I'added a plug for a fellow builders site to the sidebar. If you would like me to do the same for you, just leave a message!!
TTFN
JC
This site describes the construction of a home built, mid-engined car. First conceived in 1999 and inspired by cars such as the NCF Blitz and Onyx Tomcat. I finally began work this year(2005) with a friend, who is an Aircraft Engineer. Why Mistrale? Well, the author of 'A Year in Provence', described the Mistral as a "brutal, exhausting wind that can blow the ears off a donkey" - appropriate for a car with no roof, sides or windscreen. An 'e' was added as others have already used 'Mistral'
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Back to it at last.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnv3qQTShKTIswiWEuXyWg9AtO5KjZOalD1b3kTx7O23TvF-nzYaVBh6NeGFFICslU3816uO5d_vvPjZoAITTsSdK87-qxGgavYc7_4mNPx_QeAGwiM9yiuqSno-9dxE0c-c-Mg/s320/HPIM1322.jpg)
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At last some progress to report. Saturday began with John and I spending time aligning the brackets for the rear tie bars. These were adjusted carefully and the change in toe angle checked by using a laser pointer projecting onto a cardboard box 4m away. It was actually quite satisfying when the ‘sweet spot’ was found with no change discernible between full bump and full droop. I then set to work on the gearchange whilst john re-mounted the seats. I was never very happy with the previous mounts so they were replaced with threaded bar which now goes through floor rails. The gear change was prototyped in card first to ensure that the bracket fitted. It bolts onto the block using 2 of the transmission bolts. The lever is brought under the engine and now slides back/forth in a bearing. This will attach to a section of the steering column from the fiesta that has 2 UJs and a short shaft, before going along the centre tunnel. All in all, a satisfying weekend. At the end of it we couldn’t resist putting the back wheels on to see how it looked, and only lack of time stopped us assembling the front hubs!
Monday, September 03, 2007
I'm still here!!
Well, what a frustrating summer that has been - and I'm not just talking about the weather. last time i posted, I was looking forward to getting quite a bit done on the car. As you can tell from the lack of updates, this idea was foiled! I broke my shoulder 12 years ago whilst playing football and it chose this time to flare up again - I couldn't lift my arm, let alone do any cutting, filing etc. Unlike other times when it has caused problems, it took several weeks to settle this time and by the time it was usable it was school holidays and also time for a visit to canada with work! However, it is not all doom and gloom. Over the summer I sold the much loved MX5 - a bit of a girly car I know, but great fun nonetheless. This means that space has been created in the garage so the plan is for the mistrale to 'come home'. There is hopefully about a weekends work to get it temporarily onto 4 wheels so that it will go on a trailer - stay posted for more news!!!
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