I've always wanted to build a mid engined hatchback and recently I got a workshop and a little bit of disposable income so I thought sod it I'll have a crack
Before I start let me just say I'm by no means an engineer and my welding isnt brilliant! lol!
This project has been a massive learning curve for me, if I could go back and start again there are a few things I would do differently but overall I'm quite happy with the outcome.
I have seen a few Mid engined Novas and most have been created using angle iron and are very 'flexible' creating something that handles like a pig.. I decided to start with a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa C subframe which has a very close bottom balljoint and tie rod pivot points, minimising bump steer; it is also very square so nice and stiff!
I stripped out the complete rear floor pan and wheel arches then I used sheet steel to fabricate some new chassis rails:
The rear end has now been tubbed out and next on my list of things to do are the turrets.. I would have made them part of the tubs but the car is asymetric.
Before I start let me just say I'm by no means an engineer and my welding isnt brilliant! lol!
This project has been a massive learning curve for me, if I could go back and start again there are a few things I would do differently but overall I'm quite happy with the outcome.
I have seen a few Mid engined Novas and most have been created using angle iron and are very 'flexible' creating something that handles like a pig.. I decided to start with a 2001 Vauxhall Corsa C subframe which has a very close bottom balljoint and tie rod pivot points, minimising bump steer; it is also very square so nice and stiff!
I stripped out the complete rear floor pan and wheel arches then I used sheet steel to fabricate some new chassis rails:
The rear end has now been tubbed out and next on my list of things to do are the turrets.. I would have made them part of the tubs but the car is asymetric.