MadaboutKitcars

Dave - If you stick with 13" wheels, try to tuck the tail pipe/s up as far as possible.

I have more than my fair share of speed humps around here and have leant to proceed with caution.

Depending on the steepness of the hump I've managed to catch both the lower valance at the front and/or the tail pipes at the rear.

I like both your foam arch shape and the even gap around it.

Good luck, Paul.

Thanks Paul. I have no photos to show but exhaust is pretty standard and as high up as I can get the rear box.So I am hoping this will be ok, however some of the potholes are big enough for the whole car to fall into abit like that tango advert from the 90s.

Anyway back to the build as the internet was off for most of last night. My next photos show the make up off the arch fill in piece.



The lines look a little off this was further shaped into position and lined up.

I then proceeded to make a fill in arch to suite the 13" wheel.



While I was at this point I decided to do the same for the other side.



I then spent the rest of the day building up the fiber glass to make the arches stronger and preparing both sides for them to be fit. I haven't any photos to show but I also attached fiber glass in 90 degrees on the original metal arch and on the new alpha body this was to aid fitting the new aches and to provide some strength.

So I did a practice run at mocking up the arch as the fiber glass cure time is further reduced by the nice weather we are having in the uk.



So i decided to go for it

After 10 mins I was left with this.



At this point I did the other side bonding on the arch.

While the other side was curing I dressed and added more fiber glass pieces and finished of the arch.

Next was to add body filler and start the process of shaping the arches.

So the rest of the day was spent filling and sanding back. There is still more to do to get the arch shape round and flowing with the bodies lines. This will now become a fill in job while I am waiting on parts of the build setting the front wheel arches is the next job along with the bonnet the final chapter I hope.






I managed to get a an hour in the garage this morning no sanding as washed the car down last night. But just enough to fit an headlight









So that concludes the build so far as leave the build to go to work.lane:

Dave – Looks like your rear arch work is already starting to blend in.

Good luck, Paul.

PS
If you can't rotate the photos, how about keeping the camera the right way up?

Paul Thankyou for your input I have been 4 weeks trying to find out why photos appear correct way on my computer then change around when selecting this photo upload.

Even Our IT are confused to how I am doing it.

Anyway I have been introduced to some paint thing on the computer so Things should be the correct way in the future.

Speaking of paint, with some time on my hands. Not that much if work or fiance are reading I decide to look for an idea of colour for the Alpha. Because the chassis of the spitfire was prepared in red I thought I would continue with red as the main colour and dressed up with some other colours to suit it. I then found this colour scheme on the internet.








Which I quite like and is in period of the shape of the car.

It does mean that my idea of 13" wheels might have to change and I have been playing on visual tyre size calculator That Mr Towed so kindly sent the link for, which is really useful.

I am also looking for recommendations for door catches for the Alpha

We all know red ones go faster!!!
For door locks try "car builders solutions" they do several types.

Lovin' the red and yellow paint scheme.

Yellow was Ferrari's works team racing colour, while red was Italian national racing colour, so it's a good historic mix as well as looking really cool. I like it.

Thanks Mike for info on door catches will look into that when I get home.

Paul L and Mister Towed

I am not really a red car person but the shape and colour on the Ferrari really appeals to me.

A quick update so far is arrived home picked up some wire wheels for car. Lights and indicators on back order till late August. So no progress on build.

Sorted replacement transport for wedding, got married and set off on honeymoon.

So I thought that would be it for 1950s sports cars for 3weeks. Till the inflight entertainment to USA was showing this film Ferrari race to immortality.

A documentary style film but I think a must for us car builders and the passion we have for that decade of cars.

So will update in 3 weeks time once I start work on the alpha again

THAT COLOUR SCHEME IS PRETTY COOL ...And a bit different from the norm ...

I , personally , use these people for latches , locks , hinges , handles etc ...the catalogue makes for very interesting reading if you are as sad as I am ...

https://stedall.co.uk/product-category/handles-locks/

Mental note- - Must get a catalogue.

The whole catalogue is online .... ...

Congratulations.

Same as!!

hows it coming on havnt seen you for a wile, Keith

Gary thanks for info on door locks

Paul, Mike and Keith

Thanks for your well wishes. Wedding went fine and honeymoon.

Quick update not to much to report on build of car. I was on Honeymoon in usa and bahamas for 3.5 weeks. and then went off for a week on my stag do on a bangers to barcalona rally. So the bit of spare time I had was used on rebuilding my sons old ford focus.

Then the time I planned for the alpha was used up by been called back to work.

I feel the november time scale could be at risk of slipping back.

But on a possitive note all the lights and mirrors have arrived and my 2 front spitfire seats have been refurbished just waiting for me to finish car and instal.

So all in all a busy summer alot of driving aproximatley 2500 miles

Just a shame it wasnt in the alpha just need to get back on it and i can enjoy it next summer

Well after a busy summer and autumn I am back on the Sammio Alpha.

https://ibb.co/0Y9t2H9

I will upload more photos later off my camera as this was on my phone. But I have started adjusting and shaping the front wheel arches. I would also like to sort the front grill before Christmas fingers crossed.

I also need to tidy the garage as it’s seems to just been a dumping ground for the last few months.

Been so long I forgotten how to add the photos properly

Well A busy week what with the 2 females I live with on permanent Christmas parties to chauffeur to and pick up from. I managed to to get into the garage and start my front wings and bonnet modifications.

You must excuse the untidy garage it’s still work in progress. But will be tidy for Christmas

But my new wife has promised not to find me anymore home improvements todo till the new year

Anyway back to the alpha the following photos are of the new arches. If the weather is good next week I will do some outside photos.

So busy week started with best intentions but rain stopped any out side photos fingers crossed for tomorrow.



So in between filling and sanding I made an attempt to throw out some rubbish.





Things were moving forward till the bathroom sprung a leak so after another unexpected house job I am trying to have a full day in garage tomorrow

Yorkshireman – Looks like you have been busy Dave.

I know that reshaping wheel arches and the bonnet is a pain that also takes a lot of time.

But I’m still amazed how all these changes can ‘disappear’ when you get to the body work stage.

I also know how difficult it is to keep things tidy.

Good luck, Paul.

Looking forward to seeing some profile pictures now the wheel arches are set-up. op2:

Paul you are correct body work has been a big learning curve for me and you will see from photos still a lot to do.

Mike some photos of the arches but it’s still work in progress it could be a few months before I have them finished.

Back to the build it’s been a busy week. With house repairs Christmas preparations and offspring.

First thing was to move some spare parts and tidy garage. I came up with a plan to hid everything in th garden lock up as that won’t be used till the spring

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So I managed to find a hour with a clear drive and no rain so took the chance to take some photos.
















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As you can see there is more work needed on front wheel arches to get the shape correct the backs now need blending in. The fronts I am now going to tie in with the original spitfire bonnet attaching a strip of steel similar to what mike did with his alpha build. Also I feel it’s time to add the correct wheels. That’s my next job to do.

So with that and an understanding wife and Christmas Eve I put the Alpha away.





So with that I wish all the forum members which are building cars, enjoy their completed cars or planning future builds a very Merry Christmas and a happy New year.

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coming on nicely

looking good.