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Rascals, and other japanese upturned wardrobes
Mark Allanson - 5/11/02 at 07:08 PM

I also subscribe to the yahoo site and a guy was thinking about using a reliant. I offered him a potential alternative, what do you all think?

"Reliants are quite rare now and parts are increasingly difficult to
get hold of, and there is a large band of nutters xxxx I mean
enthusiasts who revere them and grab all the donors for breaking.

I work in a bodyshop and wrote off a bedford rascal yesterday and it
caught my imagination, live axle, engine already in the right place so
no prop shortening, useable instruments and easily adaptable front
uprights, I think with a little work you could build a baby locost
without having to source parts from anywhere else!(the seats are also
really narrow)

The same would prbably apply to the suzuki carry, Honda TN acty,
Diahatsu wodjacallit etc etc"

Mark

Do you all think the rear axle might be a little narrow?

theconrodkid - 5/11/02 at 07:12 PM

the rascal would work but the engine is at a bit of an angle witch may cause a problem also they dont last very long,something to do with the drivers i think

Mark Allanson - 5/11/02 at 07:50 PM

Most of the drivers cannot find the engine, "There aint one in the front, there aint one in the back, must be ok, van still goes!"

Seriously, I think the engine is canted to the left to allow room for the driver, which might allow more room for the column etc. With careful tuning, twin 40's, tuned exhaust and nitrous, power can be increased to 40BHP

Mark

theconrodkid - 5/11/02 at 07:53 PM

at umpteen billion rpm of course!

bsilly - 5/11/02 at 08:10 PM

you could use 1.3 suzuki/5speed box/rear axle on leaf springs.....i just sold 2 complete cheap as chips

stephen_gusterson - 5/11/02 at 10:40 PM

this is a link to the axle drg I said about on TOL


http://www.geocities.com/doug4ore/gna.html




this might be of use....


http://www.bedfordrascal.com


and this one....

www.locostbuilders.co.uk/xmb/viewthread.php?tid=59

(beware this link, they are all wallies on there!)

atb

steve

Findlay234 - 6/11/02 at 04:37 PM

will rascal seats fit straight in, ive got seats lined up but the will need some work to get to fit.... actually a lot of work.

bob - 6/11/02 at 04:57 PM

Findlay
Once youve taken the tilt mechanism off and chucked it rascal seats fit like a glove,still a bit of work to do though.

With the tilt mech off the back is loose so it will either need welding solid or fixed onto car,i got my seats for £20 and paid £10 for 2 rolls of vinyl so its not going to break the bank

Findlay234 - 7/11/02 at 11:43 AM

bob are they good supportive seats

cheers

bob - 7/11/02 at 07:07 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Findlay234
bob are they good supportive seats

cheers


Yeah i think they will be OK once bolted down,the metal tubing on high back part of seat looks strong enough.
I've not started on them yet so we will have to see,there is a few people on the list converting them as temporary untill funds are there for nice ones.

I'll probably beef the foam up a bit,as there is not much in the originals.

[Edited on 7/11/02 by bob]

ijohnston99 - 8/11/02 at 01:55 PM

Maybe someone could combine the rascal running gear, with this in a Locost


http://www.bbc.co.uk/motoring/emotive/buffitorburnit/buff_popup.shtml

theconrodkid - 8/11/02 at 07:56 PM

solar power would be no good in this country,oars would be a better bet