Manky Monkey Motors

Hiya,

Anyone ever had any experience with kit cars?
I'm currently looking at a Dutton Phaeton and a Ford based Spartan 2+2, Both running ford engines and running gear.

The Dutton has a bit of history and the Spartan is almost fully built, needs a few bits fitting and painting.

Any Ideas?

Yes I know it's not biking or triking but at least its open air motoring.

Cheers

Gary

My ex used to own one but I never saw it out of the garage. That was a while ago now.

Try these people http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/kitcar/kit_car_clubs.php?36 otherwise just tap it into google and see where it takes you.

Cheers Tanya.

One near me, A Dutton S1, Blue, 1600 cross flow, Members Club car so he's happy to help me get it sorted out.
Needs a bit of wiring doing on the indicators and seat belts fitting.

It's running and just needs a tidy up and wash down and he recons it'll MOT no bother.

The trike went, for a lot less than I'd hoped but it gets me into the car, taxed and insured and a bit left for Wendy and the kids.

Hill climb is on the cards.

More as it happens ;D ;)

It's good you sold the trike but shame you didn't get what you really wanted for it. I'm sure you will have fun with this.

Nout wrong with duttons m8 check to see which type chassis it has "ladder or space frame" check to see if the fibre glass tube has manufactures details stamped or plate rivited on it as you can chase its origins from that, generally they go like stink ;D dont rust and you can fit bike engines in them too ;D

The car I'm thinking of getting is a 1978 Dutton Phaeton S1.

It needs a bit of wiring doing and a set of seat belts fitting.
The owner is a Dutton club member and has 3. He's been working on them for a bit and is reluctantly letting this one go as he needs the space.

I recon with it being an owners club car and him being an enthusiast it should be a tidy little car.
Going to see it later this week and if it suits I will then mostly be a kit car owner.

Worth a write up when it's on the road?

Let me know

cheers

Gary

Definitely mate.

i had a 1600 melos loads of fun

I did four laps around castle coombe in a westfield with the womens champion driving. An intesely fast, wind in your hair experience, second only to a bike or trike really. Truely awesome. Bugger to get in though (twas fully caged) and damned tight for space inside, so much so that I couldnt fasten my own helmet. But thats just details, they rock!! 8)

Bloke in our road has a Dutton, lovely little job!

He said when he wanted a kit car there was no choice - his surname happens to be - Dutton!  (no connection tho).

The guy who does some of our powder-coating's called Aston Martin -& yes, he does own one!

Picking a S3 Dutton phaeton up this weekend if all goes to plan.
six months Tax with a twelve month MOT, £ 1040-00. Body needs a rub and flashover but the engine has less then 3k on it since a full rebuild. It has a hard top as well as the rain gear that stows in the boot space.

Anyone know if there are any hill climb events in the NW of blighty?

Get this, less than 110 squids fully comp, not to be sneezed at and it should use less fuel than the MG by a country mile.

Piccys as soon as it's here, it's white but it won't be come next spring.

Oh and it's down to you lot this is all this bloody building and fettling, it's in some ways more satisfying than the riding or driving. ???

4 wheels or 3 or 2, fettling's incurable mate.  ;)

I liked the dutton phaeton, nice looking little car, dead sporty, wind in yer hair, elbow on the door ledge thingy, scarf, shades and flying helmet....Luxury. Try telling that to the kids these days they'd never believe it.
Seriously though, i've always liked the phaeton, was going to buy one when they first came out but did'nt have the dosh. They look like a bundle of fun.
What engine and box has it got then TT (or did i miss that in the post?!!!), you'll have a load of fun i'm sure.
regards
K

Oops :-[ :-[, just noticed a 1600 x flow should go a bit too!!!

Posted for Brock:

A couple of quick shots of the curly one's Dutton Malaga B+ being prepped to go out tonight to Llandau (sp?) for a track day tomorrow. Running a Honda V6 with custom bell housing to mate to Ford T9 box. Triumph front end and Ford rear. It's wearing a quick coat of new paint after a rapid rebuild due to being rammed off of his drive by a couple of twats in a stolen 4X4.

Another posted for Brock:

This one is Steve's Dutton Phaeton S2, very heavily modified, same basic set up as Pauls but with Ford IRS and home built injection, also off tonight to the track

Very nice indeed, I take it it's a V8 under the modded bonnet on Steves car?

I should have my trike out of the garage today and off to Wales.
Cash in my hand I'm off to see a lady about a S3 Phaeton with a slightly tatty body. No big hassle, I.m getting rather good with the old fibreglass and filler.

I am going to be hill climbing my car even if it's just to raise awareness of the NABD and disabled drivers and riders in motorsports.

Good on ya TT.
Great to hear you've found a new direction. You sound a lot more positive now.
Looking forward to seeing the new project!

          "I take it it's a V8 under the modded bonnet on Steves car?"

  it's a 2.7 V6 Mate, Honda built, ex-827 Rover 

Ta, both nice cars indeed.

Well them, the trike went to Wales yesterday, Wenders is wondering why I'm on a strop and it's smegging raining again.

I am going to be getting a tatty Dutton Phaeton S3 with both hard top and the normal rain gear. Now i know it's not a bike or a trike or even a quad but it'll have to do.

Sitting on a bike or trike is nigh on impossible for me now for more than 20 or 30 minutes without me winding up in a lot of pain.

The kit car is a way of retaining a modicum of independance and beeing able to get out and about with the camera. Getting to shows is becoming more important to me now that I do a bit of scribble for Brit Chopper and a few other places.

The car is going to be used as a bit of a toy and it's going to be driven up Harewood Hill with a modicum of skill, a large dollop of balls and a polite reminder to lady luck she owes me big time  ;D ;)

My new toy.

Not a bike or trike but it still gets me out to play and do a bit of photography and scribble.

It won't be white for long, I have a cunning plan to do it black with yellow NABD stickers all over it.

harewood hiil climb is on my list of events to attend to promote the association and motorsports for disabled drivers or riders in general.

More piccys when it's home.

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0707test0002.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1358)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0707test0003.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1357)

I feel somewhat ashamed I have to drive a car now and not ride but health wise this is the most sensible option.

Gary

i love it

I love it too and agree the white has to go  ;D

So , if the white has to go what do you suggest O Tazzy one?

Suggestions on the forum to save postage on the cards ;D ;)

 ;D anything other than white. Black is good but not a gloss black. Gotta be satin or matt as that looks behind MMM stickers  ;)

Got chatting to a couple at the Theale hotrod show on Saturday & they've since been in touch to tell me there's a Dutton type kit car in a scrapyard local to them. It's fitted with Triumph Herald front brakes, which is what I'm after for my Pop project. If it turns out to be a Dutton, are there any parts you need?
Oh, & I'd do it in something bright. Black's so last year you know -how about that bright orange they used on rally spec LandRovers a few years ago? Or the pearlescent orange used on limited edition Ford Focuses?

yes please Andy.
I need the front spoiler, like the bit attached to the botton of the bumper on Steves car, The one on mine is missing.
If i could get down I'd probably try and scavenge all the bits you didn't need.
Could you get a price on the spoiler for me though please. I could come down one weekend to collect it.
Probably as soon as the car has it's MOT and a few minor faults sorted.

It should be home later this week or early next at the latest.

Cheers a lot old chap.

Bright it's going to be methinks. i'll suggest the orange to the girls, they are well up for having a sports car an should have a bit of a say even if I ignore them.

More at it transpires.

Gary

True democracy -ask 'em what they want, then totally ignore 'em!  ;D

I'm told vehicles pass through this particular scrapyard pretty quickly so I'll try & get there before the end of the week. It's in Oxfordshire. If I manage to get there & the car's still there I'll take your mobile number & consult you.
Just posted Chevy Rick's photos from Motorcycleworld at Beaulieu at the weekend. I notice there's a BMW based trike among them painted in pearlescent orange!

do it holgraphic flake

A great Idea Dave, what is holographic flake when it's at home then?
If it's cheapish it'll be a goer. If not it's going to be something else ;D ;D ;)

Manky, that orange jobbie be a Grinnall, Nice little toy but a bit pricey for what it is to be honest.
I was offered a test drive in one but when money came up I politely declined.

Gary

 ;DIt's just passed it's MOT so should be on it's way to my house this week. ;D ;D ;)

Yey that's great news TT  ;D

Woo hoo!
Yup, seen loads of Grinnalls about. I quite like the BMW bike/trike one. Like the way the new back end body panels match the original factory ones so well.

A few more piccys of the car, it needs work but it's fun to drive.

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0002.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1362)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0011.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1364)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0001.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1363)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0003.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1361)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0005.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1360)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0007.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1359)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0008.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1366)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0710Brum0010.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1365)

I have a few little jobs to sort, the temp guage needs changing and a new thermostat switch needs fitting to run the fan.

The kids noticed the reg no and have called  it 'Brum'. A fiver says the name sticks.
The dash is untidy and badly organised so thats first on the list for changing. Seats are being changed and harnesses fitted and the roll over bar is going to be substantially reinforced.

As soon as winter arrives it's going on sorn and a few people are going to be stripping it down and refurbing the chassis etc.

More madness as it transpires.

Gary

I'm doing seat mounting brackets this week.

I need the passenger seat sat slightly further back than the drivers seat.
It's too close and I'm constantly worrying about elbowing my passenger in the chest.

I'm also setting my seat so that fully forward it's just right for me to drive and when fully back I can get my lardy arse out of the car without jumping thru hoops or falling over.

Piccys of the old and the new later on.

Gary

Taz & I were at the Beaulieu motor museum recently. There was a car there that had also been used for hill climbing. It had the same seat layout.

I liked the little cut-out in the floor for the driver's heel to rest in.

What a lovely old car, My seating issue is resolved for now.

More later

Gary

The new dash, it's going to be covered in black leather and then a loom made to connect to the plastictrickery under the dash.

 (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0716Bugsy0005.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1370)

(http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0716Bugsy0001.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1368)



 (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/albums/userpics/10003/2008_0716Bugsy0008.JPG) (http://photoalbum.disabledbiker.co.uk/displayimage.php?pos=-1369)


 

Somehow I need to make sense of all the spaghetti and get it into a couple of plugs so it all fits together.   

Anyone have any idea of how to wire a car?

Gary

Don't look at me!

Same old story......which wire do you cut?
blue one?
red one?
blue one?
Oh s**t........RUN

 ;D That used to be Flap & I's standing joke whenever we had to work on his trike's wiring. Kaboom!!

what engine garry

(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g17/davesatan666/car_trike_loom.gif)

it's a 1600 crossflow with a big webber downdraft thingy.

Thanks for the diagram, I'm sorting it out to finish summer and then it's getting a full rewire.
I'll be happier knowing it was wired by me under the supervision of a mate who has a kit car and has wired a few up.

I'm a lot happier with the dash layout now and it all falls to hand easily enough. I have managed to ditch a load of idiot lights by useing illuminated switches.

more as it happens.

Gary

Are you keeping the blue seats Gary?  That really bright blue would be a good colour for the car if so, or it has to be a colour that goes with the blue, bright yellow would be great!

Not sure as yet Bobbi,
I have ordered some red seats. The paint will revolve around the interior so I'm not sure at all yet.

Gary

Of bikes, Trikes and Tubby men with a hankering for kit cars and the wind in their hair.


Kit cars? Funny bits of kit for a biker to be messing about with but needs must.
My back is now well beyond the sitting position demanded by most bikes and trikes, it’s too painful for me to use them for more than 20 minutes or so. I’ve also had to concede that perhaps I’m a little afraid of the consequences of having a big ‘off’ and the worry that Wendy and the kids have expressed has tempered my usual ‘Sod it’ approach to life.

I had thought of getting a street legal kart or buggy but the affordable ones are slow and tiny, not suitable for one of my stature or one in need of a speed fix. So then, what’s the next best thing?
It has to be open top, it has to do more than the national limit. Not that I do unless on a closed road but it’s nice to know you can. It needs to handle reasonably well, get a wiggle on and be fun to drive. It has to have a modicum of comfort and above all it needs to offer a little more protection than a bike or trike.  Being strapped into a decent bucket seat within a roll cage is safer in my humble opinion.

I spent a bit of time thinking about building from scratch but the cost and time involved put me off. I had a look at a lot of owner’s club sites and manufacturers with a view to getting a completed car but again cost was an issue. Eventually I settled on a second hand car. A slightly tatty 1996 Dutton Phaeton S3 with a 1971 1600 X-Flow engine. It’s white, very white indeed but Wendy says I can change it as soon as. She normally doesn’t like me changing perfectly good machinery on a whim or styling issue but this time she agrees, the white has to go.

It’s properly registered as a Dutton on the V5 and it came with 12 months MOT and 4 months tax on it. I paid the princely sum of £900-00 for it and drove it home hoping it would make it, I had to run the cooling fan constantly as the temperature gauge wasn’t working. The petrol tank leaks but is currently being sorted and the wiring is a basket case. I have joined the Dutton owners club as I learned early on that owner’s clubs could be a goldmine of information and advice.

Having driven it for a week I got frustrated with the dash layout and the constant electrical niggles. The heater worked intermittently and the wipers and washers stopped working altogether.

The dash was easy to sort, I got some new marine plywood and used the old one to mark out the outline of the dash panel and then drilled it to suit where I need the switches and gauges for me to drive the car. Once all the bits were fitted to my liking I covered the dash with some cringe worthy ‘faux’ cowhide in black.
It looks not too shabby so will do for now. I will give it a rethink and do something different over the winter.

It goes off to my mate Anthony at Denton Auto Care next week to be measured for a new wiring loom. He’s going to draw it up with extra wiring for a fuel pump and stereo and a couple spare for a ciggy lighter and sat nav. I could get him to do the loom and wire the car but winter isn’t too far off and I can make it in the warmth of our front room. I like learning new things and to be fair it’s about time I could do wiring by myself. I’ve wired a couple of trikes on my own and the mental block I have needs sorting out.

When it goes on SORN at the end of September 08 the bodywork will be removed, the rust dealt with and the chassis painted. The chassis being the base of the car I think it needs refurbishing first. The engine and gearbox will get a bit of a tarting up at the same time. It will also be rewired and serviced. The new loom fitted and the bodywork replaced. The fuse box will be moved from next to the exhaust manifold and placed inside the tub. I can’t help but think the fuses won’t be liking all that heat.

I have new seats coming, as the ones in the car are old and worn out in the comfort department. I also have two sets of 4-point harnesses to fit and the roll over hoop needs improving and mounts for the harness making up.

What I hope to do over the next two years is drive the car in summer and refurbish it in the winter. I am saving for some new dampers and need to give the springs a good clean and paint while the car is on blocks while we repaint the chassis; I hope to have the work done in time to drive the car to the NABD rally in May 09.
That’ll be phase 1 of the refurbish, new wiring and the chassis cleaned, serviced and painted up. The roll bar and new seats fitted will see the end of the first part of the rebuild.

Winter 09 the carpet, the paint and bodywork will be redone along with some decent alloy floor plates to stop our heels going thru the carpet.

The only thing I can’t decide on is whether to restore the car as an original Dutton kit with the Ford engine or do I ditch the big screen, modify the shell and fit a ZX 10 engine and go hill climbing? Would the DOC membership ever talk to me if I start chopping a Dutton about?

Man I hate making difficult decisions. Most folk that know me if asked would say I’d go for the ZX 10 option but just occasionally I can be swayed by nostalgia.
If there’s a class to run a classic kit car in I may well stick with Mr. Ford’s cross flow jobbie.

Time will tell.

Gary

wow theres a man with a plan!!!!
Dont you just hate that  ;D

That'll keep you busy for a while Gary!

My neighbour (since moved to Oz) had a Merlin kit car - he did what you said, drove it in summer and fettled in winter - EVERY winter!  Even after his wife thought it was finished, he kept on thinking up new mods for it!
Just before leaving for Oz he put a 3-litre Rover lump in it - had to get it all done before going cos apparently the Oz govt doesn't look kindly on building kit cars, but if it's all done and registered here they are ok with it!

That's one GREAT CAR!

Of all the machines and classic cars I've ever owned one stands out head and shoulders above for grin factor: a 'fairly stock'  ;) '61 Triumph TR3B. The cutaway doors, low slung suspension, full rappy exhaust, quick positive handling and performance all added up to 100% excitement every single ride. Looks like your latest ride is every bit of that TR3 but slightly more modern! No doubt you now have something to get the blood pumping. The future plans sound really good too! Have fun!