Wanted: very good part time (hobbyist/retired) space frame chassis builder in Sussex.

[arthur rayner]

Hello all

Well, this might be a bloody daft request, but I'm after ideas, so here goes!

I'm 66 this week, and have cancer, which is under control. I've been building Morgan styled three wheelers at www.aerocyclecars.com for some 12 years or more now.

My chassis building man, a friend who is a blacksmith extraordinaire...has just had his left leg amputated due to diabetes, and will be out of the frame for months, if not a year perhaps, so between us, or at least I am...up the proverbial creek without the bleedin' obvious.

I could just wind up the business or sell it, but don't really want to let it go. In reality I'd sooner "give it away" in order to set someone up in a business of a kind, or an adjunct to another existing business.

There are similarities to our Lotus/Caterham chassis and mine (one wheel excepted of course!), so it occurs to me that perhaps within our coterie, might be just a suitable person, who is skilled, perhaps local in Sussex, (Ditchling) who might like a bit of a challenge, either joining me in some shape or form, or whatever.

In reality, if I'm to continue even in a very small way, I need someone highly skilled in mig welding and perhaps tig, who could weld up my chassis.

Any ideas will be gratefully listened to, and somewhere out in the ether might be the ideal person?!

I have punted the idea out to my local agricultural college (Plumpton) to see if their welding/automotive depts might have ideas or someone looking for such an avenue...nothing forthcoming at present though. 

[Golf Juliet Tango]

Ideas based on no direct experience who might be able to help or provide contacts:

Roach Manufacturing - who made the ali bodies for the 21 and restore all sorts of classic vehicles. http://roachmanufacturing.com/cms/

Mike Brotherwood - http://www.mikebrotherwood.com/

Have you thought about asking Arch Motors if any of their retired staff might be able to help you?

Extra Special Sevens - http://www.xtraspecialsevens.co.uk/

I appreciate that these are commercial operations and that is very different to a personal, direct relationship you are seeking.

[arthur rayner]

Thanks for that.

I did approach Arch motors many years ago. They brazes all the original Seven chassis, and they would have been too expensive I suspect.