Ribble News - Page 8

Paul L · #**141** 23rd April 2013, 18:49

AndyP57 - You are going to have an impressive collection on display at Stoneleigh.

If you still have to fit the rear lights I take it there is no "boot" floor to prevent access?

In which case, how are you going to mount/support the twin silencers?

Good luck, Paul.

AndyP57 · #**142** 23rd April 2013, 18:56

You're right. No boot floor on this one. I've cunning plan to hang the exhausts which is yet untested but involves strip hangers from the rear of the frame. Plan may yet change when I start scrabbling around under it.

Psycho pops · #**143** 24th April 2013, 06:53

I have the same twin silencers, an angle bar welded between the cut down rear outriggers lets you use the standard rubber straps that come with the exhaust, you would need to adjust the rear apron maybe to get the clearance..
Pops

AndyP57 · #**144** 24th April 2013, 07:28

Hi Pops, Remember the Spitfire chassis doesn't have these rear outriggers. Therein lies the problem...

Psycho pops · #**145** 25th April 2013, 17:56

Mmmmm now that I didn't realise, pretend I didn't say anything and I will wait to see your solution

AndyP57 · #**146** 26th April 2013, 07:58

Some 'not so good' news along with some 'very good news' today. Firstly the 'Not so good', some of which will be mitigated by the 'Very good':

1. It looks like Gaz won't be able to make it to Stoneleigh due to other commitments so we're not only a man down, but a tow vehicle which makes logistics somewhat tricky in getting all we want to show down there.

2. The Navigator mould has suffered somewhat and in our opinion is just about unusable in its current form.

Now the good:

1. It's quite probable that we may have recruited Mac (Viatron) as a temporary, but valuable member of 'Team Ribble' (Yet to be confirmed) which will, at least allow us to get Navigator and Colani down to Stoneleigh

2. We have a cunning plan in place that will, in a very short timeframe (1 - 2 Weeks) have the Navigator reborn. This will include dressing a pull from the current mould, reshaping the bulkhead so it will no longer have the obvious curve at the bonnet line and also reshaping the cockpit sides and other aspects so they will be somewhere near symmetrical (Now that will be a first!) and revisiting the returns on the wheel arches and cockpit. This will then be filled, primed and gloss finished before a NEW mould is taken off the resulting shell. We were going to be doing this during winter break but events have overtaken us. I'll try to get photos of the new mould under construction as we go. For existing orders, we see this as a minor extension (if any, as the frame redesign is being done in parallel) but the end product will be MUCH better than before.

CarNoob · #**147** 26th April 2013, 10:45

symmetrical sounds nice

AndyP57 · #**148** 26th April 2013, 14:12

Quick update about the Navigator rebuild. The 'buck' has been straightened (2" taken out of the passenger's side bulkhead line alone!) and is currently being bonded to a wooden frame ready for the body shop to have a go at sorting the finish. Photos will follow

Mister Towed · #**149** 26th April 2013, 14:45

Symmetrical you say. Hmm, nope, no idea what that word means.

Viatron · #**150** 26th April 2013, 15:29

Well its nearly symmetrical! lets not get carried away and call it 100%!

AndyP57 · #**151** 26th April 2013, 16:35

For info, as the weather isn't looking too guaranteed, instead of a club pitch (Which we had no takers for anyway) we've taken the opportunity of a last minute stand vacancy at Stoneleigh. We should be on stand 153 in hall 2 so please drop by and say hi.

Paul L · #**152** 26th April 2013, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyP57

... the end product will be MUCH better than before...

With all the work you are doing on both the frame and bodywork I am sure it will be.

If you end up with something that can actually be bolted to a Spitfire "out of the box" you will be on to a winner.

Good news on the stand at Stoneleigh, I look forward to seeing you there.

Cheers, Paul.

AndyP57 · #**153** 30th April 2013, 14:20

Sunny! Car! Pub!

oxford1360 · #**154** 30th April 2013, 14:24

The Ribble's natural habitat.

AndyP57 · #**155** 30th April 2013, 14:31

Absolutely! We've been asked to put on a local 'open day' at this venue (Ye olde Hob Inn at Bamber Bridge) on 23rd June by ukwheelsevents and incorporating the Preston Supercar club who normally turn up with Ferrari (Real and Replica), Astons, TVR and other interesting motors. We'll be giving runs to the unit (about 5 minutes away) and it looks like we'll be supported by the local media (LEP and Lancashire Life).If anyone can make it, whether with their car or not we'd be VERY happy to see you

Viatron · #**156** 30th April 2013, 16:03

So that's why your not answering your phone!

craigt · #**157** 30th April 2013, 17:25

Andy, can you check your pm please?

AndyP57 · #**158** 30th April 2013, 18:38

Sorry about that Craig. Missed the PMs but will give you a full reply in the morning from the pc. (Same goes for Paul L)

Paul L · #**159** 5th May 2013, 15:47

Good to meet the two Andys today (P57 & P85) & Pat (Patton) too.

Special thanks for AndyP57 for answering the ton of questions I had.

The Colani is very curvy in real life & the blue paint looks really good.

Obviously I was there for the Navigator & the silver finish on that is also impressive.

It was only after I got home I realised I only had one photo of the "whole" car.

All the rest of my photos are of things I wanted to check for my own build.

So I have lots of photos like these...

I also took lots of measurements that should also help me.

Well worth the trip, even though I had to rush back for a family trip out.

Cheers, Paul.

Viatron · #**160** 5th May 2013, 16:02

Wish I had been able to make it but my gut is only one down to less than 1 somersault per hour