restoring mk1

[Phill]

ADD - Automotive design and development.

I was always under the impression that it was the droop in the nose of the later cars (Elam era onward) that caused the steering box to foul the bulkhead. Both my original and current cars have had to have the hole cut in the bulkhead to prevent fouling. The Original cars and as far as I know other derivatives such as the Sterling and Eureka didn't suffer this problem. I can only assume it was caused by an error introduced into the main body tub mould when the extra 1" was added to the height and the resulting "droop" of the front compartment

[Spacenut]

Hi Barry - ADD is Automotive Design and Development, which was the name of the company founded by Richard Oakes (the designer of the Nova) and Phil Sayers (who did the engineering) in 1972. Your Nova was one of only 179 (give or take) manufactured before ADD went bankrupt in 1975.

Lauren

[Spacenut]

ADD - Automotive design and development.

I was always under the impression that it was the droop in the nose of the later cars (Elam era onward) that caused the steering box to foul the bulkhead. Both my original and current cars have had to have the hole cut in the bulkhead to prevent fouling. The Original cars and as far as I know other derivatives such as the Sterling and Eureka didn't suffer this problem. I can only assume it was caused by an error introduced into the main body tub mould when the extra 1" was added to the height and the resulting "droop" of the front compartment

Hi Phill - I guess that is a possibility for the Mk2 - the nose of the car is braced by the front undertray, so the angle that the nose adopts will be determined to a degree by the position of the undertray mounting flange on the VW floorpan. Adding an inch to the depth of the tub could have pulled the nose down. However, any shell that has been allowed to sit for some time without this support will sag, and I suspect that is the principal cause of this problem in Mk1 cars like Barry's, particularly as many examples have had their VW floorpans removed and have sat unsupported fro a number of years.

Lauren

[Spacenut]

Hi all which rear spoiler is the preferred one to use

Hi Barry - there was no factory spoiler or rear wing designed for the Nova, although previous club members have sold "Whale Tail" spoilers in the 1980s, when such things were popularised by the Lamborghini Countach. Whether you fit one or not is a matter of personal taste - opinion is divided with regard to the aesthetics, so there is no consensus amongst owners. From a technical perspective there is no evidence to suggest that a rear wing/spoiler will confer any aerodynamic advantage at legal road speeds.

Lauren

[Barry Holden]

Hi thanks for the info.. I do prefer the look without so will stay without

[Mikemrb]

My car also lime green gel, put on the road in 1974 its production number 101 with an under tray of 100 so I think they grabbed whatever parts were available in the same colour to go with the main tub
Mike

[steve]

My car also lime green gel, put on the road in 1974 its production number 101 with an under tray of 100 so I think they grabbed whatever parts were available in the same colour to go with the main tub
Mike

Can someone post a pic of a 'stamped' number on an ADD undertray please?
I didn't know this was a feature of ADD cars; do any Elam Mk 1 Cars have their panels stamped? Where?

[Spacenut]

My car also lime green gel, put on the road in 1974 its production number 101 with an under tray of 100 so I think they grabbed whatever parts were available in the same colour to go with the main tub
Mike

That is interesting - so ADD cars had markings on some of the separate panels as well as the main body tub. Another mystery solved!

Lauren

[Barry Holden]

Hi all .. hydraulic pump ordered just waiting for it arrive. Went for the hydra pump

[islandman]

Hi all .. hydraulic pump ordered just waiting for it arrive. Went for the hydra pump

Don't forget you will also need a unidirectional flow control valve to put on the down circuit to prevent any 'water hammer" effect