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-   -   Mick O'Malley's - Tribute A352 - "D Type" (https://madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6083)

lancelot link 26th December 2016 13:00

welcome back RochdaleGT .............

oxford1360 26th December 2016 14:27

I've missed Rochdale's Miss Havisham view of life.

WorldClassAccident 26th December 2016 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Towed (Post 85006)
How the hell would he know that without driving yours? You should have asked him if you could have a go in his real one so you could see what he meant.

Reminded me a bit of someone on here who drove old Peugeots (I think) but tried a Z3 to see if it was worth converting. He concluded that he could live with a machine that tried to do everything for him and flashed warnings an sirens the whole time he drove it. Everything that was wrong with modern cars was his conclusion.

I checked my car for drivers aids and warnings.
Seat belt light goes out after 30 seconds
Traction control light when wheels try to spin but can be switched off
Low fuel warning
Head light buzzer if you remove the keys

I can only conclude that his test drive was less than 30 secondswith no fuel while not wearing a seat belt with his headlights on but the ignition off and he was spinning the wheels at the time...

I think some people say things because they think it is what they should say either to fit in or to belittle someone. Knobs.

Paul L 26th December 2016 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by rochdaleGT (Post 85037)
why this new shiny exhaust is mostly covered in overspray? also the wheels look like they have a light coat of bluemetallic on the insides. what a botch from the spray-shop. i would claim some money back as you have now the trouble to get rid of the overspray because they had been too lazy masking the parts correctly.

So much for the season of goodwill. :rolleyes:

RochdaleGT - What exactly is the point of your post?

Mick has stated that he thinks the paint job is "absolutely stunning".

As it is his car and he has seen the car in the flesh (whilst the rest of us have only seen photos) why do you doubt him?

What you see as overspray could just as easily be a reflection, so why not check your 'facts' first?

Instead, you are confidently stating the painter has been lazy, which simply adds to the impression that you are one of these...

https://eclosure.com.au/wp-content/u...rnet-Troll.jpg

Alternatively...

[Football Chant]

"Are you Micha in disguise?"

[/Football Chant]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Mick O'Malley - Personally, I just see an outstanding build. :cool:

http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...7&d=1481745470

So please carry on as you were, cheers, Paul. :)

WorldClassAccident 26th December 2016 16:43

[rochdaleGT]
Gravel on the drive not even sizes and needs weeding
[/ rochdaleGT]

Mister Towed 26th December 2016 17:13

Interestingly, Octane magazine focuses on the range of coach-built Ferrari 250's this month (I can absolutely recommend it as a riveting read). This includes a quote from a letter written by American racing driver and businessman, George Arents, who was U.S. Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti's business partner at the time, regarding the quality control at Scaglieti who built all 104 California Spyders for Ferrari -

'The only proper jig they had was a bronze effort to lock in the windscreen with the firewall. Otherwise, bodies were built by attaching lengths of welding rod to the frame and then bending them up so as to approximate such as fenders. From there an older artisan would beat hell out of a hunk of metal held in place by an apprentice, try it out, shake his head and resort to more beating until everybody agreed that "Ah! It was right," weld it into place and start off with the next piece.'


Funnily enough, you don't hear many people nit-picking about the fit and finish on original California Spyders now, do you.

Truth be told, even production cars from the 50's weren't built that well and anything from an Italian coach-builder was likely to look fantastic at ten paces but not stand up to close scrutiny, while the cars developed by racing departments were 100% function over form so fripperies like paint finish were very low down the list of priorities. That gives us amateur builders a lot of scope to do things 'just about well enough' and still end up with a car that looks like it was built six decades ago.

It's all too easy to criticise other people's home built cars when you haven't got the talent to do it yourself, now isn't it.

molleur 26th December 2016 17:38

It is an outstanding build IMO.
Don't forget that the only one the build has to please is the owner.
Nonetheless, it is an excellent job!

lancelot link 26th December 2016 19:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Towed (Post 85051)
Interestingly, Octane magazine focuses on the range of coach-built Ferrari 250's this month (I can absolutely recommend it as a riveting read). This includes a quote from a letter written by American racing driver and businessman, George Arents, who was U.S. Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti's business partner at the time, regarding the quality control at Scaglieti who built all 104 California Spyders for Ferrari -

'The only proper jig they had was a bronze effort to lock in the windscreen with the firewall. Otherwise, bodies were built by attaching lengths of welding rod to the frame and then bending them up so as to approximate such as fenders. From there an older artisan would beat hell out of a hunk of metal held in place by an apprentice, try it out, shake his head and resort to more beating until everybody agreed that "Ah! It was right," weld it into place and start off with the next piece.'


Funnily enough, you don't hear many people nit-picking about the fit and finish on original California Spyders now, do you.

Truth be told, even production cars from the 50's weren't built that well and anything from an Italian coach-builder was likely to look fantastic at ten paces but not stand up to close scrutiny, while the cars developed by racing departments were 100% function over form so fripperies like paint finish were very low down the list of priorities. That gives us amateur builders a lot of scope to do things 'just about well enough' and still end up with a car that looks like it was built six decades ago.

It's all too easy to criticise other people's home built cars when you haven't got the talent to do it yourself, now isn't it.

I'VE BEEN SAYING IT FOR YEARS ...I love the raw and 'no frills' look of genuine cars .....

One jig ? , love it ...we have gone over the top then ....we've got about 8 slice templates on the go at the moment ...

Jaguartvr 27th December 2016 10:06

I agree with WCA..........

Gravel and weeds are shocking:bounce:

Car photographer 27th December 2016 16:36

nice

rochdaleGT 27th December 2016 16:47

i have never said "the paintjob is bad"...you have mis-interpreted that from my posting

i´m shocked / angry about such botching spray-shops not doing their job right.

the builder of the car has invested a lot of time building the car in a proper way, with a clean chassis etc.

now such a sprayshop is "destroying" everything and the builder has to invest further time & effort "correcting" the sprayshops mistakes.

and its doesnt matter if he has paid 300 or 3000 pound...its a clear botch!!!

Mick O'Malley 28th December 2016 07:33

Spray Job
 
1 Attachment(s)
As I'd never paid anyone to paint a car before, I decided to go by personal recommendation and got three. I'd already bought the cellulose paint from a couple I know from the Beaulieu Autojumble.

The first guy came to mine to have a look before committing. He was a typical know it all: in his 20s; tattoos; body piercings and a 'look, I'm a twat'. haircut. He told me that "nobody uses cellulose any more, you want it done in water based two-pack mate". I explained to him that 'He who pays the piper calls the tune', but he just wasn't listening. I was relieved when he roared off in his hot hatch: tinted windows and 'The Best Jungle CD - Ever', unsurprisingly.

I had high hopes for the second, he was recommended by the bloke who does my tidy welding for me (I do the untidy bits that can't be seen). He listened carefully, ran his hands over the project and quoted a reasonable price. Unfortunately he was in the throes of having new premises built and was unable to commit "anytime soon".

The third was recommended by a friend I met when we both had Dutton Phaetons back in '82. I went over to his place to discuss and was impressed. There was a scattering of MGBs, Minis, A35s etc in the yard and a black Porsche 911 in the booth (read 'concrete floored Cotswold stone outbuilding). We spoke the same language and I liked the way his eyes lit up when I described the project - he'd already asked me all about my Mk1 Marlin Roadster I'd arrived in. As the project wasn't in front of him we danced around the price a little before agreeing a slightly elastic ball park figure.

After removing the lights; screen; tonneau cover studs etc another of my kit car friends from the early 80s towed me over there, sadly not behind his very early and beautifully patinated Westfield XI.

I'm not one to chase and my mind was partly on my impending S. America trip, so it wasn't until about three weeks before I sailed that I gave him a call: it was a sort of "It'll be ready on Wednesday" moment. I realised he hadn't touched it but he had my trust and we agreed a pick up and pay date.

It was around the back when we arrived and I can honestly say I couldn't believe it was my car. I had a good look over it and saw that there was DIY work to be done. In his office (read barn) he agreed to my paying him 75% of the above mentioned as there was overspray in places. We parted on excellent terms - he's looking forward to painting my S4 Lotus Seven :).

I got very good VFM; Nitromors is cheap and I have plenty of time. Had I not been under time pressure with the trip I would have gone and had a look first, discussed the (in my book) minor shortcomings in the job, and agreed the way forward (my 'Bullshit Bingo' tick list came to mind using that phrase!).

So, in a nutshell, I got what I paid for and will be more than happy to go back.

Regards, Mick

Paul L 28th December 2016 08:54

Mick - I don't know how you can be so calm after everything you built was destroyed. :icon_wink:

Jokes aside, I'm really looking forward to seeing your car back on the road again. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

IanA 28th December 2016 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick O'Malley (Post 85095)
..So, in a nutshell, I got what I paid for and will be more than happy to go back.

That bottom line really is the bottom line.

I hope to be in that position when I've had my Z300S painted.

And Nitromors will probably blitz the weeds.

Mick O'Malley 23rd January 2017 09:42

Recreation
 
1 Attachment(s)

I just spotted this on Ebay. Very nice, apart from the incorrect style of 'lance corporal' stripe.

froggyman 23rd January 2017 10:16

And another one here!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ecurie-Eco...D100033%26rk%3

Mick O'Malley 23rd January 2017 10:58

D'Oh!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by froggyman (Post 85601)
And another one here!

Click on my 'this' link above.

Regards, Mick

Mick O'Malley 26th January 2017 09:06

New Project
 
I've started a thread in the 'Vintage and Classic' section. If evidence of insanity were needed, this is surely it. I can hardly wait :).

UpstateCobraGuy 26th January 2017 11:38

Looks great!

I have an acquaintance who happens to own a few autos. His D-Type is very original since it never was raced back in the day.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...lection057.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...lection010.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o...lection003.jpg

Just thought I'd share

Patrick

Mister Towed 26th January 2017 13:38

Wow, that looks better than new!

UpstateCobraGuy 26th January 2017 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Towed (Post 85686)
Wow, that looks better than new!

I thought I would share to help any other D-Type builder with original touches to add with their build. This particular car was part of the factory Lemans effort but never raced. The way the owner explained it to me, its original engine was removed to be used in a race and never returned. That hurt its value but now, since it was never damaged, you can see how it was done in the day! The numbers are hand painted on and you can see the brush strokes. The owner is very active the D-Type community and takes part in their rallies.

Here's a link to an more photos if you are interested:

I'm a Cobra guy and the owner has some incredible Shelbys, but he's a great Jaguar collector too. :icon_smile:

http://s123.photobucket.com/user/YYY...?sort=3&page=1

Mick O'Malley 6th February 2017 07:51

And still they come.............
 
This appeared over the weekend

Regards, Mick

Mick O'Malley 16th March 2017 07:19

Beware The Ides of March. Not.
 
After waiting what seemed ages for a decent 'week ahead' weather forecast I finally booked my test for what turned out to be the hottest and sunniest day of 2017 so far :). I had a different tester this time who turned out to be an old skool Ford fan who better understood the vehicle he was testing.

The result was.............

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psydih8wik.jpg

Hoping for a long, hot, dry summer.

Regards, Mick

Jaguartvr 16th March 2017 07:54

Well done, it's important to have a good MOT as any fails or advisories now become part of its history. I always check the DVLA website before buying a car as it gives you so much information.

Is it about time to get your V5 altered to show the new body and colour. It seems to be easy and straightforward now, but that could of course change in the future!

Mister Towed 16th March 2017 08:11

Congratulations Mick, that's quite a milestone!

Always worth testing an MOT tester on his knowledge and understanding of old/specialist cars before allowing them the privilege of examining your home-built pride and joy.

A few years back I recall a very stubborn 'jobsworth' tester failing a Sammio because at 5'2" tall he couldn't see over the flyscreen from the driver's seat, so declared it needed windscreen wash/wipers while the 6'2" owner unsuccessfully protested that no shortarses would actually ever be driving it.

I'm lucky enough to have a local tester who really understands classics and specials - Silena automotive at Garage Lane, Setchey (King's Lynn).

Although the owner is a mere slip of a boy of about 35 and did a load of fancy book learning about engineering in College, he also took the time to learn a lot of the skills required to understand and maintain classic cars from an old chap who worked on the development and production lines in the Great British car industry in the 50's, 60's and 70's.

Strapping down my Spyder in case the awesome power of its 95bhp straight six rips the rollers out of the ground -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6411008.jpg

The Austin in the background passed with just a couple of advisories -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps42ec822c.jpg

(Not really).

Anyway, enjoy your road-legal car, the sun is shining so what are you doing reading this? Get out there and drive!

Mick O'Malley 16th March 2017 09:10

All Done Ages Ago
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaguartvr
Is it about time to get your V5 altered to show the new body and colour?


Not sure why it still comes up on the MOT database as white, when the V5 has always said blue. Probably from its first 'A352' MOT when it was natural GRP coloured.

My changes were registered with DVLA a couple of years ago, their description of the body as 'sports' is as accurate as any other.

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psry3vjzoh.jpg

Oops! Wrong scan, correct one is below.

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...pstxmckvbr.jpg


Regards, Mick

Mick O'Malley 16th March 2017 09:21

Caveat Emptor!
 
And again.

Nice looking car, shame about the illegal spacing on the obviously NI number plate. Incorrectly registered too, would probably invalidate the insurance in the event of an accident.

Correct wheels, apart from steering, wrong indicators, dash, steering wheel, seats and bonnet straps. Details spoiling an otherwise cracking vehicle :(.

Regards, Mick

Scottie22 17th March 2017 13:23

Congrats on the Mot Mick!

Reference that D Type for sale,I don't think the wheels are correct! The proper Dunlop wheels would have 15 one inch holes and 15 quarter inch holes, I know this, as I drilled out all the bloody holes in my XKSS wheels to get them to look more acceptable!
God knows where he got his wheels from.I've never seen that pattern on any Jaguar. (The Dunlop stickers come from flea-bay)

[IMG]http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbjkrwyj7.jpg[/IMG]

Mister Towed 17th March 2017 18:19

They will be steels from a van or people carrier running 5x120 pcd hubs. Quite cheap if you know where to look, typically £30 to £40 each, but watch out for the high ET on most - an ET of 20 or less gives the dished look that goes well with classic cars, anything higher and they start to look like, well, van wheels.

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/steel-wheels

Mick O'Malley 18th March 2017 08:06

Oops!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottie22
Reference that D Type for sale,I don't think the wheels are correct!


I stand corrected.

I too had the 60 hole drilling spree on my TR6 'Dunlops' :rolleyes:. Well worth the effort though!

Both the Ebay recreations have now reached their reserves - £50k and £25k!

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psjronm4ge.jpg

Regards, Mick

Paul L 19th March 2017 15:39

Mick - Congratulations on the MOT pass. :cool:

Sounds like a good excuse to post this photo from your other build thread.

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psny9dt2se.jpg

Enjoy, Paul. :)

Mick O'Malley 20th March 2017 08:49

Another Comes Out of The Woodwork!
 
It must be flavour of the month to sell D Type evocations.......

Here :)


Regards, Mick

Mick O'Malley 21st March 2017 08:21

Looking The Part
 
On the premise that 21st century clothing doesn't complement a 50s icon, I've prepared this spiffing garment for my forthcoming sorties :). The blue tinge is from the low light, it's really white.

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psevbkxp4z.jpg

Regards, Mick

Mick O'Malley 28th March 2017 05:55

Up in Flames - Almost
 
Sunday at last provided an opportunity to go for a first non MOTdrive so, having loaded my tool wallet and Machine Mart towing bar into the passenger footwell (paranoid, moi?) I set off to visit a longstanding kit car friend who I met through the Dutton Owners' Club back in '82. He's a very early member and won the competition to design the club badge.

It's about 14 miles and everything went well initially. However, about ten miles in I stalled her at a lights controlled crossroads and the cranking motor started playing silly buggers. I jumped out and began pushing but the hump where the uphill road to the left joined defeated me. Luckily a kind gentleman came around the corner and assisted, unlike some of the motorists behind, one of whom started angrily sounding his horn! There was a handy bus pull-in so I parked there and pondered solutions. There was a fairly steep downhill section to my front but I thought I'd try the button again and it behaved :rolleyes:. Typical!

I pressed on without further incident and spent a very pleasant hour helping my friend decide the way forward with the leaky diesel tank he'd removed from his LDV based camper and departed. I'd earlier noticed the fuel was low so popped in the station at the bottom of the hill where he lives. 15 litres should be OK, I thought. Completely forgetting the right angled bend in the filler neck (it's in the fin, and the only previous filling was from a can) and with my eyes glued to the spinning numbers I proceeded until the petrol blown back stared to splash my hand - aaaaaaargh!!! Stupid boy!

About half a litre was swilling about inside the fin and a wide dribble was coming from the bottom of the boot lid, which I opened to reveal a thin stream coming from a tiny hole under the rear of the fin inside the boot. This proved serendipitous as mopping up inside the fin would be impossible. I pushed her backwards a couple of feet so the dribble was over the gulley and fetched a sand bucket. Once the dribbling ceased I pushed her further back into the sunny bay for non-fuel customers and sanded the spill.

There was still about a cupfull in the boot so I grabbed a few handfulls of paper towels and mopped up. This was very messy as the petrol was dissolving the black paint on the boot floor. I then sat in the sun for half an hour (after paying) with the fin flap and boot lid open until everything dried off in the heat. This interlude was punctuated by interested parties coming to ask about the car, with some very flattering comments.

There were no further dramas: I went to my sister's nearby, but she wasn't in. At the T junction at the bottom of her hill traffic was very slow having been diverted from the M5, a section of which was closed after a crash, and I spotted one front seat passenger videoing me with his hand held device as he passed. The car certainly draws attention, even when it's not going up in flames. Headlines like 'Petrol Station Destroyed in Kit Car Inferno' are best not generated!

I was lucky, and it's definitely not a mistake I'll make again.

I investigated the cranking motor connections yesterday and, sure enough, both ends of the solenoid to motor lead weren't fully tightened. I cleaned and remade them tightly which should prevent a recurrence.

Regards, Mick

Mister Towed 28th March 2017 08:24

Ooh, bad luck with the fuel spill, like you say, lesson learned. With the Spit tank being the size of a thimble you might as well just fill it every time - mine starts to spit tiny fuel droplets back with about half a gallon to go so I just slow the pump right down when that begins and keep an old towel handy to wipe the droplets off the paint before it stains.

Great looking car btw, get used to the compliments, they ain't going to stop.

lancelot link 28th March 2017 09:00

Teething problems are just part of the process Mick , no matter how much you think you have covered everything , any major build can bring up some initial issues ..you deal with them and move on ....

As Towed says and Paul L amongst others have documented here ...being noticed and creating an impact with other road users is something you need to get used too ..... retro race car styling is loved by everybody .....often with retro cars , they are predominantly a male thing ....not always , but mostly a male interest ..the thing with our style of car is EVERYBODY loves them , women , kids , old , young .....eveybody ..

Mick O'Malley 16th April 2017 12:20

More Sorties & Detailing
 
I've been out a good few times now, managing to re-fuel without mishap and finding long enough straights to try out the overdrive, which works perfectly :). A young lad came over in Aldi car park and asked "Is it a TVR?". I concealed my mirth and gently explained its genesis. Trevor indeed! Still, no worse than the umpteen times I was asked if my Marlin Roadster was a Morgan :rolleyes:.

Reversing onto my home parking space my son said it smells rich, pulled a plug, correctamundo. Black! Luckily old style CD Strombergs are a doddle to adjust with a coin and I've leaned it considerably. Runs better than before, I've also retarded the ignition as it was pinking a little when I short shifted and asked too much of the torque, speaking of which, spins the off side wheel on hill starts if I'm not very careful. I'll invest in some grippier tyres sometime, the current ones came off a VW Beetle trials car, authentically 80 ratio and narrow section but hardly sticky.

There's lots of authentic transmission noise through the aluminium tunnel and the six cylinder snarl when I open her up is music. I've now fitted my Europa Spares plastic spinners but not the perspex headlamp covers. The flange they sit on needs building inwards a little in the same place both sides. I'll try and get it done before Stoneleigh. There's still some cockpit detailing to address as well but the lure of my Moss Monaco build is strong!

Regards, Mick

Mick O'Malley 24th April 2017 08:09

Prescott Speed Hill Climb Saturday
 
I'm fortunate to have this venue practically on my doorstep, certainly less than 20 miles, and I attended the year's first meeting on Saturday, arriving well before 0800 to catch the atmosphere in the paddock. There I came across a D Type lookalike which turned out to be a RAM from the eighties. I had a long chat with the two drivers before walking to the very top of the hill. I've been there many many times but I'm still enchanted every visit :).

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...pst26h4weq.jpg

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...pspmkwimzj.jpg

I was parked next to a very bright Ginetta but it was my A352 which was attracting a great deal of attention from other punters. All were highly complimentary about my build, as well as being very surprised at its humble underpinnings and modest cost.

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psk1cwbdki.jpg

I took these photo's of the RAM, both with its beautiful class companions and on the start line. A good day out.

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...pst0deoxq5.jpg

http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/...psv5gqy0ea.jpg

Yesterday evening, as I was about to go for a spin, two children from along my road came and asked if they could have a close look. The lad, who was about 10, said he'd told his classmates that there was a "Space Car" in his road. Now that's an accolade!

Regards, Mick

Mister Towed 24th April 2017 09:56

Mick, your car looks every bit as good as that RAM version if not better.

Yours is clearly a very well finished example in a great colour choice and if you park it alongside the real thing nobody would guess that your car cost about the same to build as you'd pay for a couple of sets of wheels and tyres for the original.

Get used to the compliments, they'll just keep on coming and deservedly so.

Will have to make my way to Prescott btw as it looks beautiful.

Mick O'Malley 26th April 2017 07:57

Speed Hill Climbing
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Towed (Post 87588)
Will have to make my way to Prescott btw as it looks beautiful.

It certainly is. It was the first hill climb venue I ever attended back in '87. However, Shelsley Walsh eclipses it to a degree, partly due to the amazing scenery both there and on the way, and partly how it's frozen in 1905. Easily my favourite motor sport venue :)

Regards, Mick


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