some steel. yesterday a trip to S&T in Rotorua saw me come home with 3 lengths of 25.4 x 25.4 EWS 1.6m. I have a cycle race to officiate at for the weekend, but my wife and child are away playing with horses so I will have some free evening time. Tape measure and Cutoff saw are about to get a work out. I have the Vodou plan set for a MX5 build (very close to the haynes book) to work from.
all systems go.........photos after the weekend

[JohnL]

so could this work, in 7?
fisher fury front suspension

[JohnL]

OK so I wont do that I will go more traditional.
just spent 2 hours with dropsaw and a flat bastard. Just one long 73 degree angle to go and the base is cut out
What did I learn tonight? always wear gloves and a long sleeve when working with sparks......ouch my left hand and forearm

but progress is being made, I can see the hot glue gun coming out soon.

http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html

[JohnL]

well Ive been cutting and filing , theory is that if it stands up with out help its close enough. Should move the mig over to that shed this weekend and start sticking things together.
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 7.jpg.html
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html
http://s1309.photobucket.com/user/johnl ... 8.jpg.html

[JohnL]

Moving forwards and backwards and then forwards again.... got the top frame tacked to the scuttle only to find it 10mm out of square. Spent a day with the grinder un constructing and now re tacking. Its only 2mm out now.

I have been wondering how to get the seat back rails at the right angle so just jumped into the timber workshop and whipped up a jig to set the angle. Should be a productive weekend.

Also learned the importance of labeling cut pieces as you go, as I have cut one of my long lengths in to many small lengths, spent ages looking for it!
but I must also get some silicon and fix the roof of the as the drops were hitting the build table!

[JohnL]

almost ready to sit in and start the brrrrm brrmm noises Its quite exciting to look and say I did that!

[Diggerguy37]

Hi John,you must be happy with your progress and it looks good.you are right,the brrrrrm brrrrrrm stage is exciting,wait till you get it rolling,then you can get someone to push you round the yard It might be too late but Evan (7ish) is right there is a cheap MX5 Turbo on trademe that would be perfect donor as packed with goodies.Keep up the good work.

[JohnL]

A bit more time in the garage, working on the tunnel. Sat in it for the first time, heaps of room, and I didnt do any brmmm brmmm
Looking at a few other MX5 builds, diff offset is a bit of an issue. Do I need to flare the rear of the tunnel? Im going to spend some time learning some cad stuff now to work out how to build the rear end. I want to use the MX5 rear wishbones so will have to work out the spacings etc

might just have to get a donor soon
cheers
john

[JohnL]

a few more hours on the net, thinking sketching, thinking resketching. when I had a plan I went to the shed. Basically the same as the Sierra IRS but instead altered to take the MX5 wishbones. Means its a little wider and a bit closer together.
More and more guys seem to be using the rear end of the MX5 but now they are starting to ditch the sub frame and just make the pickup points.





and then I thought I would tidy the shed and found some spare parts..........no Im not using any of them!



cheers for looking, John