Traveller wood alternative

Post by **dnac** » Wed May 17, 2006 3:53 pm

I love the Traveller and would love one at some time, but all the wood thing really puts me off.

A while ago a mate of mine had the idea of replacing the wood with Billet Aluminium. Which I think wold make it extreemly expensive.

But do you think a rear made from tig welded ally sheet, or even being ultra modern, a Carbon fibre framework.

What do you think?

Post by **bigginger** » Wed May 17, 2006 4:18 pm

I think it would be FANTASTIC - but I'm no purist

Others will probably feel the opposite - strongly...

Post by **paulk** » Wed May 17, 2006 4:41 pm

A while ago a mate of mine had the idea of replacing the wood with Billet Aluminium. Which I think wold make it extreemly expensive.

And v heavy

But do you think a rear made from tig welded ally sheet, or even being ultra modern, a Carbon fibre framework.

Hmm I have lots of sheet Ally lying about and a MIG welder. I think you would need a table router to give the curved plates that could then be welded together. An interesting project but the first set would cost more than new wood and 5 years worth of treatment. I suppose you could weld the Aluminium body panels to the frame to add strength. If it was not curved it would be easy because you would just fold up some channels and weld them together.

Anyone got a traveller side that is solid enough to measure but U/S otherwise?

Post by **chrisd87** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:22 pm

a Carbon fibre framework.

Wood is a carbon fibre

Post by **chickenjohn** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:42 pm

If the wood thing puts you off, then just buy a saloon! The wood (if looked after) is really not that much of a problem. Its what makes a Traveller the charming car it is.

Rust is more of a worry!

If you need an estate type Minor, buy one of the many vans that people have put windows in.

Or convert a saloon or van into a "Minor estate".

Post by **moggyminor16** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:05 pm

why not fiber glass i would change the wood to that or an alterntive if i could and was cheap

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:42 pm

As already mentioned - the 3 dimensional curves would be a complete pig to reproduce. Most of the sides wouldn't be too bad, but the rear hinge pillars - crikey! - at this point, most fabricators would suck their teeth and start upping the prices thinking of paying off their mortgages in one go

AFAIK the rear doors are also 3D curves.

There was a traveller done with household window type structure but with square square lines it looked dreadful!

Post by **Cam** » Wed May 17, 2006 11:43 pm

This one?

Post by **chickenjohn** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:29 am

that looks awful, and didn't stop his wings from rotting!!!

Really, I think the traveller allready has the best material for the frame.

Post by **NZJLY** » Thu May 18, 2006 9:56 am

I don't think it looks that bad, and it's another traveller saved.
John

Post by **paulk** » Thu May 18, 2006 10:32 am

Its better than I thought it would look

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu May 18, 2006 12:39 pm

I don't think it looks that bad, and it's another traveller saved.

I guess 'aesthetics' is all relative. To me it spoils the unique lines of the car, but that's just me. ;-)

Post by **Cam** » Thu May 18, 2006 5:05 pm

rayofleamington wrote:To me it spoils the unique lines of the car, but that's just me. ;-)

Nah, it's me and John too. I think it looks terrible. The original wood is the best by far.

Post by **paulk** » Thu May 18, 2006 5:11 pm

I think it looks terrible. The original wood is the best by far.

Just think it could be worse

They could have used UPVC

and Leaded windows

Post by **dunketh** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 1:07 pm

If you're going to replace the wood - just replace it with new stuff!
If the original stuff has lasted near on 40 years surely the replacement stuff will last even longer provided its covered with modern varnish.
Unless you plan on keeping the car for another half-century theres no benefit in substituting the wood with something else.

Post by **chickenjohn** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 2:25 pm

Good point! If the original wood lasts 40+ years with a bit of care and attention, I don;t see what the problem is. Some travellers are still on their original wood.

Post by **wibble_puppy** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:17 pm

chrisd87 wrote:Wood is a carbon fibre

PMSL nice one chris

loving your work with the finding and the scanning and the posting there Cam

I don't think it looks all that bad but then i'm not really a fan of any Minor shape except the van ..... eeek! *runs*

chickenjohn wrote:convert a {...} van into a "Minor estate"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! please no, please no, please no!!!

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:08 pm

wibble_puppy wrote: i'm not really a fan of any Minor shape except the van ..... eeek! *runs*

You'll grow out of it when you realise that the roof is just an entirely unnecessary weight...

Post by **Kevin** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 11:31 pm

Didnt realise your Utes were open topped or is that Lidless

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:17 am

Well - the backs are

I do want to do a convertible one one day...