I was reading through by copt of Mini - The Racing Story (it's utterly my favorite mini book atm) and i came across a picture of the Terrapin



basically it's a mid/rear a series engined single seater sports car using mini wheels, hubs and of course engine (in this case)

i think it looks utterly brilliant and sounds like it would be a bucket load of fun.

The article the goes with it said that you could "buy a set of plans by filling in the tear-out card and sending off £4.50" to the creator (Allan Staniforth).

I wonder if any of these instructions still exist...

and according to http://www.minimarcos.org.uk, there's a couplein new zealand (albeit with a motorbike engine) but this one obviously still has the right stuff...





because something that light would be a great drive (even with just an 850) and drums...

and given a bit of effort you could have your own 60's f1 look-a-like

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There's several here as well , one went on ebay recently , I'll see if I can find it . There was a book availible with how to make one , something on the lines of "build your own 90mph race car" but I can't think of the author , I'll see if I can dig up the details .

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I thought you might reply


I was hoping you would too

i imagine the chassis wouldn't be too complicated... just a braced box

the suspension would be tricky part..

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This is the ebay one , it's had a newer design nose fitted , it mentions plans and another book "High speed low cost" as well .

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=002

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High Speed, Low Cost is the book by the guy in the black and white picture. (Allan Staniforth)

It's the one with the tear out coupon


i bet the owner of that one shook his head when he got to the left hand right hand drive option on ebay

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OK , it was also in another book that was advertised in the back of 60's British car magazines , I'll dig through them later and try and find the ad .

Just use two front mini subframes and a spaceframe in between to join them and you're set , you must have enough bits sitting around to knock something up already cush . An old steering rack welded up at the back and a usable one for the front , mini pedal box and master cylinders ....

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that's what i was thinking, and you're not far off of the contents of the shed..

and the extras wouldn't cost a fortune....

the body could wait, i'm happy to feel like the young peter brock in his austin 7 basher..

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wow.. google is good..

i found a terrapin forum

and there's a sticky post

"All, please note: Terrapin plans can be obtained directly from Allan Tel/Fax 01423 711228 "

but then i noticed that someone else "sent of a cheque for the plans"



i'm guessing they're not 4.50 any more

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I've spoken to Allan a number of times at FSAE events. He also built the "camber car". FSAE cars are basically terrapins with more power and less weight.

His books a like bibles to car designers...

Daniel

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Videos - Turbocharged A-Series on Dyno & at Wakefield
Mafs waz not my strong subgeckt at skkol

i like the look of these way way fun could be a better idea than a mini race/show/weekend warrior car anyone got any ideas on rough costs? or other similar things.... ive seen fwd versions of this kind of think... as in a motor with wheels and a seat....

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I have a problem.. apparently

There is a bloke down here in tassie who owns one of these things. He uses it in motorkhanas, and goes really well. He is the bloke who bought my bogus cooper s off me. He also has or had a nota fang, it was for sale recently. He also has a jigger called the hobson, rear 1275 engine,box, mawer wheels, slicks. A really good thing. he also has a clubman gt. I think he doesnt seem to mind mini derived things.

The bloek I did my work experience with years ago had an A-series powered 'car' like the one in the pic. If I'm ever down there again I'll take a look, I can't remember if it's mini based, or RWD based. Either way, it would be fun to drive.

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1964 Morris 850, 1330 Supercharged - 81.8hp atws.
1975 Leyland Mini S 1100S powered - Nice and reliable.
1977 Leyland Mini LS - Project LS-T

i've been googling around some more

the plans are still available for $140 and look pretty good

the book is about 70 and looks like a ripper aswell...

hmm... so many goodies, so little money...

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**Thinks about selling all other goodies to fund**

***quickly realises it would be silly***

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I have a problem.. apparently