Morris Cowley body

[dubbelduwwel]

Local ad in South Africa:
"One of a kind Morris Cowley body for sale ,cab only no load body Extra doors fenders and bonnet Grill also available Perfect project car. R2 000"
www.gumtree.co.za/a-cars/melkbosstrand/project-cars/1001128546920910015017509

Your feelings re viability: Can body be salvaged, upgrade to modern drive train (what?) and keep it a sort of sleeper, rod it, etc etc?

[TS]

That looks like a lot of work. They really don't make them that strongly nowadays though do they?

[v8ian]

I wonder what chassis swap would work, There has to be a small modern PickUp chassis that will fit the cab, In SA you must have a better choice of PU than we do,

[dubbelduwwel]

May 16, 2014 15:23:23 GMT TS said:

That looks like a lot of work. They really don't make them that strongly nowadays though do they?

Indeed not! Just look on this board!

[omega]

I wonder if a Suzuki 4 wheel drive would fit under there

[dubbelduwwel]

May 16, 2014 15:55:09 GMT v8ian said:

I wonder what chassis swap would work, There has to be a small modern PickUp chassis that will fit the cab, In SA you must have a better choice of PU than we do,

I would be hesitant to attempt this with a monocoque donor for obvious structural rigidity reasons. Small pickups with a ladder frame is obviously non existent and thus, as I see it, the solution might be to shorten a standard One Ton pickup chassis. But it would be a nightmare finding body spares and has huge potential to turn into a 20 year project... Before it is sold as an unfinished project!

[jpsmit]

I could imagine you finding a solution to the undercarriage issue, however I note from the ad that ony the cab is for sale not the box. The cab is lovely but to my mine the box is what makes the truck unique. Before you make the decision, you might need to imagine what will go behind the cab and how that will affect the look.

[v8ian]

May 26, 2014 12:49:54 GMT dubbelduwwel said:

May 16, 2014 15:55:09 GMT v8ian said:

I wonder what chassis swap would work, There has to be a small modern PickUp chassis that will fit the cab, In SA you must have a better choice of PU than we do,

I would be hesitant to attempt this with a monocoque donor for obvious structural rigidity reasons. Small pickups with a ladder frame is obviously non existent and thus, as I see it, the solution might be to shorten a standard One Ton pickup chassis. But it would be a nightmare finding body spares and has huge potential to turn into a 20 year project... Before it is sold as an unfinished project!

I'm fairly certain they are not monocoque they have a detachable chassis

[dubbelduwwel]

May 26, 2014 12:49:54 GMT dubbelduwwel said:

May 16, 2014 15:55:09 GMT v8ian said:

I wonder what chassis swap would work, There has to be a small modern PickUp chassis that will fit the cab, In SA you must have a better choice of PU than we do,

I would be hesitant to attempt this with a monocoque donor for obvious structural rigidity reasons. Small pickups with a ladder frame is obviously non existent and thus, as I see it, the solution might be to shorten a standard One Ton pickup chassis. But it would be a nightmare finding body spares and has huge potential to turn into a 20 year project... Before it is sold as an unfinished project!

THAT is now an interesting thought... Friend is driving an old SJ40 - I'll take some measurements.

[dubbelduwwel]

May 26, 2014 13:36:23 GMT v8ian said:

May 26, 2014 12:49:54 GMT dubbelduwwel said:

I would be hesitant to attempt this with a monocoque donor for obvious structural rigidity reasons. Small pickups with a ladder frame is obviously non existent and thus, as I see it, the solution might be to shorten a standard One Ton pickup chassis. But it would be a nightmare finding body spares and has huge potential to turn into a 20 year project... Before it is sold as an unfinished project!

I'm fairly certain they are not monocoque they have a detachable chassis

The only small/half ton pick ups we have in SA is an Opel/Chev, based on the Corsa, the Nissan P200 (probably Renault sourced)and until a few years back, the Ford Bantam - all monocoque and FWD. Also, being basically a third world country, vehicles are not scrapped until and unless they literally fall apart - thus no really cheap donor vehicles.

This project under consideration is however, unless something like a Suzuki chassis can work, as far as I am concerned, still born - a standard one ton chassis conversion would be labour intensive and quite expensive - shortening and narrowing the chassis, narrowing mechanicals - it goes on.

[dubbelduwwel]

May 26, 2014 13:12:49 GMT jpsmit said:

I could imagine you finding a solution to the undercarriage issue, however I note from the ad that ony the cab is for sale not the box. The cab is lovely but to my mine the box is what makes the truck unique. Before you make the decision, you might need to imagine what will go behind the cab and how that will affect the look.

I am fairly convinced that the load body can be copied, but as you'll see in a previous post, I am getting cold feet and realize that this is just not a viable project.

[crahel]

Go for it. make your own chassis. My father-in-law build up a hotrod from less. An old Toyota or ford pickup chassis could work, get the short wheel base. B1600 or b1800 mazsda will also work.

craig