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.
Sounds enticing - looking forward to seeing the final shape of the Cordite!
Baz from Brussels
I am desperate to get the pics up on here and update the website as well....
Mike wants me to hold on until the buck is finished with and back on the ground , to show it in its best light....I have to respect that and agree as it will look better on the floor rather than jacked up on a bench....
Suggestion for the pictures when you get round to them: why not do some comparison shots between the 'Kendrick', the Spyder and the Cordite? Would be cool to spot the differences!
Got a PM from Gary today to say that if I was ready I could have my Cordite shell next weekend. OMG!! Looks like I'm going to be a busy boy this week. But where are the pictures Gary???
He did that to me too! it does spur you on no end to get the prep done !
I did mine the opposite way round - bought the shell and frame from Gary, then started preparing my donor. This was due to suffering a 'false start' in 1991 when I bought and stripped a donor, a VW type 3 variant 'squareback', ready for a quick build into a Covin Porsche 356 speedster replica. Only trouble was, once I'd got my mechanical components ready to transplant I discovered Covin had gone out of business.
I then had to reassemble the squareback and sold it on at a loss. Of course, if I'd kept it it would be worth about five grand now.
So, this time round I decided to get all the necessary bits from the kit manufacturer up front, just in case he went bust.
I'm rather glad it didn't happnen this time and I'm pleased to see that Gary's still in business and doing a roaring trade.
Spent a bit of time on the car over the weekend, given that I'll be getting the body from Stoneleigh. Put new brake pipes in, put engine back in, so pretty much finished on rolling chassis until I get the bulkhead to attach things to.
carbs have been stripped down and gone for sonic cleaning which I've not used before but I'm told is fantastic. I'll put some before and afters on when I get them back.
Had a bit of a change of heart on painting everything having followed some threads here. Painted so far to prevent rusting but stuff i put on now will be cleaned and go on 'as is' to preserve a bit of age.
Probably spent the most time making some new exhaust manifold studs out of old bolts. Just playing really.
So, got the bodyshell and frame on the Monday of the Stoneleigh Show. Bit tight in the garage (when the TVR is in as well) so ended up suspended from the ceiling...
Got the frame primed and spray painted and attached to the chassis by drilling straight through. Decided it was easier to take the front frame off the shell. both to get it on the car but also as it was much lighter to move the shell around. Did require significant use of the hammer and none of the holes marry up ...
Sprayed the bulkhead ready for attaching the the car, then decided I didn't like the colour...
So I've had to re-prep it and tomorrow will try again!
Also, will have to take the frame off again because I've decided that rather than make a rear floor from fibreglass and plywood, I'll use a spitfire boot floor and wheel arches. Much easier I reckon. I sold my shell for £300 so i've had to go to my (becoming)good friend Gary at Spitfire graveyard to buy a chopped out piece for £60. Might be worth other Cordite owners bearing this in mind before they sell or scrap their shell.
Gary; Might be an option for you to take a mould of a spitfire arches and boot floor, cut it to make it fit and sell as an option for the Cordite? Would save loads of time.
Anyway, that's where I'm at, Hoping to get to a stage where boot floor and wheel arches are on tomorrow and Bulkhead is sprayed ready to go on the car. Bet it will all go wrong now...out:
Can I ask if you've lowered the suspension, and if so how?
Cheers, Paul.
Not yet! Will cut down front springs but still scratching head about rear as long bolts like Herald won't work. Will se how the wheels look and go from there.
I,am building on a Vitesse with the use of the swingspring you also have.
I,ve done some experiments with lowering and if you place a 1 inch lowering block with extended bolts the camber turns to negative.Using some wood to try and get it lower the camber became VERY negative!So I think You also can use
a lowering block as well.
Both my car and 48 (the one Trev built, now owned by another Dave) both have Swing Springs with 1" lowering blocks. Mine is Vitesse Based, 48 is 13/60 and both turned out fine.
My kit is now in the mould and I'm keen to learn from your experiences.
In particular whether the 1 inch lowering block available from Rimmer Bros works.
Cheers, Paul.
Hi, I'll let you know on the lowering block. Have ordered one from Canley Classics who have been three weeks delivering? trouble with supplier apparently. Piece of square metal would've been cheaper and I only ordered from them cos I tought it would be quick? You live and learn!
it does spur you on no end to get the prep done ! 
...
out: 
