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-   -   1950's Special - Microplas Mistral (https://madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4034)

Tribute Automotive 10th January 2013 22:19

1950's Special - Microplas Mistral
 
Throwing this tread out for some feedback and opinions from anyone with an interest in this sort of car/bodyshell.

This is a Microplas Mistral which was a GRP "special" body produced from 1955 until the mid 60's and originally designed to fit on the Ford 8/10 (Popular) chassis and running gear.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...lMk1sketch.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/.../mistral_7.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...stralMk2BW.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...alsideview.jpg

The shell was also adapted and used with other chassis/running gear setups by various other manufacturers such as TVR and in the hands of racers ended up as cars such as this V8 equipped beauty....

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...GTDchassis.jpg

More photo's at: http://melton.ca/Scott/photos/imagesMistral/index.htm

...and this one off with Coventry Climax power

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...aneMistral.jpg


So, after that very brief history, the reason for the request for feedback, I have just purchased this and will be picking it up on Saturday:

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ralonebay2.jpg
http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...ralonebay1.jpg

It will need a little work to get it back into shape, but having done that who knows what's next? Produce a cheap and cheerful shell that allows the buyer to choose the base car? Hang it on a Lotus 7 type chassis? MX5 body conversion?

Your opinions and ideas please.

redratbike 10th January 2013 22:42

I'm loving the cream with red stripe car

Tribute Automotive 10th January 2013 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by redratbike (Post 38852)
I'm loving the cream with red stripe car

More pictures at:

http://www.classicandperformancecar....x_special.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pontfire/6159141377/

seanick 10th January 2013 23:13

Well its cool, classy and really retro, with real history.
If I did one it would have to be with period running gear, ie Ford Popular.
With a bit more info it, like track width and possible wheel base options it would be great Classic Re-body for the less attractive kit cars of the eighties, or for some of the not-another-lotus-7 lookalikes.....great modern running gear needing a classic makeover!

Of course a roof will always add appeal!

garyh 11th January 2013 09:15

What a great buy, I had seen this for sale. Have a look on Forgotten Fibreglass forum for lots of classics like this.

WorldClassAccident 11th January 2013 09:41

Like the lower ride, especially at the rear. n ot sure about the lack of headlights though...

would it fit over a Z3/Z4?

http://www.classicandperformancecar...._386203_25.jpg

AndyP57 11th January 2013 10:20

Is the driver wearing Virtual reality Goggles or insisting on anonymity :biggrin:

bladerunner 11th January 2013 16:02

Quote:

Quote:

It will need a little work to get it back into shape, but having done that who knows what's next? Produce a cheap and cheerful shell that allows the buyer to choose the base car? Hang it on a Lotus 7 type chassis? MX5 body conversion?
Your opinions and ideas please.
Most of the locost 7 derivative chassis could be made to fit but outriggers will be required to support the wider body. A much better chassis would be the Autotune Gemini chassis which is just as cheap as the locost designs but has the necessary width and support for the body. The Gemini body has been derived from a Falcon mk 2 competition shell. The Falcon, like the Mistral started its life as a body kit for a Ford 10 thus the wheelbase is the usual 90in. The Gemini has been updated to include Ford escort mk1 or 2 parts which might mean a slight change to the wheel arches is required but perhaps a different donor with a narrower live axle could be used. Another reason to do this is the rapidly rising cost of Escort parts due to the fact that many are being restored. A MG Midget or MGB might be a better donor if cost is an issue. It should be possible to fit the four trailing link and Panard rod arrangement to the Midget or the MGB rear axle casing.

Tribute Automotive 11th January 2013 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by redratbike (Post 38852)
I'm loving the cream with red stripe car

It does sit well doesn't it :icon_razz:

Tribute Automotive 11th January 2013 21:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanick (Post 38854)
Well its cool, classy and really retro, with real history.
If I did one it would have to be with period running gear, ie Ford Popular.
With a bit more info it, like track width and possible wheel base options it would be great Classic Re-body for the less attractive kit cars of the eighties, or for some of the not-another-lotus-7 lookalikes.....great modern running gear needing a classic makeover!

Of course a roof will always add appeal!

Nick, I have a complete Ford Pop chassis and running gear to set the body up on. I will be selling it once the body is moulded, I will post some pictures for you to get infatuated about :icon_twisted:

Wheelbase is 90" and I will check the track/width once the shell is home.

Here's a cheap car to re-body:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DUTTON-MEL...item43b770a857

A roof? Right, let me open photoshop....:smash:

Tribute Automotive 11th January 2013 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyh (Post 38867)
What a great buy, I had seen this for sale. Have a look on Forgotten Fibreglass forum for lots of classics like this.

I am a frequent visitor to the Forgotten Fibreglass website:

http://www.forgottenfiberglass.com/?page_id=245

Some great cars, some not so great!

Tribute Automotive 11th January 2013 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident (Post 38870)
Like the lower ride, especially at the rear. n ot sure about the lack of headlights though...

would it fit over a Z3/Z4?

Must have a daylight MOT.

I will have to check the measurements, but I'm sure we can make it fit the Z3/4

Tribute Automotive 11th January 2013 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladerunner (Post 38879)
Most of the locost 7 derivative chassis could be made to fit but outriggers will be required to support the wider body. A much better chassis would be the Autotune Gemini chassis which is just as cheap as the locost designs but has the necessary width and support for the body. The Gemini body has been derived from a Falcon mk 2 competition shell. The Falcon, like the Mistral started its life as a body kit for a Ford 10 thus the wheelbase is the usual 90in. The Gemini has been updated to include Ford escort mk1 or 2 parts which might mean a slight change to the wheel arches is required but perhaps a different donor with a narrower live axle could be used. Another reason to do this is the rapidly rising cost of Escort parts due to the fact that many are being restored. A MG Midget or MGB might be a better donor if cost is an issue. It should be possible to fit the four trailing link and Panard rod arrangement to the Midget or the MGB rear axle casing.

Adding a universal internal frame and outriggers to the body would open up a massive choice of base cars, everyone has their own favorite.

MGB Roadster's have a 91" wheelbase and a removable windscreen frame...

WorldClassAccident 12th January 2013 10:28

It is intesting and not unpleasant but i think I prefer your d type.

seanick 12th January 2013 11:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident (Post 38914)
It is intesting and not unpleasant but i think I prefer your d type.

I agree, but it is actually a real piece of history, as opposed to other 50's inspired options that are just recreations. Anything will be worth more if it has real provenance. One of these on a period chassis must be worth far more completed than a Sammio, G46, or even a A352. Seeing as it takes quite a lot of time and effort to put one together, maybe a meter use of time? It may even be eligible for classic racing of some sort.

WorldClassAccident 12th January 2013 13:36

Money does not interest me...

;-)

Agree about the provenance thing for production cars but given it was only ever a kit I doubt it will be as affected. Happy to be proved wrong though

TimC 12th January 2013 20:12

Interesting thread and project. Once upon a time I'd have probably have bought a bodyshell from you. As it is, that car was one of the inspirations for my Autotune Gemini project:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ONnsHLnGOp...0/DraftSml.JPG
I'm new here by the way - all the details of my build can be found on www.farcester.com

seanick 12th January 2013 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident (Post 38918)
Money does not interest me...

;-)

Agree about the provenance thing for production cars but given it was only ever a kit I doubt it will be as affected. Happy to be proved wrong though



Found this link on TimC s site

http://www.fantasyjunction.com/cars/...0by%20jennings
60k IDS.

seanick 12th January 2013 21:26

Hello TimC:welcome:

Thats a fascinating project you are doing. :first: I have nit gone back to the beginning, but when did you begin?
Congratulations on getting married too!!

Tribute Automotive 13th January 2013 18:30

I made the trip up to Bracknell on Saturday to pick up the Mistral shell. Mark, who I bought it from, has several other "Special" cars and shells, including this Mk1 Mistral that had been narrowed at some point in it's life.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2082.jpg

Once back home I roughly mocked up the various sections of the shell to see how complete it was. Not too bad, only the front lower corners of both wheel arches/valance and one lower wheel arch section in front a rear wheel are missing. These sections can be easily duplicated/replaced and repairs done before the new moulds are taken.

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2100.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2099.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2102.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2089.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2108.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2097.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2092.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2091.jpg

I know that some "kit cars" have a reputation for taking a long time to build or never getting finished, but I find the fact that this shell has not even been trimmed to shape after 50+ years quite incredible!

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2110.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2109.jpg

http://i1046.photobucket.com/albums/...e/IMG_2103.jpg


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