Resto-Mod Micro Car w/Sport Bike Power

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Ben Modified

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2015
Messages
387
Because two on-going projects was just not enough.

31099235665_52d40f958f_b.jpg
[/url]20140808_134430 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


I have been collecting parts for a while now. The project is a 1959 Italian car..an Autobianchi Bianchina. It features a foot print of approx. 4 feet wide by 9 feet long with Suicide Doors and a Cloth Ragtop and is similar to a Fiat 500. It was originally powered by a 2cyl 15hp Fiat 500 drivetrain. That setup is long gone as is the transaxle, the floor and most of the glass. as a previous owner converted the car into some sort of golf cart-ish vehicle. The rusty steel floor was cut out and replaced with a flat aluminum structure which was then screwed and riveted to the rusty rocker panels and various other rusty spots. A Cushman Truckster rear axle was then bolted directly (no suspension) to the underside of the car. The front brakes were disconnected and the master cylinder removed. An aluminum threaded rod was attached to the brake pedal which was then run under the drivers boat seat and on to the parking brake mechanism of the cushman rear end. Since the rear axle is far too narrow to fit properly, some adaptors were made to space the wheels out.

30334434853_00acfa975c_k.jpg
[/url]20161120_144625 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

30334435143_d7681913cf_k.jpg
[/url]20161120_144615 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

30773693470_c044e92eef_k.jpg
[/url]20161120_144622 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

30773693600_5c2fe5084d_k.jpg
[/url]20161120_144614 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Complete with gate hinges on the deck lid

30773692350_0840e2f53a_k.jpg
[/url]20161120_145329 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


It does not appear that the car ever ran in its present configuration as there is no evidence that any sort of motor was installed.

My plan, which of course is subject to change, is to use narrowed Miata subframes with stock Miata suspension connected by a tube frame and powered by a Hayabusa or similar engine. I have not decided on whether to use a differential with the motor turned sideways or a chain with the motor in its normal position. There is sufficient space for both. I am inclined to go with the chain drive as I am going to try to keep the weight under 1400 lbs. The chain drive would be set up as a spool (less civilized but lighter and cheaper) or with an enclosed Limited Slip Differential. The aftermarket lsd's that I have found are pricey, so I am looking at some junkyard pieces that can be modified to hold oil without the carrier. If any of you have performed this modification, I would like to hear about your experiences. The subframes will need to be narrowed about 13 inches and likely be trimmed significantly after the tube frame is in place for additional weight savings.
I picked up complete subframes and suspension/brakes along with 4 steel wheels/tires and a mini spare yesterday and carted them home in the back of my Scion xB along with a floor jack, 4 jackstands and tools

30290745684_427c69f3a0_k.jpg
[/url]20161118_171450 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

30290745594_e280b906b1_k.jpg
[/url]20161118_171505 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I plan to use an electric reverse, similar to the one that I have on my V8 Daihatsu Hijet (Build at http://www.BenModified.com)

28963193225_4eac5ff3fb_b.jpg
[/url]20151031_143856_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


which uses a flexplate and starter from a late model Ford Taurus. It was affordable, works very well and has been very reliable. I also plan to use the original hubcaps from the Daihatsu which I plan to adapt to the steel Miata wheels for a retro / sleeper look with short side wall tires to maintain stock overall tire diameter

30773693010_2bcb978878_z.jpg
[/url]20161120_144940 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


I have also accumulated a new windshield, rubber gasket, a new cloth top and various reproduction chrome trim pieces. Currently in search of a wrecked superbike for the donor drivetrain.
 
Last edited:
Can you size your pics consistently? Many are 3X too wide, which makes it difficult to follow and read your threads, from a PC anyhow...

.
 
Can you size your pics consistently? Many are 3X too wide, which makes it difficult to follow and read your threads, from a PC anyhow...

.

That's strange. I tried resizing them in Flickr but they still should up oversized in the forum. When I click on the photo in the forum, it takes me to the normal size photo on Flickr. Any suggestions?
 
That's strange. I tried resizing them in Flickr but they still should up oversized in the forum. When I click on the photo in the forum, it takes me to the normal size photo on Flickr. Any suggestions?

You can't change the size of pics already posted. (Is that what you're trying to do?)

The size is "fixed" when you post it and it's not "backwards compatible". (If you edit the size in Flickr after the fact, it doesn't change what we see here.)

Trust me, I fought with this stuff before I got a handle on it. I size my pics by pixel count and find 800 pixels wide fits the forum "frame" without stretching the frame width.

Does that help at all?

.
 
You can't change the size of pics already posted. (Is that what you're trying to do?)

The size is "fixed" when you post it and it's not "backwards compatible". (If you edit the size in Flickr after the fact, it doesn't change what we see here.)

Trust me, I fought with this stuff before I got a handle on it. I size my pics by pixel count and find 800 pixels wide fits the forum "frame" without stretching the frame width.

Does that help at all?

.

yes, thanks. it appears that my efforts so far have only made half the photos disappear!
 
I'n kind of irritated. I'm the guy that builds little cars on the web site. Now you go building a car that is smaller than "little". Just kidding, Ben. Looking forward to this build as well as your others Hope you get the picture sizing under control.
 
Because two on-going projects was just not enough.

31099235665_52d40f958f_b.jpg
[/url]20140808_134430 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


I have been collecting parts for a while now. The project is a 1959 Italian car..an Autobianchi Bianchina. It features a foot print of approx. 4 feet wide by 9 feet long with Suicide Doors and a Cloth Ragtop and is similar to a Fiat 500. It was originally powered by a 2cyl 15hp Fiat 500 drivetrain. That setup is long gone as is the transaxle, the floor and most of the glass. as a previous owner converted the car into some sort of golf cart-ish vehicle. The rusty steel floor was cut out and replaced with a flat aluminum structure which was then screwed and riveted to the rusty rocker panels and various other rusty spots. A Cushman Truckster rear axle was then bolted directly (no suspension) to the underside of the car. The front brakes were disconnected and the master cylinder removed. An aluminum threaded rod was attached to the brake pedal which was then run under the drivers boat seat and on to the parking brake mechanism of the cushman rear end. Since the rear axle is far too narrow to fit properly, some adaptors were made to space the wheels out.

31279168512_3a176a621f_b.jpg
[/url]20161120_144625_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31279170132_48ca1fb310_k.jpg
[/url]20161120_144615 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]



Complete with gate hinges on the deck lid

30616615693_f9b6525b8e_b.jpg
[/url]20161120_145329_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


It does not appear that the car ever ran in its present configuration as there is no evidence that any sort of motor was installed.

My plan, which of course is subject to change, is to use narrowed Miata subframes with stock Miata suspension connected by a tube frame and powered by a Hayabusa or similar engine. I have not decided on whether to use a differential with the motor turned sideways or a chain with the motor in its normal position. There is sufficient space for both. I am inclined to go with the chain drive as I am going to try to keep the weight under 1400 lbs. The chain drive would be set up as a spool (less civilized but lighter and cheaper) or with an enclosed Limited Slip Differential. The aftermarket lsd's that I have found are pricey, so I am looking at some junkyard pieces that can be modified to hold oil without the carrier. If any of you have performed this modification, I would like to hear about your experiences. The subframes will need to be narrowed about 13 inches and likely be trimmed significantly after the tube frame is in place for additional weight savings.
I picked up complete subframes and suspension/brakes along with 4 steel wheels/tires and a mini spare yesterday and carted them home in the back of my Scion xB along with a floor jack, 4 jackstands and tools

31054555170_4cef3201d0_k.jpg
[/url]20161118_171450 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


I plan to use an electric reverse, similar to the one that I have on my V8 Daihatsu Hijet (Build at http://www.BenModified.com)

28963193225_4eac5ff3fb_b.jpg
[/url]20151031_143856_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


which uses a flexplate and starter from a late model Ford Taurus. It was affordable, works very well and has been very reliable. I also plan to use the original hubcaps from the Daihatsu which I plan to adapt to the steel Miata wheels for a retro / sleeper look with short side wall tires to maintain stock overall tire diameter

31309151561_235d74ab14_b.jpg
[/url]20161120_144940_resized by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I have also accumulated a new windshield, rubber gasket, a new cloth top and various reproduction chrome trim pieces. Currently in search of a wrecked superbike for the donor drivetrain.

I no longer get the option to edit my original post, so here are the photos
 
I may have the photos sorted out now. This is just a sample. Please let me know how they look. Thanks


31101199750_0e6109278f_z.jpg
[/url]20161120_145037_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I have been collecting parts for a while now. The project is a 1959 Italian car..an Autobianchi Bianchina. It features a foot print of approx. 4 feet wide by 9 feet long with Suicide Doors and a Cloth Ragtop and is similar to a Fiat 500. It was originally powered by a 2cyl 15hp Fiat 500 drivetrain. That setup is long gone as is the transaxle, the floor and most of the glass. as a previous owner converted the car into some sort of golf cart-ish vehicle. The rusty steel floor was cut out and replaced with a flat aluminum structure which was then screwed and riveted to the rusty rocker panels and various other rusty spots. A Cushman Truckster rear axle was then bolted directly (no suspension) to the underside of the car. The front brakes were disconnected and the master cylinder removed. An aluminum threaded rod was attached to the brake pedal which was then run under the drivers boat seat and on to the parking brake mechanism of the cushman rear end. Since the rear axle is far too narrow to fit properly, some adaptors were made to space the wheels out.


31101199810_208bc83312_z.jpg
[/url]20161120_144625_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31101199980_6ca0cd16fe_z.jpg
[/url]20161120_144622_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31101199990_07804dee7a_z.jpg
[/url]20161120_144615_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31101200020_95d36f72e9_z.jpg
[/url]20161120_144614_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

I purchased a complete front and rear miata suspension complete with 4 steel wheels, and a mini spare all packed in my Scion xB along with a full size floor jack, 4 jackstands and tools. The subframes will need to be narrowed 13"

31101200190_72cf5c6b51_z.jpg
[/url]20161118_171450_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
I can see them fine except where he was having trouble resizing them. After the resize about three posts up, they look good, just the right size.
 
Made some motor mounts and fit the engine

31550790440_7a60f6c762_z.jpg
[/url]20161224_165531_resized_2 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31550790670_5d520c2903_z.jpg
[/url]20161223_165544_resized_2 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31550790620_fd2d6a2626_z.jpg
[/url]20161224_165454_resized_2 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]
31550790360_33ce6582c7_z.jpg
[/url]20161224_165940_resized_2 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

After bracing the body, I am cutting out the rocker panels...which were full of walnuts and acorns

31550790280_79d93b3a9c_z.jpg
[/url]20161225_132724_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Separating the body from the make shift chassis

31083988574_565a27c750_z.jpg
[/url]20161226_150940_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

31083988534_1a29e7b90c_z.jpg
[/url]20161226_160503_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

Fitting the body to the new chassis

31083988474_8c322843c6_z.jpg
[/url]20161226_163827_resized_1 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]

31083398814_6fc8a96346_z.jpg
[/url]20161227_085323_resized_2 by Ben Modified, on Flickr[/IMG]


http://www.BenModified.com



 

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