GT6 Chassis

I spotted a renovated Spitfire Mk IV chassis (same as GT6 Mk3) with mods made to the rear axle, as well as the front suspension having been fully rebuilt. The owner has too many projects on and needs to get rid of it.

The rear axle has been replaced, rather professionally, with one from a Mazda MX5. 

Using a Mazda MX-5 rear axle on a Triumph GT6 Mk3 can offer several potential benefits, or so I discovered, in terms of handling, reliability, and modernisation:

• The MX-5 rear axle has an Independent Rear Suspension setup compared to the original Triumph swing axle. The original GT6 swing axle can suffer from camber change during hard cornering, leading to tuck-in and potential oversteer. The MX-5’s IRS design provides more consistent camber and better stability in corners.
• Many Mazda MX-5 models come with a limited slip differential as standard or as an option, which can improve traction, especially in spirited driving or on uneven surfaces. This is particularly beneficial for performance builds. This one has an LSD.
• Parts for the MX-5 are more readily available and affordable compared to original GT6 parts, making maintenance easier and possibly cheaper in the long run.
• The MX-5 rear axle setup can accommodate modern, disc brake upgrades, offering better stopping power and safety compared to the original drum brakes often found on classic Triumphs.
• Swapping to a more modern axle can help with weight distribution, especially when combined with the lighter materials and design of the Mazda rear. This can improve the overall balance of the car, enhancing its agility.
• The MX-5 axle is built with more modern materials and engineering, making it potentially more robust and suited to high-torque applications, should I be increasing the GT6’s power output at any future stage.

It will save me a lot of time on my rebuild, as well as bringing the handling into the 21st century. I do like originality, but if a mod has definite advantages, then I'm all for it. Additionally this mod is hidden under the tub. There would be a little work in setting tub fixing studs, but nothing too major. Cost? £800, which is a steal, as a well renovated chassis on its own can cost that much, and I get both the rebuilt front suspension and the modded rear axle.

I made a commitment to it with a 10% deposit and just need to organise the recovery truck from work to collect it. Part of the cost could be recouped by selling my existing chassis which, if in good condition, should fetch at least half of the outlay for the one advertised. In any case, I'm not too keen on stitching the new front section on to my chassis, as the slightest error in positioning would result in endless problems aligning the bonnet. I am, after all, a measure once (if at all) and regret forever type of person, rather than a measure 3 times and cut once type of person.

I'm also thinking of getting a totally new loom made up. A new one would come with all the correct connectors and circuit breaks (or potential circuit breaks) would be eliminated. They're not prohibitively expensive at £382. 

Just as an aside, the company providing new looms also does looms for Mercedes R129s. There's not one listed for an 500SL and the nearest is for a 350SL - at over £900. I would imagine a 500SL would be over £1,000, meaning I got a good deal on the £650 one from Germany, despite the customs dues. I'm hoping the 500SL will be in the road before next spring. The problem then will be finding space for it - we have the Galaxy, the Peugeot Partner, the Hyundai i10, the motorhome and the GT6.