A Board Car Is Dead - H406 Bta, But......

[GilesW 41]

Those that remember Wurzel will know H406 BTA as the car he built.

 

A long time board member, and seemingly one of forefront of messing about with 309 beams, steering etc, he built a lovely car.

 

It then went on to be owned by a few other high profile board members, and some lesser known ones.

 

Then I bought it for pennies from a hard-up student in Bournemouth after it had been unloved and getting past it's best before date.

 

I wanted it as a track day car, and with the excellent engine and running gear it was a great basis. Unfortunately the more I looked at it, the more I took off it, the more holes and less metal I found.

 

I decided I would treat it as a labour of love and have it all welded, but all my mates kept telling me I was being blind, and the shell was too far gone.

 

Well they were right.

 

Having seen the shell I would have ultimately wanted to build go up for sale on here a few months back I decided to buy it and swap all my running gear over (and make some improvements).

 

So as of lunchtime today H406 BTA well and truly passed over to the other side:

 

 

As I was stripping it I found even more rot, and the underseal people had layered on over the years as the only thing now holding various panels together. It was kind of good as it reinforced my decision.

 

This, and all the 309 running gear etc etc:

 

 

Is going in here.

 

Alex has built a totally amazing shell.

I'll be making a few improvements to it (polcarb windows, heated screen), all the things Alex had on his to-do list I think.

I'll try and do it as well as you would have Alex.

 

I'll also chop out the 2 brackets he left in the rear quarters - did you not see them Alex - they must weight at least 150grams each!!!

 

 

Anyhow I'm pretty excited.

The engine will start off pretty standard (petert cam and chip & oil control), but will eventually get TB's and a box (probably a different engine later too).

 

 

So....

 

RIP H406 BTA, but you're soul will live on in a very very nice new shell.

Edited January 3, 2014 by GilesW

[Roon 29 1 Cars]

Good luck with it Giles, as you showed me that black shell was totally gone quite shocking how badly on the passenger footwell!

 

If you do to this what you did with your cavalier by Christ it will be a weapon!

[Edp 67 3 Cars]

At least it will live on in the new shell

[Jolly Green Monster 51 1 Cars]

look forward to watching it grow

[MiniGibbo 142]

Cool project, what's the spec of the white shell..?

[Jolly Green Monster 51 1 Cars]

its a well sorted shell, looked at it when I collected some parts from Alex the seller.

[Reebmit 51 4 Cars]

Good one Giles, glad you've started a thread (well almost a thread, need one in projects section ), I was very impressed with that shell the other day, prepped nicely, will make a great 205, will watch with interest.

Edited January 4, 2014 by Reebmit

[Alastairh 47]

Loved that car.

 

Wurzel sold it to skeggyrik, i then bought it off him. I sold it in October 08 to said student. I also saw it on PH cheap and even pulled a sickie to buy it, but missed out on it by a hour.

 

To be fair the shell was never the best, it had a couple of plates in the boot, some of the panels seemed to have vibrated loose, probably from the stiff suspension and was used every day without fail, hard. It was a very capable little car, i bought a tran-x for it, but bottled it knowing i would blow up the decent Mi engine it had.

 

I have a few pictures on Facebook actually from 2008.

 

Al

[GilesW 41]

I'll upload a pic in the morning- shell is now all stripped and half full of scrap waiting for the pikeys to come and get it. Had to use the grinder to get many things off it, and about a dozen bolts just sheared off - including 3 on the subframe (that seemed loose!!).

 

The white shell is now in the garage with a few more bits bolted on to it. It's digital dash turns up tomorrow, and buying the service items for the engine tomorrow too.

 

I'll do a mini project thread, but tbh as Alex did the proper building part it'll only be about some tweaking.

[artois7 21]

Don't suppose the black shell's doors and boots are usable...?

[GilesW 41]

Bottom of doors are rot, and boot lid has no glass and is untidy. Tbh think you would want better.

[pug_ham 244 3 Cars]

That's a shame to hear but ultimately it's going to happen more often as these cars get older, especially if they've been fitted with stiffer suspension etc & used on track,maybe even with sticky tyres.

 

I'm sure Wurzel will be sorry to hear of BTA's demise.

 

g

[welshpug 1,657]

if the shell hasn't gone yet, are the floor panels in decent nick?

[GilesW 41]

Mei - floor pans are bad in front foot wells and sills, but ok in rear passenger foot well I think (seen you asking the other day).

 

Do you have a photo of what you want and I'll double check.

I'll stick up some comedy photos of the rot actually.

Tis funny.

[welshpug 1,657]

this bit.

 

[GilesW 41]

I'll try take a photo tonight and post it up.

[johniban 59 1 Cars]

mei, just cut that rust out and put a repair panel in!

[welshpug 1,657]

We would, but floor repair sections do not exist, nor are original ones listed at all.

[johniban 59 1 Cars]

buy a sheet of repair steel from motor factors about £7 for that size

[welshpug 1,657]

no need to buy anything, my mate has plenty of VW door skins and a 306 to cut up, however it would be far simpler and quicker if we find a chunk of donor car to weld in, and better for the customers wallet.

[Juttie205 123 2 Cars]

Know what u are saying thats why im changing floor from a donar into my dimma will be a better repair than use flat steel.

[Jolly Green Monster 51 1 Cars]

Floor on the shell I have here looks okay

[GilesW 41]

this bit.

 

Mei - had a chance to look at mine today - 2 x 5p size holes in that section, so no good to you.

Mr Monster's offer could be worth a look though.

 

Shell being collected Tuesday. The more I look at it the more I'm kinda shocked - it's probably 3 or 4 years past it's 'time to bin' date. Shame though.

But I am enjoying bolting bits up to the white shell.

 

Being the skin flint I am (ok maybe not) - I decided on a slightly different dash route - An aftermarket motorbike dash. Cheap as chips, enough inputs (ok need an oil pressure gauge) - but at sub £150 delivered with everything I'm pretty happy. And it fits in with the 'no weight' ethos - 20 bensons weigh more!

 

It's plenty big enough too as it sits on the column just behind the wheel.

 

Check out the Koso DB-02R (with the indicator dash):

http://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/new-db02r-with-universal-indicator-kit-120-p.asp

[johniban 59 1 Cars]

keeping an eye on this now fella, great to meet you today! white shell looks awesome

[Jolly Green Monster 51 1 Cars]

Mei - had a chance to look at mine today - 2 x 5p size holes in that section, so no good to you.

Mr Monster's offer could be worth a look though.

 

Shell being collected Tuesday. The more I look at it the more I'm kinda shocked - it's probably 3 or 4 years past it's 'time to bin' date. Shame though.

But I am enjoying bolting bits up to the white shell.

 

Being the skin flint I am (ok maybe not) - I decided on a slightly different dash route - An aftermarket motorbike dash. Cheap as chips, enough inputs (ok need an oil pressure gauge) - but at sub £150 delivered with everything I'm pretty happy. And it fits in with the 'no weight' ethos - 20 bensons weigh more!

 

It's plenty big enough too as it sits on the column just behind the wheel.

 

Check out the Koso DB-02R (with the indicator dash):

http://www.digital-speedos.co.uk/new-db02r-with-universal-indicator-kit-120-p.asp

nice reminder - will check tomorrow