It's been a long time coming.

Hello all

My name is Martin and I've been a fan of the Stratos for a very long time. I first became aware of the Stratos in the early seventies when my Dad showed me a feature on the stradale version in the Sunday colour supplement of the Daily Telegraph. It must have made a big impression on him als, because he has never been very interested in cars In fact he never remarked about or passed on any other features on cars.

In the eighties I was into rallying, navigating for a couple of years in club rallies and doing the occasional Motoring news event and Mull twice. Car and Car Conversions magazine was a monthly bible for me and my mates at the time, and one friend (for whom I navigated) fitted a Fiat Twin Cam engine into his escort. He was so fed up of the useless ford cross-flow engines which were always knackered by the end of a rally. That Fiat engine made a big impression on me, it would rev to 7500rpm and sounded as good as new after an event. For me it fuelled an ever-increasing interest in all things Italian.

Then I met my wife (still happily married) and I drifted away from all that a bit but, obviously I was aware of the success the Stratos enjoyed and they were never far from my mind, and I had a book about them which was well thumbed.

Fast forward about 10 years and I end up fitting a Fiat twin cam engine into a Fiat X/19 for a friend. Turns out he was (and still is) nuts about the Stratos and wanted to build a replica. We talked about building a replica together as a long-term plan and looked at the kits available. So, when the X/19 gave in to rust we harvested it for parts, and when his brother's misadventure with a Ferrari Dino replica ended, we held onto the now homeless Busso V6 and transaxle.

Now, post kids and me a Grandad, we are looking to scratch the Stratos itch. But before I send a deposit to Gerry Hawkridge and wait for over two years for a kit, I reckon it would be wise to see if we can get into one! I have never tried before. So, would someone be kind enough to let us try to get into into their Stratos? We are in the Manchester area.

Thanks for reading to the end. Martin

Is Formby in Lancashire too far to travel?

Guy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guy Mayers

Is Formby in Lancashire too far to travel? Guy

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Martin,

The answer you're looking for here, is no (it isn't too far) :o

Cheers,
Hedge

Good luck Stratosnord - yours is a familiar story I'm sure a number of us can recognise. I hope you fit into a Strat - but would urge you also to consider a Lister Bell (although I admit I'm unsure of whether Craig's order book is open again). - and by the way you will find full membership of the SEC club would be very beneficial if you're building a replica.

Hi Grandad Martin - I've not got a Hawk, but if you want a good look/sit in a ListerBell by way of comparison, you're welcome to pop over to see mine (I'm in St Helens). I know the LB order book is still closed but it might be worth having a look in case a "previously-enjoyed" one comes up for sale. Or, if you're going to the Classic Car Show next weekend, call in on the club stand! But do take Guy up on his offer as well - the more info you've got, the better!

Busy day tomorrow - Martin is coming over to look at the car in the morning and David Hanman is here in the afternoon! I'll advise Martin to pop in to see Norman on the way home although anyone wanting to build a car is currently limited to a long wait for Gerry or the Corse kit that's on the market right now?

Guy

Thank you all for your offers of help and advice, very encouraging.

Really looking forward to sitting in Guy's Hawk, although it will be very disappointing if I am unable to enter, get comfortable and exit without permanent bodily harm. In which case it will be on to plan B, as yet undefined!

A real pleasure to meet Guy and his impressive car line up yesterday, he's very knowledgeable and it was very, very useful.

Entry to the car needed some technique, care and flexibility but was much as I expected. On the other hand, I was amazed by the space inside, ample width at shoulder and arm height and my legs were just right; knees not around my ears - very rare for me in a lot of cars. The footwell is narrow but I have feet smaller than some (size 9) and with lightweight shoes this would not be a problem for me.
Getting out was much the same as getting in.

I was impressed by the overall quality of the Hawk. I haven't seen an LB in person so I am unable to make comparisons.

So where does this leave me? LB are not supplying kits for the foreseeable future and I don't have the funds or the inclination to buy a turnkey car. So it's a Hawk or plan B. I'm going to give myself a cooling off period to weigh up the pros and cons.

Thanks again to you all and Guy in particular.

Bye for now, Martin

Late to the thread as ever! Martin, I am in Derbyshire, pretty much at the bottom of the Snake Pass. I have a completed but basic LHD Hawk with a 2.5 Busso in.

Almost ready ish' for a second stab at the iva (nothing major to rectify... don't ask!!!:p) but in a good condition to have a look around... nowhere near Guy's standard yet... but give me 36 more years.

Tim.

Great to met you Martin, hope you manage to decide which way to leap. After 2 days here the second kit looks like its gone backwards after being partially dismantled for scanning by David... Maybe that's the push I needed to get back onto it over the coming weeks or to make a decision I might regret!

Cheers
Guy

Guy - why was David - presumably Hanman - scanning your car?

He has a long term plan to produce a large scale model in detail. The second build in raw grey fibreglass is easier to scan than a completed car. Simpler to dismantle with no consequences other than kick me in the bum to get on with it or get rid of it!

Guy