Had a strange idea yesterday about a donor, and I will say now I am not sure I would want to do it, but what do you think?

At the local auction yesterday (looking out for a Sierra to get my build started) there was a Daihatsu van - one of the little ones which the Japanese manufacturers produce. A quick look underneath showed that it has a leaf sprung live rear axle, looking much like an Escort!

I don't know what the dimensions are but it might work! Small engines etc. and I don't know about the power outputs.

Probably the daftest idea this week anyway!

track is v.narrow on them little putt putts..

can;t imagin they're powerful beasts either

Ned.

Only things worth having off them are alternator (nice and small) and possibly the seats as they are narrow and high back.

Although it could make a nice mini moke like car,only prob is with the roof off the chassis would need strengthening.

I'd looked at the suzuki carry the wife drives on Saturdays for the local motor factor but the track is narrow. 16 valve 1300 engine goes well though and it wouldnt be a problem to mate the prop to an escort/sierra rear flange. They are still a bit new to be available yet though.

yours, Pete.

I used to drive a Suzuki 1300. The rear axle is as wide as the escort and the engine is the same as the suzuki swift gti with another head (16v but 1 cam). It produce more that 80bhp standard. (100bhp is easy achivable with a little tune)

Thing to consider are: the engine is not centrally located, although is low (good) and the gearbox is driven by wires because is way back from the lever.

The spindles are easy to convert to double wishbones, is has small vented disk at front and drums at rear.