Luckily our nearest neighbour was about 600yds away and behind trees, otherwise they might have had something to say!
I haven't been on the lookout for a new one particularly, my dad is the fanatic. Although I have become rather interested in an engine swap, having been reading a few posts on the subject! Particularly the bit Mr Jelly posted about "100bhp is possible from a Mk1 R5 1.4". My current project thinking is this...
Earlyish shell with the chrome grille (already got one of these)
Bench seats front and rear (ditto)
Large Gordini alloys
Lower a click or two (big spanners at the ready)
Mk1 1.4 engine, definitely aim for 100bhp
5 speed transmission
Discs on the front (probably for the best)
So go for a very retro look on the outside, distressed paint like you see one some "rat look" VW Beetles and Type 2s. Keep the dash gear linkage and handbrake if possible.
At the moment I have a Citroen BX16v which is rather quick (160bhp in standard tune, weighs approx 1050kg, 0-60 in 7ish secs, 135mph) so I'm not looking to challenge this, but if one really can get 100bhp in a R4 that sounds like fun.
But a few questions...
1. Does anyone have any thoughts/info etc on the 5 speed transmission in a R4? What are the ratios like? I believe they upped the ratios in the GTL, all the R4s I've owned/driven have been 845cc. My ideal would be this box with a further 5th I suppose. What's the 5 speed box like and can you keep the over-block linkage when using it?
2. There seem to be several types of "Gordini" alloys, the ones I want look like
this... what are they? Apart from "fat".
3. Are discs and the dash handbrake incompatible? I really want to keep the bench seats so if necessary I could relocate the handbrake to somewhere else on the floor...