M&W 550 Overhaul...

Replica owners or enthusiasts are very welcome

Moderator: Bootsy

Post Reply
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

This was an early car and had a square tube front suspension ‘cartridge’ that's bolted on.
Image

The new ‘front end’ uses ‘round tube’ welded into place with extra 45 degree bracing to the main chassis rails.
Image

The completed front end ready for the new suspension
Image

This section of the chassis seemed to have been the most modified (much of it rather badly).
Not to worry it’s all coming out and I can say "Good Riddance!' to the pedal box from Hell
Image

That’s better! The ‘cockpit’ section of the chassis now actually looks like the framework of a 550 spyder.
NB. as I’ve already mentioned it’s worth pointing out the holes in the cross member are part of the new pedal box (not from Hell)!
Image

New chassis awaiting media blasting and powder coating.
Image

The finished item.
Image
Image

Once again a big “Thank You” to Paul, without his knowledge & skill none of this would have been possible!

All the best
Ian F.

NB. Please excuse the broken up nature of these posts, I'm having 'Tappatalk' issues... :roll:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Lightweight_911
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 16856
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:48 pm
Location: Worcs/W Mids border

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by Lightweight_911 »

.

The new chassis looks great ! ... 8)

.
Andy

“Adding power makes you faster on the straights;
- subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere”
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Thanks Andy
I’m chuffed to bits, what’s more Paul hopes to make it a rolling chassis over the weekend.

All the best
Ian F
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

As Paul promised we now have a rolling chassis. I’m not going to write much as I think the pictures speak for themselves!
However, I must say how good it feels to see all the ‘bits & bobs’ that sat around my spare room and the modifications Paul (patiently!) explained to me actually now take shape as a recognisable car.
I hope you enjoy these pics as much as I do…

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

All the best
Ian F.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Oh yeah, one thing I want to add, I think I'm developing a kink/fetish about front suspension as this detail shot of the chassis seems to make me unusually happy.
The rear set up with it’s rose jointed tie rods, new very lightweight adjustable GAZ shocks and big CSP drum brakes covered by the rather natty ‘drum skins’ is great but...
The front has the same shocks but with a CSP disc conversion (with a similar style of ‘drumskins’) hung on the end of fully adjustable (again) rose jointed wishbones, it’s a real testament to the level of detail Paul puts into his cars and has put a big grin on my face.

Image

All the best
Ian F.


NB. Exhaust and brake/clutch pipes next...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
User avatar
KS
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 14949
Joined: Fri May 07, 2004 3:12 pm
Location: Cornwall

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by KS »

Looking good!
Keith Seume
Follow on Instagram @orange914
My YouTube channel
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Thanks Keith
Those 'drum skins' worked a treat...

All the best
Ian F.
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
911hillclimber
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 18926
Joined: Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:26 pm
Location: West Midlands

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by 911hillclimber »

Significant work and what a tidy professional result, worth every minute and penny spent.
The bare chassis build is my favourite part of these kind of builds and you get a huge move forward very quickly. I used to spend hours doing my Lola and would always spend more than a few minutes staring at it before leaving the late night garage.

Really nice, and the next step will be so different but equally as satisfying.

The pictures do say it all, please keep them coming.
73T 911 Coupe, road/hillclimber 3.2L
Lola t 492 / 3.2 hillclimb racer
Boxster 987 Gen II 2.9
rhd racer
DDK 1st, 2nd and 3rd for me!
Posts: 2044
Joined: Wed Jun 23, 2004 9:47 pm
Location: Nottinghamshire

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by rhd racer »

Looks fantastic Ian
93 964 C2
99 Boxster 2.5 > 2.7 hill climber

71 914/6 3.0 - gone

'You see Paul, hill climbing is like making love to a beautiful woman. You get your motor running, check your fluids, hang on tight and WHOA..30 seconds later it's all over!' Swiss Tony
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Thank you Paul

All the best
Ian F
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

911hillclimber wrote:Significant work and what a tidy professional result, worth every minute and penny spent.
The bare chassis build is my favourite part of these kind of builds and you get a huge move forward very quickly. I used to spend hours doing my Lola and would always spend more than a few minutes staring at it before leaving the late night garage.

Really nice, and the next step will be so different but equally as satisfying.

The pictures do say it all, please keep them coming.
Yes, Paul has done a stunning job, I’ll get to see it in the flesh for the first time this Saturday.
I know what you mean about the chassis build, one of the nicest things about the 550 is 75% of this work (if you lift the rear clamshell) will remain on show!
I’m currently feeling rather smug and it’s not even finished yet..!

All the best
Ian F.

PS. More pics next week, promise!
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Hi All
I had a chance to actually pop in and visit Paul (Foreman) and my car this weekend.
The work he has done is excellent and I thought I’d share some before & after pics...

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Also the pedal box...

Image

Image

The clutch, brake and fuel pipes have been fitted and chassis is now pretty much finished, it all looks stunning.

All the best
Ian F.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

Oh go on then, here’s a couple of gratuitous front hub & wishbones shots, for no reason other than they look so good...Image
Image

All the best
Ian F.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
neilbardsley
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 7757
Joined: Mon Apr 16, 2012 4:31 pm

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by neilbardsley »

That is coming together very nicely

Sent from my M2004J19C using Tapatalk
“A REMINDER. I would be grateful if those members who have borrowed bits from me in emergencies (e.g starter motor, oil cooler, etc) would return them and/or contact me”. – Chris Turner RIP
User avatar
alfacat
I luv DDK!
Posts: 771
Joined: Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:09 pm
Location: The Lakes

Re: M&W 550 Overhaul...

Post by alfacat »

neilbardsley wrote:That is coming together very nicely

Sent from my M2004J19C using Tapatalk
Thanks Neil, yes it is rather! :wink:
It was hard to just walk away from it after the first visit...

All the best
Ian F.
________________

Gone but not forgotten
72 2.4 T in Sepia (Charlie)
60s, 70s, 80s, 90s & 00s Alfas
Caterhams (one fast & one very Fast!)
and a few old Lotus.

Still with us
997 C2S (Alice) & M&W 550 Spyder (Lil Caesar)
Post Reply