Bolwell Mk7 - the enemy within!

[PeterAllen]

This is a restoration. The car was up and running in 1982. The subsequent owner considered the original build standard so poor that he decided he would take it all back to square one when the V6 was installed. It probably sounded like a good idea at the time.

The Bolwell brothers were so concerned that the low standard of home builds on the Mk7 was damaging the brand they decided the Mk8 Nagari would only be sold as a turn-key. I fully understand their concerns. It also probably explains why the Nagari, although produced in far less numbers than the Mk7, is so much better known (apart from the V8 performance).

[David Hodgson]

Originally Posted by PeterAllen

The Bolwell brothers were so concerned that the low standard of home builds on the Mk7 was damaging the brand they decided the Mk8 Nagari would only be sold as a turn-key.

This the view Rob Darnell was taking when I was making enquiries and visited his factory in about 1989. He said the "kits" were only being produced to finance the costly testing of seats and other components that required ADR approvals for low volume compliance, and that they would shortly be discontinued. Sadly he didn't last and sadly I chose a different supplier.

[stephen low]

Ah yes, previously registered, forgot that one.

But if one was to discover an unregistered variant, are these a low volume build car or would they be ICV for registration purposes?

[Treeve]

It would be and ICV unless it already has a VIN and is built to the same specifications as the others before registration. This is also assuming that no ADR applicabilities have changed.

[David Hodgson]

Hi Peter, any updates? now you've had time to thoroughly go over it, what's your current thoughts? I hope you haven't found any nasty surprises.

Looking at the body it seems to be in good shape. It appears to be the same car in your post beside the magazine cover pic. Will you be removing the post period additions, ie A9X scoop and flares?

How's the chassis? Its a bonus already having the Torana RTS front end. They'd be pretty hard to find these days.

[PeterAllen]

Haven't really done all that much.

Lifted the body off the chassis.


Stored the bodywork under the rear patio - It'll be there for a couple of years, at least! Where would we be without milk crates?


Tried to sell the V6 on eBay but got no offers - I had to pay someone $50 to take it away.


Going over all the chassis to identify 'issues'.


Obtained a straight six block to work out engine mounts. Love those milk crates!


Noted the T5 has a rather fancy Toyota selector lever arrangement to suit the Bolwell transmission hump.


Picked up some genuine Bolwell seats.


And some Hotwires to work out suspension arrangement. No sure what wheels I'll fit at the finish. The grass should grow back by next summer.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by PeterAllen

Haven't really done all that much....[/IMG]

I wish my "haven't really done all that much" amounted to that amount of progress

That really is a massive chassis; torsional resistance must be impressive.

Cheers,
Glen

[deano59]

there is a fella on one of the speedway sites that has a set of 175 cd strombergs all reconditioned he reckons has the linkages and manifolds not sure about the air cleaners he wanted about $1100bucks for them if that's the kind of carbys your looking for ?

cheers dean

ps glen how is yours coming along ?

[07cob]

Originally Posted by PeterAllen

Noted the T5 has a rather fancy Toyota selector lever arrangement to suit the Bolwell transmission hump.

Peter

Is that shifter arrangement sealed? It looks like a neat relocation.

Do you know any more about this?

Geof

[PeterAllen]

Geof. I'm not sure about any sealing but I propose to fit bellows-type coverings on each end. There was a metal covering but I'm not sure exactly what purpose it was supposed to serve.



I was investigating bellhousings and contacted Dellows Automotive and happened to speak to Jeff Dellows and it turned out he lives in the next street. He dropped around to have a look and he pointed out to me what was going on.

[David Hodgson]

Good pick up on the seats Pete. Wouldn't be too many of those lying around.
I like the wheels in the pic with the chassis. Are they only 4 stud?

[SydneyChris]

Hey Pete.. great to see you progress..

Is an incredible chassis design.. !!! has anything else ever used that Y frame style backbone.. !

Cheers

Chris

[PeterAllen]

Dave. The wheels are off an Escort and I was just holding them for a chap.

Chris. It's not just a coincidence that Campbell (or was it Graeme) Bolwell worked for Colin Chapman for a brief period.

Elan on the left, Nagari on the right

[SydneyChris]

very cute.. thanks Peter.. can see how the design was meant to work.

The Elan appears technically superior in the length and angles that the loads transfer to the spine from the rear suspension and diff in particular. I suspect it was a smaller, lighter car as well, which wouldn't exacerbate this inherent tendency to twist over such a long beam.

A cabin roll cage with down tubes to the suspension pick up points would no doubt eliminate most of the torsional flex from the suspension loads onto the backbone, which is actually far more resistant to vertical loads in that orientation. Will look forward to dropping past to see it and your completed Coupe..

[David Hodgson]

One-off my old managers had an Elan. It was tiny

[PeterAllen]

Not really an update but just a notification that the Bolwell Club is holding its Nationals at 'The Bend' this Easter, 2022. There will be a display at Murray Bridge wharf on Saturday morning the 16th and a gathering at Gilbert's Motor Museum at lunch time. On Sunday there will be competition events at The Bends. I'm taking the GTO over but not competing - too far from home if something goes wrong!

My Bolwell progress has been somewhere between slow and non-existent. I made the fatal mistake of actually repairing something on the house. Like going to replace a taillight globe and two weeks later the car is on a rotisserie, we similarly ended up with major house renovations. They're now completed but I just want to relax a bit.

[xb-60]

Good to hear from you Peter, and to hear that the Bolwell project is still alive, if only on "life support"
The Bend is just around the corner from me .....in Australian distance relativity.
I'll see if I can make it there.

Cheers!
Glen

[PeterAllen]

Hope you can make it Glen.

Is your car finished?

Do you know if Dean is still on this site?

We have a suite at the Rydges with a view of the track to entertain guests.

[xb-60]

Peter,
Car is getting closer to the finish line. See my build thread listed below
Haven't heard from Deano for a little while. I have his number....

Cheers!
Glen

[ssv ute]

Was reading through this post last week and coincidentally this is was I parked next to at cars and coffee this morning.
Richard