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Gary - :)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The Rebuilding Starts… I had a quick look at the bottom edge of what is left of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jk...=w1152-h864-no I will be chopping a section of this off and re-joining it as it currently sticks out a bit too much. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Xe...w=w648-h864-no Note: Obviously, this whole corner needs to be finished off, but the arch work comes first. Anyway, before I started worrying about cutting up more of the bonnet, I wanted fix some of the other panels in place first. The problem is there are just too many different angles to take into account to do this all in one go. So I decided to fix part of the trailing edge first. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hz...=w1152-h864-no Along with the start of the leading edge too. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fR...i=w648-h864-no Note: The return lip will be given a major trim when I have finished joining the arch back together. Then I decided to join the three top edge sections together away from the car. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/y5...=w1152-h864-no One short (100ml) fibreglassing session later and all three sections were done and the top edge is now acting as a single piece. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gq...=w1152-h864-no Getting access to the other panels with the wheel still in position was a pain, but it should hold for now. As I just need these sections to be stable so I can bolt the next pieces to them, without everything wobbling. Sorry, there was no way to get a decent photo of the "dark side" of the panel where the matting was added. I should have a bit of extra car time available tomorrow, so hopefully I can keep the momentum going. Until then, take care, Paul. :) |
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There was a seriously impressive line up of cars in that clip. :cool: |
Slowly, Slowly, Buildy, Archy…
Yesterday I was in a bit of a "Catch 22" situation as I tried to work out the best way forward: - It is hard to access the rear of the arch panels with the wheel in place. - But if I jack up the car to remove the wheel I will lose my reference point for the template. Thankfully, today I finally remembered that the whole bonnet actually flips up. :rolleyes: So I started the day by fixing the first section into position along the top edge of the arch. ( Complete with parcel tape covered card sealing the gaps. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7F...=w1152-h864-no Now the leading edge is quite tricky to get right as it starts inside the wheel arch and then flares out. So, for now, I just fixed the second section in place like so. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1P...1=w648-h864-no Not sure if this side on photo makes it any easier to see the angles involved. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4k...o=w648-h864-no Which left the arch looking like this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jG...=w1152-h864-no Then I very carefully opened the bonnet and added some extra brackets along the return lip. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mC...p=w648-h864-no This is how the gap looks on the inside. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/86...=w1152-h864-no And this is what it looked like after I had added a few layers of matting. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DA...=w1152-h864-no That was all I had time to do in the morning. End of Part 1… |
Friday Afternoon:
Thankfully, by the time I could go outside and do some more car work, the matting was set nicely. So I removed most of the brackets. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lc...=w1152-h864-no Cleaned up any stray matting around the screw holes. ( Sorry the photo is blurred. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...=w1152-h864-no The final piece for this section came from a different part of the arch and isn't a great fit. :icon_sad: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6k...u=w648-h864-no So there will be some grinding required on the 'sunny side' when I start healing the wounds. Still, with that section in place, I could add more tape over the screw holes and get ready for the next batch of 'glassing. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/09...U=w648-h864-no As I said before, this return lip will be trimmed back when the arch is complete. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f0...r=w648-h864-no And this is what the inside of the arch look like now. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xl...O=w648-h864-no I know it takes longer doing this in small steps, but there is no point in rushing things at this stage. End of Part 2… |
Friday Evening:
Rather than start another round of fibreglassing, I decided to tidy up the Summer House for the umpteenth time. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C_...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/39...=w1152-h864-no It then took me ages to find the box that had the small bag with all the fixings for the rear lights in. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Af...=w1152-h864-no By now the matting was set, so I could remove the clamp and lower the bonnet. Just remember that the car is currently tilted, but there is definitely a wheel arch starting to emerge. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qI...=w1152-h864-no Then I covered up the front of the car and uncovered the back. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ek...=w1152-h864-no As I wanted to test my theory that fitting the rear lights should be straight forward as I do have access here. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/T6...=w1152-h864-no Access was pretty good, but using an adjustable spanner for the tiny nut was a pain. ( I've now ordered a proper spanner on Ebay. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Mv...=w1152-h864-no And I lost count of the number of times I dropped the allen key I used on the bolt heads. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W0...g=w648-h864-no Still, at least the first rear light is now fixed into position. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sg...=w1153-h864-no I plan to cut down all the remaining bolts before I fix any more lights into place. I've also put the final paint of the inside of the boot into the "Post MOT" pile of jobs. Overall, quite a productive day, so until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Saturday - Part 1
I've split this update into two parts, which do not follow a strict time line. Fibreglass Jigsaw: Chris & Dan @ Tribute make this 'cutting and shutting' work look like child's play. Whereas, I am finding this particular puzzle quite a challenge. I started by biting the bullet and removing another big chunk of the bonnet. :eek: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IG...J=w648-h864-no I then trimmed off the rough edge from the piece I had just removed. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3m...=w1152-h864-no Before spending a long time working out the best way to put the various pieces back together. In the end I went for this arrangement. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DQ...7=w648-h864-no Frankenstein would have been so proud. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pB...=w1152-h864-no The only problem was that this new shape wanted to "spring" outwards. :icon_sad: So I decided to add some external support before working on the inside join. This involved leaning a section of wood on the arch. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ue...F=w648-h864-no Then adding fibreglass matting to the outside of the main join. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P_...=w1152-h864-no I also started to build up this corner of the scuttle, which has a "dip" in it. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Of...r=w648-h864-no End of Part 1… |
Saturday - Part 2
Rear Lighting: This was the other area I was working on today. I shortened the fixing bolts, but thankfully remembered the fibreglass is thicker on the passenger side. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jl...4=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d1...=w1152-h864-no The rest of the lights on the driver's side went in with no problems. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KS...=w1152-h864-no But the passenger side was a different story. First the penny washer for the indicator wouldn't fit. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qs...=w1152-h864-no But a quick visit to the angle grinder soon took care of that. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dr...N=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yW...=w1152-h864-no Next, the holes for the stop/tail light in the body shell… https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LI...l=w648-h864-no Didn't lie up with the hole in the unit itself. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4X...=w1152-h864-no This is because this was a replacement part for the original which had broken. Quite by chance, I had stumbled across this rear light template when I was tidying up the Summer House yesterday. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RE...=w1152-h864-no So I used that to work out where to drill holes in the light. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bg...=w1152-h864-no Although I didn't get a chance to fit the light as by now it was raining. :icon_sad: End of Part 2… |
Saturday - Part 3
Normally, the FA Cup final brings sunshine to the Wembley area, but not today, as the sky was alway like this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YK...k=w648-h864-no Which is why I didn't want to start fibreglassing on the inside of the front wheel arch just in case. In fact, I had put the covers back on the front of the car while I was working on the rear lights. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bq...=w1152-h864-no But I'll finish this update with the "work in progress" photos, taken before the rain arrived. Front Wheel Arch: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3d...=w1152-h864-no Rear End: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oW...=w1152-h864-no I think it is fair to say that one part of the car is closer to being finished than the other. :icon_wink: The good news is that despite the fact that the front arch will have a lot of scars to heal, so did the back end when I chopped that up too. In fact, I really love the way the back end of the car looks now. :cool: Until next time, take care, Paul. :) PS Just incase you haven't seen the "Lady in Chewbacca mask" video clip, please have a watch, pure joy. :D http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-36348013 http://images.techtimes.com/data/ima...g-with-her.jpg |
Limited Sunday Service - Part 1:
Woke up this morning feeling under the weather, but, with the sun shining outside, I was determined to get something done. Unfortunately, I didn't order my next round of fibreglass supplies in time (now due to arrive tomorrow). :icon_sad: This meant that I was down to my last fews bit of fibreglass matting to joining the various wheel arch pieces together. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M3...=w1152-h864-no Still at least I was able to make a start. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OU...K=w648-h864-no Obviously, I need to add a few more layers of matting on this side, before I grind the joins out on the 'Sunny Side'. As the real strength in the joins comes from the layers added on the outside of the arch. :cool: At this point, it was still too early for power tools on a Sunday morning, so I left that to set. When I came back out I did a quick test with a rubber seal for the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VX...t=w648-h864-no After a bit of sanding along the bonnet edge, I had the making of a half decent join. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GA...D=w648-h864-no I will need to carefully widen this gap at some point, making sure I don't remove too much from the bonnet edge. Next I ground down any fibreglass matting that had covered the fixing brackets. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m...=w1152-h864-no Then I could remove all the brackets. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/80...=w1152-h864-no This piece doesn't look too bad from this angle. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kq...=w1152-h864-no But the return lip will need some serious grinding work. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hh...=w1152-h864-no I also ground down any stray matting from the fixing screws. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zK...=w1152-h864-no Before adding more tape to the outside of the arch. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1l...=w1152-h864-no So at least this is all prepared for the next round of fibreglassing when the matting arrives. End of Part 1… |
Limited Sunday Service - Part 2:
Yesterday I made a school boy error when I drilled the new fixing holes in the stop/tail light. At the time, I didn't want to drill through the metal earthing strip, so I simply drilled a hole to the side of it. What I had failed to take into account, was the position of the existing holes in the body shell. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gQ...P=w648-h864-no Yes, this meant that the fixing holes for the lens would not line up with the indicator. :doh: To avoid a complete OCD melt down, I decided to drill an extra set of holes in the body shell. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tW...k=w648-h864-no Filling in the other holes will be another post MOT job. Eventually, the rear lights on the passenger side were fitted. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A...=w1152-h864-no And the back end was looking like this. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Qa...=w1152-h864-no I just need to sort out my wonky number plate plinth and the rear end will be good to go. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - That was all the car work I managed to do and I ended the day tidying up the grass verge in front of my house. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N...z=w648-h864-no But by the time I had tidied everything up I was completely knackered. The only good news was that as I sat down to type this update, it started lashing down outside. Until next time, take care. Paul. :) PS I've got one more post to come, which compares my car to Mister Towed's. |
Can't see the wood for the trees:
Mister Towed was working on his rear valance yesterday and posted this photo. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...pswltyufpe.jpg What struck me was how much higher his rear end looked compared to the photo of my rear end that I also posted yesterday. ( I know the angles of the photos are different. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oW...=w1152-h864-no But Mr T was kind enough to measure the gap between the body shell and the ground and this is 30 cm in the middle. ( Psycho Pops measured his as being approx. 23cm, with the original Herald wheels fitted. ) Well, this morning I measured the same gap on mine (between the tail pipes) and it is just over 18cm. :eek: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pC...9=w648-h864-no Now I have spend a lot of time looking through Mr T's threads and studying photos of his car. But normally I am looking at a specific area to compare it to the area of my car I am currently working on, or thinking about. So this great photo of his car next to the 911 was both an inspiration and a guide to the way the rear end sweeps in behind the rear wheels. ( Whereas, my Frankenstein Hillbilly approach has left me with a much 'wider than standard' rear end with less sweep. ) http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8b480ec9.jpg I've also looked at where the side of his body shell sits relative to the centre of the wheels. ( This is a recent photo of when his car was up on a ramp for some welding repairs. ) http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psu4hwoi9q.jpg And here is a photo of my car as I tried to get my body shell to sit is a similar position after the surgery. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z...o/DSCF2932.JPG However, I don't think I really noticed the differences in height between the sides and rear of the body shell. Which are clearly as plain as day (when you finally notice it :rolleyes:), like in this photo from Cadwell. http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/...psgklz4rew.jpg So now if you compare that to this photo of my car. You can see the bottom edge of the body shell appears to be in a similar position relative to the wheel centres. But my rear arch extends much further around the wheel, leading to a lower rear valance too. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rT...=w1154-h865-no I also took this photo earlier today, but remember that the driveway is tilting the passenger side body shell away from the ground. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nt...=w1152-h864-no The final difference comes from the fact that I have 13" wheels fitted, compared to Mr T's 14" ones. So it is no wonder my car is much lower at the back compared to his. :rolleyes: |
Just A Little Bit:
Added the next round of fibreglass matting to the inside of the wheel arch. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b5...A=w648-h864-no While that was setting I spent a bit of time looking at where the body shell extension will go. The horizontal edge of the Spitfire bulkhead has a very slight wobble to it. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MA...=w1152-h864-no So I figure a straight line around here will look OK. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gd...Y=w648-h864-no Unfortunately, by now, the weather was rapidly turning against me. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2u...h=w648-h864-no So I didn't push my luck and packed up, I was just pulling the covers on when the rain started. Then I was safely back inside when the hail stones arrived! Until next time, take care, Paul. :) PS Neighbours. Everybody needs good neighbours… Here are a few recent tales that I forgot to include in my updates at the time: Missing Car: Over the years, my build has attracted a large number of "regulars" who pass by my "garage". Apparently, the fact that the car suddenly "disappeared" seems to have been a cause of concern to some. So they seem genuinely pleased to see it back in the driveway, still being worked on and not abandoned. Saturday: Three blokes from Eastern Europe were passing and one stopped for a chat about the car. It started with the traditional "What is it?" question, but developed into a bit of a chin wag about cars. In the end, his two mates walked off without him, as they were clearly not interested at all. Like many others, he had often passed the car with the covers on and wondered what was underneath. But independent enthusiasm about the car really boosts morale, especially given the state of the front wheel arch. Sunday: My oldest "regular" stopped for a chat and said he really hoped he would be still be alive to see it finished! :eek: He turns 90 in a couple of weeks and still wants to be taken for a spin around the block when I'm on the road. Talk about putting me under pressure, as I thought even the possibility of a Sammio BBQ was a tough target to aim for! :icon_wink: |
Paul, I don't seem to spend so much time on the net these days, but when I do, it always amazes me to see what your latest escapades are!
Let me say, and I'm sure everyone else will agree with me here, That you are absolutely bloody amazing!!! You have TOTALLY re-designed and made that car your own! You will have a very very special car at the end of your build. Although you may not realise it you are also an absolute expert at fibre-glass work, albeit a bit unorthodox at times! Carry on the good work Paul, I salute you. Scottie |
Scottie - Thanks, you are too kind sir. :cool:
Funnily enough, these days when I'm asked what it is (last guess was an MG), I simply say it is a Triumph Swordfish 1500. I then go on to explain that they will not have heard of it, because it is the only one of its kind in the world. This is both true and a lot easier to explain than it was a Sammio Cordite, which was re-named a Ribble Navigator, but I modified it. :rolleyes: Whilst I still don't think I am a fibreglass expert, I do accept my unorthodox approach has certainly had a lot of practise and does work. Which means I can now keep the faith during the butchery phase, knowing it will turn out OK in the end. < Touch Wood > I keep saying how much I love the way the rear of the car looks and that is because it was such a mess for so long: Cutting the whole thing in half was a leap of faith. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k...o/DSCF3409.JPG https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D...o/DSCF3410.JPG So removing a chunk of the wing seemed mild by comparison. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3...o/DSCF3490.JPG I did enjoy using beer cans to make my tail pipe exits. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z...o/DSCF3498.JPG And this was me re-shaping one corner of the rear valance. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6...o/DSCF3475.JPG The extra hump I was given was for the driver's side, so it needed to be extended to fit on the passenger side. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5...o/DSCF3424.JPG Then the body shell had to be re-shaped to line up with the 2nd hump. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-N...o/DSCF3638.JPG A new rear cockpit return lip was added. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...o/DSCF3421.JPG Unfortunately, the memories are still too traumatic for me to revisit the HUGE amount of work involve in creating a boot from scratch. :eek: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X...o/DSCF3822.JPG :icon_wink: So I am nothing short of stunned that the rear end looks as good as it does now. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DW...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ve...=w1152-h864-no There will be a normal build update later on today. Cheers, Paul. :) |
If anyone asks about your car, just tell them this...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWHniL8MyMM :violin: |
More like you enjoyed emptying the beer cans first ha ha
As everyone else has said the car is looking great it really is and I can't wait to see a photo or video of you driving it down the road in it...your face will be aching from the big grin you'll have spread across it Think Wallace and gromit face ha ha Now chop chop and get a move on. |
Mr T - Well, as they said in Bob's Country Bunker…
"We have both kinds of music here… country and western." :icon_wink: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RedRatBike - Cheers & I can't wait to be driving the car on the road either. :cool: I hope today's effort is 'chop chop' enough for you. :icon_wink: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Tuesday - Part 1: I had some unexpected free time at home today, so I tried to make the most of it. The first thing I did was to change the angle of the body shell extension. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wg..._=w648-h864-no As I figured if the horizontal line turned out not to be quite horizontal it might look a bit odd. Whereas, if it is clearly at an angle, they the angle will always be correct (if that makes sense). Next, I decided to consolidate the existing front wheel arch work, before tackling the last pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. So I started by roughly marking up and cutting out the return lip. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sa...x=w648-h864-no Note: I will be tidying up the edge at some point. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gZ...z=w648-h864-no Doing this job now reduces the amount of grinding needed on the "mis-matched" pieces. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QJ...Y=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7A...q=w648-h864-no I often refer to this 'cutting & shutting' work as surgery and it does feel like a medical procedure. The wound has been stitched together on the inside. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/b5...A=w648-h864-no So now it was time to remove the "bandages". https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vL...=w1152-h864-no Unfortunately, just like real surgery on TV, some times it is better to just turn away, rather than watch. As the photo of the "open wounds" is certainly not pretty. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yv...=w1152-h864-no End of Part 1… |
Tuesday - Part 2:
Still, the key to a full recovery is cleaning out the "infected areas", so out came the angle grinder… One major snow storm later and this is what the arch looked like, still rough, but all solid fibreglass. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_j...=w1152-h864-no But, by the time I added a lot of thin strips of fibreglass matting, things were certainly improving. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vq...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1r...=w1152-h864-no When that had set, I gave the area a rough sanding down and opened up the fixing screw holes. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YN...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_F...=w1152-h864-no I mixed up some fibreglass filler and forced it into the holes. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z7...=w1152-h864-no While that was setting I looked at the body shell extension. I will use most of this piece, which lines up nicely with the template. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y0...N=w648-h864-no But not so nicely with the body shell itself. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2e...=w1152-h864-no An extra pair of hands would have come in handy here, but the clamp helped. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Xc...=w1152-h864-no But with the piece marked up, I could cut it to size. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tN...=w1152-h864-no End of Part 2… |
Tuesday - Part 3:
By now the filler had set hard enough to be sanded down. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pq...=w1152-h864-no And all the low spots will be getting some extra fibreglass matting at some point. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QY...x=w648-h864-no Next I offered up the off cut from the body shell extension piece. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bo...=w1152-h864-no A quick bit of trimming later and I had a better fit. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Uf...=w1152-h864-no I was still left with a big gap at the rear edge of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/L5...C=w648-h864-no So I cut a piece out of my "left overs" pile to fit. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_S...s=w648-h864-no Before fixing the two pieces into place like so. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XA...=w1152-h864-no So you can see I am slowly closing the gap from bonnet to body shell. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9E...k=w648-h864-no I know this is a painfully slow process, but I am getting there. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dd...=w1152-h864-no Last job for the night was to finish cleaning the drive. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_i...Z=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Nq...a=w648-h864-no That's all for today, so until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Chop chop enough indeed :-)
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RedRatBike - It actually feels like I've been working on this front arch for ages. :rolleyes:
But yesterday only marked "Day 8" since I started cutting up the original arch edge/return lip. Apart from one rainy evening, I have managed to do something on the arch on 7 of those 8 days. :cool: Unfortunately, life & work will have to take priority over the next few days. I was hoping to squeeze in a bit of fibreglass work in this morning, but it is currently raining outside. :icon_sad: So until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
I know how precious time can be
Just managed to rebuild my aprilia mille in a lockup with no power on odd evenings ready for this years TT trip |
RedRatBike - I hate to say it, but my driveway sounds more appealing than a lock up without power. :eek:
Although, obviously, not as appealing as a huge garage with power, heating, a car lift, etc. :icon_wink: Having said that, I'd actually settle for a just a driveway that was flat and level. :rolleyes: Enjoy the TT. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Quick Catch Up: Wednesday Morning - A misty rain had prevented me from sneaking in some work on the car. Wednesday evening - I had arrived here, in advance of a full day's work on Thursday. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NL...=w1152-h864-no This was the first time I'd seen the Cardiff Bay development & it is very impressive. :cool: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Saturday - Part 1: A very slow start to the day, as the rest of the family are all ill, and I feel like I'm running on empty. ( So it is quite likely that I am fighting what ever bug has confined everyone else to the sofas. ) Started with a very simple job of tightening up the last two fixing bolts for the headlight bowls on both sides. ( I'd only tightened up two on each side originally, but the lights are now staying in place until the MOT. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v_...=w1152-h864-no Then the rest of the day was spent getting more fibreglass matting on in a number of areas. I opened up the joins along the bonnet return lip. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qe...F=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q4...B=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EK...k=w648-h864-no Cleaned up the inside edges of the two pieces I bolted into place on Tuesday. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Nv...n=w648-h864-no Sanded down any excess bonding paste from the plywood panels next to the bulkhead. ( As it is easier to reach this area now, before I extend the side of the body shell. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fF...P=w648-h864-no Added an extra bracket along the body shell extension piece. ( This is where the clamp originally held the panel in place. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CB...9=w648-h864-no End of Part 1… |
Saturday - Part 2:
I then added the first round of fibreglass matting to these areas. ( See photos below, after round two. ) I also added some matting on the outside edge of the front wheel arch. ( Over any low spots remaining from the initial repair work. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sV...=w1152-h864-no Once this was all set, I could remove the fixing brackets and tidy up the screw holes. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Jw...=w1152-h864-no At this point, I still have two small sections of the original arch left over. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/91...=w1152-h864-no So one was trimmed down a bit and fixed into position underneath the existing body shell extension piece. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cx...u=w648-h864-no I ground out the join on the outside of the bonnet. ( Note: I've already done two small sections of this join. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ya...=w1152-h864-no After yet more fibreglassing, these are the areas I was working on. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w4...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fy...9=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TF...g=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gt...3=w648-h864-no Again, I just can't get a photo of the inside of the body shell extension piece. But this is what the arch is looking like now. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DO...=w1152-h864-no Let's be honest, it is still not looking very nice is it? :rolleyes: But with a bit of luck, some fibreglass filler will be going on a section of this tomorrow. :pray: So until then, take care, Paul. :) |
Coming along nicely!
|
You have been looking at it too long Paul
I think its coming along nicely, ive seen your other mods and they all look like this before just before you finish them. |
Been following this thread everyday since I found it a few months ago and now get withdrawal symptoms if there isn't any updates for a few days.
Then when there is, it's always uplifting to see how much you have done. It's always great to read and gives a little boost for me to pull my socks up and do more work on my car project. Great work Paul. :) |
Molleur, Roadster & WelshOne - Cheers chaps. :cool:
Even though it does feel like slow progress, I know this is definitely heading in the right direction. And Roadster is right, all my other Frankenstein modifications looked terrible at this stage too. :rolleyes: So the good news is that, hopefully, by the time this area is finished, casual observers will assume it always looked like that. :pray: Which is one of the main reasons for covering all the work I do in great detail in this build thread. As part of me is really gutted that this project has taken me over 4 years and counting. :icon_sad: But whenever I go back through this thread, the sheer volume of work I've completed to get to this point defies belief. :eek: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sunday Service - Part 1: My wife's brother & his wife will be coming to visit us in a few weeks time, so my domestic chores list is growing fast. So I was in the garden first thing in the morning, picking jobs that didn't require the use of "noisy toys". A bit like the front wheel arch, sometimes you need to make a mess before things improve. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aN...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qz...t=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Co...s=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/In...S=w648-h864-no With a decent start made in the garden, I could then play (quietly) with the car for a bit. I sanded down the front half of the wing and then cleaned it. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ti...=w1152-h864-no Mixed up some fibreglass filler and applied it. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SF...=w1152-h864-no Then it was back into the garden for some more pruning/weeding. Back at the car, the filler was sanded down. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ot...=w1152-h864-no Obviously, this makes a HUGE difference to how the arch repairs look. :cool: The "bandages" were also removed from the last bit of bonnet work I did. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GO...=w1152-h864-no End of Part 1… |
Sunday - Part 2:
More gardening and then it was time to make some noise as I ground out the bonnet joins. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BP...=w1152-h864-no I also measured up and cut out a small section of fibreglass to act as a filler piece for the body shell extension. Which was fixed into position with the main arch extension piece like so. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ly...l=w648-h864-no One fibreglassing session later and I'd started to build up the bonnet joins. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ty...D=w648-h864-no I'd also added some matting behind the body shell extension, which is very hard to reach/photo. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V7...=w1152-h864-no While that was setting I mowed the grass and it always looks "crisp" when the edging has been done. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EV...=w1152-h864-no Unfortunately, the edging only goes a bit further than what you can see, I still have most of it to do. :rolleyes: Anyway, that is enough gardening for one update and I've leave you with my work in progress. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qM...=w1152-h864-no Notes: - The car is still "tilted", so the arch will be closer to the wheel when I'm on the road. - I still need to add fibreglass filler to the return edge which should smooth the curve out a bit. - The rubber bonnet seal is not in place and this will "lift" the bonnet up slightly. My current plan is to finish off the body shell extension before adding the final section to the end of the bonnet. As I want to add a horizontal section to connect the extension to the Spitfire bulkhead. This will hopefully add some strength/support and provide somewhere to "locate" the side of the bonnet. But I'll worry about that another day, so until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Bank Holiday Monday:
I felt very old and creaky this morning, as yesterday's combination of gardening & car work had really taken it out of me. :rolleyes: So after a very slow start to the day, I was back in the garden in the morning, but got to play with the car in the afternoon. Removed most of the brackets from the body shell extension piece. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D7...=w1152-h864-no Then re-fixed one of the brackets back into place with some modelling mesh to form the basic shape of the bottom corner. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xD...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Pk...i=w648-h864-no Cleaned up any stray fibreglass matting from around the fixing screw holes on the inside & recovered the outside in parcel tape. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Hd...i=w648-h864-no Countersunk the screw holes & cleaned up the joins on the bottom edge of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1K...=w1152-h864-no Before shoving some fibreglass filler into the holes. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iF...=w1152-h864-no And along the joins in the return lip of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OB...Z=w648-h864-no When the filler was set hard enough, it was sanded down. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PK...=w1152-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DS...f=w648-h864-no Unfortunately, the wind was blowing so strongly, that I couldn't do any fibreglass work. :icon_sad: ( As the matting would end up all over the driveway, the street, next door's garden, etc. ) As it was, I didn't need to sweep up, as the wind had blow the dust all over the neighbourhood. :rolleyes: So with the sky looking like this, I decided to call it a day. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IM...=w1152-h864-no As it currently stands, at least the front arch is still looking round(ish). :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4T...=w1152-h864-no Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Tuesday Thoughts:
It is far too wet outside for any car work this evening. :icon_sad: But I picked up this month's Complete Kit Car on the way home, which feature's Swifty's build. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RP...=w1152-h864-no I was also re-reading Swifty's build thread last night, as I was checking how he did his body shell extension work. As I remembered Mac made the extension out of aluminium and joined it to his body shell. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-k...o/IMG_0502.JPG Whereas, Swifty re-used the section of the bonnet and did the extension work first. http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...4&d=1419883297 Before following that will the reshaping of the arch work. http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...3&d=1420055931 Unfortunately, I was not able to follow this approach due to my previous scuttle reshaping & bonnet lengthening work/butchery. ( Which is why I've needed to add "in fill" panels to bridge the gap between the arch and the body shell. ) However, I did notice that Swifty initially had an issue with the alignment of the outside edge of his bonnet. http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...7&d=1419884133 I am facing a similar issue on mine, so it was reassuring to see that it clearly took a bit of effort to sort this out. http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...2&d=1420232002 Especially when the finished car looks so spectacular. :cool: http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...2&d=1462912991 So despite the fact that my front arch re-shaping work is slow progress, I should get there in the end. :pray: Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Summertime, and the livin' is easy…
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high. Or, if you're livin' in NW London, the first days of meteorological Summer are grey & horrible. :rolleyes: Still, at least I managed to get a bit of car work done today... I had to go back and re-fill one of the fixing screws holes, which required a very small amount of filler. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wV...=w1152-h864-no Sorry the photo is blurred. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gt...=w1152-h864-no At least it didn't take long to sand it back when it had set. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ip...=w1152-h864-no - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This is the gap I currently have at the corner of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3c...=w1152-h864-no There is also a small gap at the bottom edge of the bonnet, compared to the body shell. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gy...7=w648-h864-no But re-reading Swifty's build (see previous post) gives me hope this can all be fixed in the end. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - I had to set up a mini wind break before I could do any fibreglass matting work. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YX...=w1152-h864-no I covered more of the inside edge of the body shell extension, including building up the new bottom corner section. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/48...=w1152-h864-no I also added more matting to both the joins and the outside surfaces of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bT...X=w648-h864-no End of Part 1… |
Summertime - Part 2:
These are the bits I've bought to help me secure the sides on the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WY...=w1152-h864-no I've had the bonnet straps for a while, but only ordered the Spitfire bits the other day. Swifty used a very neat arrangement to keep his bonnet in line with the body shell extension. ( Unfortunately, this seems a bit beyond my skill level to copy. ) http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...3&d=1461005081 http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/foru...4&d=1461005113 Although, when I checked back to see what Mac had done, his bonnet appears to just rest in place. https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-A...o/%2524_57.JPG So far, my basic plan is as follows… Add a fibreglass horizontal panel here, to join the top of the body shell side extension to the Spitfire bulkhead. ( And the panelling work that already joins the side of the bulkhead to the body shell. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D8...F=w648-h864-no Then the locating hole could go somewhere like this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OB...I=w648-h864-no With the corresponding locating pin fixed to a return lip at the bottom of the bonnet edge. I will also need to add a small extension piece to the wheel arch return lip to join that to the Spitfire bulkhead too. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ua...v=w648-h864-no However, there is still quite a bit of repair work to do, before I need to worry about how all this is going to work. Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
Thinking Out Loud:
Regular readers will know that whilst I often quote KISS, I rarely manage to demonstrate the concept in practise. :rolleyes: Although, since the car was returned by JY Classics, I have really tried hard to focus on just the tasks required for an MOT. Now some might argue that re-shaping the front wheel arches is not strictly required for the MOT, as it should pass with wonky arches. But this arch work is actually linked to completing the under sealing work on the front end of the car (the back half if already done). And I think/hope the Tetroseal will give a good impression during the MOT when the car is inspected from underneath. :pray: However, I am now going to adopt a KISS "Plan B" when it comes to securing the sides of the bonnet. Pre MOT - Fix the bonnet straps in place. Post MOT - Add the locating pins and cones (if required). I decided on this approach after having another look at Mac's build. This photo of his car was taken after it's first MOT and the sides of his bonnet line up nicely. :cool: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-l.../IMG_02314.jpg As long as just using the straps will get me through the MOT I will be happy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Still Shufflin' Along: I was able to work from home today, so after an early start, I got get some car work done in the afternoon. Finally removed the "bandages" from the body shell extension and, obviously, it is not pretty. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fV...N=w648-h864-no Then removed the final fixing bracket and modelling mesh from the bottom of this section. Unfortunately, it was at this point I realised I'd forgotten to add parcel tape to the mesh. So it took a bit of effort to remove it. :rolleyes: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1D...=w1152-h864-no Ground out the joins. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h3...U=w648-h864-no The bottom corner is a long way from being finished, but at least I have a starting point. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dh...6=w648-h864-no There are a lot of small / fiddly pieces to work with. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mG...A=w648-h864-no So I can only do a small batch in one go. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mr...g=w648-h864-no But I did managed to get some more matting on the inside of the extension too. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sq...=w1152-h864-no The sky wasn't looking too promising. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ne...j=w648-h864-no So I didn't want to push my luck and called it a day at that point. So I'll leave you with this photo of how far I've managed to get. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/SG...=w1152-h864-no Whilst this has turned into a much longer job than I was expecting, at least I am getting there. Until next time, take care, Paul. :) |
"Whilst this has turned into a much longer job than I was expecting, at least I am getting there."
I think deep down you always knew the front was the harder task But with the knowledge you've gained along the way nothing can stop you now. The final shape is there, the end is in sight The forecast for Sunday is looking good, Id love to pop by late afternoon. Pm me if its ok |
Roadster - Cheers, looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. :cool:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Keeping Up Appearances... I really wanted to make the front arch look a bit more respectable before Roadster gets to see it in person. So I started the day by tidying up any stray bits of fibreglass matting from yesterday's work. Then I ground out the last two joins on the return lip of the bonnet. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3E...=w1152-h864-no Counter sunk the screw holes on the body shell extension section. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fP..._=w648-h864-no There wasn't much fibreglass filler left in the tin, so I mixed it all up. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fo...=w1152-h864-no The first bit was stuffed it into the screw holes. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0a...n=w648-h864-no Whilst what was left over turned this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RP...=w1152-h864-no Into this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KE...=w1152-h864-no While that was setting, I cut out the horizontal panel for the top edge of the body shell extension. Although, I had to made a few tweaks to the panel before it would sit nicely in position. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8t...C=w648-h864-no With the filler sanded down, I was left with this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ww...0=w648-h864-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gv...=w1152-h864-no Note: I've left the bottom of the bonnet edge rough, until I add the final section of fibreglass. Then it was time to added the fibreglass matting across the joins on the body shell extension. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/na...K=w648-h864-no Plus filling in the joins on the bonnet. ( Sorry, yet another blurred photo. ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Gv...=w1152-h864-no And finally, to start fixing the horizontal panel into position. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pd...R=w648-h864-no End of Part 1... |
Saturday - Part 2
Now while that was setting I turned my attention to the ignition. ( As the last time I tried to start the car, the ignition light didn't come on and the car wouldn't start. :icon_sad: ) So I put the key in to see what would happen this time and the light came on. Then I removed all the dust sheets from the engine bay and tried to start it… And it fired up first time, oh happy days. :cool: Obviously I then drove the car back and forth across the driveway a few times with a big grin on my face. :rolleyes: Unfortunately, there is definitely an electrical gremlin in the works somewhere. As today the temperature gauge was working, but not the fuel gauge. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0x...=w1152-h864-no Then I pushed my not road legal car into the street… :eusa_whistle: Where I could take a photo showing the wheel arch not under the influence of my sloping driveway. Before: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ss...=w1153-h865-no Today: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ap...=w1152-h864-no Then I pushed the car back into the driveway and sanded down the fibreglass matting. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Up...m=w648-h864-no The new tub of fibreglass filler is a bright green. :eek: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ev...k=w648-h864-no I quite like the look of my two tier horizontal bulkhead. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nD..._=w648-h864-no The old filler tin made a good bin to sweep the filler dust into. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aU...U=w648-h864-no This is what the side extension looks like now. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K7...-=w648-h864-no Leaving the whole thing looking like this. https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VM...=w1152-h864-no Still a lot of work to do, but it is finally getting closer. Until next time, take care, Paul. :) PS RIP - The Greatest https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...07d3f2b23b.jpg |
Looking good Paul
You have had one of those joyous days where at the end it is clear to see what you have achieved. I hate working for hours with little you to show for it. I would guess your electrical gremlin is an earth issue and the instruments are fighting for it. It will only being a flying visit tomorrow as I have the family in tow but im looking forward to it. |
Roadster - No worries on the visit, whatever works for you is fine by me. :cool:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Ying & Yang: The weather forecast for yesterday included rain in the afternoon, so I wasn't expecting to do as much as I did. ( And picking up on Roadster's point, it was a very productive day too. ) Today is meant to be glorious weather, but I have to focus on domestic chores ahead of my wife's brother's visit. :rolleyes: So just in case I don't get a chance to do any car work, I want to quickly reflect on where I've got to... I took these photos of Ribble's original Cordite demonstrator at Stoneleigh in May 2013. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...L/DSCF8634.jpg I measured the gap between the tyre and the at over 11 cm / 4 inches. :eek: http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...L/DSCF8614.jpg Note: The demonstrator's bonnet was fixed into a high position and the bonnet access panel still fouled the radiator cap (just). I took the brave/foolish step to abandon the traditional Cordite build approach for my own Frankenstein Hillbilly one. Today, my 'higher than standard' scuttle, together with my 'longer than standard' bonnet, have transformed my car. My front end sits much lower that the demonstrator and yet it also has a full 90 degree flip up front. :cool: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0n...=w1152-h864-no Note: Even today, I still get a kick out of the fact the bonnet opens on hinges I made myself. ( With full credit to Mister Towed for the "scissor" hinge design. ) My front wheel arch / body shell side extension work is already a HUGE improvement compared to what I started with. ( And after the final round of filler work, it will be less "wobbly". :icon_wink: ) https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ss...=w1153-h865-no https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ap...=w1152-h864-no When this arch work is finally finished, my car's transformation from a Sammio Cordite/Ribble Navigator into a Triumph Swordfish 1500 will be complete. :cool: Cheers, Paul. :) |
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