Am i right in thinking the following

To build a book car i need as a basic start kit to get the chassis rolling.
A mark 1 or 2 escort steering rack
A sierra or MK3,4,5 cortina steering column
Mark3,4,5 cortina stub axles callipers etc and rod ends and balljoints.
my capri or escort axle, gearbox and xflow engine.
Wheels and tyres

Next thing is that if i want to race it in sprints and autotests are there any specific thing i must do/not do

Will I at 5'10" tall and 36' waist and my missus much the same be able to fit in a std book chassis (no jokes please she might be upset )

pretty much right, but i wouldnt throw away the donor car, as i have learnt the expensive way - frequent trips to breakers for stuff i should have kept.
you will need shocks quite early on too, but wood batons will do (albeit with a hard ride)
once the chassis is roling/rollable, there is a lot of donor parts you will need to get the beast moving under its own power and stopping.
you will need engine mounts, but they may be inclded if you are buying a kit.
Tom

sorry lads and lasses just realised this is the wrong forum to post this on.

I was hoping to do it without a complete donor car Tom as i have not got any room and i reckon that the majority of the work will be bodywork. I can make my own brake lines fuel lines and wiring loom.

So this is as far as i have thought at the moment major components to get it rolling and not much else. If ive missed anything blatantly obvious i hope someone lets me know.
By the way whats recommended a steel welded floor or a rivitted alloy floor

It seems I am doing the same - no donor vehicle due to lack of space. managed to get a lot of bits free but will still need alot to be bought.

What made you decide on a 442

Me? I got a 442 as I was offered a 90% finished chassis for £25!!!

What a bargain. I wondered about a +4 but at the moment i have not started and am still wondering which road to go down. Have you got your panels sorted out yey and are thet readily available

I THINK that MK do some to fit but I'll probably just make my own. The nose cone is standard book size and just needs to have a 'scoop'added at the bottom for a bit extra height. Standard GTS or MK wide arches will fit and the bonnet, sides, scuttle and rear panel can be made from Ali.

Oh and I am 5'10" and a bout your waist size!!! I wanted the extra room to be honest and the thought of a Sierra back end (wider) pleased me as I thought it's be more stable and easier to get hold of!!

[Edited on 22/1/05 by chunkielad]