COMING: The Rally Beast

[johnnyapollo]

Joe's taken some time off his many projects to focus on the building of his new house. I do believe this is near the top of his list when he resumes (post-building).

-- John

[Joe_Black]

As John states I'm busy laying block since I've undertaken the entire process of building myself. I'll post up the last photos of gutting the interior when a chance as it may be good reference for others looking to get the dash out, but for now we just moved the Ebony to "project row" where it will be on hold until I have more time...

[Solitude]

whoa.. Merkur's.. don't see many of those around..

[Joe_Black]

Yeah, I'm a bit of an XR4Ti/Sierra RS geek too. :bgwg: Two of those run great, but need all new suspension. One is an engineless shell destined for the rotisserie then rally, and the final two are in great shape but need serious engine work. Only one more to get a half dozen! Actually I'm just a real sucker for these and keep finding 'em on the cheap.

LOL, maybe we should have an informal competition to see who can identify everything in the picture?

[Solitude]

LOL, maybe we should have an informal competition to see who can identify everything in the picture?

VX
Jetta
5 xr4ti's
rx7?
MB300D
military chevy p/u with a 6.2 diesal
85 chevy silverado..
not sure about the jeep behind the vx.. maybe an old rover or a toyota fj

[johnnyapollo]

Try a champie...
Also that's a CUCV next to the silverado.

-- John

[Joe_Black]

Whoa, blasphemy! That is not a Jeep. I was thinking maybe a Mighty Mite?

Mighty Mite?!?! LOL, that's worse!

[Joe_Black]

Never been much of a fan of the Mite, then again I've been around a few and a friend had one once. Best use he found for it was to stick on the roof as an advertisement. Structurally weak and poor metal quality prone to quick and excessive corrosion. They had a short service history for a reason.

The Austin Champ was basically the British post-war answer to everything that was wrong with the Jeep, and it was done up pretty well.


I'm just not much a fan of British cars per se, but got this in a cheap trade. It's complete and needs basic restoration with only some rot in the floors which is typical and easily repaired since it's all flat sheet. Neat vehicle though in that the body lifts up from the front giving access to almost the complete chassis. Drivetrain is interesting with a reverser off the rear of the engine driving the combined transfer/transaxle meaning you get all 5 gears in reverse as well as forward. Guess the idea there was to get out of trouble as fast as you got into it! If and when I work on it the LRDG version is an interesting one to think about...