[Paul L]

After exchanging PMs & missing each other on the phone, I finally spoke to AndyP57.
It was good to chat in the real world & I look forward to meeting him in person in the future.
We joked that he was just like Victor Kaim...
I was so impressed with my Sammio Spyder that I bought the company.


Cordite Kit No.7 Update:
My framework is ready and waiting in Poole.
Work on the body started yesterday (Saturday 16th June).
So my Cordite's "due date" in not very far away now.
There is an element of expected father about all of this isn't there?

But rather than hire a van/trailer to collect it, I will get it delivered.
This works out at £110, which much cheaper than I could do it myself.
It also makes it more likely that I can make the Sammio gathering.
As I wouldn't get the chance to drive down to Poole twice in a short space of time.

Rolling Chassis & Engine Inspection:
Well my Spitfire has now spent 3 weeks in the garage, a lot longer than I was expecting.
My engine's biblical back fire was traced to having the wrong distributor fitted.
This allowed the engine to idle all day, but got progressively out of step as revs increased.
They now hope to have finished with it by the end of next week (touch wood).

Ebay Update:
I put 11 lots up for auction this time, but only 2 have been bid on so far.
But all lots are being watched, so I expect the usual last minute Ebay poker.
I was amazed how much the bids increased in the last 24 hours on my first batch.
This batch includes brand new parts (see below), so I did set some opening bid amounts.
To be honest, my nerves couldn't cope with the 99p starting prices I used last time.
And with my kit paid for, raising as much as possible will help balance the books.

Here are some of the parts that I hope will do well:

Double Duck Soft Top



Leather Seat Covers



Seat Foams



Doors:
OK, all you Spyder builders out there can look away now if you want to.

When I first saw the mock up of the Cordite, doors were going to be an option.
But as the project developed it made more sense to only offer the Cordite with doors.
So I am playing catch up with my research as I initially wasn't expecting to have doors.

I bought some Mini external door hinges yesterday from here.



These are actually the same as the ones Gary used on the Stoneleigh demo.
I hadn't realised this when I asked if they would work on another thread.

Also by chance, AndyP57 saw my questions before heading to the Newark show.
So he kindly picked me up a set of these when he was there, another big help.



I guess I will need to fit some sort of door retaining strap / bracket.
But I'll wait until I see how the doors & hinges work in practise first.

Looking into the rules about door latches I stumbled across this MOT site...
www.motuk.co.uk
Within the information section on door handles I found the following:

A lack of door handles because of original design characteristics or specialist modification is not a Reason for Rejection provided the door can be latched securely in the closed position.

So no problems there.

Next we have details of the door test itself:

Doors - Open and close the driver’s and passenger’s doors.
Check that:
a. each door latches securely in the closed position
b. the driver’s and front passenger doors can be opened from both inside and outside the vehicle

Check door hinges, catches and pillars for presence, security and condition.

I guess it is OK to stand outside the car & operate the door latch inside the car.
After all there is no roof and in an emergency you can simply climb in & out without using the doors.

Remaining Shopping List:
I've enjoyed researching & comparing the various car parts needed to build my Cordite.
That is why I like build threads & finished car photos as they are great for picking up ideas.
Due to a lack of space I've held off ordering new stuff until the old Spitfire parts have gone.
I'd also like to double check some measurements on the kit before ordering lights, etc.

I think the seats will be next as they are a key reference point for the build.
I am going to get the same ones that GazDavies used in his Sammio.



Wing Mirror Debate:
I think I have narrowed this down to two options (for now):

Follow the Sammio tradition of shiny bullet mirrors as they clearly look great.



The cheapest place I've seen these mirrors is here.

My somewhat "rat" alternative are these black plastic mirrors.
( Sorry, I just couldn't find a way to link the photo )

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/product/B..._Mirrors_M19BK

Before I finalise my shopping I will need to agree what 'look' I am going for.
Currently this is a 'rough & ready' road legal car that looks like its had a hard life.
This will be easier for me to visualise when the kit arrives.

Next Steps - Project:
After a long period with not much happening the pace is now building...
- I need to make the final arrangements for delivery of my Cordite kit
- I need to get my donor back from the garage & start removing the body shell
- Hopefully all my Ebay parts will sell & free up some of my limited storage space.

Next Steps - Today:
Get off the computer to have a relaxing Father's Day including a pub lunch.
Thankfully the rest of the family are still asleep, so I can finish this update now.
This time yesterday I was already walking around Sainsburys doing the family shop.
I also spend hours in the garden trying to get it back into shape.
There are 11 bags of cuttings here and I still have a bit to do.



But if I don't keep on top of my domestic chores I can't build my car!!

Until next time, take care, Paul.