Chassis from scratch

[kingzdjc]

Hi,

Out of interest, and a fellow minor owner were wondering wether the minor could literally live forever.

By this, I mean say if all the spare parts run out etc, is it still possible to build a new chassis from scratch using plans, and recreating any other panel for that matter?

If so, technically the car could last forever?

[les]

You would need a lot of money a lot of space and all the machine presses. Basically a car manufacturer! Joe bloggs in his garage ---no.

[bmcecosse]

The LCV chassis can be fabricated - so in that sense yes, and then just sit the car body on top. Or encourage Heritage to produce a Minor shell - the Convertible would be easiest with no large roof panel to worry about...... They do Mini/Spridget/MGB shells (and maybe others??) at the moment...... I think it would be popular!

[kingzdjc]

The LCV chassis can be fabricated - so in that sense yes, and then just sit the car body on top. Or encourage Heritage to produce a Minor shell - the Convertible would be easiest with no large roof panel to worry about...... They do Mini/Spridget/MGB shells (and maybe others??) at the moment...... I think it would be popular!

I mean, say if you had a perfect body, but couldnt find any chassis or chassis parts as there were none left. Would this be the end of the Minor?

Just interested in finding out how long technically the minor could last. i see they can now make chassis for the traveller and van, but what about the saloons?

[M25VAN]

Yes, there is someone making van/pickup chassis's (?) from new and they look spiffing. I don't know if ESM will start producing them, that's assuming they got all the necessary parts to do it from the old Henric tools they acquired.

[Alec]

Hello Kingzdjc,

"By this, I mean say if all the spare parts run out etc, is it still possible to build a new chassis from scratch using plans, and recreating any other panel for that matter?

If so, technically the car could last forever?"

Yes it is possible for a skilled panel beater, that is how prototypes used to be made before production and making of jigs and press tools. However it is far better to take a sound car and using modern methods of rust proofing to ensure it doesn't rust. There are companies that will dip and electro phosphate shells I believe?

Alec

[dp]

If the (van/pickup) chassis is taken care of, theoretically you could make up a body in fibreglass from molds of original stuff. Boot, bonnet, and wings are already available like this. Body would be a lot more involved but possible - as for structural integrity, I think thick enough fibreglass would out-perform the original steel but intelligently reinforcing with steel, or carbon/kevlar to make a cage around passengers would be better still.

Above might sound complicated but compared to say making a steel roof from flat steel it wouldn't be so hard.

[M25VAN]

Didn't somebody start doing this with van bodyshells made abroad? I seem to remember one being imported but don't know if it ever got into sustained production.

[LouiseM]

Nordisk Morris Minor based in Denmark produced a complete van in 2003 but you're right, they never made it to mass production: http://www.morrisminor.dk/srilanka/2003/08/van_e.html

[IaininTenbury]

And it used a cab/front section from four door saloon - only the rear body was fibreglass. Apparently doner 4dr saloons are plentiful in Sri Lanka.
I always wondered how you would get on registering one of those vehicles in the UK - the bulkhead would have an original stamped in chassis number, but it surely would have fallen into the 'heavily modified bodyshell class' and presumably it would be difficult to register it as a new build as it includes a large lump of '60s Minor....

[kingzdjc]

As most body panels can be made in fibre glass, its safe to say that the body of a minor could be made forever then.

Just found out that saloons and travellers dont have a chassis, but a Monocoque shell? Could someone try and axplain what this means?

I sort of know it means the body holds its self together, but say is the underside of a saloon is rusted for example, do you just weld in new pieces of metal as there is no chassis?

[Alec]

Hello DP,

actually the roof is quite easy to form. Google English Wheel to see what it can do.

kingzdjc, That is what is done to carry out repairs. A monocoque is a sheet metal shell but with strategic reinforcing sections, much like chassis sections welded to the shell.

Alec

[kingzdjc]

Hello DP,

actually the roof is quite easy to form. Google English Wheel to see what it can do.

kingzdjc, That is what is done to carry out repairs. A monocoque is a sheet metal shell but with strategic reinforcing sections, much like chassis sections welded to the shell.

Alec

I understand. So really, no matter how battered the car is underneath, technically the shell can have new metal welded to it, so the saloon can pretty much last forever.

How about the wheels, how are they connected to the monocooque body then, as they must be on some sort of frame i would imagine?

[M25VAN]

Nordisk Morris Minor based in Denmark produced a complete van in 2003 but you're right, they never made it to mass production: http://www.morrisminor.dk/srilanka/2003/08/van_e.html

Yeah that's the one, just found more more pics elsewhere on the site.
http://www.morrisminor.dk/misc/cars/cars_e.html

[IaininTenbury]

Hello DP,

actually the roof is quite easy to form. Google English Wheel to see what it can do.

kingzdjc, That is what is done to carry out repairs. A monocoque is a sheet metal shell but with strategic reinforcing sections, much like chassis sections welded to the shell.

Alec

I'd certainly find it quicker to make a metal roof than faff about taking a mould off one and laying up the gel coat and matting etc. Better for the health too as an English wheel gives a good upper body work out, rather than gettign high on fibreglass fumes

[bmcecosse]

The 'wheels' are just tied on with stout string......... I'm guessing you haven't actually got a Minor then ??

[RobThomas]

From the dictionary...

English wheel. A strurdy machine designed to flatten thumbs and to blister fingers. Also useful for shaping metal.


That bit took about 25 to 30 minutes, so I'd guess you'd die of old age before you could fabricate all of the bits you need. The bonnet would need either a press or a chuffin' gert big wheeling machine to make it in one piece!



http://www.justinbaker.co.uk/



[frame][/frame]

[les]

The 'wheels' are just tied on with stout string......... I'm guessing you haven't actually got a Minor then ??

According to another post he has a '55 minor, not sure if it has wheels!

[kingzdjc]

The 'wheels' are just tied on with stout string......... I'm guessing you haven't actually got a Minor then ??

According to another post he has a '55 minor, not sure if it has wheels!

Why would my car not have wheels? If Audrey was in fact a person, she would be a supermodel

[IaininTenbury]

[quote="RobThomas"]From the dictionary...

English wheel. A strurdy machine designed to flatten thumbs and to blister fingers. Also useful for shaping metal.


That bit took about 25 to 30 minutes, so I'd guess you'd die of old age before you could fabricate all of the bits you need. The bonnet would need either a press or a chuffin' gert big wheeling machine to make it in one piece!




I like the definition! You soon get used to not getting your fingers caught in the wheels!
Of course all the Mostquito prototypes were all hand made by such techniques - you can see the wheeling marks on a lot of the original shell build photos...
Easiest way of doing big complex panels such as a bonnet, is to break it down into easier shapes to make, then weld the bits together afterwards.