We all know red ones go faster!!!:lie:
For door locks try "car builders solutions" they do several types.

Lovin' the red and yellow paint scheme. :cool:

Yellow was Ferrari's works team racing colour, while red was Italian national racing colour, so it's a good historic mix as well as looking really cool. I like it.

Thanks Mike for info on door catches will look into that when I get home.

Paul L and Mister Towed

I am not really a red car person but the shape and colour on the Ferrari really appeals to me.

A quick update so far is arrived home picked up some wire wheels for car. Lights and indicators on back order till late August. So no progress on build.

Sorted replacement transport for wedding, got married and set off on honeymoon.

So I thought that would be it for 1950s sports cars for 3weeks. Till the inflight entertainment to USA was showing this film Ferrari race to immortality.

A documentary style film but I think a must for us car builders and the passion we have for that decade of cars.

So will update in 3 weeks time once I start work on the alpha again

THAT COLOUR SCHEME IS PRETTY COOL ...And a bit different from the norm ...

I , personally , use these people for latches , locks , hinges , handles etc ...the catalogue makes for very interesting reading if you are as sad as I am ...

https://stedall.co.uk/product-category/handles-locks/

Mental note- - Must get a catalogue. :dizzy:

The whole catalogue is online .... ...

Congratulations. :cool:

Same as!!:eusa_clap:

hows it coming on havnt seen you for a wile, Keith

Gary thanks for info on door locks

Paul, Mike and Keith

Thanks for your well wishes. Wedding went fine and honeymoon.

Quick update not to much to report on build of car. I was on Honeymoon in usa and bahamas for 3.5 weeks. and then went off for a week on my stag do on a bangers to barcalona rally. So the bit of spare time I had was used on rebuilding my sons old ford focus.

Then the time I planned for the alpha was used up by been called back to work.

I feel the november time scale could be at risk of slipping back.

But on a possitive note all the lights and mirrors have arrived and my 2 front spitfire seats have been refurbished just waiting for me to finish car and instal.

So all in all a busy summer alot of driving aproximatley 2500 miles

Just a shame it wasnt in the alpha just need to get back on it and i can enjoy it next summer

Well after a busy summer and autumn I am back on the Sammio Alpha.

https://ibb.co/0Y9t2H9

I will upload more photos later off my camera as this was on my phone. But I have started adjusting and shaping the front wheel arches. I would also like to sort the front grill before Christmas fingers crossed.

I also need to tidy the garage as it’s seems to just been a dumping ground for the last few months.

https://i.ibb.co/GCMTpzM/DSC-0147.jpg

Been so long I forgotten how to add the photos properly :whistle:

Well A busy week what with the 2 females I live with on permanent Christmas parties to chauffeur to and pick up from. I managed to to get into the garage and start my front wings and bonnet modifications.

You must excuse the untidy garage it’s still work in progress. But will be tidy for Christmas :flypig:

But my new wife has promised not to find me anymore home improvements todo till the new year :eusa_wall:

Anyway back to the alpha the following photos are of the new arches. If the weather is good next week I will do some outside photos.
https://i.ibb.co/3sgdLvN/DSCI0451.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/ygJ3hcw/DSCI0450.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/c1c9H5s/DSCI0449.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Jqzxxq0/DSCI0448.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/wL5SgzV/DSCI0447.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/94dfKzk/DSCI0446.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/tXSyJgt/DSCI0445.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/WDsnMPn/DSCI0444.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/1mrpHrx/DSCI0443.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/hLkbH2X/DSCI0442.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/px9v31j/DSCI0441.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/LQbdrKV/DSCI0440.jpg

So busy week started with best intentions but rain stopped any out side photos fingers crossed for tomorrow.

https://i.ibb.co/jJ4KsMb/DBB18-E0-B-...C9-B7-E430.jpg

So in between filling and sanding I made an attempt to throw out some rubbish.

https://i.ibb.co/T16qnXw/9207-C988-B...63-F511635.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/VNwF1xx/20-E36691-5...AE8-B3-EE3.jpg

Things were moving forward till the bathroom sprung a leak so after another unexpected house job I am trying to have a full day in garage tomorrow :flypig:

https://i.ibb.co/FqMC31y/IMG-20181219-WA0009.jpg

Yorkshireman – Looks like you have been busy Dave.

I know that reshaping wheel arches and the bonnet is a pain that also takes a lot of time.

But I’m still amazed how all these changes can ‘disappear’ when you get to the body work stage. :cool:

I also know how difficult it is to keep things tidy. :rolleyes:

Good luck, Paul. :)

Looking forward to seeing some profile pictures now the wheel arches are set-up. :pop2:

Paul you are correct body work has been a big learning curve for me and you will see from photos still a lot to do.

Mike some photos of the arches but it’s still work in progress it could be a few months before I have them finished.

Back to the build it’s been a busy week. With house repairs Christmas preparations and offspring.

First thing was to move some spare parts and tidy garage. I came up with a plan to hid everything in th garden lock up as that won’t be used till the spring :eyebrows:

[url=https://ibb.co/sbbVZ8s]https://i.ibb.co/6rrWkjD/DSC-0249.jpg[/url


https://i.ibb.co/8cx080T/8-A4-EDE95-...B65-B611-C.jpg

So I managed to find a hour with a clear drive and no rain so took the chance to take some photos.

https://i.ibb.co/gDkK42H/1-D690-EDC-...-D675-FDA2.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/1rftGzd/CF8003-DC-0...-E9-E62-D8.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/YfDM3bx/DSC-0263.jpg





https://i.ibb.co/y4NvVQQ/DSC-0262.jpg


[url=https://ibb.co/jTJ8Y2J][img]https://i.ibb.co/0csnLSs/DSC-0260.jpg[


https://i.ibb.co/KVX46Kf/DSC-0259.jpg
]


https://i.ibb.co/hMYX9hR/DSC-0258.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/fFsxYY1/DSC-0257.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/LQYRDYj/DSC-0256.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/gPMY9BP/DSC-0255.jpg

As you can see there is more work needed on front wheel arches to get the shape correct the backs now need blending in. The fronts I am now going to tie in with the original spitfire bonnet attaching a strip of steel similar to what mike did with his alpha build. Also I feel it’s time to add the correct wheels. That’s my next job to do.

So with that and an understanding wife and Christmas Eve I put the Alpha away.

https://i.ibb.co/NNBxVWB/45-CC508-F-...F55-BC5-DA.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/q5sY3bJ/DSC-0261.jpg
So with that I wish all the forum members which are building cars, enjoy their completed cars or planning future builds a very Merry Christmas and a happy New year.

[url=https://ibb.co/QrmvDd1]https://i.ibb.co/WgKvVtY/DSC-0270.jpg[/url

https://i.ibb.co/ph43KVS/627-B40-B0-...B7-EF65-F8.jpg

coming on nicely

looking good. :smile:

Loving the size of your garage, it looks ideal for one of therse builds and i'm loving how the car is coming along.

Plus hiding things in the garden store and hoping noone notices until the spring strikes a cord! :)

Mike, Keith and Davecymr thanks for the support. Nothing much to update as I have been away for the new year in Ireland with limited internet and not back to Yorkshire till Monday.

But I have come up with a plan for the front grill whilst been away so will try and fit that on Monday.

Keith I could use the contact you have for wire wheels painting when you get chance please.

Davecymr the garden lockup I think I am safe till March I wasn’t brave enough to use the summer house lol, thank you for the garage comments still work in progress after 3 years but my first garage build and design.

Mike once the lights are in and working I think it will be time for a trip out in the alpha.

You'll be able to use that oft used female expression, "What, this? I've had it for ages."

cool

Cas Coatings Ecleshill, must be near you! Keith

As far as I am a were it will be No3 on-the-road. :high5:

Well after a long trip at work and a holiday I am back on the Alpha. After a catch-up on the forum that took a while it’s nearly 2 months since I last looked.

Keith thanks and yes cas coatings is the one I used.

Micky1mo time is getting short for the summer but I am determined to have the Alpha on the road this summer.

So I pushed the Alpha out to have a look in daylight.

https://i.ibb.co/vqDZxND/8554-C0-D9-...-A3-E2-D63.jpg

I am still not happy with the front wheel arches for the clearance of the arch around the wheel. I know the car was originally made for 14” wheels and I had

fitted the bonnet slightly higher at the front. I decided I have to get this right. So back out with the foam tape rule marker and grinder.

https://i.ibb.co/bPYSSdh/DSCI0457.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/hCfRz6Q/DSCI0454.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/p3xcwMM/DSCI0453.jpg



The next few photos show me modify the front arches again.

https://i.ibb.co/CvL9Vgs/DSCI0466.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Z2srfdt/DSCI0465.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/J7TQBwx/DSCI0464.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/C7vv5nW/DSCI0463.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/JBsMZBh/DSCI0462.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Tqxq5cq/DSCI0461.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/Pgy7HGc/DSCI0460.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/zXzKPt6/DSCI0459.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/qJYd0r8/DSCI0458.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/MC6yhfL/DSCI0456.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/933HYpH/DSCI0455.jpg


The arches went much faster this time and not many plastic clothes pegs were harmed this time lol.

This just left me time to start adding filler to fibreglass.

https://i.ibb.co/z6ffJkj/DSCI0446.jpg

So with a bit of luck or good time management I should get to fill both arches tomorrow and smooth off.

Fair play for going back and re-doing something you have already done once. :cool:

The good news is that by the time all these are finished and painted, no one will know.

Deep down, I know I should have redone sections of my own wheel arches.

But at the time, I just couldn't face do the same job twice. :rolleyes:

Instead, I just take comfort from knowing that there are still miles better than when I started.

Hope the recent nice weather is a good incentive to keep plugging away.

Good luck, Paul. :)

Looking good! :thumb:

Paul l I think my problem was changing the size of the wheels and fitting the bonnet different from what mike intended.

I have to say it went alot faster the second time.

I am just hoping its correct this time :pray2:

Micky1mo

Thanks for your constant suport.

Looks like my photos have disapered of my Imgbb account has anyone else had this problem

Well I found out my internet supplier in the north sea had messed about with my imgbb acount. But all good now.

With the good weather I was hoping to get a good week in the garage. But the office had other ideas and I had to rush off to work.

I did manage a few hours in garage, but only managed these rushed photos on my phone.

A bit more filling on the passanger side. The drivers side I am now happier with maybe a a few small tweaks to get them perfetly round and gapped.

So on my return home I intend to get the front and rear arches finished.






https://i.ibb.co/QvvtBvc/DSC-0521.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/wYLc66L/DSC-0520.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/r0BtPhc/DSC-0519.jpg


https://i.ibb.co/1JRGZ43/DSC-0518.jpg

A new year
 

Well it

Getting started
 

So first job was to get the garage tidy again,I need to add a suitable refreshment area to allow rest and innovative ideas.

3 years
 

So before I start on the Alpha a brief update.

So at four projects I decided with good help from my wife I needed to complete some of these projects. So my triumph spitfire was complete and as a project as a far as I was going to go with it. So that was sold which made room in the second garage for the Sammie spider to go in which it sat with my other spitfire that

Wheel s
 

So I have always wanted a 13” wheel set up for the Alpha however after trying various designs including some wires I borrowed, I decided to go for 14” wire wheels

Nice to see your back !:laugh:
Since you have been gone another Alpha has been completed by a local guy.
Built using a SS1 as a donor. :first:
https://i.imgur.com/0ix3mV3h.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/DfenFZNh.jpg

Yorkshireman - 14" wires with high profile tyres will look much better than 13's, you won't regret making the switch.

Micky - that's a nice looking example in a great colour, I like it :)

Wire wheels
 

Thanks for the welcome back Micky the Alpha looks great is there any views of the rear and how the bonnet locks down they look like the original triumph spitfire ones.

Mister toad they will be more updates on the wire wheels front if I get some free time at work tonight.

Your right the bonnet locks are the original ones as used on the Spitfire.
A slot to suit is cut in the bonnet and the locks just bolted in place and the original internal hook is repositioned on the inside.
https://i.imgur.com/VsA86gYl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YmVPrWql.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/D89bQKJl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4EaLEVCl.jpg

I found it easiest why to fit them is after fitting the lock mechanism to the bonnet, remove the front wheel and then you can look in and see to line up the internal catch.