Progress - Back to basics

Stripped Naked 1

Aesthetically it currently looks like we are going backwards but I can re-assure you that a lot has been happening at 'Archers'. 

I guess we knew this build would never be a simple straight forward build and we often feel a little in unchartered waters but I guess this bespoke approach to a build would have been very similar to that taken out by the Healey team when the original Prototypes were being built. 
I'm sure they would have faced similar conundrum's and learning's to what we face as we find the best and most authentic route for our prototype.

Above and below are some pictures of the car back in September, it looks a little drastic but the aluminium shell was removed from the chassis not only to get some added protection down between the sections where the alloy and steel meet, but also to make some necessary updates to some of the ammendments made to the chassis when the car was built.

Stripped Naked 2

Having the shell removed has made it possibile to really take a look at the car and make sure the geometry and alignment is spot on and to also put some theories in place to try our best to assure the best ride height of the cars rear end is obtained. 

This is a  bit of a gamble as we are making educated guesses at the weight of the cage and tank but we are quietly confident If we get the intial ride height close to that of a normal AN8 sprite we are in a good place to make adjustments as the build progresses.

In general there's been quite a few updates that have been made to Craig's intial build.The rear chasis legs have been moved from the original position to allow for the correct alignment of the spring hangers.

Updated rear chassis legs

The original recess for the wind screen aperture has also been carefully re-shaped to allow for the new glass screen to fit neatly in place.

New Cut Glass Screen

New re-shaped aperture recess

The Self taping screws that held the door hinges in place have been removed and replaced by traditional captured plate and bolts. 

Above Self Taping screws (These have now been replaced by a traditional captured plate and bolt set up)

Holes for the front lights have been cut and work is being undertaken to create a fibreglass former to make the Perspex to cover the lights.

Formers for Perspex covers

We are still awaiting delivery of the approved tubing for the roll cage, when the tubing arrives we will be able to properly secure and support the rear chassis legs, make some definitive decisions about the tank size and finally get the cage underway.