Hi everyone
I'm currently in the (very) early stage of designing a single seat roadster, with a lot of inspiration coming from the Talbot-Lagos and Mercedes of the late 40's. With the aim of going for a front engine rwd layout, I'm looking for a fairly narrow engine/gearbox combination. Would anyone happen to know the maximum dimensions for Mazda mk 1/2 engines and gearboxes?
Thanks
Paddy

I would go for a Jaguar straight six motor if it were me.

As your in Maldon have a talk with the engine boys at JD Classics
They know all about the Jag engines and a lot of others
It is a big beast though and so is the Trans
The smallest 5 speed I know if is the Ford type 9

If it is a big car I would go Jaguar straight six.

Thanks for the suggestions so far - I'll look into the Jag engines, as its not something I'd considered...

Paddy

There are still some manual XJ's and XJS's floating around cheaply that would make decent donors, the getrag 265 box is the one to go for.

The XK engines do not have the power of later ones, they do however have the looks

If you want some wire wheels I have 6 X Aston DB5 wheels (need blasting and painting) and splined carriers (new) £350 and they are yours.

Regards Mark

Hi Mark

I think wire wheels are definitely what I'm looking for I'm still planning at the moment, but if those wheels and carriers are still knocking around in a couple of months time I'd be interested... Any chance of a photo in the mean time?

Paddy

I have to say that the talbot lago t26c is the nicest car i have ever seen!!!
I have a plan to also build something similar in the distant future!
Drool!!!

this is on my list of things to do too, i know where there is some bugatti bodywork ....

of course , it would have to be a volvo 6 pot...

That really is a beautiful car, which I must admit is the main inspiration for this project I want to maintain the lovely shape at the rear, but raise the bulkhead behind the driver by several inches so that a rollover bar can be fitted and hidden under the bodywork...

Paddy

Seeing that talbot above may be changing my mind

I got the wheels maybe 6 years ago and a jag manual box with prop, clutch and flywheel as this is exactly what I had also planned to do.

Decisions decisions .....

Even purchased some English wheel, wheels just never moved forward.

Here's the wheels on my first attempt, engine behind me, now cut up and skipped as moved house.


Chassis Right hand rear

[Edited on 28/4/13 by mark chandler]

Well I like the wheels - am I right in assuming they are 15in diameter? If things work out and they're still for sale in a couple of months, I'll give you a shout.

Jag XK engines are massively heavy

The lighter straight six would be the Datsun/Nissan straight 6 used in the Z cars and Cedric, it was a crackingly good engine fitted to rot prone cars.

you cant deny that an xk engine would be the most desirable......

the volvo 6 is much lighter , as is the bmw 6 also ...

Well I like the idea of the jaguar engine, but I think I may have to start with something smaller.... My main concern would be insurance for the finished car, and I don't think my being 18 really helps. Any other suggestions? Also, does anyone know a supplier of type 9 gearboxes? It's another route I might consider....

Paddy

Although it hasn't got the looks, maybe some thing like this would be a better choice for a first build...



It avoids the problem of having to offset the propshaft around the driver, which was proving to be rather difficult....

Any thoughts?