Itty biity cars?????????

[jackhartjr]

Hi folks, sitting here wishing I was at 'Buss 08' instead got me wondering.
Anyone know of an itty bitty car that could be modified to fit in the roughly 7 1/2 foot long, 5 foot wide and 39 inch high bay in a Scenicruiser?
I have seen photos of one off the British 'Mini's that was done for a bus, they shortened the wheelbase and had a detatchable rear clip.
I looked at the MG Midget, it is still more than 12 feet long.
I am toying with looking into building a small 'hot rod' that would fit!
Any ideas out here?
Thanks in advance!
Jack

[Chaz]

That sounds like a fantastic project!!!! I intend to pull a VW, fiberglass bodied, dune buggy. ('60's Manx style) You might keep the VW motor/chassis in mind for such a project. They are very versitle and modification parts are readily available.
My Harley fits in my bay so that is what will be in there.
Also, I see some "licensed" golf carts that look like little Hot Rods. (Auburn car auction, Pumpkin Hot Rod Run, etc.) They had Lights, seat belts, etc. so I am "guessing" they are ok for the road.  I can't imagine them on anything but in town streets tho. Maybe they are just for communities.
  Good luck, and PLEASE keep us up on the project if you do it. I know I'd like to see it!! I may even be able to help in some small way.
    Chaz

[jackhartjr]

Hi Cahz, thanks for the reply.
I have seen some of the small cars in Key West, now I wish I had spent 2 minutes measuring them!
Anyone know the name of the ones down there?
A hot rod project is something I have wanted to do anyway, a matter of getting the front and rear wheels more toward the center.  I did see where you could bolt on a little 20 inch pick up bed to the bucket of one, that would reduce the length and give space for a gallon of milk.
I mainly want something that will fit in the bay, then be able to go out and do a little touring and pick up groceries!
Thanks again!
Jack

[Chaz]

As you already know, height will be your biggest obstacle. Golf carts can lay down their windshields
and steering wheels to be able to fit. But again, altho I have seen them licensed, I'm not sure if they really do meet the requirements of being driven on any/all roads. Maybe someone else here has that info.
A VW pan (chassis) can be cut to about any size within reason. To put my body on, I had to cut 14" out of the middle. Instead of using a dune buggy body, you could do something more like a "rail buggy" and then just close in the body with sheet metal. That's just a thought, but would probably be your easiest "ground up" build. Engine and tranny being in the rear make it SOOOOOOOOOO much easier.
  I use to be on a buggy forum: http://www.manxclub.com/  Excellent site!!! There are some exceptionally talented and experienced people on there. Much like this site!!!    But they have TONS more pictures!!!!!! 
  You could look around there and consult with them if you want to go that route.
  Keep us posted!!
    Chaz

[Chaz]

Jack,
  Check out this one: http://www.manxclub.com/botm-12-07/botm-12-07-5.htm
They have a Buggy of the Month contest. This is #5 for december.

   Later,
       Chaz

[Dallas]

How about something like one of these?

http://www.gekgo.com/bajaj-utility-vehicles.html

http://www.gekgo.com/3-wheel_rtm-tango_scooter_%20trikes.html

http://www.gekgo.com/scooter_coupe_gas_scooter_trikes.html

http://www.gekgo.com/bajaj_deliveryl_vehicles.html

[Chaz]

Dallas,
  Those are pretty cute!!!!!!!!!!!    They might even do the trick as it says they are street licenseable. But he would still have to "lop the top". The coupe would probably be the easiest as it would just be the windshield and roll bars. I'd be concerned about the others as the structural integrity might include the top.
  Neat stuff tho! Things like this are getting rather popular.
   Chaz

[busguy01]

Simple -- find a Honda 600 Buily in 1970 ~ 72. They are a 600CC front wheel drive air cooled. get the coupe version. Cut off the roof and about 2 1/2' out of the center. You then drive it from the back seat.  very popular a few years back for "bay cars" Not home to measure right now but as I recall - 52" wide X 31" tall X under 8' long -- with take off windshield. Liecense as a Honda. Some put on soft tops also.
JimH

[uncle ned]

   All sugestions are great but the best thing to do is call jack campbell "the guy with the eagle with a series 50"  He had one for sale.

uncle ned

[Sojourner]

Here a link of Honda 600 spec.
http://www.honda600source.com/sedanspec2.htm

http://www.honda600coupe.com/

I was at MAK's bus conversion rally in 97 at Las Vegas that had a Honda 600 shorten with windshield folded down. It went into Eagle bay nicely.

A gas power golf cart will fit in and can be street licensed. Such as EZGO....91" long, 47" wide and 46.5" at top of steering wheel. You could even modified column to tilt down.
They go about 27 mph. Lighter than electric type and go any where as long tank is not empty.
http://www.ezgo.com/personal/leisure/freedom_se.html

You can buy Chev conversion kit or whatever suits you.
http://www.blockbustergolfcarts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=579

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Jerry

[superpickle]

Im afraid Im just a bit to Paranoid for rideing round in one of those tiny lil DEATH Traps..
Just last night, a DRUNK on the wrong side of the road, hit a "MINI" Van head on Killing an intire familey of 5.
No WAY am i getting into somthin THHT small... 

Please keep SAFTY in mind... 

[Reddog]

Here's a link to an Eagle with that sort of setup:
http://www.tejascoach.com/consignbus.html
I have had 5 vintage Mini's, they are about 10 feet long in their original configuration. They made a jeep-like vehicle called a Mini Moke that could work, fold down windshield and all, but it too would need to be shortened. Seems like a shame to cut up a collectable car when there are so many FWD cars out there that a guy could pick up for a little bit of nothing to modify, lots of them already scat pretty good in stock form.  Sounds like a cool project.
Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO (-31 here this AM)

[kd5kfl]

Itty Bitty cars he wants...

http://microcarmuseum.com/tourindex.html

[Jeremy]

Here's a link to an Eagle with that sort of setup:
http://www.tejascoach.com/consignbus.html
I have had 5 vintage Mini's, they are about 10 feet long in their original configuration. They made a jeep-like vehicle called a Mini Moke that could work, fold down windshield and all, but it too would need to be shortened. Seems like a shame to cut up a collectable car when there are so many FWD cars out there that a guy could pick up for a little bit of nothing to modify, lots of them already scat pretty good in stock form.  Sounds like a cool project.
Doug Engel, Gunnison, CO (-31 here this AM)

Although genuine Mini Mokes are collector's items now, there are various 'kit car' Mini Moke replicas available, based of course on Mini components. There are lots of other re-bodied Mini-based kits around too (some examples below). A Mini base is the obvious way to go for a baggage-bay car due to it's cheapness and availability; there are other much smaller 'micro cars' around, but I personally wouldn't want to go smaller than a Mini on safety grounds if driving in normal traffic.







Jeremy

[Ednj]

Simple -- find a Honda 600 Buily in 1970 ~ 72. They are a 600CC front wheel drive air cooled. get the coupe version. Cut off the roof and about 2 1/2' out of the center. You then drive it from the back seat.  very popular a few years back for "bay cars" Not home to measure right now but as I recall - 52" wide X 31" tall X under 8' long -- with take off windshield. Liecense as a Honda. Some put on soft tops also.
JimH

>
this one fits in a GM