The living room project: Suggestions needed

"cletus44 aka Clayton Seams" (cletus44) 10/07/2015 at 09:34 • Filed to: None

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Here in semi-cold Toronto, winter is already on its way and I feel the need to revive something rusty and unloved. Here’s the deal: I want to buy a car that’s small enough that I can bring it into my living room, work on it all winter, and then drive it in the summer.

I’m not that crazy. My living room is huge, largely unused and I live with a bunch of dudes who couldn’t care less. The house is also being gutted as soon as I move out so scratching floors/walls doesn’t matter to me.

Hard requirements: My doorway is 41” wide. And it’s brick so there ain’t no widening it. My dilapidated Lotus was about 3” too wide to fit or I would have brought that inside too. Secondly, it has to be cheap. I’m a journalist.

Suggestions? My current front-runner is a Citroen Mehari. They’re cheap, light and I think that the folding windshield might enable me to carry it in the house sideways without a hitch. I’m all open for ideas. Bonus points if you can find a Toronto Kijiji ad to link me to.

BJ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:40

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What about a motorcycle project? Cheap, easy, and fits through your door. If that doesn’t work for you, the Mehari is a fun idea.

Rainbow > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:40

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They’re cheap? This is news to me. Now I need one.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > BJ 10/07/2015 at 09:42

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I suppose I could but I have 0 motorcycle experience and I don’t even have a bike license.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Rainbow 10/07/2015 at 09:42

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Pretty affordable but very rare. Hard to track them down.

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:43

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you wont get a chassis in there, and if you do you do, you wont get it out.

get a bike or two.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > bob and john 10/07/2015 at 09:46

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I dunno, the frames seem pretty small. And if it never leaves, it’s a great piece of furniture!

BJ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:47

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Any small roadster could work, you just need to build a rig to turn it sideways and roll it in.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/…

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:49

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for you...

the next guy however.....

besides, bikes are cheaper.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > BJ 10/07/2015 at 09:49

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I like the idea of a small roadster, but to fit, it’s going to have to be extremely small like a Sprite or a Fiat 850 Spider. I love a 124 but I just don’t think it’ll fit.

BJ > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:50

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And since you got me looking for Citroens for sale:

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Citroen/DS/S…

bob and john > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:50

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and? your not riding it, just rebuilding it. its just a machine...

and at the start of summer, i’ll teach you to ride :D

KatzManDu > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:50

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VW Bug or anything on that platform (Karmann Ghia, etc.) — you may have to take the body off and bring it in sideways, though.

Smart Roadster (you can get that in Canada now donchaknow.)

Anything 2CV based (Your Mehari, for instance.)

Renault 4 (the one that looks like a bug clone with suicide doors) or its successors like a Renault Dauphine, Caravelle or Floride.

Wacko > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:50

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my mom’s boyfriend is selling his 73 mg midget

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:53

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Build yourself a Cyclecar like the one in the Henry Ford Museum (I forget what it's called) from scratch.

Shane MacGowan's Teeth > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:55

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Jeep Wrangler. They’re actually tiny WxL-wise, and body on frame so can be taken apart to bring inside. And a hell of a lot of fun.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Shane MacGowan's Teeth 10/07/2015 at 09:57

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But Jeeps are fairly pricey where I live. Also heavy! This thing will have to be lifted out by a few guys when it’s done.

Scott > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:57

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Hmmm 41" door really limits it. My first thought is a GT40, the real 1960's race car, since it is only 40" high. But if you could afford it you could afford a garage and crew to work on it too. Otherwise your probably stuck to a golf cart or a P50, if you can find one. Damn even a Porsche 914 is a few inches too tall... sorry.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/07/2015 at 09:58

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I dunno, I think welding in the house might get a little dicey

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 09:59

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Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.

If you really want to do this, maybe get a kit car? Like an old lotus 7 kit or do a dune buggy or something. That way, you can basically get in parts, assemble, then take out a few large components for a final assembly when it warms up. Plus things like the engine can stay indoors and be moved out by a single person.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > KatzManDu 10/07/2015 at 10:00

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Sadly, no way a Beetle or Ghia will fit. Car has to be lower than 41” tall to fit! Smart roadsters are hella pricey and probably wouldn’t need restoration anyways as they’re only 5-10 years old. Renault 4 is cool but again too big. Think really small! Like micro-car small.

KatzManDu > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:01

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Then you’re looking at Peel, Isetta, Messerschmidt, Zundapp, etc.

Shane MacGowan's Teeth > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:02

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Jeeps are always pricey I think. It is a scourge of my life :(

Get a GT40 kit! You’ll have an inch to spare in the door lol

Patrick Nichols > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:02

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Go Kart . Go Kart . Go Kart .

The best part is you could probably get a set of tires for cheap and make them studded for winter “testing.” Personally I would go for the Honda “geared for 70 kph” because that sounds fun and it doesn’t have any body work so you could spend some time on that.

Also this ‘57 NSU Prinz could fit but it would probably be a little expensive for what it is (I have no idea what microcars are worth) and not be all that fun after you finish.

Alternatively you could always make some automotive furniture.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 10/07/2015 at 10:03

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A purpose built kit car would be too pricey for me. I want to keep this under $5-7k. And I’m just not too warm on brand new ‘old cars.’ Personal opinion. But a VW based dune buggy would be possible and quite cheap. Good idea on the final assembly!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:03

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Set up a little shelter outside for welding, all assembly can happen in the house. Tbh I don't think there's much welding in that car. It looked like mostly rivets and bolts.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:03

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Or, Peel P50.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > KatzManDu 10/07/2015 at 10:04

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I would love a micro-car. Something like those would be ideal. Too bad most old bubble cars are pricey!

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Shane MacGowan's Teeth 10/07/2015 at 10:04

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I think that might be a tad over my budget! But I still want one.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Patrick Nichols 10/07/2015 at 10:06

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Now we’re talking! That NSU is awesome. Exactly what I was hoping to come across. Now to go over to the car with a tape measure haha

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 10/07/2015 at 10:07

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A Peel Trident would be just superb.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:09

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It was more about trying to find a used one or maybe an incomplete one than a brand new kit. But really any car that’s body on frame could work if they’re light enough. A fiero might fit the bill. Get a rolling chassis, tilt to get in/out of the house, and the body, drive train, and interior can all be reassembled outside in an afternoon.

Patrick Nichols > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:16

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Sorry to get your hopes up, but at 53” high x 56” wide you might be out of luck, but you could always create a roadster...

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Patrick Nichols 10/07/2015 at 10:17

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Well there goes that dream. For once, an NSU Prinz was too big for something haha

Steve in Manhattan > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:27

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Next question.

cletus44 aka Clayton Seams > Steve in Manhattan 10/07/2015 at 10:35

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I so would if I could find any!

punkgoose17 > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 10:53

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A Suzuki LJ10, LJ20, SJ10, SJ20 / LJ80 should fit sideways with the front window folded down or removed.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-moteurs/oues…

It is a 1970-1981 Pre-Samurai. Otherwise I would suggest a motorcycle.

GenuineAlexReid - The Reidus > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 14:35

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What you’re gonna have to find is a convertible, with a removable windshield, and it has to be body on frame, so you can take them in sideways, separately. Of course I would suggest:

Because it’s the best roadster of all time, but I already have one so you would be a copycat.

So I’m going to suggest to you, the MG TD Roadster:

Best of all, I know there’s one across the street from you. So buy it.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 16:40

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Why not an original FIAT 500? Simple as hell, mechanically, and parts are easy to get (including performance upgrades). This one is for sale for $6800 and needs a little TLC! The fabric roof even opens roadster-y-ish as well! :)

I LOVE these cars and want to have one of my own someday (or it’s related cousin, the FIAT 126), so I could send you a mass of digital copies of the wiring diagrams/repair manuals/etc too! :D

Plus.....if you went with the 500, you’d still have room left in your living room to have 3 other 500s in there too! ;)

You could get a parts car from the same guy as well - the interior is awful, but a bit of time and elbow grease to put it back to original condition and it would look awesome. Plus, if the ~500cc engine with non-syncro -speed is an issue, ship a 650cc over from Europe somewhere with the later synchroed (except for 1st/reverse)) 4-speed!

This one’s for sale in Alliston...? I’m from Nova Scotia, so I have no idea where that is in relation to where you live, but it’s on Toronto Kijiji, so! :)

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-classic-cars…

Berang > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 16:46

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Triump TR-2, TR-3, TR-whatever. Remove the windscreen and pull it in sideways.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 17:41

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For the record I also love old Citroens as well, so the Mehari would be kickass - the 500 would just be more doable, size-wise! ;) :P

GOod luck with whatever you choose though, looking forward to hearing about this one if it comes to pass! :D

ranwhenparked > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/07/2015 at 19:34

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Reliant Regal? Fiberglass body, so no rust, and extremely simple mechanically. The whole thing could probably fit in your living room easily, and you won’t even need a hoist to remove the engine.

Plus, the later ones have that cool reverse rake rear window.

Sam > cletus44 aka Clayton Seams 10/08/2015 at 00:31

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What about a Japanese micro car, like a Subaru R2 or a 360?

The can be had for around $2-4k depending on importer fees and how much the car sells for at auction.