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Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Tribute Automotive Builds

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  #1  
Old 10th January 2013, 22:19
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Default 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.









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....



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

...and this one off with Coventry Climax power




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:




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.

Last edited by Tribute Automotive; 11th January 2013 at 02:33..
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  #2  
Old 10th January 2013, 22:42
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I'm loving the cream with red stripe car
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  #3  
Old 10th January 2013, 22:51
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redratbike View Post
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/

Last edited by Tribute Automotive; 10th January 2013 at 22:56..
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  #4  
Old 10th January 2013, 23:13
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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!
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  #5  
Old 11th January 2013, 09:15
garyh garyh is offline
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What a great buy, I had seen this for sale. Have a look on Forgotten Fibreglass forum for lots of classics like this.
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  #6  
Old 11th January 2013, 09:41
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Like the lower ride, especially at the rear. n ot sure about the lack of headlights though...

would it fit over a Z3/Z4?

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  #7  
Old 11th January 2013, 10:20
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Is the driver wearing Virtual reality Goggles or insisting on anonymity
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  #8  
Old 11th January 2013, 16:02
bladerunner bladerunner is offline
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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.
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  #9  
Old 11th January 2013, 20:56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redratbike View Post
I'm loving the cream with red stripe car
It does sit well doesn't it
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  #10  
Old 11th January 2013, 21:13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by seanick View Post
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

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....
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  #11  
Old 11th January 2013, 21:20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garyh View Post
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!
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  #12  
Old 11th January 2013, 21:25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident View Post
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
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  #13  
Old 11th January 2013, 21:34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bladerunner View Post
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...
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  #14  
Old 12th January 2013, 10:28
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It is intesting and not unpleasant but i think I prefer your d type.
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  #15  
Old 12th January 2013, 11:53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident View Post
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.
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  #16  
Old 12th January 2013, 13:36
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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
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  #17  
Old 12th January 2013, 20:12
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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:

I'm new here by the way - all the details of my build can be found on www.farcester.com
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  #18  
Old 12th January 2013, 21:18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WorldClassAccident View Post
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.
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  #19  
Old 12th January 2013, 21:26
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Hello TimC

Thats a fascinating project you are doing. I have nit gone back to the beginning, but when did you begin?
Congratulations on getting married too!!
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  #20  
Old 13th January 2013, 18:30
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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.



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.

















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!






Last edited by Tribute Automotive; 13th January 2013 at 19:49..
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