Raffo Belva kit car e-manual

[Jez]

When I inherited my Raffo Belva in 2009, it hadn't been put together very well and the electrics with more earth connections than junctions on the entire motorway system , the car broke down a long way from home and the AA guy refused to touch the electrics. So I decided to rip the car apart and start again from scratch including new engine, professional wiring and various body improvements so you can actually access the engine!
What has become a marathon par excellence is because of what I suspect happens with many kit cars - any new owner just inherits a random bundle of receipts. I've spent over two months with no less than five people looking at the gear linkage, only to learn, after I posted the problem up on my YouTube channel that the gear change is from a classic Mini. so, to cut to the chase I am compiling as I go along a highly detailed custom e-manual which other members here might be interested to view. It not only serves as a valuable resource for whoever inherits the car (with integrated videos) but helps me considerably during the re-build organizing the various complex aspects of the build and setting it all out visually. I also created the e-manual to document the history of this splendid car and as a tribute to its half Italian creator John Raffo. When describing it to people who haven't seen it I always say it makes a Ferrari look dull! Being an online publication it is being added to. It can be printed out as PDF files.

http://www.jeremybroun.co.uk/Raffo-Belva/
 

[sanzomat]

Fantastic idea and I'm sure will be a very useful resource to the other (6?) owners.

Personally, I've found people's build diaries and all sorts of forum posts about various upgrades, repairs, niggles etc totally invaluable in caring for my kit. In return I make a point of posting anything I do, with pictures if possible, on the GTM owners forum and on here if I think people might be interested. As long as these things stay hosted there are all sorts of great things to help future owners overcome the inevitable issues that will arise on cars that didn't get to go through as much development as mainstream production ones. Not to mention some of the bodges that well meaning builders and subsequent owners have done!

I've also found some useful information from looking at builds of other kits that might share components with mine, e.g. Dave Bence's Onyx.

Good luck with the project - I'm sure it will be very useful to more people than you might think.

[Iancider]

Jez

That is a fantastic contribution to keeping this legend alive.  Impressive.

Ian

[mr tone]

This e-book comes at the right time for me. Collected my car yesterday and one of the first things to sort is the clutch. Thanks it's a great thing to post Tony

['The Gaffer']

Very interesting book and videos. Well worth the time and effort to put it together

[Jez]

Thanks for the feedback to this time consuming online manual. As such it can potentially link to other knowledge resources and also serves as a general guide to the basics of how a car works (for young people deprived of this culture today - I used to teach motor mechanics in a Secondary Modern in the 60's). Yes I believe 7 or 8 Raffos hit the road. I owned the prototype built by John Raffo and stupidly sold it in 2002 and then in 2008 tracked down Raffo no 7 with the gull wing doors. I can do most of the build myself but one thing I won't risk is welding!

[Facial Hair Optional]

http://www.jeremybroun.co.uk/Raffo-Belva/

Brilliant work Jeremy.

And you're right about welding, it pays to get a pro if you want it to last (and be safe!)