New Cordite Build, with a twist....

[Viatron]

cheers for the link, i had that bookmarked anyway, i will definatley be buying new as the splines on the wheels are pretty much perfect so dont want to spoil them by using naff adapters. will probably orer some whilst im away so they are there when i get back as im keen to get the chassis rolling on its intended wheels so that body fitting highlights any issues (not that im expecting any) rather than find out when i change from steels to wires.

[Mister Towed]

Might be worth shopping around first - about a year ago that set was under £140.

What tyres are you planning to use? I had originally planned to use 13" wheels and would've gone for 175/80/13's with white walls to make the wheels look bigger.

This is quite a useful tool for working out the effect different tyre sizes will have on the looks, clearance and gearing -

http://www.kouki.co.uk/utilities/vis...ize-calculator

Anyway, have fun whatever you choose.

[Viatron]

not got that far but something period looking, not sure about whitewalls though not my bag really.

[Paul L]

Originally Posted by Viatron

... Now I know the front end of the chassis won't need cutting to accommodate the German bonnet ill be getting the chassis off to the galvanisers on my return ...

Hi Mac,

Just want to check if you are planning to have a flip up bonnet, or use AndyP57's new approach...

Originally Posted by AndyP57

... To this end, I'm mounting the front on a set of locking pins on top, a dzus at each sill and a single screw at the front accessed through the grille. Daily access will be through a conventional bonnet but heavier jobs can be done by taking the whole front off in a matter of minutes...

As the traditional Cordite/Navigator bonnet will not fit the standard Spitfire chassis.
This is a view of the inside of my bonnet which had hinges fitted as an optional extra.



Clear the front brackets are in the way and need to be removed to fit the bonnet.
Unfortunately this can't be done until after the re-body inspection.

This is was the original Cordite demonstrator frame looked like.

[/QUOTE]

This has the front brackets removed and the hinge mounting brackets welded on.

Just thought I'd mention my understanding of how I think it is meant to work.
I guess if you just had to touch up the frame after cutting off the brackets it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Good luck and keep us posted, Paul.

[Viatron]

Thanks I was aware of the need to remove the front bonnet towers, won't say any more but I have a cunning plan..........thanks for the heads up anyway.

[Viatron]

Got a phone call from Bradbury engineering late last night local time saying my engine is done dusted, bench run and ready for collection, still have a week till I'm back, torn between wanting to get back and get stuck into it and wondering wether I should have jumbo prawns for dinner again.....how's the weather?
:-)

[oxford1360]

Nice timing. Weather is due a turn for the better at the weekend. You'll be outside in shorts and T-shirt when you fit the engine. Looking forward to pics.

[Mister Towed]

Temperatures soared to zero in Norfolk yesterday. Eastern Daily Press headline read 'Phew, what a scorcher!'

[Viatron]

Chassis goes off fro galvanising in the mornin so thought i better remove the bonnett mounting horns, i know they are needed for the test but they will be "applied" by nefarious means just for the test then fall off again.

Good job i did it this afternoon as i found the only bit of serious rust on the whole chassis lurking behind one of them, 20 minutes wit the welder had the rot removed and a plate welded in so its all good now.





There is some pitting in places (See Below) but by the time it has been galvanised, eposy primed then epoxy top coated i reckon the surface finish should be ok



And a last shot before it gets loaded on the trailer, next time you see it it should be lovely and silver grey....



Oh just before i go heres a question, i am new to triumphs so please forgive my ignorance but i was under the impression that one of the spitfire foibles was that they had no chassis no? if thats correct then whats this?



picture is of the number with some paint blown on, i later polished it off and took some pics of the number fully legible should Mr Vosa want to see them as by the time it comes back there is no way it will be readable.

[Alpha]

The US market Triumphs did not have chassis numbers stamped on the chassis itself, but all others did...

Baz from Brussels

[Viatron]

Cheers for that, anyone care to decipher what the FC prefix means?

[Alpha]

FC just denominates the type, FC being Spitfire 4 or Spitfire Mk II

Baz from Brussels

edit:
for completeness
Heralds start with G
Vitesses with HB or HC
Spit Mk 3 FD
Spit MK 4 & 1500 FH
GT6 Mk I & II KC
GT6 Mk III KE

[seanick]

So what did happen to the German Front mould?

[Viatron]

Wish I knew as I'd gladly do a deal on it.

[seanick]

Just need to find out who bought a G front and er, borrow it for a day or two. I rather liked it.

[Viatron]

I did find an auction for the moulds on ebay and inquired of the winning bidder, turns it it was err how can I put this.... Lets just say I think maybe the seller and buyer had quite a bit in common!

[Viatron]

If anyone out there has a German bonnet then sing out!

[froggyman]

Originally Posted by seanick

So what did happen to the German Front mould?

Maybe Miglia Mike would know.

[mikmiglia]

Hi the mould got cut up as it was not great .We only sold two bonnets out of the 125 kits we sold.

[Viatron]

:-(

On a lighter note delivered my chassis to the galvanisers today, total weight of a clean unmolested MKIII spitfire chassis is 40KG!!!
So light they have had to charge me the minimum of £97 inc VAT so no complaints from me on that score really. Should be ready Monday morning and is booked into the paint shop Monday evening so will be done and ready for collection Wednesday.