Jaguar E Type Go Kart

[ofnadh99]

Hello everyone,
I am a new member, I have seen many photos of people who have made a Jaguar E type go kart for a child or themselves. I am considering taking on this big challenge. I was wondering if anyone had an plans for one of these go karts or any suggestions on how to produce the curves etc.

I am thinking of going for a fiber glass chassis and body work, so creating a mold first will be the first step. I am thinking of using fiber glass than steel or aluminium as it is lighter.

Any idea where to get any wheel from which will look good from the UK or will ship to the UK.

 

[Hellion]

I would say, yes, a fiberglass mold would be 'the thing' and easiest--otherwise you'd be hammering sheet steel or aluminum into those shapes.

If you're trying to find scaled down wire wheels, that would be a big hurdle, probably the biggest issue.

Anyhoo.....to the forum, mate.


EDIT--Any idea how the Pocket Classic cars are made? 46 MPH is impressive!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333891/A-10k-miniature-replica-E-Type-Jaguar-Porsche-Speedster-speeds-46mph.html

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Wow, a lot to ask.
When I started out, I wanted to give my kart a Back to the Future Time Machine body, but when I realized how hard that would be, and that I had a rare, classic kart, I abandoned that. It would be quite a feat to make your own body, but not impossible.
A fiberglass chassis won't work, and it will be much harder to make than a steel one.
It's too liable to crack, and will most likely eventually craze. A 3 HP engine with proper gearing, can move a steel kart. The weight reduction is negligible in terms of benefits vs. downsides.
Even racing kart frames are made from steel, so I'd just throw that idea out now.
Aluminum is hard to weld, and can't take as much of a beating.
In short, use steel.
Do you have any experience in fabrication? If not, this project will be quite an undertaking.
I don't mean to sound harsh, and I hope I didn't come off hard, but it will be hard.
EDIT - You beat me to it Hellion!

 

[Hellion]

Oh, I only read your mention of fiberglass as it pertains to the body. Clumsy me.

You could have a [thick] fiberglass chassis, that's not out of the question (I mean we have entire boats made out of fiberglass +plywood, etc) but I think a metal chassis would be better.

A ladder frame chassis made of tubes or scaled down "C" channel?

 

[itsid]

haven's seen any small spoked wheels that are kart worthy tbh
(vintage strollers, old children's bikes are the only small spoked wheels that come to mind)

Frankly I'd just tack some of those stroller spokes to a steel kart rim and call it good.
(although personally I'm more a fan of the moon caps style anyways.. as the red one)

kudos if you want to make the body your own..
Since there are e-type kart.. I think I'd just buy a body

Anywhoo,
no, please do not make the chassis from fiberglass;
a steel frame isn't ehavier than a fiberglass one that's comparable in rigidity and stiffness.
In fact I'd say it'd be heavier in fact.

'sid

 

[ofnadh99]

I am now thinking of making the chassis from steel as suggested this appears the easiest method.
I am going to create my own body from fibre glass
While I would be open to buying a body there isn't any for sale I have seen and the one I did see for sale was for £500
I have not fabricated anything like this before but I have had experience with fibreglass, steel and wood before and with a little teaching from my brother welding this shouldn't be too challenging I hope.

I have found some wheels which may work but currently doing drawings and research into how to join these to the rear axle

[/IMG][/IMG]

 

[JTSpeedDemon]

Those might work for the front, but for the rear you'd have to drill holes to attach a hub, and even then, the spoked one is PLASTIC!!
Don't go plastic!!
You might be able to find some small motorcycle wheels which should do the trick.
I would get some Azusa Astro wheels instead(see first pic), or even some Tri-Stars(the 3 spoke ones).
The Astro ones can actually accept hubs I believe, they look good, and they won't disintegrate when you put power through them.

 

[itsid]

I have found some wheels which may work but currently doing drawings and research into how to join these to the rear axle

Noooo neither will work in your favour.
yes they might hold the chassis and body upright, and they might as well support your weight;
the instant your Jag is going to move and going into a turn they will fail!

forget about using kids bike wheels!
(other than as a source for spokes welded to a kart or mower rim [steel not aluminium ])
the latter has nice spokes but you can get spokes seperately for cheap
no need to buy full wheels for that.

'sid

 

[ofnadh99]

I have managed to find some used mobility scooter tyres I will restore respray etc
I have attached them below
I am unsure how I will connect them to the 25mm rear axle

 

[Hellion]

I have managed to find some used mobility scooter tyres I will restore respray etc....I am unsure how I will connect them to the 25mm rear axle

Those look like freewheeling wheels too. And might be solid rubber from the looks of them.

You'd need a live axle hub I think, to bolt these wheels to. Do those bolts and nuts come apart and are they real pneumatic tires?

A keyed live axle hub, like this:

 

[itsid]

And might be solid rubber from the looks of them.

since that naked toe is pointing right at the air valve I'd call them pneumatic

Anyways, they look sturdy enough for a low speed kart,
so that's good.

And as Hellion said, easiest would be a hub as the one he showed int he image
I'm afraid it'd need to be homemade to match the four inner bolts of the wheels;
and ideally it's tube nicely fits into the rims where the bearings used to sit.
(they should be removed for the rear rims)
And then just some nuts and a nice hub cap and you#d be good.

OH word of caution:
If you replace the tyres, make sure to remove the air first,
before you split the rim halves open, otherwise they are likely going to crack!

'sid

PS 25mm IDK.. check what kart axles bearings etc are available near you..
for us it's mostly 30mm and up (35, 40, 50)
1" axles are on some mowers but straight 25mm I haven't seen yet.
So pick wisely!

 

[Hellion]

I have an aversion to other dudes' toes, so I looked away.

And a smart fella woulda zoomed in closer on the wheels or photo'ed just one. I blame the OP.

 

[jeffmorris1956]

Mobility scooters and motorized wheelchairs usually have what is called flat-free or flat-proof tires as shown at https://www.northerntool.com/shop/t...ires&msclkid=5333666304281142fe563b0548db8435