In which the doughty duo get themselves and an Alvis Firefly Special ready for a Rally the Globe event to Istanbul. This to be followed by a Sid and Doris adventure through Greece, North Macedonia, Albania, states formerly known as Yugoslavia to Zagreb and so home.
Sid started to introduce the Bonkers’ Alvis Special a few months ago in this blog. Earley Engineering are still building that car, as they struggled to find the right staff. It is apparently now all coming together but not in time for the start in Ypres on 14th June 2022. Or the day after tomorrow as we call it.
So, Earley have generously loaned us their development Special. This is based on a 1933 Firefly, originally with 1,596cc four cylinder engine. It has solid axles, a cross braced ladder frame with a wheelbase of 11′ 10″ (or 3.6 metres for those reading in the 21st century) for a total length of 4.3 metres. The wheels are quite near the corners. The front springs end just ahead of the tyres. At the back a slab fuel tank sits on a frame. We do not want to be hit up the back. The notorious Ford Pinto did not have a 117 litre fuel tank…
Alvis did develop independent front suspension. It is not on here. The Firefly has Armstrong power steering and a turning circle which makes mini roundabouts something of a challenge. Fortunately it has great ground clearance, with 19″ rims and 6″ Dunlop racing tyres with an aspect ratio of about 100%, so you can go over small roundabouts.
The Special has put aside the four cylinder in favour of a super-torquey in-line six with about 3.5 litres, possibly from a 1935 Speed 20? Either way, it has three SU carbs with a special cooling fan delivering cold-ish air the the float chamber which live conveniently over the exhaust. (Why did it take so long to develop a cross flow?) It has a modern radiator and electric fan. Nor will the concours judges offer extra points for the alternator or electronic ignition. Never mind.
Alvis were early with all synchro boxes. This Special has a Ford Type 9 (as found in Granadas and Transits) with a very sweet action and five gears for main road bowling. The back axle does not like to be wound up too suddenly. Do not try to give it beans off a roundabout until settled. And it hates speed bumps. Really makes a fuss.
It is a two seater with a pair of slabby Sparcos, now much improved with Alex’s air filled lumbar cushions. There is very little oddments space. The doors hinge from the back (known as suicide doors) and are so short that the seat must be all the way back so you can get your feet into the car and down to the pedals. Then you pull the door shut, haul the seat forward and pull on the harnesses. Do not leave the keys in your pocket, a lanyard might help.
It is an open car with a hood the fits over the roll cage. There are no side windows. We will zip in night curtains to discourage people from rummaging. If it rains we will put on more clothes.
The ‘boot’ is a like a pick up without a tailgate. To the right are the jack, tools and fluids. To the left are the night side-curtains, two inner tubes, a tarpaulin, our wet gear and hotel bags.
The bodywork is all aluminium wrapped over a steel frame and an integral cage. The spare wheels are solidly mounted alongside the bonnet. The front wings are fixed to the body so it looks a bit odd on full lock. It is all unpainted ali. From the front it looks quite handsome in a rugged sort of way, a bit like Sid. From some angles there is essence of lunar rover, but then it was built for Peking to Paris and has done it twice (albeit, so we hear, breaking that Type 9 on the last edition).
So it is well over engineered for what we have in mind. Sid drove it for a couple of days in Wales. We have driven it here to go shopping and Doris drove it to choir where only the basses came to have a look.
The car is ready. Doris and Sid are still packing. But Doris has a list so all will be well.
There will be a couple of short updates from the rally and then full on Bonkers blogging once/if we are on the way home. Wish us luck.
Hi mister Bonkers,
I met you in Ypres. We had a nice talk. I was there for work and told you I was restoring a Morris minor. Maybe you remember.
Good luck with your journey. It must be a great adventure. If you are open to it I would like to see your own project when I visit the UK.
Kind regards,
Roel