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Having made a final decision on the colour of my Spyder countless times I find myself with one more interesting option.
Brushed Aluminium Vinyl wrap,
It seems to be a viable alternative to paint, 3-5 years lifespan, and at around £150 for the complete car (DIY) may be worth a shot. The only issue I have is that the brush effect would go across the car rather than the length if avoiding seams.
Thought the bare Aluminium would be in keeping with the 50's race look,
Of course for those who are a little more daring there is the "chrome wrap"
Seeing as this can be removed with no adverse effect options are open for future changes..
Sample on its way if it forms over the hump then this is the way to go for me.
Will keep you posted..
Pops
Worth a go mate, im not sure how you would get the grain the same direction on all the curves to be honest, but take your time might work out good.
Time to fit the radiator so after the obligatory sit and stare at the job for half an hour I decided to mount it on the forward brackets on the front of the chassis, directly behind the bumper bar.
Took the original mounts and cut them down and folded them around.
Welded up the sides and filled in the ends before bolting back onto the radiator.
These then slotted in between the brackets, a couple of holes drilled through and then all bolted in place.
All sounds nice n easy but it took the whole day to complete.
Still pleased enough with the results.
Finally I forgot to post pics of my alternative method for hinging the bonnet, Kept the original frame from the Herald bonnet, intended bending it to the profile of the spyder but lack of correct tools prevented this from happening, so I cut off the crossbar and bonding pasted and fibre glassed the struts direct to the underside of the bonnet. Has held strong with no flex, has the advantage of retaining the full adjustment on the lower hinge, also allows decent access when open fully.
May yet add a couple more supporting struts but will know better when it comes to fitter inner wings..
Yes, I certainly like that approach better than the welded nose hoop!
I'm taking a different tack again on the Cordite demonstrator (Photos will follow one I've taken them) in that I'm fixing the bonnet down with 4 pins on top (2 in the dips at the bulkhead where it usually flaps and 1 either side of the radiator) and 2 dzus fasteners at the sill so it can be removed for major access and cutting a bonnet hatch in it for the daily servicings. We'll see if that works out...
I have also gone for the additional fixings across the bulkhead, seeing Phil and Barrys run out video, you can see the bonnet lifting as he accelerates, I have gone for a Duz fasteners either side in the bonnet dip you hardly notice them but its going to be piece of mind, and camlocks on the lower trailing edge of the wings
Just had a clear out in the garage and tried to raise some more cash for parts..
Sold my twin SU's and Manifold on E Bay made £30 was ok for something just laying around.
Decided to fit the single manifold and carb to get the car running yesterday only to find the single inlet manifold is not compatible with the sports exhaust manifold DOH!
So now trawling the net to find another set of twin carbs and manifold, mmmm not many around the price I just let mine go for, lesson learned hoard everything as you are sure to want it the day after its gone.....
Pops
Oh if anyone knows of some for sale please let me know!!!
Disaster averted, Dave at Spitfire graveyard has sorted me out with a manifold and twin 1 1/4 SU's so all should be up and running I hope, its been a couple of years since this engine has been run up and I've never heard this sports exhaust note so looking forward to that.
Update on the vinyl cover, The sample sheet arrived and went on smooth over the hump, gave a realistic impression of brushed aluminium and the colour looked fantastic at showing off the curves, however it was so easily marked it would not be practical over the whole car, the sheets max width mean that a car such as this with no doors would need joins in the vinyl that would always be visible and obvious, not a total waste of time though as the silver looked fantastic so a change of mind once again on final colour.
Just fitting a wood burner into the garage so next time home should mean no interruptions due to being too cold, strange the wife suggests I should move in their if its as warm as Im expecting
Paint the body and vinyl the humps and highlights?
I was always a sucker for two tone paint jobs....
Mines a dromedary, I like the idea of adding darker tones to the shallows of the bodywork to highlight the curves, may be beyond my skills to do so, have other thoughts too but am a long way of that stage so will have changed my mind a few times more,
White's made a come-back recently after a couple of decades in the doldrums. Something to do with Apple using it for all their trendy electronic toys for young folks I believe.
There'll be a hint of I-Pod white on mine as I'm going for a white grille and racing roundels. I'm hoping it'll subtly complement the silver paint rather than clash like black would.
Shame the vinyl wrap didn't work out for you, would've liked to have seen how it turned out.
There's always 'liquid chrome' if you want a stunning, polished aluminium warplane look lane: and your budget will allow -
I looked at this a year or so ago and it would've cost about a grand for four litres so it looks like it's come down in price by about 40% since then. That could mean they're selling a lot of it and have been able to pass the volume production savings on to the customer.
Although it's still expensive compared to conventional paint it doesn't appear to need flatting and polishing for days and days after it's applied. So long as the prep is done right it looks like you spray it on and you're done. Worth thinking about...
Well Dave at Spitfire Graveyard delivered as promised (Cant recommend this company enough and wont hesitate too contact for future spares) and the manifold and carbs arrived today (not bad with Christmas rush), just fitted them and after a lot of persuading the engine finally fired up, only ran it for 20-30 seconds as I haven't plumbed in the water yet , however well chuffed to finally hear the exhaust and know theres life in the beast after all this time. He ticked over ok with a decent rumble considering its a 1300 Spitfire engine.
I am going to have to fit a blister as the new carbs fowl the bonnet but thats not an issue.
Pops
lane: and your budget will allow - 
