What steering setup was used in Graham Carter's Ford Pop V8 conversion?

A Viva steering column from the steering wheel to the firewall, then two Triumph 2000 steering U-joints connecting to the rack & pinion. These U-joints match both the Viva and Torana splines.

What size steel tubing is used for the Ford Pop chassis kickup section?

The diagram shows 3 × 2" RHS for the main kickup section and a 2 × 1" RHS brace, with dimensions of 12" (305mm) height, 8½" (216mm) on the brace, and 20" (508mm) length.

How do the lower suspension arm struts mount on this build?

The lower suspension arm struts are retained and mount rearwards into the original Torana braces, which are themselves bracketed to the original Pop chassis sections. A top-view diagram shows the braces mounting to brackets at the chassis bottom, with a 25" X-member.

What does the 12" to firewall measurement mean in the chassis diagram?

The caption explains that 12" to firewall also denotes 12" to the drop-line of the windscreen, because that's where Graham Carter's firewall begins.

What did a stainless twin V8 exhaust system cost in Auckland in 1985?

South Auckland Muffler Centre advertised stainless twin systems for V8s at $439.00 fitted complete, and mild steel dual systems at $268.00.

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NZ Hot Rod Sept 1985 - Ford Pop V8 Chassis Kickup Diagrams & Torana Front End

Magazine page with V8 conversion article, dimensioned sketches and automotive parts advertisements

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Automotive magazine page combining a V8 engine-swap article with dimensioned sketches and ads for headers, mufflers and accessories.

AI caption November 2013 · Photo 430 of 590

This is page 15 of the September 1985 issue of NZ Hot Rod magazine. The editorial content concludes a technical article about fitting a V8 engine and Torana front suspension into a Ford Pop (Popular) hot rod built by Graham Carter. It describes how the front end mounts into a chassis kickup section, how lower suspension arm struts mount into original Torana braces bracketed to the Pop chassis, and how the steering uses a Viva column with two Triumph 2000 U-joints connecting to a rack and pinion. Two hand-drawn diagrams give measurements of the frontal chassis kickup section (3×2" RHS main rails, 2×1" RHS brace, 12" heights, 20"/508mm length, engine mount locations) and a top view of rear braces for the lower arm struts with a 25" X-member and rack-and-pinion placement. The rest of the page carries period New Zealand advertisements: XL Motor Accessories of Otahuhu, Auckland (V8 Holden headers $199.95/pair, Accel distributors from $194.50, Pioneer 30-watt speakers $69.95, Weiand single-plane manifolds $379.95, Australian floor shifters $109.95) and South Auckland Muffler Centre Limited (stainless twin V8 exhaust systems $439.00 fitted, mild steel dual systems $268.00). Useful for hot rod chassis fabrication reference and 1980s NZ pricing history.

This document covers 1985, which may differ from this 1969 MINI Cooper.

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Frequently asked questions

What steering setup was used in Graham Carter's Ford Pop V8 conversion?: A Viva steering column from the steering wheel to the firewall, then two Triumph 2000 steering U-joints connecting to the rack & pinion. These U-joints match both the Viva and Torana splines.
What size steel tubing is used for the Ford Pop chassis kickup section?: The diagram shows 3 × 2" RHS for the main kickup section and a 2 × 1" RHS brace, with dimensions of 12" (305mm) height, 8½" (216mm) on the brace, and 20" (508mm) length.
How do the lower suspension arm struts mount on this build?: The lower suspension arm struts are retained and mount rearwards into the original Torana braces, which are themselves bracketed to the original Pop chassis sections. A top-view diagram shows the braces mounting to brackets at the chassis bottom, with a 25" X-member.
What does the 12" to firewall measurement mean in the chassis diagram?: The caption explains that 12" to firewall also denotes 12" to the drop-line of the windscreen, because that's where Graham Carter's firewall begins.
What did a stainless twin V8 exhaust system cost in Auckland in 1985?: South Auckland Muffler Centre advertised stainless twin systems for V8s at $439.00 fitted complete, and mild steel dual systems at $268.00.