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Go Back   Madabout Kitcars Forum > Mad Build Area > Vintage and Classic Roadster Kit Car Builds

Vintage and Classic Roadster Kit Car Builds For Vintage and Classic era kit cars. Post your build reports, problems and progress here

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  #641  
Old 10th February 2024, 21:39
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Default Hood frame preparation

Time for a small update.......

Since the New Year, I've been focussing my efforts on fitting a badge bar with driving lights and preparing the hood frame before the new hood is fitted in the spring. More on the badge bar when I have some decent photos so this update is about the hood frame.
The wooden battens that form the hood windscreen rail were very rotten from being left out in all weathers for many years so had to be remade.
Following the instructions in the Royale build manual I started by cutting two battens according to the dimensions given. These are then screwed together either side of a steel spine.

Hood header rail by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

You then have to make two cut outs in the lower baton for the Triumph hood catches.

Hood header rail by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Trial fitting the hood catch

Hood header rail by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Having screwed the two batons together you then have to plane a 15 degree slope to the top piece of wood and then chamfer the lower baton at 55 degrees. (Marked with a pencil line.)

Hood header rail by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Lower baton now chamfered.

Hood header rail by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

The front corners and top ends are then rounded.

Hood header rail by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

The next picture shows how the hood side rails are located on the cant rail. My timber battens are thinner than specified so I added a 2mm thick aluminium strip between the battens and the steel spine. (photo taken before final paint preparation.)

Detail of hood side support by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I then dismantled the frame for painting. Whilst preparing the hood hoops for a fresh coat of paint I discovered they were very rusty beneath the black Hammerite that I put on about 11 years ago. They had clearly suffered more under the leaking hood than I first thought and I suspect they were not particularly well painted when first built.
I decided they needed to be stripped back to bare metal. This is one of the hoops after stripping, sanding and having been treated with Rustin's rust converter.

Hood hoops stripped for re-painting by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I then applied the first coat of primer.
I'm trying out "Direct to metal" Epoxy primer. Apparently, this creates a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the metal surface, thereby reducing the risk of rust formation. They also claim it forms a strong bond with the metal surface, which helps prevent the paint or coating from peeling or flaking off over time.
It went on very nicely and dried to a pleasing smooth finish.

Hood hoops primed by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Following the application of primer I will be finishing the hoops in Midnight Blue to match the bodywork.

...............peter
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  #642  
Old 13th February 2024, 13:26
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MartinClan MartinClan is offline
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Looking great!
Who would have known that the header rail is so complicated.

Cheers, Robin
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  #643  
Old 14th February 2024, 14:47
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Looking great!
Who would have known that the header rail is so complicated.

Cheers, Robin
yes, John Barlow was quite specific how he expected his cars to be built!
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  #644  
Old 29th February 2024, 17:07
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Default Potpourri

A little 'potpourri' of updates from my garage..........

I've finished off the hood header rail and given it a few coats of paint.

Hood frame assembly by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Hood frame assembly by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

I've also fitted the 'side arms' and the window seals.

Hood frame assembly by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Bit of an optical illusion as the side arm is actually parallel with the top of the window.

I've also finished fitting the new reversing and fog lamps. Here is a picture of the fog lamp which is not very exciting!

Fog Lamp by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

And I've changed the side lights to LED as the originals were very dim. Not very obvious but here is a before and after shot. Nearside changed to LED and offside is the original bulb.

LED sidelights by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Well, that's all for now.
Hopefully, I'm off to the trimmers next week to have the new hood made and fitted.

.............peter
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  #645  
Old 1st March 2024, 11:05
Amir Manzoori Amir Manzoori is offline
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Hi Peter, as always, carrying out everything in the best way possible. Just a question, have you considered having your original hood frame modified so that you don't have to leave your seat to open the top. Instead you unlock the two screen locks, lift and drop it back behind the seats, and to close it, just the revers of that? Just an idea.
Keep up the fantastic work.
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  #646  
Old 1st March 2024, 18:24
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Looking forward to seeing the hood!
The last piece of the puzzle?
That rear fog light looks very nice. I don't suppose you remember where it was from?
Cheers, Robin
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  #647  
Old 2nd March 2024, 19:36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amir Manzoori View Post
Hi Peter, as always, carrying out everything in the best way possible. Just a question, have you considered having your original hood frame modified so that you don't have to leave your seat to open the top. Instead you unlock the two screen locks, lift and drop it back behind the seats, and to close it, just the revers of that? Just an idea.
Keep up the fantastic work.
Hi Amir, no I hadn't considered modifying the frame, opting to keep to John Barlow's design to keep it simple.
I did see something about this in your recent article in the owners magazine but the picture wasn't clear enough to see what you had done.
Maybe something to consider for my future projects
cheers, Peter
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  #648  
Old 2nd March 2024, 19:52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MartinClan View Post
Looking forward to seeing the hood!
The last piece of the puzzle?
That rear fog light looks very nice. I don't suppose you remember where it was from?
Cheers, Robin
The hood is the last big piece but I still have a few other things to do before I would say it's finished

The reversing and fog lights come from ebay like these....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232996587...Bk9SR86N94rAYw

Lots of sellers selling the same lamps so check the prices if you fancy buying some.
Of course, they are not 'E' or 'F' marked but they do have 'old school' glass lenses ad look nice!
Made of 'Chinese' stainless steel so not sure how long they will last?

cheers, Peter
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  #649  
Old 19th March 2024, 21:02
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I picked up my car from the trimmers this morning. I have to say that I am absolutely delighted with the result. Dave Joy at Hukes Car trimmers has done a fabulous job, a real craftsman!

New hood by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

New hood by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Details of front rail and hidem banding. Extra 'flap' above the windscreen to stop any water ingress.

New hood by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Latching handles. Dave made up a new piece of internal trim to cover the rail. Looks fantastic and a major improvement.

New hood by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

New hood by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

New hood by Sabrebuilder, on Flickr

Next job, when time permits, is to fit some nice real leather seats

....peter
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  #650  
Old 20th March 2024, 22:15
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Looks very nice
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