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.
Must agree about the starter switch and on the passenger's side. Not a lot of the tacho visible either. I love the handbrake all in all a nice car.
There has been a rough engineless Monaco on ebay recently would that be the same one? A lot of Ford engined kit cars are getting gutted these days, shame!
Over the last week or so, shrugging off the winter/coronavirus/sale of Lotus and A352 blues, I tackled the covers for my two part backrest. Not having used a sewing machine before, I practised on some scrap pieces of vinyl uintil I could run a halfway decent seam. I'd first given the machine a service, discovering that its been designed for much smaller Germans than mine. Working out the most economical layout for cutting out the panels from the roll took a good while, as did marking them out. Anyway, I bit the bullet and machined the simpler passenger's side first and fitted it using staples around the back. I then moved on to the the larger and more complex driver's side, which has the cutout for the tunnel. The results, as can be seen, are fairly average, but I'm hoping that once the sun's heated them a few times they'll settle down a little.
I squirmed into the drivers side and adjusted the seat belts, which are the ex-WD twins of Paul's, and made some brrrrrrrrrrrrm noises. Three things were apparent: a length of protective split edging is needed on the lower edge of the ally angle locating the steering column: I need a 10" rather than a 12" steering wheel (I'm not as accomplished a contortionist as I used to be); and there's a leak in the braking system somewhere as the previously hard pedal is now jelly. It's no fun if it's easy!
It is fun making your own soft furnishings, I made the tonneau cover for my Roadster. It works, don't look too pretty but keeps the water out. Did you manage to stitch both sides together accidentally while trying to deal with big sheets of material, oh bu###er? It never ends , does it?
Did you manage to stitch both sides together accidentally while trying to deal with big sheets of material, oh bu###er? It never ends, does it?
No, but I thought I'd trim the excess fabric from the top inner side of the passenger cover. A 45° cut is obviously what's needed. D'Oh! Look closely and you'll see the ugly patch I had to make.
What sort of machine and fabric did you use for your tonneau cover please? I have a some double duck but only a domestic machine, which I don't think will be man enough for two layers.
I've been considering another project for a while now, as the decks are more or less clear, and something to take me back to my early 80s roots came up last week: a Triumph based Dutton B-Type, c/w 2CV rectangular lights, just like my first Phaeton.
It looked challenging, but eminently rebuildable, so I saved it and looked forward to placing a winning bid yesterday afternoon. £2,086? You're 'avin' a larf intcha? The last B-Type I bought, admittedly without engine and 'box in 1991, was £50! So, hopes dashed.
I was going to stretch to £1,500 as an absolute limit but it shot beyond that early, so no exciting countdown with finger poised over 'Enter' (IMO Snipe takes away all the fun). Ho hum, I'll keep looking.
I went to look at a couple of Dutton's recently. One was what I'd call a basket case but the owner decided he was too attached to it and changed his mind about selling. The second was quite tidy but my offer of £1000 was laughed at and the seller said he wouldn't let it go for less than £3500 ! It didn't have an MOT either !
I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed, but the lockdowns have left a lot of people at home with time on their hands and pretty much all classic and specialist cars have skyrocketed in price, possibly because there are now lots of people who are looking to finally buy the car/project of their dreams to keep them occupied and/or before it's too late...
Three years ago I was considering buying myself a Lancia Fulvia as a winter classic. There were plenty on the market - decent but rusty projects for around £2k, solid Series 3's with MOT for around £5k and I found a fully restored and pristine Series 1 (lwhich is what I wanted) for £11k. Scroll forward to 2021 and, not only are there hardly any around, but rot boxes are now £5k, solid projects are £8-£9k and restored cars are £18-£22k.
It's the same story with a host of other bread and butter classics - Sunbeam Alpines, TR's 4 and 6, MGA's, Scimitars and even Chrysler/Talbot Sunbeams have all more than doubled in price over the last two to three years.
It's a shame your desired Dutton went over your limit, but it's a sign of the times, I'm afraid.
To illustrate my point about prices, someone was good enough to point me towards this Intermeccanica Speedster replica which is for sale at £37,995 (thanks Kuba) -
It looks fantastic and I absolutely love the colour, but there are a few issues which would annoy me - it's vinyl wrapped, not painted, the dash just doesn't work for me and, a picky point, I know, but it should have a 'shine up' rear numberplate light with the teardrop rear lights, not a 'shine down' one.
Their website is worth a browse as they have some nice shiny toys for sale. I just wish I had deeper pockets!
Mr Towed, It could be worse, you don't like the wrap, etc. But what if it was affordable and SOLD?
Hi Dpaz, not 100% sure I fully understand your question here, but the only issues I have with the Speedster under discussion are that:
The dash looks unfinished - I'm all for a stripped down, painted or bare metal look dash, but I feel that the Speedster dash at least needs the 'eyebrow' over the instruments to look its best;
The cream dials stand out as not matching the era or style of the rest of the car and just shout 'Kit Car' on what is otherwise a very high quality replica;
The rear numberplate lamp changed from above the plate to below it in '57, a detail change which coincided with replacement of the four rear beehive lights with a pair of integrated teardrop lights (using the 'wrong' combination of rear lamps is common on Speedster replicas and it's a dead giveaway that it's not an original to anyone who's 'spotting' it for originality);
Although the vinyl wrap looks terrific on this particular car, I would be concerned about its longevity - at best it'll last five years until it needs replacing and the experts suggest that it could be very difficult to remove without damaging the surface beneath when it does need replacing.
I appreciate that a paint finish might also need touching up or refinishing after a similar length of time, but you do still see sixty or seventy year old cars wearing their original factory paint and still presenting very well. I doubt you'll see a vinyl wrap lasting that long.
As for the price/affordability/SOLD status, I'm happy that the price is right - the seller is a well established company with many similar cars both on sale and in their 'sold' archive, so I'm sure they've got the price spot on and someone will buy it soon. That's good for us amateur builders as it pulls the values of our creations up alongside them should we ever decide to sell them.
Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack, Mick O'M, I know my posts can be a bit wordy, but I'm quite passionate about these specialist cars and like to promote the hobby whenever I can.
Anyway, sorry for the thread hijack, Mick O'M, I know my posts can be a bit wordy, but I'm quite passionate about these specialist cars and like to promote the hobby whenever I can.
No problemo. Always interesting to read others' thoughts on automotive subjects .
I squirmed into the drivers side and adjusted the seat belts, which are the ex-WD twins of Paul's, I need a 10" rather than a 12" steering wheel (I'm not as accomplished a contortionist as I used to be)
Regards, Mick
My spiffing 10" steering wheel arrived in short order, so I shot down to the cave intending to fit it forthwith. However, the thought of fiddling with the tiny mounting bolts in the freezing cold deterred me, so I took this rather average picture instead to show how much easier it will make getting in.
I'd bought and added the Tricolores a few days before having seen them in an old photograph. The eagle eyed amongst you may also spot my similarly coloured but sadly faded Monza badged gear knob. I bought it in '68 or '69 from Les Montgomery in person in his Super Accessories emprorium, lashing out the princely sum of 7/6d (that's 37½p for you young 'uns). Happy Days!
...and for the really young 'uns, 7/6d was quite a lot of money back in the sixties, in today's money it'd be the equivalent of about 0.000000000000000000000000000000000001 Bitcoin!
I remember Bitcoin when it was first talked about. It was about $1.5 per Bitcoin. Thinking it was a good idea I was going to buy 500 but was put off because you needed to be a computer geek to get your hand on the currency !
Live and learn as they say !
On fine days at this time of year, the sun is just high enough to bathe the south facing cave in its warming rays. Encouraged thus today, I ventured down and swapped the steering wheel. A couple of the M5 screws weren't cooperating so a gently pass with the drill was required. Anyway, half an hour and it was job done .
I took this much better photo' which shows both the improved access (the left knee/tunnel interface was the problem) and the famous gear knob in all its faded splendour. Once I've fettled the brake hydraulics I can now hit the road.
Regards, Mick
p.s. Before the expected barrage of pedantic criticism, I do plan to ponce up the alignment of the slots....
Is the black switch and green lights in the top left corner for the indicators ?
Does that cause any problems at MOT time ?
Paul
Hi Paul
MOT? MOT? It's exempt. Only joking! I had that style of switch on the A352 and before that on my Mk1 Marlin Roadster without a mention from testers. Why would it be a problem?
MOT? MOT? It's exempt. Only joking! I had that style of switch on the A352 and before that on my Mk1 Marlin Roadster without a mention from testers. Why would it be a problem?
Regards Mick
In my 2cv days I came across a couple of tester hung up on the indicators not self cancelling.
On the 2cv there was a stalk in the usual place however from the factory they never self cancelled.
Least with a switch like that it is logical for it not to self cancel.
Thanks Paul. Self cancelling indicators are one of my pet hates, along with other so-called driver aids. IMO they simply allow drivers to put their brains into neutral, rather than maintaining concentration. I chunter to myself when behind the wheel and "Manouvre, Signal, Mirror." aimed at the car in front is a favourite. I think the fault lies in learners being nowadays taught to pass the test, rather than to drive. Rant over.
I'm unsure if it would fit between my and my daughter's houses to get it down to the cave. If I knew how wide a Sherpa/LDV/Freight Rover is I could work it out. I just performed a search for this info. but couldn't find it .
Also, it's outside my permitted radius of quarantine travel, although I could always be testing my eyes...
I'm unsure if it would fit between my and my daughter's houses to get it down to the cave. If I knew how wide a Sherpa/LDV/Freight Rover is I could work it out. I just performed a search for this info. but couldn't find it .
Regards, Mick
So do I go out and measure the Sherpa/Freight Rover I have sat in my garage ?
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