Tub rebuild - aluminium sheet advice

[RobbieL]

I crashed my Royale RP37 2 years ago and bent the tub. It wasn't salvageable and so needs rebuilding. Have tried unsuccessfully to get a tub built up and have now found someone to do it. The problem we're having is on the aluminium sheet to be used and where to get it from.

We have been recommended L163 in 1.2mm for the upper body, 1.6mm for the floor and 3mm for the bulkheads at the front. Failing that 5251 h24 'half hard' 1.5mm for floor and upper body as this was apparently what they would of been made from originally. This is not as strong as the L163. L163 is available in 1.42mm and 3.3mm and we can do the main body and bulkheads in this. Apparently you need an aerospace licence to buy this stuff??

The advice I'm after is - would the floor be ok in the 1.42mm L163? I've tried numerous suppliers for the the 5251 and it is only available in h22 which is quarter hard. 6082 is available in 3mm and I've been told we can use this for the bulk heads (although for the folds we'll most likely need a proper press brake to fold it).

Any help/advice much appreciated if I'm to get the car back out on the grid. Sadly I can't afford 15k+ for an off the shelf job. Beers available for assistance!

[Neil Duke]

Hi there Robbie,as a metalworker,who built 5 new Tiga SC79 tubs,I can assure you £15k is a absolute bargain for a brand new tub,mine cost me £10k each ,over 15 years ago.Don't even try & invent the wheel,sell your body,whatever you need to,but buy a new tub,cheaper in the long run.