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I was there on the Sunday. A lovely day with plenty of owner/ kit drivers in the club areas. Yes, the show as far as traders was down in numbers again, even the mainstay of Lotus 7 style cars were few and far between in the halls.
Blame SVA / IVA plus the lack of skills and inclination out there. I think the rebody scene and IVA exempt cars will do well. Also the market for second hand ready built cars will continue to do well and prices will climb. We are seeing that now with the " Classic " replicas fetching big numbers which wouldn't have been the case even just a few years ago. There are plenty of people with plenty of money.
At Stoneleigh it was notable that 30% floor space in the main halls was empty. Fewer people everywhere. Some stands packed up and went home on Sunday evening.
I guess it's the economic 'squeeze' (blame Brexit?) but it would seem financial suicide as a seller to ignore the biggest show for your product where you have a captive market.
DNA out of business, but the top end market looks ok. Tribute probably missed Stoneleigh due to the expense and time, spent on publicity, not being rewarded.
Reading 'between the lines' and if rumours are to be believed they had a product which was selling well, and a horses head on the doorstep halted sales of a profitable product!
If people (generally on other forums) talk the industry down, that doesn't help. I admit to not having put a car through IVA (did SVA), but if the guidelines are followed I don't see why it should frighten some people so much - I'd prefer a well tested car on more modern running gear than one using a 50 year old chassis that doesn't handle as well (for the sake of a few hundred quid extra)
I was there on the sunday so unfortunately didn't see the 275 on the monday - but in the photos it looks very good.
DNA were 'there' on sunday - just not officially - they seem to be still working on their speedster project for Boxsters. and had a few pics to show the work to date.
][SIZE="5"][SIZE="5"]GRP work done; painting done; epoxy & waxing done; a few little jobs still to do, but a good bright day and we got the camera out:
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[SIZE="4"]The undertray is made out of 3mm abs type plastic. It is hung from the arb and the valance. There is a small lip on the trailing edge and a bulge to accommodate the steering pipes on the left side. The aim is to smooth the airflow under the car, keep some of the water and road dirt away and so protect components a little. Nice shiny surface for a day or two.[/SIZE]
[SIZE="4"]The headlight cover rims are made from a 3mm brass sheet, which has now been chromed. These seem to really make the front aspect of this curvy car look great. The badge is 33 x 60mm and needs replacing, because the enamel is cracked and lost in places.[/SIZE]
Hope to complete in a couple of weeks and find a good location, here or in France perhaps, for more photos and a running report.
[SIZE="4"]The paint is 'Blu Tour de France' 522 by Palcolorfinder, similar to the 1960s but with a metallic addition, which looks good in the sunshine.[/SIZE]
Very nice Kidge. All the pushing, angst of trying to work it through from concept to production has definitely been worth it. Enjoy the spoils of your hard earned cash and labour and your unique car. Some very nice touches in this build and good solutions to problems so feel very proud. Big thumbs up!
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Found a more interesting location for photos:[/SIZE]
[SIZE="4"]Here is the radiator grill. The stainless vanes were cut to size, shape and curvature by Lasermaster in Cornwall. Then I formed the outside frame [stainless] to shape and to fit the aperture. The vertical and horizontal vanes trimmed and fitted. Then all welded in place.[/SIZE]
Next came the right side [B]exhaust[/B]. I cut down a spare box and fitted a couple of brackets. We welded on the 50mm stainless tailpipes and cut to length.
To give a realistic look, I burnt some oil & petrol mix to give the 'straw' pipe colour and 'blacked' the insides of the pipes.
Finally we dealt with the boor lid, by adapting a strut to a shorter length, painting it black and bolting it in place [only one strut needed] from CBS 'BNSTY'. Action is: lift to latch and lift to release.
To ease the opening we used a couple of oem' sprung openers'.
[SIZE="4"]A 12 inch long white led illuminates the boot and activation is by a non mercury tilt switch from 'blueskycomponents' on ebay; good quality, but not cheap.[/SIZE]
[SIZE="4"]
This last weekend I supported the KitNet 'relay' - carrying a token stick of rock - Land's End or Dover, to John O'Groats run - LeJoG / DoJoG - by joining in from Bishop's Stortford up to Glasgow and coming home on Sunday.
Ian Cider had put a huge amount of work in to this event, not just the route, but also arranging some secondary events for local supporters at each rest stop. Seriously impressive.
Historically, there has been an intermittent engine hesitation on a steady throttle. The auto box is / was prone to change up of it's own accord. Both problems seemed to be worse in the rain . . . were / are they linked ?
As time went by the problem seemed to become more noticeable, especially on motorways, but rarely cross country.
Thinking it may be the led lights [winker circuits have ballast] I disconnected some or all of them, which appeared to solve the problem, but it reoccurred. Disconnecting the front offside side light gave best relief ?
Checked all earths were good.
A couple of you nudged me to try without leds and that helped . . .
Finally thought to check the number plate light, that had slipped below my radar . . . incandescent bulb fitted and no hesitation. Re-fitted the led bulb with ballast and that at present, a week, has solved the issue.
The auto box got worse at one stage but may now have settled into normal operation.
Here's the photo that should have been in the previous note, from my local roundabout.
Historically, there has been an intermittent engine hesitation on a steady throttle. The auto box is / was prone to change up of it's own accord. Both problems seemed to be worse in the rain . . . were / are they linked ?
As time went by the problem seemed to become more noticeable, especially on motorways, but rarely cross country.
Thinking it may be the led lights [winker circuits have ballast] I disconnected some or all of them, which appeared to solve the problem, but it reoccurred. Disconnecting the front offside side light gave best relief ?
Checked all earths were good.
A couple of you nudged me to try without leds and that helped . . .
Finally thought to check the number plate light, that had slipped below my radar . . . incandescent bulb fitted and no hesitation. Re-fitted the led bulb with ballast and that at present, a week, has solved the issue.
The auto box got worse at one stage but may now have settled into normal operation.
Here's the photo that should have been in the previous note, from my local roundabout.
That is a fine looking car, no matter how long it took or how much it cost. Kidge, you and Tribute have done the specialised car market a great service.
Has the autobox had a service?
New fluid and filter at 60k is a good idea, they were considered "sealed for life" but now oil and filter changes are recommended.
The auto box was cleaned and serviced about 15 months ago. There is a bit more play in the uptake than desired and some jerkiness, but mostly ok. Now done 87000 miles.
That is a fine looking car, no matter how long it took or how much it cost. Kidge, you and Tribute have done the specialised car market a great service.
That is a big plus one from me Barber. It is only due to the passion and vision of this scene that enables projects like this to come to fruition. I have said it before but Kidge you must be very proud of what you started and fully enjoy the spoils!
