MadaboutKitcars

Earlier this year I had a little business with Andy at RIBBLE HQ.
After much talking I loaded a unloved "cut about" Navigator body.

The pick-up paint work took years to do

A donor was found.


Then the donor was cut up.

Part 2.
Body sized-up.



Note the N/S door had just fallen off, this shape was cut down by Andy with the idea of fixing the door but still giving room to get in and out



Just look how small the Spitfire looks naked.

LOOK, I can post pictures,

Most or the donor was in good condition and as I never had the original steel frame work I decided to use as much as I could from the donor.
As you can see from the pictures most of the original spitfire body was left in place. hoto:

Are you planning to keep the windscreen?

Yes, but all will become clear when I upload the rest of the photos. I just have to find then first

are you making a coupe?

Funny you should say that, the V5 reads TRIUMPH COUPE

First real fitting of the body.
I removed the outer sill for a better fit. This was reenforced with 40mm RSA between the heal plate and the front body mount.



Good fit around the rear arches

Looking good Mike. Frankenstein comes to life

I did wonder what happened to Ribble's Green "Fast Build" Navigator Project.

micky1mo - Looks like you are making good progress on this build.



I did wonder how you were getting such a good fit with this approach.

When I was testing this idea, I couldn't get the body to cover the Spitfire's sills.
( The masking tape is running along the bottom of them to make it easier to see in the photo. )



Are you going to keep the "lip" below the main body line that your shell appears to have.
My body came as you seen in the photo above, so not sure if it is meant to be there.

Good luck, Paul.

Hi Paul, as I have said after I removed the outer sill I welded in 40mmx 3mm RSA, running from the rear heal plate the front body mount. The "lip" on the body tub butted-up nicely against this so that's where I bonded it and for good measure I also used some "self cutting" bolts.
I'll post a photo in the morning.

The "lip" was part of the old body tub, is your kit one of the new remade/straight body tubs?

As for the "QUICK BUILD" your right. If the body tub was remoulded along with the bonnet, and a steel frame designed the whole thing could easily be built in a weekend, maybe even in a "long day"
The only technical problem would be the front and rear lights as all else remains untouched, dash, seats, seat belts, screen, even the carpets could stay in place.
And of course there would be very little extra cost involved in the build

Mine is definitely one of the old body shells, Cordite #007.

But the lip was not there when delivered, so maybe it was cut off in the Poole factory.

By the sounds of it, the lips makes your life easier, so that is a good thing.

Keep the photos coming, Paul.

Hi, Paul heres a photo of the "lip", you can seee the fixing bolts.

Hi. With regard to the 'lip', it is a by product of the moulding process as the GRP needs something to 'run off' into otherwise the edge of the sill may become far too thin. Usually this is cut back close to the shaped sill prior to delivery but your thread has given me food for thought and in future will not be cutting back too severely. That way the builder will have the option of cutting it close or, as in your case Mike, using it for attachment purposes.

The more you build the better they get

Remodled the rear frame work to take a VW bettle tank.
Andy's frame would probobly fit but I wanted a much room behind the seats as possiable.
With the tank in place the tank fuel feed pipe lined up and passed throught the original center boot floor drain hole!


The frame work was extended to support the body tub edge as I think this will be "sat-on" to get in and out easier.

These builds are much more interesting with pictures... Are you having the filler cap above where the pipe is?

Well spoted, alway best to keep it simple

so , is it getting a roof ? lots of people have talked about hardtops but I don't think anyones started one yet. Tribute got as far as propping one together and the original Sammio guys and Miglia have talked about it , will you be the first ?

If you look at the original donor you'll see there was a lot of parts missing including the roof.
This is only the first effort but it's going well and I think an original fold-down roof with side screens could be fitted the next one, so watch this space
That said has anybody got a roof or frame going spare??

The body it now cut to fit some where right and hopfully you can see my "vision" by keeping the baulkhead and windscreen in place.
Doors will be bonded in place.

Does anyone remember the Vincent Hurricane? Yours is prettier.

Doors now fixed and the body's fitting better.
The bonnet will need alot of "re-styling"



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Are you planning to "graft" what is left of your Spitfire bonnet to the fibre glass one?

You are making great progress so far & I look forward to the rest of this build.

Good luck, Paul.