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Ok, so more updates .... sfter getting another broken arch support I'd decided to try and mount the arches to the chassis / body to try and reduce the vibration on them when driving - after trying with some flat bar we decided to go for steel tube instead - it's 21 / 22 mm diameter tube with a 2mm thick wall.
we have done the front so far and it seems to be pretty sturdy (havent attached the actual arches yet though) - so on monday we satrt work on the back arches
here's how it looks so far -
[IMG]1-archsupportsw by paul ward, on Flickr[/IMG]
The arch will sit higher than before to allow for suspension travel - but after looking at lots of true vintage racers like delages' talbot lagos' and rileys etc it looks like most have the arches supported like this and not 'from the wheel' as the fiorano was originally.
I quite like the look, - it's also going to increase the turning circle of the car which has been a bit of a nightmare to deal with - so that's an added bonus.
All in all if it makes the car more drivable in terms of not having something go wrong every time I take it out - it has to be an improvement!
Fixed mudguards are normally far more robust. The only thing you will have to contend with is, as they don't turn with the wheels, if you happen to be unlucky to be out in the rain each right hand bend will soak the driver with spray and each left hand bend the passsenger. But that's all part of the fun...
Fixed mudguards are normally far more robust. The only thing you will have to contend with is, as they don't turn with the wheels, if you happen to be unlucky to be out in the rain each right hand bend will soak the driver with spray and each left hand bend the passsenger. But that's all part of the fun...
Robin
Yeah, If I'm caught in the rain that's the least of my worries
Almost finished them now - haven't driven it yet but they seem much more sturdy to me.
New arch supporst done now and fitted - drove it home and they seemed to be much better than before - alot less vibration and movement. - only time and more driving will see how they hold up. 1 arches 5w by paul ward, on Flickr 1 arches 6w by paul ward, on Flickr
So, I took the car for it's longest run out so far on sunday - to the Pershore Plum festival. went in a small convoy of local cars and had a great day.
only one little thing was still niggling me about the car - the new looking plastic switch cover on the dashboard.
I've been looking on ebay for a vintage looking one, but can't find any so yesterday I decided to make my own.
using the cheap plastic one as a template I used aluminium to make this one (on the left) - painted it and then suitably scuffed it up to look 'authentic' - fitted it today 1 switch 2 by paul ward, on Flickr
in place on the car next to the old 'new' one 1 switch by paul ward, on Flickr
New update ..... so the arch supports are still working well - I've done a few miles and been to a few shows this year and had no issues with the arches for a while now .... so that's great news. Generally the car is great - I get lots of attention most places I go in it ..... but.... I've decided I'm still not happy with the way the front of the car looks.
It's a bit radical but I've decided to chop the front off .... so that I can get a copy made up that I can experiment with - I'll still have the original to put back on if I cock it all up, but I will also have a copy that I can cut up and mess about with to try and get the look I'm after for it
hopefully I can come up with something that won't look too different, but give it a more 'vintage' feel - probably using some sort of grill from a jaguar or something - so here's how it currently looks while I'm waiting for the nose to be copied
Paul, You have been busy while I’ve been away from the forum. Your car is looking great and I agree with you that the original front end could be improved. I bought a 1999 Jaguar S type grille for mine but it’s not quite big enough to fill the hole. I was at an auto jumble type auction today and there were a couple of old car grilles which might be a better choice for a more “authentic” look. And they didn’t sell for a fortune either!
My Fiorano is still in pieces at different locations but I will soon start building the garage for my motorbikes so, eventually, I’ll have some space to do some work on the kit. Keep up the good work!
Paul
Thanks guys
Cool, yeah I bought a mk 2 jaguar grill to use on mine - I'm going to have to bring in the appeture a bit to get it to fit the smaller grill,
I had looked at using an xk140 grill but the cheapest I could find was £600 so I gave up on that idea
And I got asked today if I'd show my car on the TSCC stand at the upcoming NEC classic car show this November, so if that happens it could be good ...... providing I can get my front end back before then of course
1-archsupportsw by paul ward, on Flickr[/IMG] 
