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All improvements now completed to the bodywork. Doing this before the moulding stage means that the finished shells should need very little filling and sanding for the builder before painting, a gelcoat finish may even be possible. Also we have spent a lot of time making sure the bonnet/boot/doors fit straight out of the mould, again to save the customer build time and money.
Door hinges will be water jet cut steel profiles ready assembled on to the internal door bars, so that once the shell has been bonded on it will just be a case of packing the door gap and then bolting the doors to the hinge inside the cockpit.
The shell has now had it's "flanges" added to split the moulds into multiple sections. The grill area is separate as we may change it's design at a later date to give more choice. We have also split the mould at the bulkhead so we can add length to the shell if longer wheelbase applications are required. Current wheelbase is 83" to fit the Spitfire but Herald may be another option at 90".
You have been busy! Great to see the thought and work you are putting in to perfect the mouldings. Its going to save the builder hours of filling, fairing, and sanding. The last couple of pics look like somthing out of James Bonds gadget garage! That would make you Q!
As i said to you guys at Exeter (in between shivering) i think you've got a real winner on your hands with this one, and i would certainly consider building one once things settle down.
As i said to you guys at Exeter (in between shivering) i think you've got a real winner on your hands with this one, and i would certainly consider building one once things settle down.
This is a great looking car guys and I like how you are building in options already so that there isn't a great deal of cutting and filling after buying.
can any of these kits A532 and MX250 be modded to fit an MGF, MGTF.
been looking online and they really are as cheap as chips with modern engines and setups. ok we have the dreaded gasket problem on the K series, but a new thicker metal gasket sorts that out.
Chris if you fancy having a bash at one, ive a 51 plate sitting in my garage doing nothing, im sure we could sort something out.
Hi Neemo. I don't think the A352 would work with the MGF for the same reasons that we didn't put it on the MX5, too slab sided and too modern in the windscreen area which can't be removed without an IVA test. The MX250 on the other hand would work if the panels were modified to resemble something like this 250LM:
Hi Neemo. I don't think the A352 would work with the MGF for the same reasons that we didn't put it on the MX5, too slab sided and too modern in the windscreen area which can't be removed without an IVA test. The MX250 on the other hand would work if the panels were modified to resemble something like this 250LM:
This could be good. No no no no, stop it, stop it stop it!
Dan has been doing a cracking job of making the new moulds for the A352, whilst I have been skiving off for a few days.
Most of the main shell is done, so just the internal panels and boot/bonnet to do next week.
This shows were the scuttle area has been done as a separate section in preparation for different screen/hardtop applications. The split also allows for any stretch in wheelbase required by bolting an additional section into the mould.
We should have the first new shell out of the mould in around 10 days time
Hinge is mix of MX5 door and Spitfire boot hinge, they will need to be re-manufactured, but helped to work out the pivot point and clearance, and will suffice for the show
The design below is my first draft for the door hinges that will come with the A352 kit. They will use a single M10 bolt as the pivot, bolted to the new door/crash bar in the Spitfire door opening. Any vertical adjustment will be done at the pivot end with shims/washers, and addition movement at the door end where the hinge bolts through the inner door skin.
The doors are a very good fit straight out of the mould, so very little adjustment should be required.
Another Tribute is born! Just 1 critisim the model you hired for this promo Pic is a bit rough.
Tribute Automotive wrote:
The design below is my first draft for the door hinges that will come with the A352 kit. They will use a single M10 bolt as the pivot, bolted to the new door/crash bar in the Spitfire door opening. Any vertical adjustment will be done at the pivot end with shims/washers, and addition movement at the door end where the hinge bolts through the inner door skin.
The doors are a very good fit straight out of the mould, so very little adjustment should be required.
Another Tribute is born! Just 1 critisim the model you hired for this promo Pic is a bit rough.
Thanks Rog! The false double chin and bold patch wig that I always don for my pictures has worked then, it makes the car look pretty having a old fat bloke sat in it!!
Barn Find
Rare '50's Two Seat Racer
4 Cylinder, Approx 80hp
Stored Last 50 Years
Some History.
Raced At Goodwood, Crystal Palace And Epsom
Offers Invited
Tel 07901544241
The buck that the boot lid mould was taken from was a bit fragile and didn't make it out of the mould in very good condition, we could have lashed it up for the trip tomorrow but decided it was just as quick to lay up a new one...
Fits quite well, even when fitted in a hurry this afternoon.
Trimmed the unfinished head fairing to match the profile of the rear arch. Much better fit.
It now sits bang on the centre line of the driver seat
Tried a set of cheap Europa 3 ear spinners on the TR6 wheels. Very pleased!
Barn Find
Rare '50's Two Seat Racer
4 Cylinder, Approx 80hp
Stored Last 50 Years
Some History.
Raced At Goodwood, Crystal Palace And Epsom
Offers Invited
Tel 07901544241
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My thoughts exactly!! I will await the calls.
80hp a little bit light, just had it on the rolling road at 450 without the nitrous ound:
Taking the moulds off the buck i always one of the best parts of the project for me. 
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