I've just been to Unipart and bought what the guy told me was the last TRE for a Sierra in the entire business - they're stopping production of parts for Sierra's altogether.

Time to start making more of the MX5 as a donor then!

So the next Sieera-based Ron Champion book is coming out at just the right time then!

[Edited on 22/9/06 by David Jenkins]

Looks that way!

It's ok as long as can find good donors and use every part from it, but all motor factors I go to keep telling me I'll be lucky to find new parts soon because no-one wants to make them anymore.

It'll be MX5's next (which should have been done a while ago because the running gear is far better suited to a small sportscars) and after that, we'll be buying old locosts to use as donors for new ones!

BMW make lots of RWD cars. A bit pricey though. Parts like track rod ends are hardly rare though. Are there not similar ones that are more commonly available? In any case, because sierra based kits have shortened racks, they have track rod extensions. Just make them to fit some other track rod end that will bolt up to a sierra upright.

I remember hearing recently that BMW 3 series currently out-sell Mondeos. Should have plently of cheap RWD donors kicking about in a few years time.

I for one quite like the idea of pulling Beamers apart

[Edited on 22/9/06 by bilbo]

quote:

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Originally posted by bilbo
I for one quite like the idea of pulling Beamers apart

[Edited on 22/9/06 by bilbo]

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Rather cheaper than you'd expect - at least oop North (K reg 320i's that have just failed MOT seem to go for £150-£300)

Guess there will be a higher percentage of auto boxes than in Sierra's though.

looks like bmw 3 series might be the best hope for someone developing a new kit around?

i think we all know the direction we should take !!!

Not Volvo I hope. Much as I like the cars, you can not ignore the fact that Volvo haven't made a RWD car since what, 1997?

I wouldn't be overly concerned about lack of Sierra parts myself. I doubt there's many bits used on a Sierra based kit car that are unque to the Sierra. It may mean asking for the part under a different guise, TREs for example....how many different types do you thing Ford use? I'd bet a Sierra TRE is interchangeable with other Ford model TREs.

1998

still thres plenty about to choose from - the same basic running gear from what 1974 ?

as a low cost option ideal - for the more advanced builds , some of the companies marketing rear diffs and hub carriers will certainly come down in price .

I wouldn't get too worried about Sierra aftermarket parts supply. My local Partco/Unipart buy anything that isn't in their own list from Ferraris Engine parts. This includes tre's and other suspension parts. They still get Vauxhall Chevette bits for me.

Cheers,
Syd.

Lots of aftermarket suppliers have stock and there are still manufacturers making them. Both shops near me have stock and if you can still get Mk2 Escort gear it should be years before Sierras dry up. They still rank amongst the top pizza delivery vehicles round here The nice green Ferrari Pistons van will bring them, don't worry.


[Edited on 22/9/06 by Peteff]

It's not a problem at the moment - but the supply will run out. Every supplier keeps telling me that manufacturers are trying to phase out sierra parts because they just don't sell many.

I was merely pointing out that the supply of cars is running low and now the parts are being phased out of production - time to find the next suitable donor car.

MX5 ideal, apart from price at the moment (won't find many for £300!)

BMW probably a bit too heavily engineered (but so is the sierra for a locost application)

The Cortina/Taunus and the Maxi went out of production '82 and the Transit that provides the upper ball joint in '86. You hardly ever see any of these cars on the road, still it's not that hard to find the joints for a locost build.

quote:

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Originally posted by Hammerhead
looks like bmw 3 series might be the best hope for someone developing a new kit around?

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So did Klaas Zwart with the Ascari KZ-1:

Ascari

I visited the factory once, since he's a former client of my company. We did the automation of the race resort up in Rhonda, Spain. I think the car looks great! From what I understood then, the drive-train is completely from the BMW M-series.