The Kebab - Page 24

hurnleft · #**461** 3rd October 2016, 12:08

Centre console fitted now. The hazard switch works well in the ashtray with holes cut for wires and depth.

Plug for sat nav etc fitted on the side of the front console. It should be ok as it's not in the way of the gear lever or my legs when anything is plugged in.

Making the gear lever surround now. A piece of carpet underlay first to build it up, then a plywood plate.
This will have a bit more suspended ceiling angle bonded to the sides. Will finish this tomorrow if time.

Mitchelkitman · #**462** 3rd October 2016, 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurnleft

Plug for sat nav etc fitted on the side of the front console. It should be ok as it's not in the way of the gear lever or my legs when anything is plugged in.

I wish the 'designers' of our Fiat Grande Punto has paid attention to such detail - the aux socket is just behind the gear lever gaiter so any time we use the sat nav the wire is constantly it the way

hurnleft · #**463** 8th October 2016, 12:21

Well that's the interior as far as I'm doing for now. There's always a few more bits for the future, but that's enough for now as I really should do some non car jobs for a while.

Cheers, Bob.

Barber · #**464** 8th October 2016, 13:48

Bob,

Pleased to see that you got a second wind for this. I have just read the whole thread right through (for the second time), and it reflects well on your effort to make the car your own.

hurnleft · #**465** 8th October 2016, 14:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barber

Bob,

Pleased to see that you got a second wind for this. I have just read the whole thread right through (for the second time), and it reflects well on your effort to make the car your own.

Thanks for that Barber, I'm going to see it through to the end now.

To do list…

Rubber round from window.
Repro stickers on top of screen (bought over a year ago and waiting for the rubber)
Trim inside boot.
Sort front wing cracks.
Put in working radio.

Might do list…

Connect a large horn to the 'rocket launcher' switch.
Reshape column switch knobs for older appearance.
Put chrome rings around heater knobs.
Fit sill stainless mouldings which I already have.
Fit racing stripes of some sort.

Cheers, Bob.

Barber · #**466** 8th October 2016, 17:19

"Connect a large horn to the 'rocket launcher' switch."
Haha, brings to mind when I had a triple air horn on my Lambereta 150.

Jaguartvr · #**467** 8th October 2016, 17:26

Looking good.

I would suggest a nice round alloy gear knob and a pair of chrome or black bars either side of the gear lever. Fitted just in front of the ashtray going to the upper, lower edge of the forward centre console. Would just take the edge of the square edges that always look a little homemade.

Surely some nice forum member with access to a CNC machine will start offering a nice polished H gate for the Z3 rather than the material gator.

When making up these sort of modifications, I have found the plastic Estate agent signs very useful, easy to cut,drill and glue. Best acquired on the way back from the pub late at night after a few sharpeners.

hurnleft · #**468** 8th October 2016, 19:27

Interesting idea, I'll look into the chrome strips idea next week.

hurnleft · #**469** 12th October 2016, 18:10

I took the car over to the painters' yesterday to talk about the stress cracks on the front wings.

It now seems unlikely than the pie cutting has caused it, rather it looks like it's where the box section part underneath the wings stops and changes to single skin as it heads along to the headlights.

This is causing a weak point where the box part stops and very slight vibration of the front end ahead of it has caused the problem.

I'll leave it now until early next year and it can go in for strengthening and painting as well as rubber buffers on the slam panel.

Cheers, Bob.

Jaguartvr · #**470** 12th October 2016, 18:13

Would it be an advantage to put an extra layer of GRP matting in mine now to prevent cracking later?
Has anyone else had problems in this area?
Any chance of some pictures, if it doesn't show up very well perhaps a couple of shots with your finger pointing to the troublesome area.

thanks

hurnleft · #**471** 12th October 2016, 18:29

Here's some photos of the worst side. Hopefully you can just about see the crack and can work out the position from the wheel arch and vent.

Not sure if it wants more layers of glass or if it's possible to fit a lightweight box section down the inside of the wing top as there's no point just moving the problem along a bit.

As mine's been lowered it does crash a bit over speed humps if I'm not concentrating and I've taken to shows across bumpy fields to camping areas. Possibly a car that's been treated more carefully wouldn't have the problem.

Cheers, Bob.

Jaguartvr · #**472** 12th October 2016, 19:40

I wonder if creating ribs out of 15mm plastic pipe and a couple of layers of glass would do the trick. They can add a lot of strength.
Thanks for the photos.

hurnleft · #**473** 12th October 2016, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaguartvr

I wonder if creating ribs out of 15mm plastic pipe and a couple of layers of glass would do the trick. They can add a lot of strength.
Thanks for the photos.

That's the sort of thing I had in mind.

Also making sure it's well supported on rubber at the front will probably be good.

Let us know how it proceeds as I'll probably be following your plan.

Cheers, Bob.

Jeff H · #**474** 12th October 2016, 19:55

Bob,

Sorry to hear this, but at least we know it could be a future problem so thanks for sharing.

The blue one I am doing has had a tube bonded in along the top of the wing for the wiring, Chris at Tribute did it for the customer, it goes in to the box section so hope fully does add some strength.

Jeff H · #**475** 12th October 2016, 19:59

Jaguartvr · #**476** 12th October 2016, 20:14

You can also use hose pipe, very useful on curves, it's the GRP matting that goes over the top that gives it the strength. My wife can't work out why the garden hose seems to be getting shorter!

Mikewade · #**477** 12th October 2016, 20:54

That's not good...
Sorry to hear about this, but thanks for sharing.

hurnleft · #**478** 12th October 2016, 21:13

I do have the pipe in mine as well for the wiring. That side has not cracked but I can see the tension has altered the shape enough that I can see it causing a shadow.
It's all unfortunate but just one of those things that happen and we'll deal with. All semi one off projects suffer little setbacks.

Stevednorris · #**479** 13th October 2016, 08:16

Hi Bob,

I've got a feeling I live quite close to you, I'm sure I drove past your car car outside the bakers in Taverham a couple,of days ago, if I did it looked lovely.
I'm building a Replicar at the moment and have very similar wheels to yours, I've bought some plastic spinners and wondered how you fitted them to your wheels securely?

hurnleft · #**480** 13th October 2016, 08:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevednorris

Hi Bob,

I've got a feeling I live quite close to you, I'm sure I drove past your car car outside the bakers in Taverham a couple,of days ago, if I did it looked lovely.
I'm building a Replicar at the moment and have very similar wheels to yours, I've bought some plastic spinners and wondered how you fitted them to your wheels securely?

Hi Steve, that was me, I was next door getting a hair cut.

I only live at the Norwich end of Drayton off Hurn Road so pop round at some point for a chat and have a look.

Cheers, Bob.