Stratos Replicas In Australia

[scbeta]

Hey guys just wondering, is there anyway to get my hands on a Stratos replica here in Australia to build up? And is it true that you can build them up based on the Beta coups?

Cheers Raff

[mogul_x]

Raff,

There are a few Stratos replicas running around in Australia - I can't tell you the owner's names off the top of my head, or whether any of the cars already landed are currently for sale. I'd need to check around. The kits are still available new from two manufacturers in Britain, so it's easy enough to order one, although very expensive. I think there was a fellow down under who was working on developing a Toyota MR-2 based Stratos kit, but I'm not sure if it ever went into production.

As far as being based on the Beta coupe - yes, you can use a Beta Coupe as a donor car. However, you don't really keep much beyond the drivetrain and a few assorted bits. The Transformer HF2000 (now called the Hawk HF2000) was originally designed around the Beta drivetrain and engine cradle. Since the Beta cradle was so rust prone in the UK, the kit has long since been redesigned with an integral rear subframe that more closely resembles the rear end of the original Stratos. I think all but a few of the very early Beta based cars have since been retrofitted with the newer frame - it's difficult to find one that still uses the Beta subframe.

So, if you got hold of an HF2000, and wanted to use as much of the Beta as possible, you'd keep the engine, transmission, halfshafts, front hubs, front struts and top mounts, brakes, shift lever, parts of the shift linkage, handbrake lever, brake cable and adjuster, steering column intermediate shaft, and if the donor car happens to be a S1 beta, the glovebox lock and key. I think you might be able to re-use the upper half of the steering column and the wheel, but it doesn't look right. An early X1/9 column is a much better fit. Just about everything else from the Beta can be discarded. The rest of the donor parts come from about half a dozen other Fiat group models - just like the original. It's not possible to build one using only Beta parts - at least an X1/9 and a 124 will also be needed.

Not sure if this was the answer you hoped for - but I hope it helps. I can try to answer other questions if you have any.

Best regards,