My first major design decision...

I did a whole lot of research before my first trip to the breakers yard. It would be an injustice not to mention the author of the document that stirred my creative juices and steered me toward the Alfasud as a donor vehicle: http://www.btinternet.com/~jhpart/bktrikep.htm

I've done a whole lot more research since which has led to a dead-end or two (and back). The research stage of the project is not over. I have yet to cut a single piece of tubing for the chassis. I'm not going to either, not until I have reached a design that I'm totally happy with. More blogging on this later.

I remember with delight as an apprentice spannerboy during the mid seventies, the magnificent sound the 'sud produced on the overrun from the exhaust. That splendid induction roar from the twin Webers or Del Ortos once the air box was removed. It was and still is, music to my ears.

As the author of the above document suggests the Alfasud boxer motor is an ideal candidate for three wheels. It's flat four configuration has a naturally low COG. Apart from anything else, it was a very, very powerful motor for its day, producing a not too shameful 105 BHP in stock trim. That's more than twice the horsepower of a stock beetle engine. And, it's an Alfa Romeo! I could go on.

However, there was not an Alfasud to be found anywhere locally. I got chatting with a guy at the yard. He was uber-helpful and he also had stuff to sell me. Apart from a very rare two wheel drive Subaru boxer he also hav VW stuff for sale. Everything I needed in fact, to start a trike build in VW mode as opposed to Alfasud mode (my original intention).

The Subaru was a tad expensive so we talked about trikes based on the fairly common VW-based design. John opened up my mind to other possibilities and managed to sway me into parting with some hard-earned for a VW 1302S floorpan, axle and gearbox. I wasn't too unhappy with my purchase at the time.