Hi guys, a couple of weeks ago I decided to make a tadpole three wheeler Cyclekart, and was looking to do a BSA.  However, Chris had done one of those so then found another to do, but the shortest i could get the wheelbase was 72" and that would make the body too long for transporting.

Consequently, I decided to build a four-wheeler as the engine would sit between the wheels and enable a shorter wheelbase.  After a lot of searching decided on an Austin 7 Twin Cam for many reasons and whilst searching for info found out someone is already doing one of those.  Anyhow, I am too far along the road to change again so will press ahead with another Austin 7 Twin Cam.

Anyhow, the build table has been cleared of all the junk, the plan laid out and the chassis is now half complete.  I've designed and built a variety of race cars, but a "simple" Cyclekart has thrown up all sorts of issues, so would like to consult the more experienced and see if the following aspects will be a problem:

• The chassis/body will be a tubular frame with ally skins (cos theres lot of ally and tube in my workshop left over from previous projects).
  
  The rear will be conventional solid mounted kart axle and double driven wheels, but the front will have equal-length, parallel, double wishbones as this can easily replicate the inspiration cars fairly straight tube axle and transverse leaf-spring with diagonal radius arms.  It will use Gemini coilovers which will be hidden inside the body and operate via the upper wishbones, which will be rocker arms.
  
  i have spent all afternoon looking at 17" wheels, which is being a problem, then saw some are using 14" wheels and they come very close to the 75% scale size of the originals.  So if i use 14 wheels and wider tyres this will look more like the wheel/tyres of the inspiration car.  An added bonus is it also negates the problem I was having sourcing the rear sprocket and packaging of the sprocket in the available space.  Plus the wheels and tyres are cheaper, plus it improves braking as well.
  
  The scale I am using means the wheelbase will be approximately 63", but this may move to 64/65" if the rear axle has to move back to get the engine in.  Subsequently, it is unlikely to be 66".

I have compiled my shopping list (thanks for all the info on the forum), and I am now ready to go and buy the wheels from Fun-Bikes and other parts from Gemini (thankfully only about 25 miles from me).  So, before I go ahead is any of the above diversions from the Stevenson Formula an issue? 

Hi Peter, I watched your videos with great interest.  Our reasons for choosing the Austin are very similar and I also have a brace of kit cars!  Will you be at the Stoneleigh Kit car show?

I agree the packaging from the steering wheel back is quite a challenge!  I have had to move the rear bonnet edge forward 3 scale inches and the scuttle will be about another 1.5 scale inches shorter.  Rear body overhang will also be shortened by a few inches so it can fit inside an 8 foot long trailer.  Other than that, the rest is pretty much to scale so far.

Yours is looking really good, well done    it will be interesting to see the different ways the inspiration car has been interpreted, when the three are finished  Once i have made a bit more progress, I will start a build log.

That would be great to have a Works team, we could all do Austin Powers impersonations 

I do like the Austin 7 racers as they had a low-line transmission so had quite low ground clearance, which is great for fitting my ar*e into the scaled down tub 
 
I'm doing exactly the same as you working from the front backwards, then seeing how much room the engine needs and place the axle last once the rest is positioned and sorted.

Still researching parts required but should be in a position to buy the wheels and other bits next week.  I'm near Huntingdon, so will do a trip to Gemini and Fun-bikes and collect.  Some items at Gemini are out of stock at the moment so just need to wait till he gets delivery.