I see that the some type 2 or 3 models have a groove in the fiberglass body corresponding to the exhaust pipe, but others not. Can anyone tell me if that’s a current feature and which model has it?
I seriously regret selling my lovely old type 1 a few years ago, and the itch never goes away, maybe time for a scratch!
Exhaust groove feature in Type 2/3 Models
Re: Exhaust groove feature in Type 2/3 Models
The exhaust groove appeard on the Type 2 body but disappeared on the T3. The chassis upright near to your leg became curved on the T3 to give more leg room, which would have fould on the groove detail.
Re: Exhaust groove feature in Type 2/3 Models
Yes, the exhaust groove appeared with the type 2 body, which was in fact a larger fibreglass moulding that dropped over a type 1 chassis. Tony also took the opportunity to extend the car at that time.
The ‘plop on’ body was of course wider and so would touch the exhaust pipe, hence the groove.
I spoke to Tony at great length about this upgrade, wondering how it would be fixed to the chassis. Tony told me, ‘make sure you get plenty of sealer in the corners’. True story!
The ‘plop on’ body was of course wider and so would touch the exhaust pipe, hence the groove.
I spoke to Tony at great length about this upgrade, wondering how it would be fixed to the chassis. Tony told me, ‘make sure you get plenty of sealer in the corners’. True story!
Re: Exhaust groove feature in Type 2/3 Models
Exhaust groove was / (is still as the T2 is a current model) a feature on the Type 2 ONLY.
Its a misconception that the groove is anything to do with the exhaust (other than its location) - it was actually done to increase the stiffness of the body sides as this was the first body made entirely from GRP, the previous T1 models had metal side panels.
Late model Type2 (and current T2) models have a revised groove which is shorter, starting just rearward of the foot position, this was done to increase the internal foot room by removing the inside of the groove shape which could be slightly restrictive for pedal operation..
It soon became evident that the groove was totally unnecessary anyway as the body shell proved extremely stable. there was some consideration given to revising the mould to remove the groove but it would have been a relatively expensive process with little benefit. Also by then the T3 design was well under way which deleted the groove completely and added internal space by incorporating an external curve to the entire body side and provided greater stiffness.
The LWB chassis revision was standardised on late model Type1 models and retained through all T2 and T3, the increase is 4". The front and rear sections remained the same with the centre of the body tub being elongated.
Its a misconception that the groove is anything to do with the exhaust (other than its location) - it was actually done to increase the stiffness of the body sides as this was the first body made entirely from GRP, the previous T1 models had metal side panels.
Late model Type2 (and current T2) models have a revised groove which is shorter, starting just rearward of the foot position, this was done to increase the internal foot room by removing the inside of the groove shape which could be slightly restrictive for pedal operation..
It soon became evident that the groove was totally unnecessary anyway as the body shell proved extremely stable. there was some consideration given to revising the mould to remove the groove but it would have been a relatively expensive process with little benefit. Also by then the T3 design was well under way which deleted the groove completely and added internal space by incorporating an external curve to the entire body side and provided greater stiffness.
The LWB chassis revision was standardised on late model Type1 models and retained through all T2 and T3, the increase is 4". The front and rear sections remained the same with the centre of the body tub being elongated.