Wanderer returns

[Rex191]

So here I am, back again. I put a deposit on a kit in 2019 but time has passed by with life being too busy to build the car. I was planning on a GR2-FE engine and had already purchased a gearbox with the correct shortened gear ratios from Lotus.
So here I am with time to thhink about starting. Will be Jan 26 before stuff comes through but gives me time to consider options. I think I have changed my mind on the engine choice. After seeing the Pistonheads video with Jim Crosby car I want the noise and not to fussed about the power. I have a very fast car to use and track cars (one being a Mk 1 1.6 MX5 with lottle power but is so much fun) so ultimate power is not my goal.
I could relate to everything that Jim said about the AlItalia livery, the mudflaps with chains and the roof scoop. It is the feel of the whole package and the noise in intergral to this. I am also not concered with it being a absolute copy of the original and will be wanting creature comforts like aircon and a entertainment system that can be heard. It would be designed to be used on the track as well as a fun road car..

My big issue is I am a complete novice at mechanics and have really only ever changed a wheel. It will be a learning curve. The other thing is I dont have a garage. I will be building it in my living room which will be converted into a garage for an optomistic 3 months to get it to a rolling chassis but without the engine. (Living room has 4m wide folding sliding doors. They will now be referred to as garage doors)

Wish me luck

[Guy Mayers]

Good luck! Hope you manage to find time/space to build a garage as I think that 3 months for a full build for a novice is wildly optimistic! I'd plan on nearer 3 years, can you be without the living room for that long?

[Rex191]

It will only be till the rolling chassis without the engine. It will then go off to have the engine fitted and the rest of the work done.

[hollytree]

Good luck with the build. Have you changed your engine plans?
What engine is the chassis built for and will you have to modify it?

I bought my pile of bits and rolling chassis, and then a secondhand concrete panel garage from ebay to build the car in.
I thought 18 months, but in the end the build was about 30 months and then another 6 months of IVA messing about.
Things like problems with the loom needing unpicking and more wires adding.
No easy to follow instruction book.
Lots of time lost - posting questions, waiting/getting answers, finding/ordering bits online, etc - before moving forwards again

[hollytree]

Over the coming months, I suggest you start reading this and planning how to overcome all the issues you are going to have to deal with.
A replica of a 1970s Stratos will not comply with current IVA, so you have to design/build to pass current IVA and then modify the approved car to get it like Jim's from the 1970s

Ask questions, we will all chip in

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/iva-manual-for-vehicle-category-m1

[m8kwr]

Good luck with the build. If you have all the items to bolt on and not having to modify anything then 3 months is doable (with long nights and weekends). Unsure if you have body work as well as the chassis. My bodywork is currently off the car, and with everything in a big double garage, it is just about big enough to store everything and move around. If you have any rooms off your living room, then those can just be an extension to the garage, surely no one would mind.

In terms of creature comforts, I will eventually have air conditioning, heated seats, heated screen, central locking, sat nav in the rear view mirror (with reverse camera). I am not planning on speakers, but I will just use headphones; the engine is probably the best sound to hear anyway.

You just put all what you want in there, make the car what you want.

This forum has been great for help/advice. So you are in the right place.

[renmure]

I think you should watch the video a few more times!!

I get 1 Pound per view and it is just turning 70,000 views so far, which I could have put towards another car if I didn?t have to share half the proceeds with Craig.

I definitely wouldn?t get overly bothered by the engine power. Whatever you go for will be more than adequate and put a grin on your face.

Jim

[hollytree]

I get 1 Pound per view
Jim
Norm needs to get his tee shirt off in a video

[renmure]

Norm needs to get his tee shirt off in a video

Might be a few more pounds involved there!!

[Normb666]

Yeah, I'll get my T-shirt off, but it's a bit pointless as underneath there's just another T-shirt :)

To the original poster - build the car you want, specc'ed your way. I'm a bit fan of the 2GR motor not just for power, but also maintenance etc. (it's just oil changes and occasionally plugs). No balancing throttle bodies or swapping cam belts, and if you're not really in the mood you can drive it on the torque. And don't think the sound is inferior :)
As for the build, if you're gonna farm it out once at the rolling stage, why not save all the living room grief etc and just go turnkey? Then there's no chance of spilling custard or grave on the chassis and later finding the odd chicken leg or pork chop stuck under the dash or in a wheel arch :) :)

[Rex191]

So, I finally managed a factory visit and spent a good couple of hours with Craig and Lydia. Such great people and generous with their time. It’s been a couple of weeks since the visit and I’ve decided on the GR engine. A few reasons I eventually went Toyota. Reliability. Availability and I have someone that can supply the engine with or without upgrades.
Each year we (myself and a few friends) compete in the Race of Remembrance. The chap that prepares the cars and runs the team on the day(s) also has great experience of building the GR2-FE engine for competing in 24 hour races.
After discussions with him I am seeing if I can get an engine that has Cosworth internals and head that has an increased capacity to 4 liters. There are a couple of variations with 400 bhp or 440bhp but would be slightly detuned for longevity. Availability of a prepared engine may be an issue but he is looking into it. A slight compromise would be a hybrid of having a 3.5l bottom end (that is easily rebuilt if required) with the Cosworth top end.
After seeing 2 cars at the factory next to each other, one with 15 inch wheels and 1 with the larger 16/17” combination it has to be the 15” wheels.
As regarding getting a turnkey car, I have always wanted to build a car. I realise that my skills will not allow me the engine and gearbox fit but I’m really looking forward to get it to the rolling chassis stage.
It’s just the timing now so it may be that I will have an engine and gearbox sat in the games room before a chassis arrives but I feel there is a plan coming together.