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I'm writing this to give me some motivation as there's no actual updates.
It's nearly 5 years since I started this thread and still dont have a 250 SWB to show for it. About 6 months ago I accepted an offer on the unfinished project but that all went quiet and to be honest, I'm kinda glad it did. I hate not finishing things and selling it unfinished would have been a regret as I dont think I'd start a kitcar project again (famous last words!).
I do have a ton of excuses but really just need to get on with it. I think it was JaguarTVR that said about picking the jobs off one by one and it's a very good plan.
How do you eat an elephant? One mouthful at a time.
I've been browsing here again last couple of days picking up bits of inspiration. Been on the grassbank site and made a list of parts to order when I get paid at the end of the month (it's a pain the UK not being in the EU anymore!). Bonnet Sill Locators, Gear Stick. Luggage Shelf Trim, Door Cards, Door Tops, Arm Rest... Do I go for the handbrake conversion?... Will I be kicking myself if I dont do the rear screen?
I read through my own thread last night and found I'd bought wing mirrors that I didnt recall!
Going to head up to the unit this weekend and make a big long list of all the jobs to be done. The main problem with doing very little for nigh on four years is that I've no idea where I was with parts of the project. As for working out all the wiring... I knew I should have labeled it all and stored the photos somewhere I could remember.
Plan is for a road trip in September 2023 - a few mountain passes, some french wine and cheese. There will be plenty of pictures and updates coming over the next few months (I promise this time!) and I'll be asking a ton of questions.
Good afternoon, from personal experience the rear screen would be first on the list, all the best for the restart of your build, Geoff.
Thanks, Geoff - yeah that's what I was thinking. Just a real pain to get one to Ireland (duties + vat). Might have to wait till I'm over at Christmas and get everything else sorted (except paint) before then.
Assuming though that I need to replace the 'parcel shelf' too if I upgrade - I know it comes in the kit
Plan is for a road trip in September 2023 - a few mountain passes, some french wine and cheese. There will be plenty of pictures and updates coming over the next few months (I promise this time!) and I'll be asking a ton of questions.
Good to read that you've re-kindled your enthusiasm . Pin up some pictures of idyllic rural France in your work space to keep it burning!
I personally wouldn't bother with the handbrake conversion. It is expensive and I can see it being a pain to fit. 99.9% of people wouldn't even notice it.
The rear screen is expensive but transforms the look of the car so I would fit one. Have a word with Justin at Grassbank and explain that you will fit it later. Maybe Justin or Classic Conversions could fit it for you? Drive over, get it fitted and have a week's holiday, suddenly the VAT and import duties disappear.
Worth looking at the Grassbank door window conversion, horribly expensive but a gamechanger,
I personally wouldn't bother with the handbrake conversion. It is expensive and I can see it being a pain to fit. 99.9% of people wouldn't even notice it.
The rear screen is expensive but transforms the look of the car so I would fit one. Have a word with Justin at Grassbank and explain that you will fit it later. Maybe Justin or Classic Conversions could fit it for you? Drive over, get it fitted and have a week's holiday, suddenly the VAT and import duties disappear.
Worth looking at the Grassbank door window conversion, horribly expensive but a gamechanger,
I think I'm in the 0.1% who look at the handbrake straight away. I'm still not sure what I'm doing with the centre tunnel yet either though. The handbrake isnt on my must-have list... more a would like to have. It also comes down to that I arent trying to pass it off as a copy so is it needed? Damn , I'm so indecisive.
The rear window is expensive but makes the car look that much better. That'll take a chunk out of next years bonus.
I personally wouldn't bother with the handbrake conversion. It is expensive and I can see it being a pain to fit. 99.9% of people wouldn't even notice it.
The rear screen is expensive but transforms the look of the car so I would fit one. Have a word with Justin at Grassbank and explain that you will fit it later. Maybe Justin or Classic Conversions could fit it for you? Drive over, get it fitted and have a week's holiday, suddenly the VAT and import duties disappear.
Worth looking at the Grassbank door window conversion, horribly expensive but a gamechanger,
My thinking too !
If you want an authentic look I'd go for the narrow track conversion as well. More money but the proportions of the car work so much better.
If you choose a 6" wide wheel it fits without having to modify the track, ok you don't get 1/2" of rim showing at the edge but it is so much easier to fit and the wheels are much cheaper too. I fitted a 205/65 tyre which is wider than the wheel so it should stop the Mrs from kerbing them, well it has done up to now which could be termed a miracle.
This is also on standard springs, I did fit lowered spings but it kept grounding and the ride quality was horrible.
So the problem with leaving my car untouched in a damp storage container for 4 years is that the metal work I’d done is tarnished quite badly. The rollcage needs removing, rubbing down and repainting, the windows are just rusty and even some of the clocks (where they weren’t covered back up completely) are tarnished but at least that’s just the back of them so wont be seen.
Took the clocks and other metal work (mirrors, fuel cap etc) out of the unit and have them stored at home now. Also brought the dashboard and that will be job number 1.
So... back at it today and nothing more than clearing up the unit so I can get on with the job and walk around the vehicle - I've worked out how to add photos too as I think they add to a thread.
The issue with not touching anything in 5+ years, and leaving them in a damp unit is that things don't stay shiny.
The window frames for example...
Can't see too much from this angle but some of the bolts in the engine bays are rather orange coloured
The roll cage was hammerited but isn't looking great
Chairs are looking mouldy (it does just wipe off) - and the adhesive in the box has a best before of 2017
More of the window frame and just the amount of general dust on the vehicle
All the interior panels, discarded Nubodi dashboard and steel wheels... plus the back end / roof.
(Yes I know it's still a mess, but trying not to bin anything till I 100% know what I might still need!)
If anyone else is using Google Photos and wants to know how to link...
Copy the photos into an new Album on Google Photos.
Enable Link Sharing.
Open the photo in chrome, full screen and right click on "Copy image address".
The append ".jpg" onto the end of that copied address when pasting between the "[IMG][/IMG]" tags
So I started on the fuel pipe and following the instructions on here (Ericholm's thread) I cut and trial fitted the metal pipe and flexible tubing. I'll be honest, the pictures on the thread make it look easier than I found it. A lot of pulling and twisting befor eI got everything removed.
Waiting on polyurethane adhesive from Amazon. Then I'll properly seal the metal pipe in and that'll do till I come to fit the rear.
Next was the windows. I removed the one I had fitted as I 'm going to need to get them both powder coated. Also need one rewelding. One of the fixing points just had a tack weld on. As I drove in to the industrial estate I saw a bloke welding so went round and had a chat. He offered to weld it for free so I'll drop it over next week then he's a contact who powder coats so all good.
Managed to give the roll cage a couple more coats of hammerite after giving a good clean down - was mainly the upper surface where the issue was. Had to go to Screwfix to buy more hammerite as the old can was solid.
I then got the old cut dashboard refitted and placed the new dashboard up against. Will fix properly when the adhesive arrives.
Last job was cutting out the vent in the bonnet. Needs a bit of filing but looks ok for now.
Just want to check on the roof piece - does it fit like this?
Don't think I mentioned that I've now got a deadline to get this finished!
It's partly self-inflicted - but I'm the best man at a wedding in August 2024 and want to use the car for this.
So ideally get the majority of the work finished by the end of the year, give it a coat of paint so I can get it registered in the right colour and MOT'd by the end of February which will then give me the time to get it over to the UK for someone to add finishing touches before I need to turn up to the wedding in it. With this forum being dead / pictures are gone, and FB lacking much detail, I'm prepared to admit that there are bits of the project that are beyond my abilities and I won't be able to finish.
The complications... It's a UK car and on UK plates and will be going back to the UK and I'll use it over there. It also needs a UK MOT which living in Ireland makes difficult - should be able to get it done in the North though (any Nordies know a friendly garage nr the border?) It prohibitive cost wise to get it shipped back to the UK so I have to get it through the MOT and driveable.
Why not leave it in Ireland? It'll cost too much to import it to Ireland - I'll be taxed to import based on the market value) and insurance is nearly impossible plus it'll give me an excuse to go home more often. Probably be moving back there too soon enough.
Few more bits ordered/arrived this week so should be able to get a bit more done. Seat brackets and Polyurethene glue being the key bits.
Absolutely roasting today so a flying trip to the unit at lunch time to dry fit the parcel shelf and boot lining. Everything seems lined up so will stick the roof on over the weekend to confirm then I'll get the Tiger seal out and stick it down.
Also want to see how much head room I have before I decide if I make a roof lining to cover or just stick carpet directly on to the rook - the four way stretch stuff used in motor homes..
. Pin up some pictures of idyllic rural France in your work space to keep it burning!
