The Retro Rides "Group Build" Project Car

[Mystery Machine]

Before I start, I would like to state that the following idea is designed primarily for us, as a bunch of car nuts, to have some fun as a whole group. For anyone and everyone to pull together in anyway possible to build a Retro Rides project car which will have a little part of all of us in it somewhere along the build and within the final product.

The end result will be a group built/customised/modified car which can attend the shows (first target RRG09), be a showcase for the forum and be used to promote the forum.

Without further ado, here is the plan: I have just bought a 1996 Toyota Camry V6 estate which I am intending to remove the engine from to transplant into an MR2 Mk1. Please have a look at the thread HERE for details of how & why I bought the car.

Since clocking up 500+ miles in the Camry in 48hrs, using it as a parts collector (more details of that little adventure HERE) I was beginning to think it's far too good a car to just rip the engine out of and scrap (after selling off some parts)

How about we use the remaining vehicle as a good base for a Retro Rides project build. The car is pretty mint and I would much rather see it given a new lease of life (ELV) than end up in the crusher.

So, ladies & gentlemen, I give you the Camry....









The car will be exactly as you see it in the above pics, but without an engine & ECU. See it as a blank canvas for anyone & everyone who is interested to convert into something special - something that anyone from Retro Rides can be part of.

What I am trying to say is that I am willing to donate this car to Retro Rides (all of you/us) as a project vehicle.

The first step will be to get ideas of what can be done with it. Get those themes going, those photoshop images displayed....let's see what you would want to do with this car.

Suggest powerplants and other mods.....

If you have parts you would like to donate to the project, please make them public - engines, wheels (5x114 PCD) etc....

If you have skills, knowledge, experience ANYTHING you think you can contribute, then please step forward.

You, the members, will choose/decide the look/theme of the build.
You, the members, will contribute parts to the build
You, the members, will help move the Camry from workshop to workshop as it progresses
You, the members, will help transport parts around the country
You, the members, will help find bits & pieces to keep the costs down (freecycle etc...)

So what about it? What can we do as a whole group to make this lovely car something special for all of us on this forum?

The motto for this project is: “OUR ride, OUR way”

Let's have some fun.....let's show the world what the Retro Rides mentality is all about.

Get those ideas, suggestions & offers rolling…..

[Tim]

Sounds like a good idea, and its a cool looking estate

looks a bit like a legacy from the front

[rmad]

Just a quick 'shop.

Short springs, Lexus rimmage from the 'bay and some subtle tints. Simple and cool.

[grizz]

I will buy that for a dollar.

Great idea Bruce, thanks for the offer.

I hope that some of the awesome skills we know live on the site will be applied to the car.

My local FREECYCLE had a Subaru up this last week, out of tax, in MOT, free to anyone, it could have donated bits etc.

There has to be loads of tuning bits all over the country that can be donated to the project.

I am sure this thread will become a legacy to all that are here with good intent.

[Autofive]

sounds a good idea, but will be fraught with problems

good luck with it, this is the last time i will speak of the subject

[thechevetteman]

I can see a clash of opinions going to happen with this car, as there are a great many people on this site, who prefer very different styles. Best of luck with it, and as above, will be the last time I will speak of this.

[Mystery Machine]

Thanks for the encouragement, but please feel free to PM me all the things you forsee causing problems....I'd like to think this could work, I personally don't see why it shouldn't but I am certainly open to suggestions, ideas and insights.

Also, just to add to the original post, I am not looking to make anything from this, I am not looking to keep the car myself or claim it as my own - I genuinely want this to be a fun project for the forum as a whole to get involved in. There is an 'end goal' in mind....but more details of that further into the project.

It'll be a lot easier for me just to break the car for spares and weigh it in, but where is the fun in that and where is the Retro Rides spirit in that??

[Mystery Machine]

Feb 11, 2009 23:09:41 GMT thechevetteman said:

I can see a clash of opinions going to happen with this car, as there are a great many people on this site, who prefer very different styles. Best of luck with it, and as above, will be the last time I will speak of this.

All the ideas & themes put forward will be made into a poll, so that the members decide what happens to the car. This is the fairest way to choose the route the car can take.

I am a little concerned that two out of four responses thus far have been so quick to be negative. This is supposed to be a fun excercise and one I hoped would bring out the best in RR members.

For a start, rather than saying "it wont work" why not just submit an idea? That's a contribution.....that's all I am asking for at the moment. The more people get involved, the better this will be.

A photoshop idea isn't a financial or physical commitment to the project, but it's a contribution that could help shape it though.....

[surprisingskoda]

the reason being for the above, chap, is, whilst it is an amazing idea and one i really, really wish would work... ask Daverapid about the 'forum car' idea for a mk1 rapid that needed rescuing. Less left than you have fingers and just ONE person put their money where their mouth was.
And that was a forum dedicated to the same type of car...

[kee]

i can only contribute ideas, as i am poor and stupid ;D



let's have less negative posts please, it's not needed

[tigran]

Mmmm, pulled arches, sitting about an inch off the floor on some 18' wheels. Pro street estate ;D

I could sort out some 18" OEM lexus wheels for the car when it comes to it. The biggest headache, and the problem we've had with the RCC car is moving it from workshop to workshop, granted this is a much bigger forum with a much bigger coverage. A weekend blitz of the car every month or two would possibly be the best idea, suterman stylee like so:

[Mystery Machine]

Feb 11, 2009 23:29:55 GMT surprisingskoda said:

the reason being for the above, chap, is, whilst it is an amazing idea and one I really, really wish would work... ask Daverapid about the 'forum car' idea for a mk1 rapid that needed rescuing. Less left than you have fingers and just ONE person put their money where their mouth was.
And that was a forum dedicated to the same type of car...

That's exactly the kind of view I am trying to avoid. If my mate fails his driving test, does that mean I shouldn't bother myself because I'll be doomed to fail as well??

It's what people are willing to put in that will make this work.

The more negativity displayed, the less likely it is to succeed, so thanks for your confidence in the idea and the other members.

Kee, thanks for the image - looks really sweet on those A's

Tigran, nice idea on the Lexus 18's.....if you fancy a go with photoshop (or post a pic of the wheels on here for someone else to have a go?)

Transporting will always be a bit of an issue, but cars seems to be moved around a lot when people want them to.....so there is still hope....

The weekend blitz is exactly the sort of thing I was picturing - I do it a lot with Delica's at my place.....but it would be great if the blitzing could happen in different places to give more people a chance to get involved.

It's not going to be an easy project, but as said before, you get what you put in.....and I do dearly hope that members want to contribute to it.....after all, it's supposed to be something fun.

Anyway, here is my initial idea:



Roofchop, slammed and running on 18" banded specsavers. Maybe the wheels idea has been 'done to death' - but on VW's, not J-tin.

Roofchop would be awesome - I could arrange for all the glass to be waterjet cut (safe, accurate and virtually zero risk of breakage!) but something like this would be a challenge for the members to really get their teeth into.

Now, if I could find a Lexus V8 going spare..... ;D ;D

[grumpybadger]

The fact that this probably shouldn't work is precisely the reason we should try.
I think that to appease the doubters certain details should be ironed out and layed down at the very start. Things like ownership, there has to be a name on the log book, who'll look after the kitty and what will happen if it stalls (The project, not the car).
Overall I like the idea, I remember a lotus forum restored a members car when he fell ill and a team of enthusiasts from all over the states flew in to a town at their own cost and restored a guys frog eye in a week so it can be done.
My personal thoughts on direction would be a woody surf wagon with polished slotmags.
I don't know what parts fit these but i'll certainly keep an eye out.

[HoTWire]

I say its all about the VIP styling on this kind of JWagon.



Rmad's approach is probably the most achievable without anyone having to give a massive out lay. Drop, Wheels + some subtle stuff.

[Mystery Machine]

Feb 12, 2009 8:07:03 GMT grumpybadger said:

The fact that this probably shouldn't work is precisely the reason we should try.

Thanks Dude, that's exactly the sort of attitude I hope will make this work. If people are into something, then it will happen.....

Feb 12, 2009 8:07:03 GMT grumpybadger said:

I think that to appease the doubters certain details should be ironed out and layed down at the very start. Things like ownership, there has to be a name on the log book, who'll look after the kitty and what will happen if it stalls (The project, not the car).

I am happy to change/ammend/add details where possible to keep things as open and transparent as possible.

I am happy to keep my name on the logbook or sign it over to someone else (Mr HW for example) - to me it's not important who legally owns the vehicle during the build. Keeping it in my name is the easy option, but it's not the only option.

As for the kitty, if people make any kind of donation then there will have to be a trusted member who looks after any money. I don't personally want to be that person because I am not a known quantity on this site and although my intentions are 100% for a genuine group project, I would rather someone more 'known' on this site is able to look after any money involved. Again, I think trasparency is the key....nothing hidden, so no reason to doubt.

Thanks again for the words of encouragement.

Bruce.

P.S. The woody idea is awesome! Exactly the kind of varied response I was hoping for.... ;D

[grizz]

Thanks Mr Grumpy Badger.... ;D

I do like that idea, the woodie,, it would be pretty far off the scale of expectation for a Japanese car. And that sounds about right, let your minds wander.



I am however not surprised at the responses above, both negative and positive.

Who remembers this thread ?
www.retrorides.proboards86.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=54036

An interesting thing one of the guys on there told me, was that they have more than 200 members, and the regular guys who come to work and maintain the old girl more than once a year number less than 20.
HOWEVER...... when there are trips organised to Europe etc, and a crew needed, people who litteraly had not been there all year, or lifted a tool, come creeping out of the woodwork, and want to stand proudly on deck like they did all the work.
I think the same sort of thing may potentially happen here. Projects like this do have the potential to devide, and do succeed if you let them.

Please do keep your comments comming, as it all contributes to the overall consistency of the project.

I would think with things like direction and responsibilities, the way to go forward would be concensus agreement.


I may not be a mechanic, I do not have floor space to work in, I do not have a trailer, so my contributions are null and void....... HELL NO !!
I make a decent cup of coffee, and a beter mug of tea.
I also have a company car with a towhitch to drag the trailer loaded with the PROJECT from point A to B. I can also write a really long post to say GUYS AND GIRLS. LET'S NOT KILL THE BABY JUST YET.

Most importantly, Ultimately everyone here can get a bit of feelgood factor in their trousers, helping, commenting, and being supportive. Come on, don't just read the thread, reply, and make this thread alive with opinions and guidance.

[Mystery Machine]

BTW - I have a 3.5 Rover V8 'spare' as a possible engine for the project. Just something to consider...although I don't want to be donating everything (even though I don't mind) because I'd love there to be as much group input as possible.

It is an option though??

[minimadmatt]

I think it's a very good idea.

I think that maybe the reason a few people don't like the idea is because the car isn't quite retro, but if the ideas that go into it are on a retro-ish theme then I don't see why it wouldn't work!

Some of the ideas here are very good already, I also like the idea of a VIP/woody J waggon, Also maybe pickup with a roof chop?

Grizz we also find with our steam waggon that you have many people saying they'l give us a hand when we need it etc but when it comes to a time we need them they are suddenly too busy! But come the summer they turn up expecting to help at shows and get into them for a free weekend away! Obviously it's only a few that do this but it still makes me wonder sometimes!

[grizz]

Feb 12, 2009 8:35:56 GMT Mystery Machine said:

BTW - I have a 3.5 Rover V8 'spare' as a possible engine for the project. Just something to consider...although I don't want to be donating everything (even though I don't mind) because I'd love there to be as much group input as possible.

It is an option though??

I would almost go as far as to put money on it that there are more than one Rover V8 "BARNFIND" type cars laying about that someone could donate, dragin it into the project should be again a shared responsibility.

[glow=red,2,300]I have to get to work..... to earn the right to that company car that I can use at 15p/mile to drag this old lady about in.[/glow]
A cost I would be happy to absorb and carry to keep things moving

[stealthstylz]

I think ideas like this are a bit like communism, in theory the greatest thing in the world but in practice there will always need to be an "owner" as such.

Matt