Author Topic: Alvis Silver Eagle Special or Riley Kestrel Special  (Read 184 times)

Andy_B

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Here goes...

After figuring out quite a lot about my Cyclekarts over the last couple of years, what works, what doesn't where to get things, what breaks and what could do with improving, I thought that the time has come to stop progressing old number 27 and get back to my other CK which was started some time ago. Now I have sorted some of the other projects I had on the go and got some vital Mo Jo back for this I thought I would start a build thread and hopefully it will be of interest.

I am not an engineer, a fabricator or anything, so some of the aspects of building is a total head scratcher and I have made lots of questionable choices with parts and ideas to date - some worked some didn't but hey thats all part of it right!! I purchased a welder and over the last 18 months been getting more confident that my welding holds up out on the tracks and in places looks ok  :D ;)

For those who know me, my day job is a Graphic designer and therefore visualising is probably one of my strongest abilities. I am not a replicator as my skills generally let me down, so I have always been a huge supporter of creating what you like and what you can, using what you have around you or what is available, help from others and if required buy in what you need. I also try (where it works) bringing in skills from my trade to create the look I want - Both of my karts to date have been wrapped using vehicle wrap and bespoke graphics in particular on No 27.

However, I have two cars in mind for this next build so let me know what you think of my choices of inspiration!!

I stumbled across a machine that is a real bit of me and therefore the first choice is an Alvis Silver Eagle Special. From what I know, These machines have been built as 'Specials' on the 4 seater platforms much like other Riley and Mg's that have been given a second life!! Replicated to 1930's grand prix specs and made legible to compete at various events - cool car
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The second choice is a Riley kestrel 'Freddie Dixon' Special - Mainly due to the fact my Dad has a Kestrel and he would never let me do this to it  ;D ;D so I would plan to have a go at something like this
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What I do know is that I would have to become some sort of 'Louvre Guru' in either option but I recently made and 3D a louvre form that worked ok on test material but it was only very small so that may be something I choose carefully how many I am prepared to attempt!!

Lastly, is a picture of the chassis on the welding table as I am considering heights and how I am going to do the front to work with the leaf springs. I am using a Gemini front axle and smaller 500mm springs to reduce the overall length of this CK for no other reason that so it fits in the back of my 1960 chevy van (another questionable choice).
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Hopefully I will make some more progress over the coming weeks that is worth sharing.
Cheers
Andy

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TheGiantTribble

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Re: Alvis Silver Eagle Special or Riley Kestrel Special
« Reply #1 on: 10 Nov 22, 11:40 pm »
Both are excellent choices, but for me hands down is the Alvis, everything about screams 'build me, build me!'

Jimr1999

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Re: Alvis Silver Eagle Special or Riley Kestrel Special
« Reply #2 on: 11 Nov 22, 07:12 am »
Out of the two, the Alvis (The original is for sale at a mere 255,000 euros so you could buy it  :D - It would save you having to guess measurements!)

A man of your calibre could probably make convincing stick on graphic louvres. At Sywell it took me a day to clock your graphics as not the real deal! (not burning myself on the exhaust was my first clue  ;D )

The rear end  of the Alvis has me drooling - But it is not an easy set of curves to manufacture.
I'm sure the end product will be fantastic Andy and glad to here your Mojo is working again. (mine is locked in the garage until I have finished building the conservatory by order of SWMBO  ;D )
Jim
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Andy_B

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Re: Alvis Silver Eagle Special or Riley Kestrel Special
« Reply #3 on: 11 Nov 22, 10:39 am »
Thanks Bill, Jim

Yes I am leaning towards the Alvis, also because no one has done one as well I don't think?. It certainly is a challenging body but I think we will have to start and see how things go!!! I am not a very good measurer, I sort of go by if it looks right!! I think I will have a go a doing a little visual mock up Illustration and see if it has the goods to really get stuck in  ;D

I have found a few other Alvis Silver Eagle Special images and the chassis is slightly different where it is raised at the front, this may be the way to go as I am trying to loose what has become known as the 'Hagrid' effect, so I am going to try and get as low down as possible so I actually look like I am in it rather than on it!! haha or all the rules would go out the window and it will be mahoosive!!!

A few more pics below
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Ian L

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Re: Alvis Silver Eagle Special or Riley Kestrel Special
« Reply #4 on: 27 Jan 23, 09:27 pm »
Hi Andy,
I have also decided to go down the Alvis route with a Firebird special, these are effectively the same car 6 cylinder eagle v’s 4 cylinder firebird- I have been doing as much research as possible gathering pics and coming up with dimensions a lot of which I now have. Im in touch with a chap in the Alvis Archive and will send him some sketches to see if he can fill in the dimensions as a confirmation.
How are you getting on with dimensions for your build.
Part of my choice is that my grandfather had a Firebird hence the project has a personal element, I just hope I can do it justice.
Best regards
Ian

Ian L

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Re: Alvis Silver Eagle Special or Riley Kestrel Special
« Reply #5 on: 27 Jan 23, 10:31 pm »
Did you come across the chassis plan?