43 replies to this topic

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Edited by Mrplastic, 17 March 2019 - 10:18 AM.

[Jordie]

What model sabre? The red one recently for sale?

We have the only road registered vario. We bought it from the builder who if i recall is the david u spoke to.

Im sure he said some shells etc were floating around in the ashington area of newcastle upon tyne.

[Archived3]

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Edited by Mrplastic, 17 March 2019 - 10:19 AM.

[Jordie]

so what mark sabre u got? square headlights or round?

 

My sabre sprint was a mk1.5 it had the mk2 front with the mk1 glass hatch. I sold it to northern ireland, i am now led to believe the buyer only wanted the number plate and v5, so god knows what happened to it if thats true.

 

Yes the vario is certainly a rare one. 6 kits sold according to dave, but only his "demo" car actually seen the road. It is used daily by my friend and currently is driving round with the roof off in the cabriolet style. It was literally a gem right on our door step, such a nice guy and his wife. We do bump into them now and then, hes happy to see the car being used. It also is now fitted with a detachable towbar from some american SUV lol, but fitted nicely.

 

 

The vario runs a nova/corsa rear axle which dave modified to fit, with custom hub spacer/convertors it retains the original corsa drum brakes but at a mini track width. Its quite a modification but seems to work well.

[Jordie]

PS. Join "show us your classic mini based cars" group on facebook, plenty of different kits and people with resources on there. Might find another shell etc.

[Jordie]

Maybe worth trying to find the other business director?

 

Mr Jonathan Craig Davies

British • Director • GRP Fabricator • Born in Aug 1969

[Jordie]

https://www.facebook.../frpautomotive/

 

https://www.facebook...tCompositesLtd/

 

both these same address and the guy above listed as director. Claire also showing on facebook, there was a claire listed on northumbria composites ltd which also run from the same ashington address in the early 2000s.

 

Good luck.

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Edited by Mrplastic, 17 March 2019 - 10:19 AM.

[Jordie]

Your best bet is trying those companies to see if they know what happened to the moulds and shells.

I dont think you would have enough money to make my friend part with the vario.

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Edited by Mrplastic, 17 March 2019 - 10:19 AM.

[GraemeC]

You could always message this guy and see if he can pass your details on to the buyer?

http://www.theminifo...re#entry3447413

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Edited by Mrplastic, 17 March 2019 - 10:20 AM.

[Ethel]

Fibreglass is very repairable, if you can't find a replacement try to persuade someone to let you take a mould off their bonnet - they'll benefit by having the mould in existence, just in case.

 

If all else fails have a go at sticking that bag of bits back together. Most kits cars are simple shapes achieved by flexing bits of sheet or board. Get a bit of board or sheet with a glossy surface (so it'll release easily) bent to the right profile and screw the bonnet fragments to it. Once you've got your best approximation of the complete jigsaw use chopped strand mat and resin to stick the bits together and fill in the gaps. Remove the screws, test fit your patchwork quilt and fill, cut and sand until it's an acceptable fit to mould a mould from. A length of stout corrugated card filled with drinking straws or similar makes a serviceable profile gauge to transfer lines to scrap timber to jigsaw as stiffeners. 

 

I've repaired wings and arches in a similar fashion out of cereal boxes, parcel tape and Polyfilla, just resist the temptation to paint that up instead of converting it in to GRP!

 

 

 

...if you don't fancy don't it yourself there are people who maintain fairground rides, farm tanks, boats etc. Look hard enough and you'll find much better rates than your average car bodyshop charges.

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Edited by Mrplastic, 17 March 2019 - 10:20 AM.

[Ethel]

I really don't think it needs to be that expensive. You don't need something fit for repeated use. If it's only good enough to get you on the road, you can still keep looking for a better solution.