Build Process

Whats what? - No Build Manual

Well, the Avon maybe the baby of the bunch, and it may be the cheapest, but there are reasons for this... No step by step instructions and MFI style glue bracket A to Shelf B with Glue C diagrams. Fortunately, Jim at Tiger wrote a book on how to build one. When you place your chassis order they even mail you a copy free so you can read up.

The book is very well layed out with lots of practical advice for the techniques on how to construct a car. It is really focused on the hard core builder, someone who wants to construct their chassis and uprights etc themselves. It goes into great detail on welding tips, jigs and how to contruct GRP body panels.

If there is only one downfall of the book, its that it doesn't show enough Avon only pictures and diagram. It does rather get hijacked to showcase Tigers other models.
I think to get the Avon completed, the book, a healthy dose of common sense and a large amount of Internet and Tiger club research is going to be in order. Seeing what other more experianced builders have done will be key.

Build Ethos

My build ethos is to build the car as standard as possible, no frills or extra parts. Just do what everyone else has done to get the car built. Once I understand how it all goes together and what makes the car work well I can then start modifying, improving and altering the car to my liking.

The advantages of this are, as i'm not doing anything fancy then plenty of people should be able to help me if I get stuck. So this will be a straightforward Zetec 2 lite, Type 9 box, open diff, with cortina brakes.

The only exceptions to this rule are:

• Floor mounted peddles - None of that sierra rubbish for me
• Induction system is yet to be decided. Depending on cost.
• Quick steering rack.

All of the above are pretty well documented by Tiger, so i'm not overly worried.

The General Build Process

From the research I have done and the reading of Jim's book I have decided to build my Tiger in the following steps. Others may have done things differently but this works for me with my time and space constraints.

1. Cut and Fit the panels
2. Fit the brake and fuel lines
3. Fit the wiring loom
4. Fit the steering column and rack
5. Fit the floor mounted peddles and master cylinders
6. Fit differential
7. Fit the fuel tank and ancillaries
8. Fit the suspension and wishbones
9. Fit the brakes
10. Fit the Engine, gearbox, propshaft and cooling
11. Wire and plumb the engine
12. Fit the bodywork and exhaust
13. Fit the interior
14. External wiring and lights
15. Finishing touches