Upcoming Retropower project

[peteracs]

Hi

If you follow Retropower on YouTube you may have already seen this, but on their 300th video, Cal announced the next few projects due in. One in 2027/8 is a Beta Coupe which apparently is going for an Integrale style conversion.

I do like most of their projects eg Integra based Allegros, but the Stratos replica was not one of them sadly ( it recently sold for £100k which is at least half what it cost). It will be interesting to see how they approach it. Hoping that a decent Delta is not used as a donor.

https://youtu.be/U9zEr8ljFxE?is=7o2YmwhvE5R2UuNc

Announcement is approx 25 mins in

Peter

[SanRemo78]

I'll be following that with some interest! I did consider something along those lines but the costs were going to be horrendous and sourcing a decent Delta for its chassis to swap a Beta Coupe body onto was problematic. Death threats and all that! Probably best sourcing an accident damaged one in Italy? Then you've got to source a decent Beta Coupe. In their case they'll be easier to source but I'll still bet it'll need fabrication around the screens and doors. Might have to subscribe to that channel next year!

[peteracs]

I did wonder if a Dedra version might make sense, rather than sacrifice a Delta. I understand not exactly the same, but if building a road car then the difference would be marginal I suspect?

Peter

[SanRemo78]

A mate of mine has done multiple such conversions in the past! Usually swapping Peugeot MIJ16v stuff into 205s and 306s but also Escort Cosworth 4WD stuff into Capris, Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts and Peugeots. He's the one who dealt with the Beta body repairs. Advice was always to use the floorpan from the 4WD car as the suspension and steering geometry are sorted for you and swap the body onto it. Biggest decider is getting something with a wheelbase close to what you want without having to cut and shut the floorpan. Propshafts are easily done but the tin work gets complicated....

[peteracs]

Hi

Retropower are now fairly well versed with it, the two Allegros have Integra power trains and chassis, the current Saab project is using an Audi Cabrio from memory.

Peter

[Nigel]

I've been watching this channel for a while but drifted away
due to a little samey boredom creeping in.

However I'll be tuning in again for this one. Particularly with
reference to stiffening the Beta shell, which would surely be required in some form,
if they don't use the Delta platform during the build.

So many variables are possible of course, we'll wait and see!

Nigel