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Considering this 72 RWA - opinions?

JPSmit said:
jaegzie said:
what is the difference between RWA and SWA?

RWA = Round (rear) Wheel Arch '72-74 I believe, the most desirable of the square body cars. SWA Square (rear) wheel arch - the rest of us.
John-Peter....what are those wheels on the white RWA?
 
They look like Compomotive Wheels
 
woo hoo! I got one right!
 
Atrus said:
Jim - I actually have a radio console, and have two 3.5" tweeters wired in behind the grille. What I don't like is my JVC player doesn't sit flush, and it's kind of a pain with the shifter there. I can hardly get a disc in with no shifter boot on.

is the sound full enough with the two or do you have other speakers elsewhere?

AND

My understanding from the books is that they went back to SWA for structural reasons.
 
JP - the sound isn't nearly full enough, no midrange or bass whatsoever. I do not have anything else in the vehicle, but will be putting something in the rear of it this spring. Not sure what I'll run yet - 5.25", 6x9 (those are probably too large), 4x6...
 
Thanks - I thought as much. I suspect I'm just going to have to suck it up as I really don't want to cut anything. They do have 2 way and maybe even three way speakers that size at my local store so I will try those.

Don't suppose you have a picture of how you attached yours?
 
I like the SWA cars myself, but if I were to get another Spridget I would like it to be a RWA Midget. My wife has been telling me she would like one of her own.
I like the idea of having a project, but I'm keenly aware that I need something that will be at least a rolling project.
I'll take the warnings here to heart, thanks everyone. :wink:
 
Well from the pics I see a rust hole in the door and in the front of the hood, rust usually works on these cars from the bottom up, sills, buttom of the rear and front fenders, floors, if the doors and hood look this bad I would suspect the parts that usually rust will probably be worse, maybe under a thick coat of bondo, but still good chance this is a major rustbucket, but if you can inspect in person that will tell you a lot more than my speculations.

I like the looks of the Round Wheel Arch cars too!
 
How bad would it be to get a SWA and swap out the rear fenders with RWA patch panels if you want a RWA car? I know you'd have to do the inners too.
 
Kevin the conversion isn't too hard, but there aren't any RWA patch panels available for the upper part of the arch, you'd need to get complete quarter panels. These are availiable through British Motor Heritage now, just started making them a couple of years ago. They now make the quarter panel and the inner fender panels. It's going to cost a bit though, be prepared.
 
Good to know Bill. I haven't completely stripped the body on mine, but from what I can tell my SWA quarters are in decent shape and may just require a small lower patch panel. If I run into something crazy, it's good to know that conversion IS an option; I just have to decide if it's worth it if I need to replace.
 
If a guy was really crazy he could pick up a car like this RWA, cut out the rear and then part out the rest. Put the rear quarters on your SWA car and there you go. (when you say it fast it doesn't sound like much work...)
Ok, having a good friend that runs a body shop would certainly help.
Now where do I find one of those? :wink:
 
Conversion can be done if you have a rusty RWA to sit next to yout SWA....mark & remove the RWA quarter side panel going up into the inner panel, removing both as a single entity......then, mark your SWA & remove the same amount of body....after clean-up, weld the RWA panel & inner wheel arch onto your SWA body!

I had 3 old, rusty RWA bodies that were set to go to the crusher - I cut all those panels & sold them to people who were going to do the swap.
 
Seems it would cost a lot less than buying from BMH.
I am sure the panels from BMH are fantastic, but judging by other price quotes I have seen they would be spendy.
 
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