Mini-based 3 wheeler called Mosquito
Hello,
My name's Damien from France, 26 years old and I’m restoring a Mini based kit-car called Mosquito (some of you probably know that car but with the name of Triad, but it’s the same car.) I bought that car from my English friend Chris, about 3 years ago. I'm looking for informations about those cars. I'd like to be in touch with other owners or any other person that could give me informations, pictures, articles, etc. about Mosquito and Triad. You’ll see here the different steps of the restoration … Here is the Mosquito when my mate Chris bought it, back in 2002 I think. It wasn’t that bad after being stored for 11 year in that garage... http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/15/mosquitoeo1.jpg http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5...squito1cd5.jpg The Mosquito is complete, there’s nothing missing. Exhaust pipes are quite rusty and we can recognize the Mini MkI rear lights. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4...squito3ie4.jpg The interior is a bit small but the two small bucket seats give the game away. The interior is very simple. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2...squito5ig8.jpg http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3...squito6se2.jpg http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/604/mosquito7oz0.jpg http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7...squito8eo0.jpg The engine bay shows the little 850 A series. http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/9...squito9jm2.jpg Only the spare wheel has got space in the boot, near the petrol tank. http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8...quito10sg4.jpg The frame is very rusty, like the wheel. http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1029/mosquito52ry5.jpg http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/9...quito11gi9.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9971/mosquito63nv6.jpg Here is the Mosquito, in front of Chris’ garage. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/9...quito12ue0.jpg The bonnet took off when crossing a lorry on the road! As you can see, another lorry that was following the Mosquito… The bonnet was completely broken, with no possibility to buy a new one at the local Mini shop! So, Chris made one by himself… http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5...quito13xr9.jpg The back of a washing machine will do the job… http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7...quito14hi1.jpg And a square of metal set found in a scrapyard will do the rest!! http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2...quito15zy9.jpg Witt little cutting… http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6...quito16qy5.jpg And here is the brand new bonnet! As the bonnet need to be painted, Chris changes the colour of the Mosquito: red. http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8...quito17pb5.jpg http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1...quito18pw5.jpg This picture shows how low is the Mosquito http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2...quito19qk1.jpg |
Chris doesn’t like the rear lights from. The Mini. They will be changed for simpler lights.
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1...quito20bg2.jpg http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8...quito21gz0.jpg http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1...quito22xi8.jpg http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8...quito23eq0.jpg http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1...quito24qo6.jpg http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6...quito25ln5.jpg As the red colour wasn’t enough, some grey flames are painted on the front end of the car… http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3...quito26bt6.jpg http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7...quito27sr1.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1558/mosquito28lz0.jpg http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3...quito29ug8.jpg http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8...quito30ud0.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3936/mosquito31mr1.jpg http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8...quito32zg5.jpg Here is the Mosquito, finished. Chris used it daily for 6 months even when the weather was bad, which does not happen often in Uk ;) http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1838/mosquito33qq4.jpg http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6...quito34an0.jpg http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9...quito35lc4.jpg It’s at this time that I arrive in the story of the Mosquito. At this moment, I was working in Uk since two months and Chris was my flat mate. During the months, I asked for him to sell me the Mosquito. Chris doesn‘t want to sell it, unfortunately. One night, I was coming back from work, and I saw the Mosquito in the middle of the street, in a bad condition. Children have destroyed it, as you can see on the pictures bellow. When Chris saw that, he told me: « You’ll probably be happy, I don’t want it anymore, if you want it, it’s yours for £400 » It didn’t take me that long to answer « YES! » http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3053/mosquito36tb8.jpg http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6...quito37cc1.jpg |
Chassis and front frame are split
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2...quito56ti6.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/8840/mosquito57pr4.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/6678/mosquito58co4.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9568/mosquito59im5.jpg Chassis is repaired and reinforced in some points. http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/1228/mosquito60wm1.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2...quito61pd9.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9...quito62fl9.jpg Then, it’s sandblasted and painted in « primer » (is it the right word?) http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/3503/mosquito64fu6.jpg http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/7812/mosquito65ar6.jpg It‘ll be the same for all the parts http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3...quito66lb5.jpg By the time, I decided to make a kind of boot behind the seats. http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9...quito67fe8.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4...quito68ko2.jpg A new battery box is built as the old one is too rusty. http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9...quito69gn0.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/4...quito70fs2.jpg |
And then, I started painted the chassis and the rest of the parts…
http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/8...quito71pv9.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/6...quito72yv5.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/4...quito73ne0.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...quito74qx0.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3...quito75to8.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...quito76op4.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/8...quito77rl5.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...quito78zo2.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/1...quito79aj1.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3...quito80ka8.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...quito81tl1.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3...quito82bz7.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/6...quito83rv8.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4...quito84rb0.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/3...quito85nf7.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9...quito86st2.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2...quito87ot0.jpg When finished, the Mosquito will completely change. The exterior colour will be the « Opalescent Silver Grey » from the E-Type Jaguar, the interior will be in red leather. The dashboard will be covered in alloy (I don’t know the name in English but when you look at it, it makes circles). The floor will be made with quality red carpet, and the steering wheel will be a woody one, Moto Lita. For the exterior, the rear window behind the seats will be removed, like the windscreen,. This will be replaced by two Brooklands aero-screens. Very British! It won’t have anymore doors or hood, just a tonneau cover. The wheels will be changed to Cooper S reverse rims in 4,5 », painted in Old English White with A032R Yokohamas… http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3...quito88gy6.jpg |
Time to build the car has arrived. It’s the best part of the job.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4...quito89ra7.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/7...quito90kf0.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9...quito91cu6.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1...quito92ya3.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5...quito93cn5.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...quito94qb6.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4...quito95re6.jpg On the front drive assembly, everything is replaced by new parts. http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9...quito96kv9.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...quito97jm7.jpg A nice Aston filler cap is fitted to the petrol tank… nice… http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...quito98ld9.jpg New brake pipes http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5...quito99ll6.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/4...uito100qo5.jpg The steering whell takes place. http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/6...uito102qh5.jpg New floor is fitted, 196 holes! http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7...uito103bu6.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5...uito104bl0.jpg http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6...uito105rh3.jpg To avoid vibrations, silicone is spread between the frame and the alloy panel. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/4...uito106ys4.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/8...uito107si4.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/5...uito108ne0.jpg |
The floor is finished
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...uito109bx8.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/4...uito110at5.jpg Good job, I’m happy http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/2...uito111jk0.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/8...uito112xn6.jpg For more comfort, I fit an inner floor. It looks better. http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/2...uito115xk7.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/1...uito116gw0.jpg http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/2...uito117du0.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1...uito118op1.jpg Now the rear suspensions is re-fitted http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1...uito119qe0.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3...uito120vc9.jpg http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6...uito121na1.jpg As the 850 engine will be replaced by a 1275, I replace the drums by Cooper S front assembly. Everypart is completely reconditioned. http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3...uito122ni6.jpg http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/2...uito123wn9.jpg By the time, some friends tell me to upgrade the brake circuit. So I did a double one. http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/3...uito124ti7.jpg http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/6...uito125gc6.jpg |
The original engine is really in a bad state.
http://img477.imageshack.us/img477/2...uito113yr4.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/1...uito126pg1.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7...uito127xz6.jpg http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2...uito128md1.jpg http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/9...uito129hp7.jpg http://img463.imageshack.us/img463/7...uito130fu1.jpg Not a problem, it will be completely replaced by this 1275 A+ that will be completely reconditioned. http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/3...uito131jg6.jpg http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/8...uito132da9.jpg I keep the gearbox that comes from a 998 Cooper. Fitted on the 1275 engine, it will be great. http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/3...uito133sp6.jpg The block is controlled by a friend, is painted. http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/8...uito134vu5.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/7...uito135uv7.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9...uito136zq6.jpg http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4...uito137yp7.jpg By lack of time, I decided to store the Mosquito until I have more time to work on it. It became quite dusty… It was about… 2 years ago…! http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6...uito138it3.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/5...uito139rd3.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3...uito140ym7.jpg http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/9...uito141ep9.jpg http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5...uito142wt1.jpg |
Here are the wheels, nice…
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1...uito143wm0.jpg http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5...uito144tw2.jpg http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/2...uito145th2.jpg A few days ago, I’ve started working on it again and the first job was to clean it! http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6038/mos001ql2.jpg http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8779/mos002ta8.jpg http://img418.imageshack.us/img418/8644/mos003wu1.jpg http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2223/mos004cl9.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3594/mos005jt7.jpg http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6983/mos006zb7.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/661/moss001cg0.jpg http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7061/moss002rc0.jpg http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/1210/moss003wm7.jpg http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9120/moss004ys6.jpg |
Yeah! It works!
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/4964/mosss008jy3.jpg Now it’s clean, I’ll start very soon to work on the engine with a friend. I’ll show you the whole restoration. http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2148/mosss009rw9.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7464/mosss010vf7.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/1640/mosss011nj4.jpg http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/975/mosss012ik3.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/132/mosss013vq8.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8608/mosss014on3.jpg http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2585/mosss015wd9.jpg Thanks for looking:smile: If you have anything about the history of this car, I'm interested. Damien |
Hi Damien, welcome aboard and thanks for sharing your rebuild. I love seeing pics like that, makes me want to clear the garage and make some space :madgrin:
Can't specifically help other than post some general information about the car which you probably know already. Production was believed to be originally in 1976-7 by a company in Hereford (company name not known) Production of around 5. As you say later revived in the 1990's as the Triad by Malvern Autocraft, Worcs (source - Classic Kit cars by Chris Reece) Don't know anymore than that. Ferg maybe along as he is into the old stuff so may be able to help. Keep up the good work, cheers John |
Hi Damien,
As a threewheeler fan, i think you did a great job in restoring this kit, but have you thought of about updating also the Wheels, with some nice 13 inch Minilite replica wheels?. It will give your kit more presence on the road, look classy, and drive better, especially over bumps. Will follow your project, and please post more picture when you have them. Good luck with the rebuild. Ciao Italo |
Hello Damien!
Fantastic collection of photos of a very worthwhile project. I can't add anything to what John has said about it's history, but I do recall seeing a white Mosquito at Stoneleigh around 1985 parked next to a Stimson Scorcher. Have you seen this page: http://www.3wheelers.com/mosquito.html Not much there, but interesting. By the way. Alloy with circles - I've always called 'machine turned' and 'Primer' sounds like the right word to me!!! Cheers, Ferg |
Thank you all for your replies. :wave:
Quote:
Quote:
3-wheelers.com is a great website. Do you have any picture of the white Mosquito in Stoneleigh in 1985? If it was a white one, it could have been mine. They were not so many and most of them were red or blue. A simple registration number could help a lot. Thank you for your help. ;) Damien |
I've just discovered that my gerabox is a 3 synchro and not a 4 synchro. The 1275 engine won't fit. So, I'll fit a 998 engine but with some modifications:
- probably a stage 2 or 3 cylinder head, - cam kit - big carb, etc. So... to be continued! Damien ;) |
Damien, thank you for sharing your story so far.
I really enjoyed looking through all the photo's. You have to finish it now after all the work and the history of this little car! :D :D :D |
Hello everybody
As you know, I'm restoring my Mosquito, but I'm also looking for informations about Mosquitos and Triads. I want to create a database with all those models listed. To help me in that mission, I've created a website, in French and in English about those cars. I need your help. What I want you to do, is just to have a look at my website. If you know or if you have ever seen one of the cars in pictures, please, send me an email (see on the website). If you know someone that has a Mosquito or a Triad, please, let me know as well. Any info or picture would be great. Please, send that link to all the people you know and who could help me in my project. Here is the link: www.mosquito-triad.euro.st Thank you very much. ;) Damien |
There you go, I'm sure quite a few now will visit your website and send you info.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/t...51618&f=30&h=0 I hope it helps Ciao Italo |
Hello,
Thank you very much for creating a new topic on the Pistonheads forum. That's a great idea. Thank you again for your help ;) Damien |
Hello!
I've updated the website and the address is now www.mosquito-triad.com Please, visit the link and send it to all your contacts interested in kit-cars, Minis and three wheelers. Thank you all for your help. I really want to know everything about those kit-cars. Damien |
All times are GMT +0. The time now is 16:12. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright Madabout Kitcars 2022