This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
Picked up my steel today. It sort of fitted in the Volvo.....with a bit sticking out of the tailgate. Quite pleased none of Towed's colleagues pulled-up behind me.
All stashed away under the chassis. I've managed to get a supply of gas for welding. Now I just need to summon the courage to start cutting. I'm genuinely excited.
I'm still measuring and experimenting - using wood to balance the body in relation to the chassis. The use of the Audi TT removable roll hoops requires a little more precision because I can't just raise the body by putting some packers between the chassis and body. The body has to sit on the Audi crossmember. All will become clear with some pics soon.
Anyway, I bought this recently. I might use it. I will have a Monza flip cap whatever happens because they look the part, but it may just be a dummy. If so, this will house the Mazda tank filler and add a tiny level of security. As I said, I may not use it, but it is quite neat.
Some very preliminary trial fitting tonight to get some measurements. It is morale boosting to have the body out of the loft space for the first time in more than a year. It doesn't appear to have suffered. First signs are that the wheels will fill the arches nicely........when everything is tweaked.
First impression is that the bonnet will require a couple of Oxford bulges, which I am quite glad about.
O, i noticed you cut the rear outriggers off... not worried about that? Also, what mods do you think you'll be doing?
The rear outriggers had rusted to nothing at the ends (honestly). The bases attached to the chassis were solid so I just boxed them with 1.2mm steel. I do have replacement outriggers if an inspector wants me to replace them.
Mods? The plan is to have removable roll hoops, a boot and a flip-rear to access the rear suspension and fuel tank. Bonnet will have louvres and bulges (rather than scoops).
I also plan to add rear vents and intakes similar to a D24.
Interior will be lined with ally. Seats will be my own take on Spitfire/Hurricane/Sea Fury seats using the 50 year old leather that I skinned from an old sofa. Six point twist lock belts which look great but will be a pain when I'm in a hurry.
I will decide at some point whether to go for Brooklands aero screens or a Ribble screen. Probably the former.
Oh, and I'm going to cut off the hump and move it to be in line with my head.
Two unrelated pictures. The first is the world's loudest power tool. I used it tonight to cut the first lengths of box section. It all went to plan.
The second is of my second favourite car of all time (after the one I am building). I took it at the Silverstone Classic on Saturday. I'm quite pleased with it considering that the subject was doing about 120mph at the time.
Hi Oxford ... me again
Just trawled through your blog and saw the MIGHTY hub puller.
No doubt we will chat at some time.
Love your rustic workshop ... you seem to live like a Hobbit
ATB
Slarti
Hi Paul ...
Talking of metal cutters waking the neighbours ..... I got the "angry grinder" out this week end .... NOT to cut off the wheel hub, but to cut the bulkhead down. Will upload some photos this evening.
Thanks for the offer of the hub puller once again but it's going to work out easier to borrow Tony's in Poole. A mate of mine is going to Poole for a week's holiday this Friday .... and you'll not believe this, but Tony's brother lives only a few miles from me, so I'll drop the puller back to him when I've finished with it.
Tony: I've given my work colleague (Mark) your details and he'll contact you when he's down your way.
Cheers all round
Slarti
That sounds like the path of least resistance - which is always attractive to Rammio and Sibble builders.
I find pullers very rewarding to use. Anything that makes an impossible job almost effortless is all right by me.
I did some cutting this weekend and used my step drill bit in an old pillar drill. I'm quite pleased with my first attempts at "engineering", considering they have been achieved using nothing more than over-sized and noisy domestic power tools.
Might get to do the first welds on the frame tonight.
Just over an hour down at The Glade this evening. I continued work on the rear bulkhead.
The Audi crosssmember will form the top. This will be sandwiched between two lengths of 50x25 box.
The two pictures below show the aluminium crossmember and the front length of box.
The two below show before and after welding.
The final one shows the three pieces of box that form the top of the front of the bulkhead welded together. An identical one will attach to the rear. Vertical lengths of box will attach this to the ends of the rear outriggers.
The bolts are recessed so that a sheet of ally can be riveted to it to line the rear of the cockpit.
Just got back from holiday today. Time well spent thinking about chopping the back off and how it will hinge.
I should get some time down The Glade in the next few years.
Be sure to wear your ear defenders when you use the chop saw......and eye protection of course. And, don't have any rags close by that have had white spirit on them......that was fun.
While on holiday I saw a sign for a Steam Rally and........Autojumble......well, what is a man to do?
I picked up this fire extinguisher which I shall mount inside the cockpit as a period prop. It is stamped "1960". Just a year before mankind put one of its own into space, this was the type of kit that people used to fight fires - a lump of brass filled with a dodgy chemical.
The other item I bought was a set of gauges. I doubt I will use them on this build but I just liked them. I feel they look older than they are. And, what is more, they all work. Can any former boy-racer recognise which iconic 70s vehicle it comes from?
Whilst at the show, my teenage son fell for a Lomax. I've always fancied building a Morganesque three-wheeler and I am a fan of the 2CV lump. So, next project decided.
