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MadaboutKitcars

This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

New Builder

13 Sep 2011, 2:09pm
Hi,
Just put down the deposit and Gary promised me the 59th!
Building with the vitesse 1600 and have stripped her down, 15" wheels and hubs obtained, plus tank, swing spring and roll bar (and rather optimistically, steering wheel!)
Thinking bulkhead off is the way to go? as could do with dipping and new floor pans.
Hopefully overdrive gearbox to add and complete putting her together, ready for pick-up. Just read the thread on recessing the bulkhead for the wheels? hadn`t thought of that?? Trial fit of wheels I think!.
Any usefull tips will be greatly received....spannerwork not bad..glassing... new experience.
Nick
13 Sep 2011, 3:11pm
Hi Trevor,

Gary tells me 3-4 weeks...just flicked through the postings and got somewhat depressed at that rather lovely blue chassis with just about everything new on it!...Think i`m looking at more, get the basics done right and plenty of tweaking in the future. My aim is to get my car looking like Helen Mirren, looking great for her age.
Nick
13 Sep 2011, 4:51pm
Hi Nick, welcome to the mad house!

We should have organised a bulk buy of Swing Spring kits from Canleys as a lot of people seem to be going that route recently!

You may get away without having to recess your bulkheads as long as you go for a lower profile tyre. I've just had a set of 165/65/15's fitted to my new wheels, but the car is up on stands while it's being painted, so i'm not going to see how much better they make things until that's done (fingers crossed, by the end of the week!)

I look forward to seeing pics as you progress.

Dave
13 Sep 2011, 5:09pm
Hi Nick welcome aboard I am also building my Spyder from a Vitesse I have gone about as far as I can go untill my Rebody test in 8 Days not that I'm counting,I haven't recessed my Bulheads yet I am still undecided on wheels and also thought it best to let the VOSA boys check it over first. I was completely new to glassing but all that I have done wasn't a problem.
Good luck with your Build.
John
13 Sep 2011, 7:54pm
Nick59 wrote:
Hi Trevor,

Gary tells me 3-4 weeks...just flicked through the postings and got somewhat depressed at that rather lovely blue chassis with just about everything new on it!...Think i`m looking at more, get the basics done right and plenty of tweaking in the future. My aim is to get my car looking like Helen Mirren, looking great for her age.
Nick


Hi Nick,
yes - 59th body - I am so chuffed !! An original idea to 'bang a few together and keep one ' has gone a bit astray - more than a few have gone and I haven't got one !!

We can get yours ready for weekend starting 24th September , if you want !

let me know....
16 Sep 2011, 9:07pm
Yay, just got hold of an overdrive gearbox! more spannerwork!
16 Sep 2011, 9:14pm
Am i being thick? how do you post photos? clicking the insert image it asks for an URL for the image? do I have to load it somewhere? why can`t i pick it up from "my pictures" and paste it in?
16 Sep 2011, 9:19pm
Go into Advanced at the bottom of quick reply, then click on the paperclip. I have found I have to reduce the size of my Pics in paint first or they won't load.
16 Sep 2011, 9:42pm
Thanks I will give it a go
16 Sep 2011, 10:01pm
Pictures

Welcome Nick, Take a look on the practice pictures thread, using photobucket works easy, no resizing and the pics go straight on your posting with no attachments.
Psycho pops:eusa_dance: I think am number 58 by the way so toying with the idea of wearing the number on mine
23 Sep 2011, 8:47pm
Off to Poole

Off to Poole in the morning to pick up Nr 61.

Early start from Margate, rekon 3 to 4hr trip....long day ahead! but a tiny bit exited.:rockon:
23 Sep 2011, 8:56pm
Have a nice day, let me know what journey was like?

Garyh. Just advertised body panels on ebay, seems to be very popular. :pray2:
23 Sep 2011, 9:09pm
Try and get a pic of Trevs car! Nick.

Or have you been sent some Trev? Give us a look...:eyebrows:
24 Sep 2011, 12:37pm
Prop shaft

Nick59 wrote:
Yay, just got hold of an overdrive gearbox! more spannerwork!

Did you manage to get the shorter prop shaft too?
Psycho pops
24 Sep 2011, 9:38pm
Overdrive box

Nope!
Had a bit of a gamble on the gearbox as fate had it my eldest is at Bath uni and I was visiting her. Saw two boxes on ebay a GT6 and 1500 spit (noticed it was a D type) ended up winning the spit box for £124 great bloke who restores TR2, 3 & 4s the Bristol one went for £211? with prop. Prop shortening is pretty simple lathe cut of weld, cut down shaft and re-weld....so I am told??

Think we need to look at who is bidding on ebay as I am beggining to suspect us Sammio boys are bidding on the same items!
24 Sep 2011, 9:52pm
Lessons learnt part 1

Great trip to Poole today....

Lesons however learnt :-

Lesson 1
When selling you body...(car) make sure it is picked up before you collect your new body or your garage gets somewhat full and you trip over the bloody thing.

Lesson 2
When you mate says..Ok I will be there to help unload...make sure it is not a saturday and he has pissed off down the pub! Yes I did manage to offload the frame and body on my own! I have now perfected the frame and rear body skirt walk...yes you can nearly wear it.

now knackered I returned to pub had several pints followed by copious quantities of red wine......tomorrow is another day!:yo:
25 Sep 2011, 9:59am
Nick59 wrote:

Lesson 1
When selling you body...(car) make sure it is picked up before you collect your new body or your garage gets somewhat full and you trip over the bloody thing.

Halfrauds large tarpaulin got me out of that pickle for a couple of weeks! :)

Nick59 wrote:

Lesson 2
When you mate says..Ok I will be there to help unload...make sure it is not a saturday and he has pissed off down the pub! Yes I did manage to offload the frame and body on my own! I have now perfected the frame and rear body skirt walk...yes you can nearly wear it.


yup, i found that as i unloaded it all on my own as well, the body balances quit nicely and i can "just" get my arms either side of the bonnet! :)

So lets get some photos then!
25 Sep 2011, 12:02pm
Nick, don't forget...

I'm 20minutes down the road!:wacko: Garyh.
26 Sep 2011, 10:37am
Good to meet you Nick - now get on with it , Exeter is 4 weeks away !! :icon_biggrin:
26 Sep 2011, 9:03pm
Photo Test

So here we are at the beginning....Vitesse arrives with bundles of spare parts and my first award of the most untidy garage!
26 Sep 2011, 9:12pm
Here we are now!

Two weeks later and award Nr 2 for still having an untidy garage!
Tank and frame painted first coat, body stripped down...swing spring waiting to go on and overdrive box sitting at the back waiting patiently.........think i`ve got the hang of the photos now:whoo:
26 Sep 2011, 9:22pm
Thanks Garyh I may very well take you up on assistance with body on, body off