In reply to californiamilleghia :
Any Volvo bad enough to cut up at this point is completely rusted away in all the places Stampie needs.
In reply to californiamilleghia :
Any Volvo bad enough to cut up at this point is completely rusted away in all the places Stampie needs.
I cast my vote for the Datsun Roadster frame. better than British, and I have yet to see one with anything other than original tin. I got my first speeding ticket in an SRL311 more than 1/2 century ago...You want the pushrod engine though. It is a little lower where it counts, at the front. Also super reliable at 100 HP or so. Easy 5 speed gearbox too. The steering is not a rack, but if it is in good condition they work very well, think Volvo or Alfa, not TR3!
What I don't know is anyone with a Daimler V8 to spare...What I do know unfortunately is that the Daimler V8 weighs over 600 pounds, and parts are thin on the ground. I have been inside one all the way. You should see the Daimler sit up when you pull it out. Really cool, but try to build a Devson, er Datvin....
Oh, forgot to post this above, this one os a TR3, with some TR4 bits, see how it got widened toward the rear. I chased him along about 6 miles of twisty road we both know to get the pic.
Surely all of you know that NEW Devin bodies are available?
One source claims to be doing SS bodies, another may have more than one size, and I am still trying to resist buying the Devin-Sprite around the corner from me.
Yes, they are available, but not at grassroots pricing :-)
My guess is that Stampie will be following in the footsteps of several of the Lotus projects on this board and building this up from the ashes into something cool. Our job is to watch and give our opinions and advice along the way and cheer him on!
Personally, in my opinion, this deserves a Locost style chassis, you can build it into what you want, keep the costs reasonable and power it with what ever you happen to have available that is front engine, RWD. Putting this on an old chassis is still an old chassis design, kind of like Fiero based Lambos are still Fieros in how they drive. So a proper chassis, good front suspension geometry, rack and pinion steering and the drivetrain from this would be perfect!
If you want "Period correct" with plenty of power and the body is smaller than an SS, BOP/R 215 is the answer.
If using a Rover unit the earlier blocks have fewer issues.
215's are not too hard to find, the widow around the corner has a few that will be up for sale.
4-speed bells are not so easy but they are around.
To go with the Italian style and an Alfa Romeo engine would be appropriate but may be difficult with the very low hood line.
Bulges are common but spoil the looks.
I've had four Devin's back when they were just kit cars.
TurnerX19 said:I cast my vote for the Datsun Roadster frame. better than British, and I have yet to see one with anything other than original tin. I got my first speeding ticket in an SRL311 more than 1/2 century ago...You want the pushrod engine though. It is a little lower where it counts, at the front. Also super reliable at 100 HP or so. Easy 5 speed gearbox too. The steering is not a rack, but if it is in good condition they work very well, think Volvo or Alfa, not TR3!
I've always liked you.
Got some measurements.
Overall 13 ft 2 in (little guessing as it's longer than my deck)
Wheelbase 94 inches
Dash to hood opening 56 inches
Outside to outside (L) 60 inches
Cockpit (A) 37 inches (remember it's cut here)
Dash to middle of front wheel well (B) 45
I know this don't match but it's not easy to measure. I'm thinking T body.
Looks a lot better sunny side up!
Are there any old kit frames that would fit that might be hiding on Craigslist or fbook? Maybe failed or abandoned projects?
californiamilleghia said:
Just wanted to bring this onto the same page.
Hear me out for a minute... The wheelbase of a c3 Corvette is only 4 inches longer. Get a late cheap one, the chassis is very close to a C2 in design, probably fairly easy to chip 4 inches out to massage it for dash/seating etc....
I will also admit on the side, I would go for an inline 6 rather than a V8, for the sounds it would make...
Seeing the holes that were cut in the dash for gauges somehow seems to give this thing life. You can just feel that it was a running, driving car at one point, and not just a body.
In reply to Woody (Forum Supportum) :
And that's where stories differ but we won't get into that.
In reply to Apexcarver :
Stampie already has a C3 too, unless he got rid of it at some point.
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
No but no.
I'll donate an L28 for I6 noises. But you have to figure out how to get it across the country
In reply to birdmayne :
I think my plan right now is grab a Datsun roadster and use as much of it as possible. If I think it needs more power later then engine swap it.
I'm truly drooling all over my iPad. I've wanted a Devin for over 30 years....
Probably the best looking example I've seen was built from a TR6. If I were building one, that's how I'd do it. Tons of aftermarket support, chassis is easy to drop in a Buick or Ford V8.
In reply to oppositelocksmith :
Thanks. You know I was really bummed out after seeing the condition it was in. You and the others with your positive remarks are making me feel a lot better about it.
Apexcarver said:Hear me out for a minute... The wheelbase of a c3 Corvette is only 4 inches longer. Get a late cheap one, the chassis is very close to a C2 in design, probably fairly easy to chip 4 inches out to massage it for dash/seating etc....
I will also admit on the side, I would go for an inline 6 rather than a V8, for the sounds it would make...
The body is already wheelbase-flexible, no need to chop the frame if not desired for aesthetic reasons.
Plus, I think if you made a C3 any shorter you'd have to bolt the diff straight up to the trans, no driveshaft.
First thing to remember "there are NO rules when building a Devin"
Can you put a 240Z type motor and trans in a 1600 Roadster Chassis ?
3400 and t5!!!
There IS one rule, keep it under the hood line!
Remember, Devin made their own SBC intakes to get the carb down low enough.
An inline six may have to be set back pretty far or dry-sump and lowered.
And yes, I am putting an inline six TR6 based Dio Tipo together.
Fortunate for me that they feature a substantial hood bulge.
Having just revived a Datsun 1600 I would offer the following, everything you will need to refresh the chassis is available. But nothing is inexpensive.
The later years, the "High windshield" 1969 and 1970 would give you a market for the parts that you will have left over. People hoard these when the parts are available. The smog equipment of these post 1967 cars can be reversed, the motors can be setup to a non smog configuration. Starts with the distributor curve. Later Nissan electronic ignition is added to remove the points in the system.
It goes on from there, my build in on the site. You will not like the stock front breaks.
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