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Post by ancsportscars on Oct 29, 2017 22:29:58 GMT
Sorry for the late reply, been away for a few days. I can take pics, anything in particular? One or two of the seat itself from the front and showing the height of the seat back in relation to the rear bulkhead, would be good.
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Post by ancsportscars on Oct 25, 2017 9:57:20 GMT
That's good to know. No faffing about with daisy wheels/magnets etc. May have to look into as a possible for my demonstrator when at that stage. I'll put a link on my website for future builders to refer to, anyway. Like the seats too. Got any more detailed pics? I'm guessing they were by Interiors Seating? (same as on Stuart's red demonstrator?)
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Post by ancsportscars on Oct 25, 2017 8:02:33 GMT
Hi, The Speedo reading is fine easy to read in strong sun or at night, it took a while to set up but I booked an MOT before the IVA (which gave me a chance to adjust the speedo) and it over read by about 10% so just what I wanted. Hi Steve, Firstly, congrats on a very nice build. Certainly a lovely example of the Replicar. With respect to wiring and calibrating the speedo, were you able to use the existing MX-5 sensor and wiring or did you have to purchase one of the additional after-market sensors? Andy.
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Post by ancsportscars on Oct 22, 2017 8:52:41 GMT
Did you give up the V5c when you disposed of the body - i.e. has the donor now been declared officially scrapped by whoever took it away? If not, then you should be O.K - otherwise you will be looking at a 'Q' plate when it comes to IVA/registration time as you'll be unable to determine the origin of parts etc.
if you still have the V5c and it hasn't been registered as scrapped - so that its still in your ownership, then simply register the donor as SORNed with the DVLA until such time as you've passed IVA and are ready to get registration etc.
You will then be able to apply for an age-related plate.
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Post by ancsportscars on Oct 5, 2017 7:27:31 GMT
That is strange bearing in mind mine is a 98; it does look like my engine is further back than yours I'll take some measurements tomorrow from back of cam cover to bulkhead and post. I don't think the position of the engine is the issue. if you compare the position of the member in question to that of Tojeiro's, you will see that his is sat some 3/4" or so further back on the subframe (using the hole in ther subframe as a reference.) Have you removed and repositioned the mounting plate as it is significantly offset to the rear - in relation to the member? (rather than welded centrally.) This is a picture of the master chassis in the jig which hopefully shows what I mean. (Whoops! 2nd picture is top picture turned 90 deg to match orientation of yours!)
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 10, 2017 11:13:20 GMT
Gary, I reckon the bank of relays were originally located next to the fuse box which you are presently mounting. So look for three connectors in that area of your loom that match. (on my donor there are two white and 1 black connector)
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 4, 2017 16:44:27 GMT
Hi Andy. Welcome to the wonderful world of forum debates :-) On brake lines I think if you were welding on brackets you would also have to put the brake lines in the kit. I built a Westfield a few years ago and they fix every bracket to the frame but also supply all the fittings. The Replicar was never this kind of a kit and requires some thought on how things are to be achieved. That was what I wanted, a bit of a challenge in a build. I think the starting point should be your thoughts on how you want the kit to move forward. Keep it simple and let builders come up with their own solutions or a kit that comes with a manual that needs to be followed to complete a build. I am sure if we know how you see the kit developing the builders can help with suggestions that follow your ideas. Fair comment. My first build was a Tiger Avon, which lets face it, is at the opposite end of the spectrum to Westfield when it comes to 'Sevens' and quality of the kits. But then, this is also reflected in the price of the two kits! The Avon needed a lot of ingenuity on my part just to get the thing bolted together correctly - never mind the bodywork! Also, as I decided to go down the BEC route and fit a 'blade engine, I had to create my own engine cradle, exhaust system etc. as there was nothing on the shelf and Tiger were not interested in the least in helping out with suggestions/ideas - even though they had just started to produce their own B6 BEC. It is said if you can successfully build an Avon - then you can build anything! And, in all fairness, building that car gave me the confidence and skills to then go on and build the more complicated Cobra replica and then to where I am today. As an aside, I notice the Avon was up for sale last week on ebay. It was good to see it's still going strong and looks essentially the same as when I built it and on the road some 8 years ago in 2009. So I must've done something right! I guess what I'm trying to say, is that if all potential ingenuity is taken away from the builder by providing a kit that contains every conceivable part and simply bolts together (a la Caterham) then the price is inevitably going to rise to suit. Not only that - but I think it takes something away from the build experience itself and the ultimate sense of achievement when the car is finally on the road. The cars too, would have less possible scope for individuality which is a shame. So I see Replicar sitting somewhere between a 'Seven' and Cobra replica w.r.t price and ease of build etc.
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 4, 2017 15:36:24 GMT
I made bolt on brackets that where in the same position relative to the suspension as the original: I intended to chisel the brackets off the donor but forgot, welded on brackets would be good. I'm guessing you used the original rubber flexis as well, then - and presumably, ended up with no fouling etc?
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 4, 2017 15:29:22 GMT
Andy, agree this front brake hose mounting was a bit of a time consuming pain. As you have just one product to focus on I would suggest that you offer profitable options like this. i.e. £200 option includes ANC braided hoses (cost circa £70) and mounting brackets welded to frame before powder coating. I'd have paid the extra to save time and I'm Scottish so hard to part with money 😀 I can see Excocet owners building to a strict budget but expect Replicar builders are going to spend the extra in these areas anyway. It's a possibility. Like I said, once I've got my chassis sitting on the PPF, then I can experiment with bracket positioning/length of flexi so as to prevent fouling of suspension/steering components. Thus I should end up with a set length braided flexi for a given bracket position. The actual cost of manufacture and welding of the brackets to the chassis is negligible so would be included on all chassis. I can see Stuart's point of view in so much as if a future builder then decides to not use the recommended length and type of flexi hose, then problems could still occur at IVA w.r.t said fouling. A scenario could then arise whereby the builder blames myself- the manufacturer,on a public forum for their IVA failure - stating something like 'ruddy ANC, bloomin' useless! Used the bracket on the chassis to join the flexis to the brake lines but still fouled the wishbones'...etc. Not the sort of publicity I would like. As regards offering the braided hoses as an optional extra -rather than a recommendation, I'm not sure. I feel too many add ons to the initial kit price could deem it too expensive to potential customers. However, I promise to give it all due consideration.
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 4, 2017 12:45:19 GMT
we don't weld brackets on as builders use different length hose. One critical point for IVA is if the hose can contact the tyre, wheel or moving suspension regardless of steering position. Hence the only way to get the mount in the right place is if everyone used the exact same length hose and type of flexibility, steel braided will bend differently to a rubber one. Some builders will wish to keep cost down and use the donor parts and others may want pretty coloured ones. Stuart does have a very relevant point. In the past on my kit cars I've had to put say a 1/4 twist in the flexi to ensure it doesn't foul the suspension/steering etc. during its full range of travel. Stiil, its something I'll look into when my demonstrator chassis is ready to be trial fitted to the PPF. Andy.
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 4, 2017 8:09:15 GMT
Always happy to take on board any suggestions for mods. All will be given due consideration and provided they are viable from an economic point of view, could well be incorporated. Have any present builders got a pic of where, exactly, these flexi to hard brakeline brackets should be situated? In the meantime I have a few ideas of my own. For example, I intend to offer the option of simply keeping the power steering. I have a slight disability in my hands (Dupuytren's disease) which means I can find steering a little uncomfortable. My experience of driving the MX-5 is that the power steering isn't over assisted anyway and still gives plenty of feedback to the driver. I realise the Replicar is probably around a third lighter, but I think anything to make the car easier to drive can only be a good thing. Without wishing to be deemed sexist, it could well mean that wives and girlfriends may then be encouraged to drive the Replicar for themselves which should make ownership more of a shared family affair. To that end, I will be looking to add brackets to the chassis to mount the power steering reservoir and will have to look at how to mount the pipework in front of the rad. (Again, any pics showing present builders solutions to this are appreciated.) Andy.
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 3, 2017 14:59:26 GMT
Andy.. Good luck with this new venture. Are you going to sell and ship to USA?? Possibly. I feel I should get up and running first. At the moment, I really wouldn't know where to start with exporting to the USA (-or anywhere else in the world, for that matter - especially with respect to customs, export licence, any duty to be paid etc.) Its something I'd have to research more thoroughly.
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 3, 2017 11:45:17 GMT
Hi all, I've posted in the 'Who are you?' section but thought I'd introduce myself here too. As Stuart says, I am the new owner/manufacturer of Replicar. We are trading as ANC Sportscars Ltd and have set up in Ivybridge (nr Plymouth) Devon. Please refer to the 'who are you?' post for contact details etc. It's my intention to produce a kit every bit as good as MEV did and to that end I have hooked up with a very good very experienced fabricator/welder and a GRP laminator with many years experience in the marine industry making race boats - including F1 powerboats. They are presently making a chassis and body for me to build a demonstrator and in the meantime I'm stripping a donor Mk2 MX-5 (well built, aren't they? - seems Mazda's philosophy is to use two bolts when only one is really necessary! I reckon it's easier to break into Fort Knox than release the ECU from behind its hiding place in the passenger footwell!) When I have built the demonstrator, I will be having an open day - so please come down to see us and why not make a weekend of it (we are located in a beautiful part of the country with both Dartmoor and fantastic beaches on our doorstep.) Many thanks, Andy Carwithen.
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Post by ancsportscars on Sept 3, 2017 10:55:52 GMT
Hi all, I thought it was time I introduced myself on here. As you will know, Stuart Mills recently put the Replicar project up for sale. Well, my name is Andy Carwithen and I am the new owner and manufacturer of Replicar - having now bought the rights, moulds and jigs etc. from MEV. We are trading as ANC Sportscars Ltd and have set up premises in Ivybridge, (near Plymouth) Devon. This is a new venture for me and very exciting (but hard work) it is proving to be! We can be found on facebook ancsportscars and our website is www.ancsportscars.co.uk (both give details of our contact tel.no. and email address) So please take a look. All likes and comments are appreciated as they will help to raise our profile. You will notice that many of the images are from the MEV website/gallery. This is all with Stuart's express permission to help get us up and running - and with time I will add our own along with a build blog of our demonstrator etc. Many thanks, Andy Carwithen
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