Another Cordite Is Born ...

[phil9]

great to see the end is not far now a great job

[Paul L]

Deggsy - Cheers.

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Phil - Thanks.

I'm really looking forward to organising a trip to Norfolk to meet you, Barry & Mr T.
( Once I have a few shake down miles under my belt. )

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Headlight Grilles:
After another trip to IKEA today and yet more flat pack building, I got a chance to play outside.

Now the headlights are pointing in the right direction, I can finish them off before the MOT re-test.

Before:



Then 3 small brackets are screwed into position where the headlight is clamped to the bowl.
( Sorry for yet another poor photo. )



Then the outer headlight rim is fixed into position with a small screw.



After a lot of trial and error, gaps in the grille finally lined up with the fixing brackets.
( Which are then bent backwards to hold the grille in place. )



Driver's side:



Passenger Side:



Question?
- Is the rubber seal supposed to sit between the outer rim and the bodywork?
- Or is the rubber seal supposed to be "tucked in" the outer rim?



Unfortunately, the sunshine was making it hard to get a head on view of the bonnet.

So this was the best I could do.



Although I managed to get a couple of nice "shade" photos by lying on the driveway.





I just need to write down a "To Do" list for the MOT garage.
( Which is basically fix everything so the car will pass the MOT & have a look at the oil leak while the car is on the ramp.

Then, with a bit of luck, I will be able to drive the car back to them one day this week.

So until next time, take care, Paul.

PS
I think it is about time I bought a new car cover.

[redratbike]

A proper car cover ?.......go on spoil yourself

[oxford1360]

Paul, my '68 Minor has the same headlamps. You can see the rubber -

[Paul L]

Oxford – Thanks for the photo, it is good to know it is OK.

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But just heard that Gene Wilder has died.

I’ve often featured him as Young Frankenstein in this build.



But my daughters remember him most as Willy Wonka.



RIP

[Mister Towed]

One of my favourite comic actors.

I first saw him as The Waco Kid in Blazing Saddles about forty years ago -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzcgyk62cHU

Still makes me laugh all these years later.

[Paul L]

Mr T - Hopefully they will show some of his old films on TV as a tribute.

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Fingers Crossed:
Well it seemed like a lovely morning to go for a drive….



But no sooner had I started singing On days like these…

Than I was quickly reminded that I was not in the mountains of Italy.



Still, it really was a lovely 4 mile drive back to CarDoc for my MOT re-test.



Even my wife's little Micra looks like a monster truck by comparison.

The car will now stay in their capable hands until is gets a pass.

If it is ready today, I'll pick it up late this afternoon after dropping my uncle to the airport.

But even if I have to wait another day, it is all good here.

Cheers, Paul.

[Roadster]

So a Matt Munroe CD is on your Christmas list

All those hours are worth it after a 15 minute journey in the sun.

It looks good on the road Paul, it looks a little snug for a big lump like me to slide into the passenger seat.

Perhaps we can get some of the Tribute / Sammio cars together next summer.

[Paul L]

Roadster - I'd actually love to make my own tribute video to the opening sequence of The Italian Job.

Although I will have to substitute the scenic roads around here for the snaking, snow capped, mountain passes in the original.

Plus, I would make sure my video stopped short of the tunnel crash!

A "Forum" get together would be a great idea.

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MOT Update - The car will be ready tomorrow.

It has already passed the emissions test, but they didn't get a chance to get it up on the ramp.
( To look at the oil leak. )

However, as I said this morning, it is all good here.

As, after all, it has taken me over 4 years to get to this stage, so another day wont hurt.

So until tomorrow, take care, Paul.

[micky1mo]

Originally Posted by Paul L

Epic Saturday - Part 3:

So I wore one of these for the first time today.



…

Where's the flat-cap !!
Or is it another one of those tools you buy and only use once

[lancelot link]

fantastic Paul ...great to see the light at the end of the tunnel ...and not a bulldozer !!

I have a real desire to drive a Sammio in the mountain scenery or coastal routes of The Med ....it'll happen one day ....

[garyh]

well done, Paul. I'm sure you had hair when you started...

[swifty]

First off Paul CONGRATULATIONS on getting the car on the road you should be very proud of what you've achieved on building a car on the drive.

It's been a while since I was last on here and have enjoyed catching up with your exploites, I bet you had a huge grin on your face with adrenalin flowing on that first drive, it looks the dogs bullocks on the road Paul well done. Looking forward to see the car on the road with paint.

[Paul L]

Micky1Mo - On my first drive, the flat cap felt like it wanted to fly away all the time, which was adding to my nerves.

But I've ordered a pair of "Over The Glasses" goggles, so I can "reverse" the flat cap and wear it in an "gentleman racer" style.

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Lancelot Link - Thanks.

I am sure a Sammio would look more at home on some nice roads, with great scenery, than stuck in traffic around here.

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Gary - Cheers.

There have definitely been times during this build when if I had hair I would have been pulling it out.

Although, those photos remind me that I do need a hair cut before someone mistakes me for a hippy.

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Swifty - Thanks.

The final decision to head for the MOT came so fast, that my first drive happened before I really knew what was going on.

So I really enjoyed the second trip for the re-test a lot more, as I started to get used to the whole experience.

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Waiting:
In addition to the goggles mentioned above, I also bought a new "shiny" centre for my steering wheel from Ebay.

I've been looking at new car covers too, but am not sure whether to buy another "fitted" Spitfire one.

As, clearly, my Swordfish has a different shape, which leaves the cover flapping on windy days.

So it might be worth getting a cover suitable for a slightly smaller car instead.

Anyway, I'll worry about that another day, as my main priority today is to get the car back.

Hopefully, I can get the car taxed on-line as soon as the garage tell me the MOT has been issued.

That way I will be good to go when I pick the car up.

Cheers, Paul.

[Charman.tech]

Originally Posted by lancelot link

fantastic Paul ...great to see the light at the end of the tunnel ...and not a bulldozer !!

I have a real desire to drive a Sammio in the mountain scenery or coastal routes of The Med ....it'll happen one day ....

Gary

I drove the Amalfi Coast road this year in a Kia Sportage, how I wished for a Sammio to do it with, having said that the traffic was so bad I don't know how it can be enjoyed any more. I do know some good roads in the Italian Alps that aren't spoiled by tourist, one day!

[Paul L]

Wednesday - Part 1:
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay.

My, oh my, what a wonderful day.

I finally call the call from the garage around 3pm, by which time I was pacing around like an expectant father.

But it was worth the wait to finally have one of these in my hand.





It even has an empty advisory box too.



Before I left home to collect the car, I'd already got my tax on line.



So everything was looking rosy apart from two clouds on the horizon:

One was figurative, as the garage thinks the oil leak is from a crankshaft seal.

The other one was more literal and this cloud was now spitting rain too.



So I wasted a few minutes getting some petrol under some shelter.



Before making a dash for home as it continued to spit rain, but thankfully nothing heavier.

It had stopped by the time I reached home, so I could take a few more photos.

A couple of better ones of the front headlight grilles.





I also used some tape to temporarily hold the original centre cap in place.



End of Part 1…

[Paul L]

Wednesday - Part 2:
Finally, I took a couple of my flip up bonnet while I was at it.





Still lovin' the fact I made these hinges myself.

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So now I can update my project time line…

22/04/2012
An abandoned Triumph Spitfire 1500 project arrives on my driveway.



31/08/2016
A Triumph Swordfish 1500 with tax, MOT & insurance.



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My Forum Awards:
My car would never have reached this key milestone without the help, support & encouragement I've had from this forum.

So even though this build tread will rumble on for a bit longer, I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to reply to date.

Whilst I appreciate even a single reply, many of you have gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Gold Stars - 100+ Replies
Mister Towed, Scottie22 & Viatron

Silver Stars - 50+ Replies
swifty, garyh, davecymru & Roadster

Bronze Stars - 20+ Replies
a big scary monster, oxford1360, reneanglia, micky1mo, redratbike, 8 Valve Ed, jones, Psycho pops, froggyman, AndyP57 & christinedmc

Mentioned in Dispatches - Everyone else.
seanick, Nike55, lancelot link, DaveP, mikmiglia, donnysoutherner, WorldClassAccident, tlrtone, Thurcroft flyer, CarNoob, Alpha, ufo17,
scimjim, MoriniMan, Charman.tech, AndyP85, Triumph Special, molleur, craigt, WelshOne, nellieb, deggsy, Marc F, dougie.doo2, fwingo,
Mick O'Malley, Jerome, JG, slartibartfast, deni, cbjroms, zèbre69, mas123mas, blooka, Tribute Automotive, ikon246, slickshod,
Ringo Grumio, fatbloke, phil9, wharfedale, GazDavies, Straight Sixer, mulberry, MikeD, Axel, Ian D, AcC8braman, DerbyDreamer,
andrewhush, softfeet, peterux, PJ GRABOWSKI, Ben Caswell, rattler & hurnleft.

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Next Steps:
- I have a short work meeting "in town" tomorrow.
- I am also feeling a bit grim at the moment, so will go and rest for a while now.
- But if I can sneak a drive in at some point in the day I will.

So until then, take care, Paul.

[molleur]

Congratulations Paul!
A long time coming and now you reap your reward. Outstanding result after a long journey. I, for one, appreciated the time and effort that you have put forth to realize the "madness". Keep on!

[lancelot link]

ABSOLUTELY F*CKING SUPERB !!!!!!

Well done Paul ....now put some miles on it before you put some paint on it ...enjoy the fruits of your labours ...truly outstanding build ...conditions and everything that was against you ...I'll admit , I thought you might throw the towel in before now ....

They are a fantastic fun to drive and we should still have a few weeks of decent weather , so make the most of it before winter arrives ...

I'd ignore the oil leak for now , put a drip pan under the car on the drive , keep an eye on levels and just drive her ...any teething issues can be dealt with on a new list including the oil leak in a few weeks time ...

[Roadster]

Congratulations Paul

September is normally nice enough to get some miles on her.


It feels like a long time ago but I offered to help prepping the body.
That offer still stands even if its when the days get colder and shorter.

Can't believe MR T posted more replies ha ha ha
I want a stewards inquest.