N.Z. article

[colin artus]

I can't remember seeing this posted here before:
http://www.constructorscarclub.org.nz/Articles/stratosvssaker.html

[Steve Poole]

Hi Colin,

It was brought up somewhere with a link because i remember viewing it, but can't find it....think Snapper brought it up but can't be sure, Stratos wins everytime in those fight offs for me anyhow.

Steve

[Patriq Backlund]

What rims are those on the Stratos ?

They look familiar.

[Chris J]

What rims are those on the Stratos ?

They look familiar.

They're a split rim 15" Compomotive (TF?).
No longer listed by Compomotive, which I can't understand because it was one of the best in their range. Other old Compomotive split rim styles live on.

[DaveAk]

Chris J.

Round arch group 4 looks good doesn't it Chris? - Go on do it, you know you want to!!!

Dave

[Chris J]

Chris J.

Round arch group 4 looks good doesn't it Chris? - Go on do it, you know you want to!!!

Dave

Not this year Dave. I've already had two cars with round arches, so you don't have to sell me the idea!

I think rear arches would be the thin end of a group 4 wedge for me. It's either keep my car in it's 'pre production/prototype' guise or go the whole 4 lamp pod/roof scoop/rear louvres/rear wing/rear spoiler and wheel arches thing. Nothing half way, it's got to be either one or the other.

[Steve Strain]

Hi Guys

Colin, I am pleased you found the article, it was written several years ago for our clubs monthly magazine. It is typical of 100’s of articles published by our local members (we have had up to 270 local members with a variety of cars).
The win might have been more convincing if the writer had noticed the Stratos’s rather large boot (vs the Sakers none). It will hold two sets of clubs (excluding trundler’s) and has on more than one occasion sneeked the odd (odd helps) friend into race and Air Show events.

Sakers are locally made with two versions the one you see and an open top "Sprint". There are popular track race cars here with lots racing in Europe and the USA. Most have Lexus V8 and turbo'd Subaru power.

Yes the wheels are Compomotive FH 500's which I bought in the UK back in 1989 - they were the wheels to have at the time. As you note they are unfortunately no longer made or supported by Compomotive. I have emailed them a number of times over the years and more lately about 16" stepper rims for the rear and replacement centre caps. Compomotive say they can’t help.

Since the above article was written I have converted from Guy Croft Beta power to 164S (clover leaf) and had the interior (apart from the seats) finished professionally. You can see some of the conversion in my gallery. Like others I would upload more pictures but as you know the gallery has been stuffed for years.

By way of a bit of trivia - there are 6 cars down here in NZ which could be the highest Stratos per head ratio in the world with two round arch Grp4’s, two Stradale’s and two Litton’s, (mind you we probably have the highest Ferrari and Lamborghini ratios as well.

Cheers

Steve

[Chris J]

Yes the wheels are Compomotive FH 500's which I bought in the UK back in 1989 - they were the wheels to have at the time. 6

Compmotive 'FH'. Thanks Steve.

I don't know why they knocked that popular design on the head? I've seen them fitted to many cars including 308 Ferraris and even two original Stratos.

[Patriq Backlund]

Compmotive 'FH'. Thanks Steve.

I don't know why they knocked that popular design on the head? I've seen them fitted to many cars including 308 Ferraris and even two original Stratos.

Yes, agreed - they don't look too bad..
:)

I'm still in the process of collecting donor parts. Will probably sell my Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato to finance the Hawk kit eventually. (Wouldn't mind keeping it though)

So far my plans are for a Prototipo style - as Chris'. I really want the rims that are on the prototipo. But that means producing them some way. So I'm also looking for alternatives.

[Timberwolf]

"there are 6 cars down here in NZ " Could be up to 7 soon....

Looking to emigrate and what with everything the half finished kit will probably be coming too.

What is the legal side of kit cars in NZ? Do you have an equivalent of the SVA? or is it done on the COF and WOF which we became intimately acquainted with when we were down under nov-jan.

[Steve Strain]

Immigrating to NZ - Wow that's cool!

Any idea where you intend living?

Yes we have an equivalent system of vehicle compliancing administered by Low Volume Vehicle Technical Association, "LVVTA".
Your vehicle will need certifying during its construction process as complying with the current LVV standards. Once certified you then need the usual WOF and registration.

To have your car certified, your choices will be to either use the services of an independent registered certifier or join a LVVTA member club club like the Constructors Car Club (from which Colin found the above article). The Wellington based Constructors Car Club has its own certifiers with (and in my opinion a more user friendly) testing and cost structure as I am sure the other clubs have.

My car has been through the process twice, the first time back in 91 then again in May 2006 following the Alfa conversion. At this latter time the car went through the process again and was certified as complying with all the current rules. An LVVTA certification plate was then permanently attached to the car which essentially describes what the vehicle was when it was certified. This benefit's future WOF tester’s by providing the vehicle with a documented identity (and provides some value to owners and insurers).
I have also had the car homologated by Motorsport NZ back in 1995 so there may be a precedent for you here.

Here is a link you may find useful www.lvvta.org.nz it describes the process, FAQ's and other member clubs.

I don’t think you will have any problems with your car. The only likely issues (as probably in the UK) could be noise and future emission standards. Hopefully these will be sensibly applied considering the age of components you choose to use.

BTW do Not bring with you any car made after 1995 that does not have an internationally recognized frontal impact standard, e.g. some models of TVR, Porsches, Ferrari's etc unless you want it solely for track purposes. This applies to cars where [U]more than 200/U] were manufactured per annum.
Note that cars over 20 years old do not require full certification.

I hope this helps

If you have any specific "Stratos certification" queries I could forward them to my clubs LVVTA or alternatively contact Patrick at www.constructorscarclub.org.nz

Cheers

Steve

[Timberwolf]

Wow thanks steve! Fabulous answer, I'll get on with some research. We would only be bringing out a Hilux other than the strat. I know there are thousands out in NZ but 'better the devil you know', it was nearly new when bought and we're not over the depreciation hill yet. Strat is still at the empty chassis stage, just pulled off the rear suspension (it was a part completed project), to give maximum room for a trial fit of the engine (alfa 24v), and to detail it all.

Homologation - is that for NZ events? I'd love to compete once over there, fabulous roads/tracks. Any websites I should know about?

Looking to settle in the Marlborough Sounds area, (our fav bit during our travels) but would need to follow a job offer initially. As you probably know the immigration process is quite tortuous, so we're looking at a 1-2 year time scale. Besides we've got to tie up all the loose ends over here.