Hawk kit

[paul]

Hello everybody,i want to build a stratos replica but theres two main points that terrify me.The first is getting the donor parts,the second is that i have purchased a hawk build manual and to say it is vague is a compliment.Any help or input would be a great help thanks everyone.

[mogul_x]

Paul,

I was in your place about two years ago, so I know where you are coming from. In response to your questions:

originally posted by paul
The first is getting the donor parts

From what I've seen, most of the donor parts are not too difficult to acquire. You may not always be able to obtain them cheaply, but they can still be had. The only exceptions that I can think of are the Fiat 132 stub axles (Hawk cars does have a limited supply of these, priced reasonably), the Beta Series 1 glovebox lock (tough to find with a key!), the Beta series 1 mirrors, and, if you are so inclined, a set of Fiat Dino Coupe front markers.

The only one of these hard to find bits that is absolutely necessary are the stub axles. You can make substitutions for the rest, if need be. It will just not be as faithful to the original.

If I've left anything out, somebody feel free to chime in.

the second is that i have purchased a hawk build manual and to say it is vague is a compliment

No argument there. If you read through some of the threads on this list, you'll see a lot of advice about how to really assemble the car. Best bet is to post any specific quesitons here, and somebody should know the answer!

One thing that you should keep in mind - the Hawk is not an easy car to assemble. Not so much because it's complicated (it isn't), but because the parts don't always fit together very well. There is a lot of hand finishing and custom fabrication needed to put one together. Expect to do a lot of grinding, filing, or machining to make it all work. It's definitely not as straightforward as a Caterham or Westfield.

Best of luck in your endeavors!

[paul]

Thanks mate,sounds like hard work

[chris.richard]

I agree with Scott's comments.
As far as building is concerned, lots of lateral thinking and problem solving skills required.
You should consider this forum the definitive Hawk build manual! No two Stratos replicas are identical, but the originals didn't seem to be either!

[mogul_x]

Originally posted by paul
Thanks mate,sounds like hard work

Hard work - not really. Time consuming, perhaps a little frustrating, but it's not really difficult. At any rate, it's all worth it in the end, when you can finally drive the car. Even riding in one is a thrill!

cheers,

[rutthenut]

Originally posted by mogul_x
Expect to do a lot of grinding, filing, or machining to make it all work.

I wouldn't say that the kit is exactly easy to put together, and I also would not claim that the build manual is in-depth, but maybe I was somewhat lucky when building mine as I didn't seem to need any machining to get parts to fit. At least that was the case until I went for different options for brake hardware, anyway.

There is however quite a bit of work involved in grinding/filing the fibre panelwork, if that's what you are referring to.

All the same, there is a substantial amount of (rewarding) effort involved and plenty of assistance for when you get stuck or wonder about the best solution for any given problem you may find.

[mogul_x]

John,

So far, none of the parts supplied by Hawk Cars have needed any major machining to fit together, but a few of them have needed a little modification. Maybe you were lucky with yours, or I'm particularly unlucky.

I've had to take a few millimeters off in a lathe here and there. A lot of the spacers used in the suspension needed to be cut down. Also the shoulder on the inside of the bore on the rear upper spring plate on the Leda suspension.

Likewise, I needed to fabricate a spacer to adjust the height of my gear lever, so the main shift rod cleared the handbrake fasteners. Between that, and the modifications required to the X-1/9 overcenter catches, both a lathe and a milling machine were used, although perhaps not absolutely required.

Also, there are a lot of holes to be drilled in the frame, and I had to do a little grinding on the suspension bits - front lower control arm to clear the front damper on one side, and rear struts to fit the hub carrier. A very stout hand drill and die grinder were required for stuff like this.

No argument about the bodywork. Lots of sawing, filing, and sanding there! My garage has enough white dust all over everything, that the neighbors are getting suspicious. I'm surprised I haven't started an Anthrax scare:D

[John]

Paul,
Looking from the outside (as I have'nt actually started building my kit yet) I would have to agree that building the stratos replica is not going to be the easiest project ever. If you want one you just have to accept that there is going to be a lot of hard graft, certainly in the bodywork department.
As regards donor parts I was lucky in that I bought a chassis kit which included all the donor parts already sourced and it was particularly attractive not to have to go swimming round in the breakers yard mud.
The Corse kit which has now become available again has a slight advantage in that it can be built from all new parts, or if you wish to save by sourcing your own then they are more readily available ( Ford Scorpio ) in the breakers yard than the old Fiat/Lancia parts required for the Hawk.
There is a replica already being built in MK but I will let the owner introduce himself through the forum.
Rest assured you are in good company here for support with your build. I only discovered the forum after I had bought my kit but it has given me a lot of reassurance of help when I do get things started. There ain't nothin these guys don't know!

[lpriestland]

Hi Paul,

So you too live in MK, have a Stratos fetish and there's only a few months age difference between us.

Milton Keynes should officially be renamed "The Magic Kingdom", pass the word. I wonder if it's mentioned in the latest Harry Potter novel? If not then it's a glaring omission. :p

Rant over; I've replied to your personal message, now that I'm back at a PC. :cool:

Cheers, Lee

:D