[TC18] British Classic

[ukbajadave]

Inspired by a true icon of motoring I present my first ever entry into a Eurobricks competition!

Edit: The pics in this post are the first build. Final pics are further down (but don't just scroll down there! Read this post too to see why I changed stuff)

Functions include:

Independent front and rear suspension.

Front steering via steering wheel. No HOG.

Opening front doors.

Opening bonnet.

Folding front seats to access rear.

Interior features the classic central dial layout. This is obviously someone's modified example judging by the parcel shelf speakers, extra fog lights and twin exhausts...

Total size is within contest guidelines at 14Hx15Wx30L.

Although built to the limit of my parts and skills it isn't perfect. I managed to include an opening bonnet but there is simply not enough room for the engine I wanted to add.

And because the steering arms are not in line with the suspension arms the toe in changes with the suspensions travel. At rest the weight of the model is sufficient to keep them straight but it does vary a lot!

A virtual pivot steering system might have been the solution for both these issues but I would have had to sacrifice the independent front suspension. Ultimately I did what I could with the parts at hand. A couple of snowmobile steering arms would've been very handy though.

Finally whilst the roof was off for interior pics I took the opportunity to mock up this little speedster

Thanks for looking, as always comments and suggestions welcomed.

Edited April 28, 2020 by ukbajadave

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

Great job capturing the shapes of this classic! 

I like the fact that you choose to have suspension. They look a bit on the light side, but I tend to overbuild things, so maybe I'm not a good reference.. 

[Jurss]

Nice looking model

but this is not good

13 minutes ago, ukbajadave said:

And because the steering arms are not in line with the suspension arms the toe in changes with the suspensions travel.

You still have time to correct it. 

Also, You can create some really fake engine, that looks like engine, when the hood is opened.

[Shtykoff]

Wow! So compact with bunch of features! Good job

[ukbajadave]

@Jurss You're right, there is still time and although I'm happy with where I am so far I should push myself a little more 

I wonder if the solution is as simple as raising the steering rack one stud? At the moment the rack moves in one plane (red line) and the steering links (orange) are angled in relation to the suspension arms (green)

If I lift the rack so that the steering arms are blue will everything follow the same arc? The steering and suspension arms are both 5L

The original aim was to keep everything on the chassis as low as possible to make room for the engine.

[Jurss]

37 minutes ago, ukbajadave said:

If I lift the rack so that the steering arms are blue will everything follow the same arc?

Yes.

[amorti]

Cool model but can't help feeling this as a missed opportunity to do the actual classic mini's suspension, at least in the rear. The rubber 2L beams might (maybe?) have made a good elastomer spring.

[Jundis]

Overall great shape and instantly recognizable. But have you thought about changing the doors from the panel #17/18 to the curved panel 7x3?

[ukbajadave]

1 hour ago, amorti said:

Cool model but can't help feeling this as a missed opportunity to do the actual classic mini's suspension, at least in the rear. The rubber 2L beams might (maybe?) have made a good elastomer spring.

There were some real innovations in the original, enough so that I think a future project might be one of these in a bigger scale. Imagine one with rubber cones, FWD 4 speed gearbox and picnic hampers under the rear seats!

Still, comments inspire me to try different approaches so watch this space...

22 minutes ago, Jundis said:

Overall great shape and instantly recognizable. But have you thought about changing the doors from the panel #17/18 to the curved panel 7x3?

Almost anything that's orange came from the 42093 I bought to get contest spec wheels so limited parts I'm afraid. That's why the panels for the boot are Panels with lots of holes instead of much better ones. The entire body was based on what was in the box. We all know white bonnet stripes should really have a white roof too.

Edited April 19, 2020 by ukbajadave
Typo

[amorti]

Indeed! Building classic mini suspension with anything like the actual mechanism would be quite a feat, but certainly a worthy challenge. That would mean the rear swingarm suspension with pushrods pressing on some kind of elastomer (tiny tyres maybe?), And proper front suspension with longer lower arms, pressing up on an elastomer. I'd definitely like to it done!

[ukbajadave]

Rear suspension now more accurate to prototype. Proof of concept

Built into existing chassis. Yellow axles are wheel position.

When I told the wife I'd built suspension like a real mini she said "What? Hard, bumpy and uncomfortable?"

She's not a fan

[amorti]

I dare say first time it's been done.

Funny thing is, just like the original, you now have room for a decent bit of luggage space :)

Nice one 

Edited April 19, 2020 by amorti

[vascolp]

I love your car! Mini was my first car, what a fun! That rear suspernsion is really nice, very appropriate for this scale.

Lets see how it works wit a complete body.

About the engine, check other TC18 threads, there are solutions where the crankshaft is made out of smaller pieces, maybe you can build a smaller engine that fits!

[brickless_kiwi]

On 4/20/2020 at 9:27 AM, ukbajadave said:

Rear suspension now more accurate to prototype. Proof of concept

Built into existing chassis. Yellow axles are wheel position.

When I told the wife I'd built suspension like a real mini she said "What? Hard, bumpy and uncomfortable?"

She's not a fan

Tell the wife when you can drive over a cigarette and tell if it's filtered or unfiltered then you know it's hard..

I love the build 

[Seasider]

That’s a great rendition of a classic Mini. The did one back when we had the Mini model competition, but it was very square.

[ukbajadave]

I should add WIP to the thread title as I thought I was nearly done but now it's back in pieces!

I've raised the steering arms level including the 1/2 offset due to the way I built the hubs. Now the holes in the steering rack are vertical rather than horizontal. I don't want to go HOG so how can I connect the steering wheel (yellow axle) to the rack (blue beam)? Ideally without friction. Any suggestions gratefully received 

4 hours ago, Seasider said:

That’s a great rendition of a classic Mini. The did one back when we had the Mini model competition, but it was very square.

There was a mini competition? I must've missed that 

[Seasider]

@ukbajadave - no a mini model competition, not a build a Mini competition. It was years ago. But for it I did a Mini!

 

Found my original thread ...

 

Edited April 22, 2020 by Seasider

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

7 hours ago, ukbajadave said:

Any suggestions gratefully received 

I don't know if this meets your standards, but it works (the 16t is the transmission, steering axis is below) :

I've used this in a very simple car MOC for my son. It has a bit of play and little amplitude, but is quite reliable and serves as a limiter.

[amorti]

Problem with that solution might be space, as it probably wants to use the pin hole where the iconic round speedometer is attached.

Make the blue beam longer, and use half pins to secure a 3743 gear rack to it?

Down (up?) with a 32039 connector with a ball joint inserted (Pittman arm), then use a steering link to connect to the far end of the blue beam?

Edited April 23, 2020 by amorti

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

On 4/23/2020 at 2:21 AM, amorti said:

Problem with that solution might be space, as it probably wants to use the pin hole where the iconic round speedometer is attached.

No. It would work perfectly with the current offset, just offset the dark azure 7L (and maybe use 9L) too.. 

And I've just seen that TLG used a very similar solution on 42098's car. So if it's good enough for them..

Edited April 26, 2020 by 1980SomethingSpaceGuy

[ukbajadave]

Spent a bit of time on this over the weekend and came up with this based on the suggestion of @1980SomethingSpaceGuy Cheers!

Having the steering axle above the blue beam means there is no limiting as in his example. There is a rubber band to provide this function which also stops the beam from lifting.

@amorti I had completely forgotten about 3743 1x4 gear rack. I even have a couple in my parts from the 80's box but at 4L I would have needed to put it near the centre line of the car and then linked the steering wheel with gears or chain (or thinking about it as I type a parallel link)

Updated pics to follow and then I think it's time for the entry post...

[1980SomethingSpaceGuy]

Great! 

@amorti's solution was valid though: you may offset the rack as well, I guess. 

[amorti]

Like it.

Mix of both solutions - steering solution from  @1980SomethingSpaceGuy and extending/offsetting the rack from me.

Not sure how I jumped from extending the blue beam and missed that it would let that solution work without getting into (a loosely pinned on) rack and pinion or over complex Pittman linkage.

It's a nice community, this :)

[ukbajadave]

I did try extending the blue beam and using a rack but the tyres rubbed on turning. I also found this little beauty which I think belonged to a blue go kart?

The car is about finished now, everything works reliably and its sturdy enough for me. The body and chassis remain largely the same. I've changed some L beams at the front which rubbed and secured the headlights better.

Functions are the same as before, opening doors and bonnet, tilting seats, steering via steering wheel (no HOG) and independent front and rear suspension.

Not functional but very decorative transverse 4 cylinder engine.

All bodywork easily removable.

Well within size limit still.

And finally if you've read this far my inspiration from many years ago 

[Tomik]

I like your Mini especially its front with grill and headlights. It is also interesting how you made suspension with rubber belts.