The Survivor ...
 

Recently ''found'' in a garage in Dorset .... :-)

https://i.ibb.co/ZYmPkfK/20190105-151211.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/bNHR0wk/20190105-151254.jpg


LOTS of unique features .... every panel changed , 16'' XK140 wires , body fitted lower due to alternative chassis , single screen , custom dash etc etc.

More pictures to follow when screen , headlight covers , dash , seats , final detailing bits etc fitted ...

https://i.ibb.co/d0ryWTC/IMG-20190105-095556.jpg

Sprung loaded boot latches , a mix between Maserati and Ferrari-esque styling , they lift and quarter turn to release and park.

Looks good, I would say better in many respects compared to the bling new look of some restored / new build old style cars.

What is the chassis on this one ? You mention an, "alternative chassis".

1950's Rover Special ...

Loving the look Gary it certainly looks like its been "found" in a barn, excellent job mate

Like it!

Yeah. I'll give you that. Looks bloody fab!

I should take that to the Mille Miglia for you 🤣😁

Paint by "MrTowed"

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Was it a P4 donor ? Simple ladder chassis of that type of car lends itself well to almost anything regards a rebody.

Does the owner intend to fit a screen or wind deflector at all ? IMO I think it needs the head light covers to finish it off, even if they were to be a little crazed and chipped ! Where are the front indicators ?

One thing discussed on an old buggy site was cold casting alloy - basically using alloy powder in the gel coat - allegedly polished up very much like aluminium. Was just thinking how a GR would look in polished alloy with a load of fake rivets...

I asked the same about a screen on facebook

You missed this bit


“More pictures to follow when screen , headlight covers , dash , seats , final detailing bits etc fitted ...”

My laminator's use aluminium powder to create anti static gelcoat on one of their oil rig jobs , interesting idea that .....

Front indicators are going to be created by putting Orange bulbs in the Spotlight's and rears are going g to be flashing brakelight using an old Lucas relay

Awesome looking car. From the comments, I'm assuming its a new paint job but done to look old? Very convincing. If it is actually old, then it looks it. Whats the engine used in this?

CanThank you .... Yes painted over Xmas period . I used cellulose rather than 2 pack and sanded back and then waxed without buffing it to give it that old sheen , roundalls and numbers , Sponsor logo's etc.are all painted , rather than vinyl and sanded as well , paying attention to areas most likely to suffer a few knocks or a bit of wear ...

Engine and gearbox are 3 litre /manual Ford V6 and side exhausts are fully plumbed up , The cill area covering the front sections are aluminium

Firestone logo's used as fairly simple for me to do and didn't want to put too much on the car and she's fitted with Firestone tyres . ...

Did the rover chassis need much massaging ?

No, I couldn't have achieved such a high gloss.

I looked on youtube but couldn't find anything that had been done on a large scale. Most of it was model making applications but the silver / aluminium effects look quite convincing. I can't see why it wouldn't work if applied into a clear gel coat. You also have the gold effect powder

SOME DETAIL PICS ....

Badges ....

https://i.ibb.co/SyNNFP7/IMG-1560.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/z5VnN2d/IMG-1561.jpg

Side bonnet latch .... Homemade escutcheon and handle using the square drive from a Herald boot handle and a Herald Boot latch...

https://i.ibb.co/XXmvRQ9/IMG-1562.jpg

Top latches are vintage aeroplane latches , bit like a Dzeus fastener but you push the centre down with a screwdriver and quarter turn ....

https://i.ibb.co/LSbtLB2/IMG-1563.jpg

Above picture also shows the extensive reshaping of the dash and screen area ...I had to move the dash pod and headrest over about 2'' to allow them to line up with the Rover seating position .... rear view mirror shroud is aluminium

Beginnings of interior ....

https://i.ibb.co/NLk8y0n/IMG-1565.jpg

Dash is nearly done , just a centre section to fabricate ...rev counter in front of driver , Speedo to the left ..... indicator and horn switch being hidden in door hinge area .... horizontal steering column , no centre console due to different chassis and a nice low seating position ...
Fuel cap detail evident here too ... a nice original thru'ppenny bit style one .

I was lucky enough to be given a free pass on this car to build it how I wanted using parts I chose ...I opted to buy original parts rather than reproduction as much as I could ( door latches are 50's 2CV for example ) as part of trying to create 'age' ...

Boot latches ....Home made and sprung loaded , quarter turn style ...

https://i.ibb.co/kcMLP6t/IMG-1566.jpg

More to follow as screen , headlight covers , seats etc etc is added ....

Absolutely cracking! Tally ho!

I think that this will turn a few heads and wrinkle a few brows, Bravo.

STARTED PIECING THE INTERIOR TOGETHER ....

The dash needs to come out again for wiring .... indicator relay and one fuse box just about visible in front of passenger ... the main fuse box is going to be hidden under the bonnet ....The indicator and horn panel thats intended to go in drivers door shut is not fitted in picture ..

https://i.ibb.co/7rn4QMN/IMG-1609-1.jpg

Screen template is made and a set of shop soiled headlight covers trimmed to fit ... these wont be fitted until headlights are wired and aligned properly ...

https://i.ibb.co/3Sr5rtc/IMG-1610.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/2kkbCcS/IMG-1611.jpg

Those push and quarter turn fasteners look like 'Oddie' fasteners.

Looks fantastic.:rockon:

You just can't beat that "race track reject" look.

I really like the way it's coming along. Good work!

It's looking very authentic. Choice of donor (P4, I assume?) is inspired. Did you consider using the straight six from the donor?

I bought the chassis as a rolling chassis only , no engine ....it had already been used under a Special and is 100" wheelbase which with a little tweak to the modified arches on the F120 body works out well ...If the original engine was there I would have loved to use it . ..

Nice. :cool:

I really like the filler cap in the hump and the mirror shroud.

I take it the person you are building it for loves it?

Cheers, Paul. :)

Nice!!

even if it isn't a Red one :)

No that’s a good thing too many red ones

Owner loves it but she has been built to sell primarily .... I was given a free reign to build it how I wanted and have a kind of profit share thing going on ...I want to see how viable the turnkey build market really is ...as that's how I want to go eventually rather than commission builds ...

Gary - I met Mr T earlier today and he mentioned the good reaction his advert in Octane magazine got.

So that might be a better option for selling than the traditional Ebay route.

Good luck, Paul. :)

PS
The tarpaulin keeping the rain out of my car is slowly turning it into a survivor. :rolleyes:

Yep, I subscribe to Octane so I get one free ad per year.

My advert in Octane was much shorter - the limit was about 35 words as I recall - so it was a far more basic description.

The car had sold from the ebay classifieds before the Octane ad was published, and I didn't really expect anyone looking at the megabucks cars they usually advertise to be interested, but, over the next couple of months I got five or six serious enquiries including from three individuals who were genuinely gutted that they'd missed it.

Given that I had a buyer at the asking price within two weeks of putting it up for sale, two serious UK offers of around £18k and two European dealers negotiating at a similar level before it sold, then at least three more potential buyers responding to the Octane ad, I could've sold the car somewhere between four and eight times over.

The market might be small for this type of car compared to, say, the demand for Ford Fiestas, but there is a genuine global market for cars that will turn more heads than a new Lamborghini at the price of a mid-spec Mondeo.

Spending time with Paul and his Swordfish today, I was not in the least surprised when people stopped and asked if they could take pictures and hooted and waved while we were on the move.

Your creations are very desirable, Gary. Price them accordingly, advertise them well and hold out for the serious buyers. You will sell them.

I would imagine a turn key build to your own specifications would be a whole lot easier than a commissioned build from a demanding customer who might be expecting a Rolls Royce for the price of a Mini or be overly finicky about tiny details.

Spooky Lucky ........and when they are looking at staying in budget , the much wanted accessories aren't compromised , they look at the labour thats being charged out at less than any mainstream garage as the area they feel can be trimmed back ..... The guarantee of being highly recommended and your creation being paraded at many shows on your behalf and undoubtably bringing hundreds of customers to your door , is waved in your face as compensation for your financial hardship ...

Personals projects sold at the end of build , don't cause that awkwardness or uncomfortable situation ...

Thats not aimed at anyone in particular , only feel upset about my comment if it strikes a cord !! but I have heard that same speech for around 25 years now since I started supplying kits and commission builds !!

Please be aware that when following the masses, often times the "M" is silent!

not yet as far as I am aware ....there was an issue with the propshaft but thats been remedied ...so think its going back on market soon ..

Very similar to Oddie pins but not quite the same I think ....they were Aircraft issue , or so I was told ..little more complex than the Oddie ones ...

Building a "standard" product has got to be the best way. You know what people want, you know how long a build will take and what it will cost.

I'm liking the 'single' wraparound screen it's a cool evoloution and would give considerably more protection than my aeroscreens while retaining a more racing car look!

Given what i went though trying to sell mine last year as a home builder I totally feel for you building these to make a living!

Freezing cold and shakey walk around video!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw1z...t1gegROqa-fbKw

I have changed the fuel pump from a lazy manual one to an electric example and spent several hours chasing water leaks around ...the reducer pipe I made had a couple of weepy pinholes in it and some second hand jubilee clips decided to not seal as well as they should ..I ended up replacing the top hose at the radiator , doubled up the jubilee clips on the bottom hose as well as lengthening it a bit and replaced a weakened radiator cap ...but all's good now ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSN1Sw22cZM