New to the site, hope this is the correct place, mods feel free to move if I've dropped one!


After many years of trying I convinced my mates to go in on a track car together. After asking advice on retro rides we looked at MX5 and 205 etc since as bangs for bucks they are hard to beat. The two of them decided after seeing Westfield/Sevens that if we had a track car it had to be one of those.

So after looking around found even a Robin Hood or Locost was out of price range so like a lot of buyers ended up looking at Duttons, the ugly duckling of the sevenesque cars. Following some assistance from retro rides we went looking and eventually bought this:



It was on ebay but local. Sadly due to work I never got to see it so Dan went to inspect with his many years experience of washing cars and driving them about a bit. An offer was made and we collected one evening and dropped for MOT the following day.



Had an hour in the car park to do checks. Found that the flashers weren't and one indicator bulb out. Dash to Halfords for new flasher and fault tracing wiring and then had to leave the defective handbrake to be looked at by garage before the MOT.

On the plus side we thought they won't fail the brakes if they've just rebuilt.

Some discussion with MOT man on whether it needed door mirrors or not. Came with only a single mirror mounted on the dash in the middle. Conclusion was it needed a drivers side one so slung this on before the test, spare from my MGB. Screwed to the dash so I didn't have to mess up the bodywork. Will fit proper ones both sides once able.



You can just see the ghetto switch labelling as well. Car doesn't have hazards or a reverse light but checked online that seems to be OK.

Initially thought car was based on Mk2 Escort, later found likely Mk1. Front suspension has Koni shocks, not sure what else the bits are off yet. Has had a recentish rebuild and spec is:
E 1300 GT engine, gearbox overhaled and new diff. Unleaded head by Burton Tune.
Black paintwork.
Tiny steering wheel
Really high clutch pedal (will need looking at)
Tiny pedals really close together on RH side of column. May live with it or may see what can be done about moving clutch across to LH side and fitting wider brake to enable left foot braking if I even learn it.
Steel wheels
Tiny boot
Two plastic seats bolted to floor (no adjustment)
Static 3-point belts (will want harnesses for track)
Old style bullet fuses (will look to upgrade)
Heater (wo-hoh)
Fairly sound car but electrics need looking at as with any old car.
Has doors and a new roof but no studs fitted yet.
Also one of those weird covers that goes over at dashboard level and unzips either side for the driver.






Sadly first garage refused to test as was too low for the ramp (later leant they actually meant MOT tester too fat to fit).

Took around corner to another garage who failed it on handbrake, split gaiter on rack and headlight out.

We collected and spent a week sourcing parts. Initially ordered all Mk2 Escort parts but then once found likely Mk1 had to re-order a load more brake shoes and cables!

Evidence of Mk1 -
Front brakes are drum This is what happens when you send non-car person to inspect car for you!


We replaced gaiter with universal one. Runs very tight to the frame at front.


Also found it's dynamo rather than alternator. A first for me.


Front hinge mechanism and bumper attachment. Most Dutton do away with any form of metal bumper, still undecided at moment. Also if Mk1 Escort presume worth selling before we bend it? Four bolts undo to release the nose cone at present may look to make easier.


Example of the electrics, white tape by me to hold together for MOT, way too many loose crimps at present will look to redo into proper unpluggable multi plug to allow bonnet removal.


Webber carb and original viscous fan. Keeps it simple but may look to go electric to release a horse or two.


Original bullet fuses, don't like it in the engine bay where a falling fuse is lost for ever, will look to replace with blade fuse either with cover or relocated.


Suspension arrangement and Koni shock.


Dutton chassis number.


Adjustable looking shock. Presume I turn the bottom section to drop another cm or up another. No tool came with it to adjust though.



Also fitted a battery isolator from one of those broken jump start air compressor combos that litter the tips:


Managed to borrow a sealed beam unit off the MGB to sort the headlight, so armed with a pile of shoes and cables I had a go at sorting.

Then attempted to sort handbrake. Managed to get the drums off - TIP - if removing tight drums make sure you leave a wheel bolt on so when it goes it doesn't fly off into you!

Sadly forgot to take photos but shoes were fine. So presumed cable was stretched. Mk2 Escort one arrived but was nothing like fitted so further evidence it's a Mk1. Sadly Mk1 hadn't arrived by this time so had a poke about.

Shot of rear axle and lowering blocks fitted by previous owner. Been pointed out these are below the leaf rather than over so not actually lowering? May be to allow for use of the struts which seem possibly too long and have spring cups so could be re-used front units?


Checked the route of the cable and found the centre mount in front of the axle was via a split tube type holder. Over time this had opened and the sheath of the cable had forced it's way through hence slackening the cable (make sense?). So I removed the cable, smacked the tube closed,fed the cable back through then smack it tighter still to try and avoid a repeat. May stick a blob of weld on it if I even get my gasless mig out.

Finished result.


Also found evidence of a previous stripe paintjob which someone painted over but ran out of paint or enthusiasm inside the car behind seats.



Next job wasn't for MOT but for track use, my DIY tow strap.

Take one middle rear seatbelt I had from a Rover 25:


Dismantle the buckle and cut off the metal links either end (carefully to avoid cutting belt), then clamp to rear frame with spare and good exhaust clamp.


Cut hole in bumper to allow it to pass through et voila one free towing strap for track use.


After all this took back for MOT and it flew through!

Was not the most obvious fun experience driving it without roof or drivers door (since mirror precludes door fitting, it's a choice of which to have!) in the rain for the MOT but was actually a grin a minute!

Having to wipe the inside of the windscreen is a new experience as well.

Noted on way back that tacho, speedo and fuel gauge work. Oil pressure is possibly a little low (30-40?), and volts and temp gauges all read zero so will need to do some digging.

Here's our best attempt at keeping rain out whilst parked:

DIY home brew frame:


Over which we place the fabric roof held on with pegs.
Then an all-over cover over the top, finally a strap to hold in place:


Although water pools it stays mostly dry inside until we sort permanent solution.

We do have the roof but no fixing points on body yet!

Found this online which has helped with parts:

Afternoon Monty, I've activated your account on the dutton forums btw

I'm glad you've lost the chrome bumper

G

Ta! Just noticed.

Bumper still on for now since we suspect not been painted underneath so is on the job list:

Check speedo calibration
Fit proper mirrors allowing use of doors
Fix temp and battery gauge
Fix roof (maybe)
Sort spare rims for track days
Better wipers
Remove chrome bumper
Bigger steering wheel
Harnesses rather than static 3 points
Sort headlights so I can have the MGB one back for it's MOT
Overhaul electrics

Yes should of said glad your thinking of losing the chrome bumper

Not sure what the person was thinking when they fitted the lowering blocks

[Edited on 27/9/10 by Mr G]

Ah welcome.

You will certainly enjoy that. Got a bit of work before its track worthy but I know you will love it when you get on track.

A friend of mine has a P3 Duts and loves it. Almost the same spec as yours (1600) and loves the track days. He just rags the granny out of it untill something rattles off. Refit the lost part and then rage the hell out of it again!

The cheapest form of track daying you have there, enjoy!

Welcome.

I don't have a Dutton, but most people seem to think my old Sylva is one, so I'll welcome you too.

Enjoy the car. If you bought within a budget, you did the right thing and I'm sure you don't have a kings ransom tied up in it.

Here's my old basket case - as I bought it, maybe around 4-5 years ago.


AnotherAv


Anyway, enjoy your car.

I no longer have my dutton (sold last year) but in terms of smiles per pound it was hard to beat...

I had the issue with the pedal positions, I solved it by building up the bit of the floor where your heel goes to the same height as the part the seat sits on (hope that makes sense) by use of some checkerplate supported by a frame and glassed in...

Moved the car to my mates tonight as registered in his name so will be keeping care of it.

He's going for the Mr Toad of Toad Hall look in it:


Note that I ditched the front bumper as well. Looks better but also about 6 miles off the deck now. Need to look at lowering or fitting a front bib of some sort. Front number plate arrangement if temp at moment, will look at some other way. Tempted by letters on the bonnet?

Fitted a bigger steering wheel as well.


And the funny pedals. All one side of steering column. You get used to them but not a lot of room.

part 1 of the weekend write up - First crash and repairs!

This weekend we prepped it for the first track day on Monday.

Saturday we checked it over and fitted two Escort Alloys on the front so we had a pair of spare wheels for it.


Took it for a quick spin around 10pm after some dinner. Second roundabout we came to, both front wheels parted company with car and shot off into undergrowth!

We skidded along on the drums and sumps, mounted kerb and came to rest feeling lucky to be right way up and wondering what we would find when out of the car.


Looked at the car and found the wheel nuts had been pulled straight through the alloys and wheels had flown off. Managed to get the spare steel on the drivers side, and run back home for the other spare. When we came to fit that we found two of the wheel studs were bent. Feck. Front arch also very damaged.



Managed to hammer these straight and got the wheel on. Checked under car and although sump was looking scraped it was still sound. Started car up and all seemed good, so limped home at around 20mph with our other car providing cover from the rear.

Moral of the story - make sure you use the right nuts for the wheels.

Sunday we could look at the car and see if we could do anything for the track day on the Monday.

The studs, this is how straight they were after my hammer efforts on side of dual carraigeway. Couldn't get any replacements on a Sunday so I took both other, straightened in a vice and put one back in each side so if they were weakened by the bending I would have three perfect one's each side. Have painted them white so when I get new one's I know which to replace.


This is a rubbed patch on the rear passenger arch caused by we think the front wheel bouncing back onto it. It's worryingly close to wear the passengers arm could have been. Small crack on wing is duct taped.

The front arch. I duct taped at side of road to hold it together to get home. It didn't look good and was held together by maybe 2" of fibreglass.


Exhaust manifold we noted was cracked, could have been result of the accident but has always been noisy. So I broke out my MIG and had a go at filling with bird poo to pass noise test at track.

Check out the engine access:


The front arch we cut a metal plate for the inside, covered in no more nails and clamped and rivetted it on. Worked well and with a coat of paint looked presentable(ish).


Sump we checked and beside looking a little dented was sound and oil pressure still good. Oddly enough a sump guard was on the to do list.


Also had time to fit the tonneau cover for the trip to the track and then took for a spin to check it over:

Part 2 - The Track Day


Monday we had day off work to go to novice track day at Bedford Autodrome. Have done one here myself in a Dolly Sprint and liked the course and the massive run off. Was Dan's first track day so seemed a nice safe bet.

Loaded car up and set off. We were worried by the noise test (101dBA static) but passed. Helped by a tacho that was reading 2x so took test at actual 2000rpm.

Sad awaiting the briefing. Note the number of Porsches in the background.


Last minute checks on carb as was smelling a little rich:


Then we went out on the track and besides a brief running out of petrol incident (gauge only ever reads 1/2 full at best so you have half a tank in the red) we did a solid 3 hours on the track, one of only a few cars not to park up for a 'rest'.

We mixed it well with the Elises, Boxsters etc. Managed to 'do' an Evo, a Porsche 911, couple of BMWs etc but were outrun on the straights as we were maxing around 80mph as expected.

Through the bends we were very competitive and had a good serious of laps following a 1.6CVH Westfield that could not shake us despite pulling a gap on the straights and only being 1 up.

Car was a laugh and we had a great day. Sadly it was only after checking the photos towards the end we saw we were having too much sidewall flex and were running at 10PSI! Pumped up to 25PSI it ran even better but was a little more sudden on breakaway.

Would like a little more top speed in future and better seats but otherwise it is a great car for trackdays!

Photos show the lowest part of car is the exhaust downpipe and the sump. If we can redo the exhaust a bit and fit a sump guard will look to lower it. Also on lookout for Mondeo steels or similars to keep the rolling radius but with bigger wheels and less sidewall flex.

Well we've booked our next trackday, this Saturday at Bedford Autodrome again, praying for no snow!

You need the nuts to go with the alloys. Tidy the wing with some resin and matting on the back and fill it to look standard you bodging git. What paint did you use, Dulux or Crown? Enjoy.

quote:

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Originally posted by Peteff
You need the nuts to go with the alloys. Tidy the wing with some resin and matting on the back and fill it to look standard you bodging git. What paint did you use, Dulux or Crown? Enjoy.

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Final trackday photos:

The snow on the dash (not sure if came up under windscreen or the vortex pulled it in as rest of cabin fairly snow free (considering car with no roof)):


And when we finally got in it on the drive:

Nutters...lol

Enjoy the car