Quote Originally Posted by red5 View Post
Hi Hugo

im in a very similar position as you, placed my order with LB about 6 weeks ago so looking at getting my kit early next year.
I've also bought a 166 that is currently in bits in my garage, scrapped the shell last week and am in the process of refurbishing the engine (head gasket + cam belt).

I've been looking at x19 bits but finding them very scarce, £180 - £200 for a pair of door handles!!!! I was wondering if anybody had looked at logistics of getting new ones made? No idea how you would go about it but with the orders that LB are now getting plus all the Hawk kits could be a viable option?

Good luck with the build, I guess you'll be starting yours around the same time as me..
Cheers Nick
Hi Nick,

Good to hear from someone who is going to be building a LB at around the same time, maybe we can help each other out along the way.

I am also at the start of the process of sourcing parts and finding the self same challenges, which is why in part I'm beginning to think along the lines of a bit of modern updating which should also have the benefit of making parts less of an issue, depending on where my thinking takes me.

I am a very big fan of the Strato's shape (and I am now running the risk of upsetting the purists which I seem to already have done with choosing a LB in the first place) but have had a good look online at the now abortive project from a couple of years ago to re release the Stratos and am wondering if there are some of the design elements that could be combined with the LB car.

All just ideas and musings at the moment to be honest but the challenge of sourcing parts from an X1/9 donor car that is getting on for c. 40 years old poses 2 particular quandaries. Is it going to continue to be realistic and/or viable for any significant period of time to rely on the X1/9 as the donor car for steering column, handbrake lever, external door handles and overcentre catches? Also, is it right to take parts for the X 1/9 away from those looking to keep the X1/9s themselves on the road when it is a classic car in it own right and has it's own place in the automotive history books?

I appreciate it is probably not financially viable to expect LB at this stage in it's growth to consider redesigning it's product to give alternative options for key donor components and there may also not be the demand for a Strato's that does not look period correct but Craig has already made significant changes to the chassis, suspension, interior space and so forth for me to wonder if it would be a logical progression at some point in the future.

In the meantime I am trying to source the self same donor parts as you and doubtless a number of other budding builders. I had thought at some point in recent months that I came across a Stratos forum where over centre catches had been re manufactured but for the life of me I cannot find the web page again. It was right at the start of my research and I hadn't realised the significance of the availability of donor parts or re manufactured versions and didn't think to bookmark it.

If I come across any parts surplus to my requirements (as unlikely as that will be!) I will be happy to let you know and fingers crossed that after 9 months of scavenging we have what we will need.

Regards

Hugo