Mister Towed's SWB 250GT SEFAC build. - Page 9

IanA · #**161** 12th April 2015, 19:22

Yes that HAZ can be a real pain. Many's the chassis design that has had to be re-thought because stresses fed the wrong way show that up. Causes brittleness and breakage 1-2cm from the joint.

Mister Towed · #**162** 15th April 2015, 18:21

14" Nardi wheel now acquired -

Still missing a suitable donor though.

mobilerobbie · #**163** 16th April 2015, 15:39

you would have been better of with a 15" diameter....

WorldClassAccident · #**164** 16th April 2015, 16:06

PAS on the BMW

hurnleft · #**165** 16th April 2015, 16:16

It's a lovely wheel and getting in and out will always be easier with the smaller wheel.
I've got a 13" wood rim wheel. Not as nice looking as yours but I'm building the car to suit me, not trying to make an exact replica and I can always change it later.

Cheers, Bob.

Mister Towed · #**166** 16th April 2015, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobilerobbie

you would have been better of with a 15" diameter....

Yep, probably should be a 17" for maximum authenticity. One of the things I noticed when I test drove a Z3 though was how little space BMW allowed to fit unnecessary fripperies in the cockpit, like legs.

As Hurnleft points out above, you've actually got to be able to get into the thing to be able to drive it. Plus I like a 14" wheel, it's the Goldilocks size for me - not too big, not too small, but just right.

mobilerobbie · #**167** 16th April 2015, 19:16

I used this Mountney model and attached it to a snapoff lock

mobilerobbie · #**168** 16th April 2015, 19:20

Here is a pic of it

mobilerobbie · #**169** 16th April 2015, 19:24

The cavallino rampante on the steering wheel centre matches my 17 inch custom made wire wheels with hubs and spinners....😄

mobilerobbie · #**170** 16th April 2015, 19:26

Better pic

mobilerobbie · #**171** 16th April 2015, 19:27

On the car

Mister Towed · #**172** 17th April 2015, 06:29

Nice wheel, looks to be the same as I fitted to my Spyder -

WorldClassAccident · #**173** 17th April 2015, 07:30

A popular choice

although I went for the shiny boss

And Maserati engraving

Scottie22 · #**174** 17th April 2015, 07:45

I still miss the "clock" WCA!

8 Valve Ed · #**175** 6th May 2015, 07:49

Mister Towed, I notice you have bought some Rover 45 seats, if you have them to hand could you please tell me how wide they are at the bottom, the bit you sit on. Would they squeeze into an 18 inch gap between transmission tunnel and door?

I have a pair of seats for the Berlinetta but they aren't particularly comfortable, in fact they are particularly uncomfortable! Not what I would like to be perched in for six hours anyway.

Mister Towed · #**176** 6th May 2015, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8 Valve Ed

Mister Towed, I notice you have bought some Rover 45 seats, if you have them to hand could you please tell me how wide they are at the bottom, the bit you sit on. Would they squeeze into an 18 inch gap between transmission tunnel and door?

I have a pair of seats for the Berlinetta but they aren't particularly comfortable, in fact they are particularly uncomfortable! Not what I would like to be perched in for six hours anyway.

I'm afraid the Rover 45 seats will be too wide at 55cm, just under 22 inches across the base (including the adjusters).

Here's a little diagram I, erm, got a four year old to draw showing the dimensions -

Good luck finding something suitable.

8 Valve Ed · #**177** 6th May 2015, 18:04

Thank you for checking the dimensions. Your four year old is very proficient! Pity about that. I take it the adjuster housing isn't optional... It looks like it accounts for at least 2" (50mm) From about 4" above the floor the transmission tunnel starts to radius, so there's more room at the actual seat level. I wouldn't need the seat belt socket either.

I know there are some Rover 25/45's at my local breakers but don't know if they still have seats.

I really think I need to do something to improve the seating but it will have to be cheap.

Mister Towed · #**178** 6th May 2015, 18:25

I've been out and measured again, the runners are 20" total width and they exactly match the width of the seat base.

The adjuster housing protrudes 1" further outboard while the seat belt anchor is actually inset so it doesn't add any extra width.

I guess you could remove the adjuster housing and adjusters and weld/bolt the mechanism into a fixed position, but you'd still have a 20" wide seat.

The Rover 75 seats that were fitted in one of the Nubodi Kobras had been swapped passenger side with driver's side to 'buy' an extra inch, but it would depend on the exact shape of your car's interior whether that would help.

Have you considered Land Rover centre seats? Very cheap and versatile I'm led to believe.

8 Valve Ed · #**179** 6th May 2015, 18:40

Thanks for measuring again, to get 18" means cutting the inner cill flange off to gain an inch. Really I currently only have 17" but it could be increased to 18.

I will take a look at Land Rover seats on Friday when I go for the boys, thanks for the suggestion, last time I was at the breakers they had 3 LR Discoveries so they may have something.

Mitchelkitman · #**180** 6th May 2015, 19:21

Crikey from those dimensions you need saddles not seats