Guys and girls,

There is a chance that the beautiful (not too strong a word I can assure you!!) B+ rear end back in mould.

Please e-mail Mark Young or myself if your shy (scirocco_turbo@hotmail.com) if you are one of the dozens of people that has expressed an interest over the past decade (well nearly) that I have been searching for a good B+ back end to mould from.

As normally happens Mark has come up trumps with one and all we need now is the comitment from you lot to get the moulds made!

£350 will be the price (based on 10 units I believe so could be less!!!!) to make your B+ (or any other 'early' car) look the dogs danglers!!!!!

Come on folks, I know I'm not the only one that has the dream of a shiney early Dutton that your proud to show off to your friends in the pub car park.

A car with a rear end to rival even Kylie's .......!!!!!

Please help us preserve this good looking and practical model for the future Dutoneers....

If the mould goes a head I will be looking at getting a famous trimmer not a million miles from my Cheltenham home to remake hoods and side screens. The patterns for those will then be available too ...... A concourse B+ is only around the corner............

Rog

:D

Its not until recently that I have had the chance to compare the differences in all the B type / Phaeton rear ends - and have to agree that the B type moulding really is "Right" for those who dont know the B type rear is similar to the S1/S2 but the boot lid is not full width and the its about 4 inches chorter and considerably lower that the S1/S2.

Plus its only now with a close look at the B and the S1 that all the differences are apparent and there is quite a few - the chassis legs at the back are different the opening bewteen the scuttle and arch is smaller - apart from the rear end - and obvious front end differences the spec then gets closer.

The wheelbase is the same at around 87 inches the track etc is similar depending on donor - the moulding for the tub appears very similar in the way there are seat shapes included.

Screens hoods and wet weather gear all seems to be the same and interchangeable.

For me the B type back end is pretty much perfect and it confounds me why onyone would want to change it by choice to the later S1/S2 rear end that to me always appears a little too long and narrow.

Ultimate Dutton has to have the B-type back end the S1 bonnet top ( no stupid ridges) S1 Dash - Cycle guards. - give car much more rakish stance on side view - clamshells appear to shorten already short car and make it appear somewhat dumpy.

And as for engines - V8 once bitten forever smitten.




Andrew

Any chance of some pics of the B+ rear compared to the others? :)



Cheers



G

:D

Yes will do - I will get some pictures sorted next time Sean drops over - should e soon as he wants some welding done to take some new shocks on the S1. and aslo the wing stays so he can fit his cycle guards - then its building the tubular wishbones. The list just gets longer.

My B+ just bought it off the Dutton Owner for sale - is a bit different to your average B+

Built in 1977 and exported supposedly it was Imported in 94 from the States and rebuilt. Has an interesting spec - especially considering the money asked and paid for it.

Engine is Rover 3500 V8 with Holley 390 on an offenhauser 360 manifold 14 x2 inch diameter K&N filter
Remote oil filter assy via a 16 row oil cooler
The manifolds are MGB V8 tubular ( not the best)
Rad up the front is fed by 2 electric fans
Probably a late P6 9.25 CR bottom end with later SD1 heads
developing around 170 BHP.
Sparks are boosted by a luminition system

Gearbox is a late SD1 3500 5 speed unit

Engine had not blown its actually in very good condition - the builder had neglected to fit any of the crankcase breathers - effectively pressurising the engine :o and the exhaust manifolds had a couple of cracks and the gaskets had seen better days - so it was covered in oil ( the fact it also had 4 litres more in than it should have did not help matters) and sounded like a diesel due to the exhaust leaks.

Exhausts are 2 off 2" straight through systems with Peco type rear boxes with 3" tailpipes - so very boy racer.

Suspension is Space adjustables all round - most of them shot Imp type at the back and triumph at the front. spings look like cut downs and really not very impressive.

Brakes at front are brand ne Princess Calipers on Spitfire hubs with 9.75" Vittesse discs - Offside hub had been butchered so disc was running out about 4mm - car would never have run on the road so this set up as new and un-used. Master cylinder also new as is clutch cylinder. The front hubs also have 3/4" bolt on adaptors to convert to ford

Rear axle is a 3.0L Capri item with fully rose jointed 5 link - Panhard is interesting as it has a bend in it !! - Rear handbrake is hydraulic. - Supposedly has a rally spec LSD but think this is unlikely - will need to strip and inspect.

Wheels are fantastic - Compomotive 3 piece slot mag ultra light racing split rims of 7.5 inch front and 9 inch rear with 205/60/14 front and 225/60/14 rear - they could do with being a lower profile in all honesty. They must have cost a fortune.

The chassis has been strengthened in a few places and the rear aches widened by 2" per side to clear the wheels - really Carlos Fandango with the 225's Roll bar has a couple of back stays welded in and a fire extinguisher mounted in the boot to the bars as the pass through on the way to the chassis. Fuel tank is the Dutton own make which looks like it uses a mini van sender. - filler is in a frenched in opening in the offside rear wing - that may have to go as I really like the Aircraft style that I fitted to the top of the wing in my S1.

Front wings are Lotus/Caterham Seven or early Westfield pre-litigation clamshells. car is finished in bright red.

Interior is fully trimmed with leather seats and padded dashboard with Stewart Warner guages for all the important stuff - the capets are all edge bound with red leather to match the body and the racing type 3 point harnesses

The side screen as new but there was not a hood when I bought it - B+ uses the same hoods as the S1 and S2.

Pictures to follow after the wheels and side panelling have been given the once over with some polish . and the body a good T-Cut and wax.

At the moment a Hood is on order with Polyfacto and the new stainless exhaust bolts with the RV8 specialist. Then its just the new suspension - a check over of the dodgy wiring bits and off for an MOT.

B+ why on earth did he change from this design ? :huh: did Caterham threaten cos it was a little close for comfort being a close cousin of the Series 3 and 4 Lotuses?

Cheers

Andrew

Wow, sounds better every time I hear more Andy.
Congratulations and hope I get to have a ride in it soon!