project type 3 v8 fastback

[chop top cortina mk2]

cheers,
first step is the chassis, this is made a bit easier as i have my own laser cut frame which is completely universal so it would fit just about anything. once the wheel base and axle widths had been sorted i trimmed the chassis components to size and welded them up. i first did the main center rails with the front kick ups on and the rear kick up frame and then mounted them in the shell at ride.


with the frame components in place it could all be squared up and tacked. next step is to get it welded and then place the front suspension cross member in to check it fits ok.

[chop top cortina mk2]

with the basic layout of the chassis done i designed the front wishbone mounts and had them machined upthe front and rear suspension is all based on jaguar xj40,i made up a cds tube bottom wishbone for the rear and an adjustable cds tube top wishbone for the front.

theres still some extra brasing to put in the rear wishbones and the shock mounts but at least i can now get the axles centered.

[chop top cortina mk2]

the rear axle has been narrowed 11" overall so the bottom arms wee made 51/2 shorter than the standard ones, the half shafts were also done.

the rear axle was put back together and all the mounts laser cut so it could be mounted on to the chassis.

with the rear axle in the 20x10 rear wheels could be test fitted.

[chop top cortina mk2]

so with the rear suspension in i could attack the front.
because the front is really short on the early type3 the front wings were extended 6" so the wheel base was extended the same.Attachment 175045
using a mk6 fiesta steering rack it was narrowed so that it lined up with the pivot points of the front wishbones to keep bumpsteer to a minimum.
next step is to get the engine and box in.

[JayinMI]

As a LONG time aircooled VW fan, and fan of cool cars in general, I like where this is headed. Did you extend the whole front end, or just move the wheels forward?

Jay

[chop top cortina mk2]

hi jay,
the whole front end was extended.
using a v8 rover engine again this time a 4.6 it was decided that i would use a mazda rx8 5 speed box. for this to work i would need to make an adaptor plate, i made this out of a 12mm thick mild steel plate and with the two bolted together engine and box could be mounted in the chassis.

got the engine and box mounted in. next thing is to install the front coil overs and to mount the front sheet metal.

[chop top cortina mk2]

with the engine and box in its time to finish of the front and rear chassis segments.
managed to get the box section to to conform to the shape of the front and rear valance.