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Cheers matey.
What a great photo-comparison, thanks for that memory jog! Plus it made me smile on an otherwise gloomy Friday morning :) Given what they show, i think i'll raise the Miglia front end slightly just to level things out for the moment and then re-evaluate the rear end after a few weeks of driving :) As far as the suspension on the Miglia is concerned i have set all of the shocks to their softest setting to start with and I'm also a lot happier knowing exactly what size/rating my springs are this time around as it was a bit "suck-it-and-see" with the Sammio! Also i now know Merlin Motorsport have a huge range of different springs in stock at very reasonable prices and are only 15mnis from my office..... :D |
Hi Davecymryu can you tell me how to find the thread for your sammio build it looks fantastic. I have looked but can't find it:noidea:. Miglia's looking great. cheers ufo17.
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UFO - Or you can look at the first post on the "Useful Info" sticky (On the Sammio/Ribble Page) where there is a photo of Dave's car and a "Click Here" link.
:icon_wink: Actually, allow me... davecymru - Click Here http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ar/done_a4.jpg |
Cheers all, and thanks Paul.
UFO - you may also be interested in my Sammio running report thread: http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...ead.php?t=3505 It's along the same lines as the "Mr Towed on the Road" thread, but was only over the space of a year and I wasn't quite as imaginative with my thread naming :) And bringing things up to date, this week has been all about the bodywork. The first round of filling and sanding has gone well and I've done the front-to-back seams. I even blasted them over with a bit of primer when they were done just to perk up my spirits! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps1cf53b47.jpg Then it was more filling on the rear http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps473d73e1.jpg and on the front edge of the bonnet http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psa5502c12.jpg Then out came the fibreglass filler as I had to rectify a boo boo I made fitting one of the rear lights. A cardboard tube was made the same diameter as the hole I want. That was taped in place and some card taped behind the remaining gap. Then in was glooped the filler http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pscbbbe6ec.jpg Then I used the remaining mixed fibreglass filler to build up the top of the passengers door to the same height as the cockpit http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps0d44b0d8.jpg more to come... |
There are 4 fabrication tasks that I've been putting off, but I've got to the point where they are the 4 main fabrication tasks left:
1) Make a grill! mumblemumblemumblemumble..... 2) Fit the chrome mesh to the side vents 3) Fit the door locks properly 4) Do something with the filler cap Seeing as I've been doing bodywork and seeing as it could have been the most involved task, I decided to get no.4 out of the way! So on the Miglia the fuel tank sits much further back than my Spyder, so the fuel filler is in a much more angled section of bodywork. My initial idea was to sink it slightly in order to keep it horizontal, either with: A) a lowered, bonded and melded in fibreglass section or b) a fabricated metal panel that would angle from the front to the back but would bolt on top of the shell. In order to get the filler cap low enough and still able to open here's the hole I ended up with!! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pseae4f269.jpg I didn't like this! So I've gone with option c) Make a panel to allow me to bolt the filler on at an angle and use flexible filler hose! This is CONSIDERABLY simpler than what I was planning! :) So some scrap steel was found, a hole cut at the right point and trimmed roughly to cover the big hole I'd made. BTW that hole is, by accident, perfectly sized to access everything on the fuel tank should the need ever arise! :) http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psb7fdefa5.jpg Initial test fit looked good! It allowed the filler to be angled just right without putting any stress on the fibreglass http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pse82ae84c.jpg Any visible bolts on this build are going to be Allen headed, so I drilled some holes at regular intervals and dropped in some bolts and I was very chuffed with the result as it is right in keeping with the look of the interior! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psad919903.jpg A quick test showed that the plate allows the filler to open without fouling the body shell and it kept everything firmly in place http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psf953e7f8.jpg And here's a good shot demonstrating the angle everything is now at: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psfd0c7e85.jpg Obviously I will tidy things up and then paint it the same colour as the car, but I'm tired now and it's cider-o'clock! But given what a faff I could have had with fibreglass or welding something, I'm quite chuffed with what I've ended up, how relatively simple it was and how it looks :) |
Dave - Nice work on the petrol cap. :cool:
Can I ask a daft question, are the bolts just biting into the fibreglass? Good luck, Paul. :) |
Cool solution to what could of been a complicated task.
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Obviously it helps if you have a small child to-hand to assist with tightening things up! :) Note: While my son was doing the test-run with me on this, i spotted that the rear deck really is quite thin and flexible! Had i spotted this before i fitted the shell then i would have glassed some bracing on the back. But as it stands, and with no wish to upside-down Fiberglas with everything in place, I'm going to have to have a ponder.... |
Cheers Dave. :cool:
I am really tempted to steal this idea, as the time for drilling the hole for my own filler cap is fast approaching. :eek: Given your last point, I might also add some extra matting around the hole itself while the body shell is still off the frame. Good luck, Paul. :) |
Dave,awesome work so far. The bodies are advertised as 3x 900 layout,in my book that makes them around quarter of one inch(5-6mm) thick. My buddy assures me that is incredibly robust and is more than enough strength wise. So don't worry too much about the flex.
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humm... cheers matey.
No update for a while, but lots of little bits have been going on. Firstly the doors, the catches are in place and i've decided to go for a pull-cord style handle utilising some of the old brake and clutch cables i have laying around. That needs a sturdy anchor point on the other side of the door, so i got a couple of big UNF bolts and drilled holes through them large enough to loop the cable through: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps1a3e7968.jpg and then made up some large flat penny washers to spread the load. Job done :) http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps6db44141.jpg Those will now be painted the same colour as the body to make them blend in. Then it's been lots of sanding / filling / sanding / filling / sanding ... I'm getting there, with the bonnet now virtually done http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps2db38691.jpg And the passengers side door also nearing completion (ignoring the chunk i took out of the gel coat on the body when i accidentally wacked it with the powerfile :( ) http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps8abc8eb8.jpg And Towed was right that the rear spring is starting to settle, but i think that some minor work may be needed with the rear of the rear wheelarch? We'll just have to wait and see... http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psbccfd259.jpg |
Can you tell what it is yet? :)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps3553abe9.jpg Yup, seeing as Poole is the black-hole of Grills, :noidea: i've had to take the plunge and make my own. ATM i'm still experimenting. i've cut a load of slits ar regular intervals in alloy U channel. Then attached L section brackets to those and L section bonded to the inside of the shell. The idea being that when it's all complete i could remove it by drilling out the pop rivets (at least that's the theory!) Top bonded in place http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psef19b1a8.jpg Bottom bonded in place http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps795be6d1.jpg I'm not going to fit the vertical slats until the shell is painted, so back to my filling and sanding :( |
Spooky!
I was also playing with my grill today, and it too is an alternative to the beer grate one I ordered that never made it out of the Poole Triangle. :icon_wink: The good news is that your build is really coming together nicely. :cool: Good luck, Paul. :) |
Getting parts out of Poole needs to be done in John Le Carre stylee - you meet in a picturesque European City centre and your money walks slowly across the Town square only once you see that the parts are present and in one piece. And keep scanning the roof tops for snipers as double crosses are common...
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glad it's not just me then with the grill and headrest problems
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Me too, i was beginning to think it was personal!
Exercising my patience. Patiently. Merry christmas all, T |
It's a shame to hear there are minor supply problems as I don't' think it's any secret that I like Mike and I think he's making a cracking product! And while it is a bit annoying, it did make me chuckle as I had exactly the same issue with the grill for my Sammio.
Back when I did the Sammio I was much more naïve and I worried what I'd do without all of the 'factory' bits. This time around and with a bit of knowledge and experience under my belt it's not a big deal, just a bit irritating. Right... I have an entire day today to work on the car :D But first a quick trip to Halfrauds as I'm out of body filler and i'll need more for SWMBO's bl00dy camper van when I'm done with the Miglia! So hopefully loads of progress today :) |
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It seems a third party supplier let Gary J down and I did get my money back (eventually). Oh, and as far as I'm aware it was nothing to do with Mike btw. |
I drove down to Poole, had breakfast in the caf, put everything in a van, had a chat and drove home, sorted....
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As the A1 Alpha's bonnet is very similar (oops) to the Sammio range there's no reason why the new grills can't be retro fitted to the original Spyder/Pilot, Cordite/Navigator and even the Miglia's :happy: The big difference is this time the grills will be made of aluminium rather than the original steel, which obviously makes them much lighter but being aluminium the grill could be polished giving the "chrome" effect :eusa_snooty: |
In between family-duties, it's been a LONG weekend undercoating the main tub and SWMBO captured it perfectly in what shes calls the "Breaking Somerset" photo :)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps6c98b41f.jpg |
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I am the one who knocks... |
Dave - Great news that you are already starting the painting process. :cool:
Good luck, Paul, :) |
I've been a bit quiet on here of late, but the build is progressing.
Just a bit slowly due to the endless rounds of filling / priming / sanding / filling / priming /sanding / <repeat as necessary> Then today I finally got to the "FFS that'll do" stage! I've said it before, but having gone through this process myself I can see why a professional paint job costs too much due to the time and care put into it! So a few layers of high build primer have been applied and as many faults as I could spot in my cramped ikkle garage have been rectified in between layers. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps6d2a6387.jpg Then today after I finally snapped I applied the first of the top coats to the main tub! :) And also started priming the bonnet. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psa8042b52.jpg It's certainly very Red..... Sadly don't let that mirror finish fool you, as it was all still wet at that point, but it did give me a glimpse of things to come (fingers crossed!) I thought it worth sharing that as I'm spraying in quite a constricted and cluttered space (needs must) I've founds that raising the car up on Axle stands has really helped with the spraying and also helps getting a better overall picture of things as I progress So as I'm likely to be tied up over the next few days i'll wish you all a good new year and I look fwd to the Miglia/Sammio/Ribble/Tribute fun continuing in 2015. Dave |
You are certainly making good progress Dave, are you using cellulose or two pack?
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Still, it is great to see the car in red. :cool: Overall, this really has been a very fast build, which is a credit to both you and the kit. Good luck, Paul. :) |
Nice colour DC, I hope it stays shiny for you.
Very good point about raising the car up on axle stands to make spraying easier. That's exactly what I did, mainly as it just seemed sensible to keep the body as far off the (dusty) floor as possible - http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps26e5b9ab.jpg Keep up the good work and see you on the road soon! |
Ohhh plastic dustsheets, posh! :)
I just bought my bi-yearly copy of the Sunday Times as I find that provides enough masking materials and firelight paper to last a good few months :) Progress update... Painting, flatting, painting, flatting, correcting, painting... Main tub just about done, started putting topcoat on bonnet. Will do doors last as I still suspect they'll be a faff! In case its of any interest I've been using grey high build primer, then 180 grit wet-n-dry to shape and flat that and a final sand with 400 grit, before... Then Cellulose top coat, with the light use of wet, 400 grit in between layers. Then I have 1200 grit for the final fattening before I dig out the polish. Fingers crossed the final coat on the body has no more drips as I want to start the flattening on that tomorrow! Will get some pics then as well. |
The main flatting with 1200 grit is now just about done and I've moved onto the cutting compound.
It's HARD work, so I've been finding other little jobs to do in-n-around it to keep my spirits up. One of the first things I wanted to do was get the fuel filler refitted so that no gunk ended up in the tank. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps6d18e68f.jpg Happy with that, I started to assemble the grill. I've still got the end pieces to fit, but I'm v.happy with the look of it so far. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps01d054b2.jpg Then I decided to start unwrapping and cleaning. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps5c079cc2.jpg Forum members who've been on here since the start of the Sammio section will be glad to know that I've got a few bits of overspray! :) |
Today has been cleaning, tidying and reassembling the steering.
The 2 areas of the Miglia build that originally unsettled me were: 1) Stretching the gear lever. Well, I worked around that by opting for the angled Spitfire lever, so no cutting and welding required. 2) Altering the steering column. Again, I was worried about cutting-n-welding the column, so I had a think about other options and as the result of looking at what a few others on here have done, coupled with an idea from a Herald owner (who advised me of the design of the collapsible Triumph column!) I settled upon a solution that needs no cutting or welding at all!!! My Solution The collapsible design of the original Vitesse column is achieved by the top section being hollow and the bottom section fitting inside it, with a cut-out in the top section and a flat filed in the bottom section, all held together with a chunky great clamp! That design allows the column to collapse in case of a head-on collision by the inner shaft sliding up inside the outer one. But as far as we're concerned, it also means that if we un-do that clamp we can 'shrink' the length of the column by simply sliding the lower shaft further into the upper one! So once disassembled and the new length decided upon with a bit of trial and error I filed a new 'flat' on the inner shaft in it's new location: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psae5662f0.jpg And reassembled it with the original clamp. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps28b02e7e.jpg Bobs your uncle, shortened without any cutting or welding :) So while (as some of you will have figured out) that top section is no longer collapsible, it is now connected to the rack with an intermediary shaft (splined steering shaft from Car Builder Solutions!), and 2 new Steering Column UJ's to link them all together. Which is an accepted alternative column design if I did have to follow IVA guidelines! So a nice result and some peace of mind to boot :) Here's it all is fitted in place, along with the pillow-block bearing on the bulkhead which makes for a very nice feel through the wheel! :) http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps84ec195d.jpg Happy! :) |
Dave - Nice result on the steering column. :cool:
It is really coming together now and your DIY grille looks very professional too. Good luck, Paul. :) |
Very tidy.
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This week has been all about the bodywork.
After talking to one of the guys at work who is into "detailing" (posh car cleaning!! ;) ) I decided to modify the approach I took last time, to see if I could get a more professional finish this time around. So... Here's an example of how things generally look after painting, with a good 3 or 4 coats of colour: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps1ff35935.jpg To this I then do a rub down with 1200 grit wet-n-dry (used wet). Then that is followed by a once over with Halfords Rubbing compound (also used wet) That makes things look like this: http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps100681ff.jpg This in itself looks nice and is very flat, but it's hazy. So after doing all of the bodywork on the Sammio by hand, and not wanting to go through all of that faff again! I was looking at investing in an electric polisher when I stumbled across this power drill adapter for £4.99 in Halfords!! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps4bd5fd9e.jpg That coupled with a Hard (White) flatting pad, a soft (Black) polishing pad at £4.99 each and things came to considerably less than some of the admittedly very nice Random Orbit polishers I'd been day dreaming over! A quick scan of my cleaning shelf threw up a bottle of Meguires Ultimate compound for the final flatting. and a huge bottle of Autoglym for the final polishing. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps065d1cd2.jpg And with a lot of hard work, this is the sort of result I am now getting!! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps0eecd0f2.jpg TBH this is a whole leap ahead of the paint finish I achieved on the Sammio! It's also surprising how quickly I get through power drill batteries, so I'm taking things a small area at a time and also refitting things as I go (while batteries recharge!) |
Dave - Thanks for all the painting / finishing tips, as it does look very shiny. :cool:
It must be nice to putting things like the screens back on for the final time. Good luck, Paul. :) |
The current spate of bad weather got me thinking about weather proofing.
Well..... about wind-proofing my rear view mirror at the very least! I'd seen the dual screen approach that some are going for in order to stop the wind blowing the mirror about and while I like that look, I had also seen all manner of chunky looking ad-hoc wind-shields on 50's/60's racing cars and seeing as I'm going for that sort of look at the moment I decided to take that route. So first step was get all Blue Peter and to mock some options up in cardboard and sticky-backed-plastic http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psbf811e38.jpg Then when I had something I was happy with I flattened that out. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps5f58cc2b.jpg Then transferred it to aluminium and bent that to shape. At this stage I REALLY wished I had a bigger garage and a nice workbench! But I was happy with what I could do. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps5177ecf4.jpg Then mounting holes were drilled, the top corners riveted together and everything given a good few coats of etch primer. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psf695585e.jpg Then after a few layers of Red and a bit of polishing it was bolted in place, with a thin foam gasket between it and the car although i'll put a bit of silicon around it to seal the gaps that you can see on the corners in the pics. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psfb76662a.jpg It's not "perfect", but it'll do the job and it certainly gives the "look" I was after! :) I also decided to keep it grey undercoat inside as I quite like the look! http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...ps08984a63.jpg It's worth pointing out the slight colour difference between that and the rest of the car. Despite this having a good 3 and a bit coats of colour the difference is due to the etch-primer being a darker grey than the high-build primer used on the shell. Interesting but in a nerdy way :) |
Nice work davecyrmu your build is flying along now and the paint finish is excellent. The tip about different under coat colour's is one to remember, the local paint suppliers to me have advised i use a white colour high build which i was going to use on the body only but think i will use it any parts with the same top coat colour, thanks for that one.
Not long till your car will be on the road and may be a video of it running, look forward to your next update. |
Dave - If it wasn't was watching Blue Peter as a kid, I'd have no idea how to build my car. :icon_wink:
My first thought for a rear view mirror shield was very similar to yours. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i...o/DSCF3313.JPG https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/DSCF3314.JPG I think the use of rivets along the top edges really gives it that "pit lane adjustment" look. :cool: Good luck, Paul. :) |
Cheers matey, TBH i'm quite liking the rivets everywhere look, and i've done a few things this weekend that make it look even more 50's racer - more to come on that later in the week :)
BTW, I've just been catching up on posts and i noticed that when i post updates i tend to be..... focused... on what I'm writing and i don't always reply to questions or even say thank you to people for all of your nice comments, suggestions and general pish-taking. Sorry, me bad :( So thank you all, as your feedback, no matter whether good or bad is always appreciated, even if i don't always say so! |
"a little and often" is how I've approached this build, but atm the weather is sapping my ability to do more than an hr here,n,there!
That said, the grill is done. The bonnet is half polished and about to go on once I've fixed a minor gasket issue with the carbs. The doors are nearly ready for topcoat and the door cards have been fabricated and are nearly done. The electrics are just about finished being refitted, although the fuel and temp gauges seem to be playing up. And while in Lidl the other day they had these powder extinguishers on offer for a price I couldn't ignore and I'm tempted to fit it here to add to the race car look? still not 100% sure yet tho.. http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...psc67a8573.jpg |
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