McGregor Motorsport Ltd

Thursday 25 August, 2016

DESIGN CONCEPTS

This is a major part of a custom car build, sadly neglected in many I see live and on the internet. The success of my last car was after I made several crucial aesthetic changes….it is not until you spend time with the car that you see and feel what it needs. The “old school” chrome look simply had to go; ironically it was the engine bay devoid of shine that I needed to take to the exterior.

First victim was the “truck muffler” that was replaced with a satin black complete system, followed quickly by sending the wheels off to be powder coated satin black too. Seats soon had seat belt eyelets installed and a simple black four point harness installed. While these seem minor they changed the look and style considerably.

The new car design is being far more carefully monitored – I have taken over the majority of parts purchasing with “satin black” being the theme. Gone are the “old school” chrome bezels on the instrument cluster. The quick mock-up on a carbon fiber dash shows the design concept I will carry through the build.
SPEEDO & TACH carbon lookFOUR GAUGE carbon look

TUESDAY 23 August, 2016

CHRISTCHURCH EARLY DAYS….

It was great to go to Christchurch last week to see the very early stages of GEORGE being built. A lonely chassis, couple of seats, motor balanced in place, nose cone taped in place…all made me smile! Over the past few years Mark had been designing the new chassis and suspension, a vastly different car is evolving. The choice of Honda Power was always the choice and developing and adapter for multiple gear box configurations has further widened options. The Toyota gearbox will then attach to a Subaru differential…so my friends in Japan are totally amused that within a Kiwi chassis is Honda, Toyota and Subaru! There is no way this car will be unveiled with anything other than 勝駒 KACHIKOMA JUNMAI SAKE.

Tuesday 23 August, 2016

CHRISTCHURCH EARLY DAYS….

It was great to go to Christchurch last week to see the very early stages of GEORGE being built. A lonely chassis, couple of seats, motor balanced in place, nose cone taped in place…all made me smile!

Gas Tank FittingGas Lines
Chassis Image 2

Saturday 13 August, 2016

PARTS LIST

There is nothing more satisfying than the early stages of a build when hours upon hours are spent looking for parts that match the design concept. The kit car community is pretty specialized and three companies were soon the source of most of the parts I knew would enhance the design.

Car Builders Solutions
http://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/

Demon Tweeks Motorsport
http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport

Summit Racing Equipment
https://www.summitracing.com/

Each of these specialists was equally helpful and the range of products ordered soon began to arrive, the build then felt it was beginning. Of course ebay was a stock fallback for one off custom parts.

Friday 5 August, 2016

NEW OWNERS

Earlier in the year I was in Christchurch, Robert was in the process of selling McGregor Motorsports. The post-earthquake years had taken its toll financially and emotionally on so many Christchurch residents and Robert and his wife Isobel had absorbed enough….it was time to sell the business.

Fortunately a client who was building a McGregor and for many years had been their powder coater said he was keen to buy the business. I met Scot and his partner Delwyn and immediately knew this was a “good fit.”

Scott has an extensive background in cars, fabricating and as he said “give me some materials and I will build something.” Robert will continue to assist in the business transition and will still jump in and help with electrical designs and implementation. Mark is going to be a consultant in design, fabrication which will really maintain the continued development of the McGregor cars. Ironically there is not much left of the original McGregor designs….it’s an entirely different car with a far more sophisticated understanding and production of the evolving Lotus 7.

I am really excited to be a part of this change and working with Scott fits really well within what I want from a custom car build.

Monday 1 August, 2016

ITS STARTING AGAIN

Three years ago I joined a project with Robert and Mark of McGregor Motorsport in Christchurch; New Zealand. From the McGregor Lotus 7 Replica, Mark Roberts created the MACHsr7. This was a vast improvement upon the McGregor, largely due to a new front suspension, greater attention to detail in fabrication and performance. However, Mark’s vision of building a very unique Lotus 7 replica was born. Mark had completely designed an entire new chassis, suspension, and body design, simply a much more sophisticated car I was totally captured and named the project “George”.

This was the first prototype I filmed during my regular visits, little did I know that three years later I would sell Orange and then be encouraged to once again steer myself into another build project . So it appears that George is the new Orange.

Tuesday 21 June, 2016

IS YOUR CAR STILL FOR SALE?

So much can happen from one email…the sequence tells the story.
Hi Bruce
A couple months I saw it on trademe, it’s still for sale?
Regards
Stefan

Stefan
It’s still for sale, as I’m home in Japan now! What do you need to know, the car is garaged in Auckland all wrapped, serviced and ready for a new owner?
Cheers
Bruce

Hi Bruce
I had a read through your blog in the past so I have most of the details. I mentioned I’m in Auckland on the 25th June 2nd July and 17th -22nd July. So for now if I could have a look would be great.  And when you back in NZ we can meet for more details. Quick details to my person I’m originally from Switzerland   I traveled lots in my youth and then I got stuck in NZ where it is a great place to bring up kids.
Kind Regards
Stefan

Hi Bruce
How are you? I met your brother Grant yesterday he showed me your 7 and we had a good chat. I’m very impressed your perfection and how details are designed even small ones. We didn’t go for a drive it was too wet I’m back in Auckland on the 9th of July and hopefully it’s not raining then so we can go for a drive. I ask you, what your expectations are when it comes to the money.
Kind Regards
Stefan

Stefan
I’m glad you got to see my car; it’s had a great deal of thought put into making it a very special 7! I really enjoy the details – they simply make the difference from so many other 7s, driving is your next step and that’s what really puts a smile on your face!

Price, well it’s very fairly priced at 37.5k but I’m open to sensible offers…you’ve seen the price of the build and you’re very aware of other 7s on the market! Drive and then we can certainly meet with a figure that keeps us both happy! I’m really pleased as my brother assured me your genuine interest and concern with being a 7 owner! Keep in touch
Cheers
Bruce

Then, after the test drive prices were discussed and a sale was agreed upon. I must admit it was so strange to actually selling my car that had been such a part of my life and enjoyed by many others. I am equally happy with the new owner; Stefan will certainly look after and add his part to this cars history.

The empty space in the garage is a concern!

Saturday 20 March, 2016

NEW BRAKES – EBC GREENS

My MACHsr7 needed some new front disk pads, so off to Auckland Brake & Clutch Services. The owner Lyall Zohs was extremely helpful and I soon walked out with some EBC GREENSTUFF Pads….now for some afternoon fun in the garage….another CONTOUR ROAM3 self-camera operated production.

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