Noob from Ohio

[Darrel]

Hi all. Been searching the web for info and came across this site. Now my car is a CMC Gazelle but this is the closest I could find to any info. On to my story… bought my Gazelle on ebay, it is a body only with floor & insert. I’m assuming it’s a rear wheel version but not sure. No literature, no extra parts. My first intentions were to modify this to put it on a full, V8 powered frame as  I have no idea what the original frame is supposed to be. I’m not a big fan of VW’s or 4 cylinders in a weekend cruiser. Some of my previous projects were 40’s & 50’s “rat rod” pick-ups. I like the lines of the Gazelle, but think that it could be improved.
Darrel

[Paul Mossberg]

Hi Darrel,

Welcome aboard. The TD and Gazelle replicas have a lot in common, so I’m sure you will find some help here. There are a couple other Gazelle owners in the group, although I have not seen any postings form them in recent months.

Perhaps you’ll draw them out of the woodwork!

Probably the easiest way to tell a front engine body from a rear engine body is the rear fiberglass. For a VW based kit, there will be a separate “clam shell”, that is hinged either on the top or bottom, to provide access to the VW engine. This part would be fixed for a front engine TD replica, there would be no provision for opening it.

There’s another thread going on around stuffing a V-8 into a front engine TD replica. Click “Active Topics” and change it to the “last week”. The thread is titled “new guy/CAN a v8 fit?”

PMOSSBERG39778.5939467593

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Darrel]

Thanks, it’s a front engine. The hood is hinged and the rear looks like a spot for a fuel tank. Now, if I can find some frame dimensions or blueprints I’ll be in business. 

[Paul Mossberg]

The FiberFab Pinto and Classic Motor Carriages Chevette builder manuals on the “Download Manuals” page have a variety of chassis diagrams, but none that have measurements. It’s a good place to start. But you will have a lot of calculating to do.

Paul Mossberg
Former Owner of a 1981 Classic Roadsters Ltd. Duchess (VW)
2005 Intermeccanica Roadster

If you own a TDr and are not in the Registry, please go to https://tdreplica.com/forums/topic/mg-td-replica-registry/ and register (you need to copy and paste the link)

[Author]

Posts