Troll Engineering Ltd, holds the rights to manufacture the cars, they are owned by a company called Freightmaster Ltd which in turn is owned Jim & Annie Templeton. When the James organisation collapsed, they did attempt to rescue the jigs, but I don't know if they succeeded. Jim can be found at jim@e-freight.net If you are going to copy a chassis, please bear in mind that the design is protected by the usual copyright laws. On the other hand, Jim is one of the world's genuine Nice Guys and would almost certain help if he can.
Passing likeness is one thing........a slavish copy is another. with certain exceptions (Robin Hood?) most se7en-type chassis will "look" similar....it is in the details and geometry that copies must be careful. I don't think Jim Templeton is going to worry over the odd one-off....especially if the appearance of the finished car can be different...but producing "replica's" for one's chums is another. I was the "lucky" recipient of Jims bent Prefect...the reg no. of which went to the first Troll.....donated as a spares car to an apparently hard-up colleague, I later found he had actually put it back on the road! personally, I'd prefer a slightly longer version of the troll.... Axles must be getting hard to come by.....even Escorts are getting thin (?) on the ground round hereabouts... so what other options are there?.....for a "solid "axle, that is? Volvo 120/140/240 type?...bit wide, I know...but used to be an alternative favourite of the custom car brigade....very strong, apparently...no info on diff ratios, though. Japanese light commercials?..Toyota small vans? Suzuki van axles will be a little fragile for the sorts of power likely to be found in a Troll..... I was even "caught" measuring up the rear axle off a Street cleaning truck...nice 'n narrow, but built like a lorry....???? Lada?.....Hindustan Ambassador? Now THERE'S an idea for a "new" trials car/family hack? Bit dear at the moment, around 9K from the importrers...but the Ambassador must be fairly solid? Going for less on ebay......??
Being a current builder of a Locost for road use I have come across reference to the Lada back axle for use in the Locost. It is apparently dimensionally very similar to the Escort axle, has alloy drums and the diff input flange is compatible with some/all? Escort prop shafts. If I am not mistaken it also has superior bearings and is also likely to be a lot younger and probably have less miles on it than the Escort. I have no info regarding the diff ratios but a Haynes manual will probably provide the necessary. My commiserations to Dickie Milne who recently joined this group. Dickie, I understand, was badly affected by the floods in Carlisle last weekend. I have no direct news but suspect his garage must have been drastically affected along with his house. Dickie was in the midst of the restoration of a classic Canon trials machine. If you read this Dickie, give me a call if I can help.
if his cannons are anything like mine...there are sufficient large holes in the floors for water retention not to be a problem....!!!!!!!!! pressure washer might be of use......spoke to Mark Milne tonight.....sympathies to his dad......
I think I can help you on this one.
ReplyDeletePlease drop me a line.
Tel 0788 163 1045
Many thanks
Mark Milne
is there a web site or any information ie a spec sheet for the troll
ReplyDeleteHi, not sure what info your after but I have all the info from troll eng for my car t6b/03 if it is of any use Ian
ReplyDeleteTroll Engineering Ltd, holds the rights to manufacture the cars, they are owned by a company called Freightmaster Ltd which in turn is owned Jim & Annie Templeton. When the James organisation collapsed, they did attempt to rescue the jigs, but I don't know if they succeeded. Jim can be found at jim@e-freight.net If you are going to copy a chassis, please bear in mind that the design is protected by the usual copyright laws. On the other hand, Jim is one of the world's genuine Nice Guys and would almost certain help if he can.
ReplyDeleteintresting point on copyright the troll chassies seems to have a passing likeness to a certain colin chapman product or was he involved with the car ?
ReplyDeletePassing likeness is one thing........a slavish copy is another. with certain exceptions (Robin Hood?) most se7en-type chassis will "look" similar....it is in the details and geometry that copies must be careful. I don't think Jim Templeton is going to worry over the odd one-off....especially if the appearance of the finished car can be different...but producing "replica's" for one's chums is another. I was the "lucky" recipient of Jims bent Prefect...the reg no. of which went to the first Troll.....donated as a spares car to an apparently hard-up colleague, I later found he had actually put it back on the road! personally, I'd prefer a slightly longer version of the troll.... Axles must be getting hard to come by.....even Escorts are getting thin (?) on the ground round hereabouts... so what other options are there?.....for a "solid "axle, that is? Volvo 120/140/240 type?...bit wide, I know...but used to be an alternative favourite of the custom car brigade....very strong, apparently...no info on diff ratios, though. Japanese light commercials?..Toyota small vans? Suzuki van axles will be a little fragile for the sorts of power likely to be found in a Troll..... I was even "caught" measuring up the rear axle off a Street cleaning truck...nice 'n narrow, but built like a lorry....???? Lada?.....Hindustan Ambassador? Now THERE'S an idea for a "new" trials car/family hack? Bit dear at the moment, around 9K from the importrers...but the Ambassador must be fairly solid? Going for less on ebay......??
ReplyDeleteif any ones intrested I have 4 escort axels @ £45 each
ReplyDeleteBeing a current builder of a Locost for road use I
ReplyDeletehave come across reference to the Lada back axle for use in the Locost. It
is apparently dimensionally very similar to the Escort axle, has alloy drums and
the diff input flange is compatible with some/all? Escort prop shafts. If I
am not mistaken it also has superior bearings and is also likely to be a lot
younger and probably have less miles on it than the Escort.
I have no info regarding the diff ratios but a
Haynes manual will probably provide the necessary.
My commiserations to Dickie Milne who recently
joined this group. Dickie, I understand, was badly affected by the floods in
Carlisle last weekend. I have no direct news but suspect his garage must
have been drastically affected along with his house. Dickie was in the
midst of the restoration of a classic Canon trials machine. If you read this
Dickie, give me a call if I can help.
Myke Pocock.
if his cannons are anything like mine...there are sufficient large holes in the floors for water retention not to be a problem....!!!!!!!!! pressure washer might be of use......spoke to Mark Milne tonight.....sympathies to his dad......
ReplyDeleteI believe, but could stand corrected (!), that Jim Templeton acquired the chassis jigs from Peter James at some point. Good luck!
ReplyDelete