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Well I'm only learning, I have made some panels for my Marlin and a little Land Rover I built for my son. I built my own wheel and it works well. More to it than that but yes, it isn't that hard when you get your head round it.
Longer term I am planning to replace the back tub and the wings on my Marlin with rolled aluminium. Where there is a will there is usually a way!
Okay, for the last two days, I have been upside down, working in the front wheel wells, getting the inner panels in place, in case I ever get caught in the rain. (Definitely will happen)
I have finished the drivers side and almost finished the passengers side, and am hoping this is the last of the shitty jobs that I hate doing.
The big job for the future, will be making the roof, but I don't need to be upside down for that. Also, I am looking forward to doing it.
To that end, I still have some research to do on waterproof zips, as I have a cunning plan.......
On the subject of that so called D Type, that caused a stir, I have added my thoughts in a picture, the shell is not a very pretty example in my opinion.
Side by side that's all types of wrong, Scottie just for grins close your eyes and see if you can sketch a reasonable d type, seen as you have lived and breathed little else for a good while, if that's rubbish draw us one from memory only , I'm looking forward to your van front swap.
I have some chunky and fine zips from an awning I altered you can have, buy some bonded nylon 40's thread for your soft top most other threads will rot in 18 months, I have a good mail order source for it £5 for 500m they do good fabrics and leather clothes too. Cheers Ed.
Scotty, one of the guys in my local marina is making me a boat canopy for £350. I am sure one of these guys could make you a hood for less if you made up the hoops..
I think Scottie is looking forward to the design and fabrication of his roof more so than most aspects of this build, he also seems rather proficient on the sewing machine going by the peach leather sofa that was morphed into the seats, I think more people should have a go at sewing at least some of their interiors its about my favourite hobby, plus the 1960's sewing machines required for leather work due to their all metal gears are things of true engineering beauty many can be had for around £60 on eBay I have a large collection, and it amazes me how many times I sew something to make life in the workshop easier. Example bought a used waterproof breathable caravan cover for a 7m long van £25 eBay. cut it sew it and manufactured a cover for my camper, a cover for bikes on back of camper a hitch cover for my trailer and an insulated waterproof cover for my daughters mock Tudor chicken coop now housing quails , all for about £40 inc thread elastic and clasps , I still have loads of fabric left, I find it very therapeutic, recon I use a sewing machine more than my welder. Ed
You are a man after my own heart Ed!
I also have stacks of sewing machines, and lots of the thread you mentioned.
I used to use that thread for repairing parachutes and para-gliders when I was doing the sport.
Landmannn, I already made the hoops months ago, and they fit and look good when bolted to the car.
I am looking forward to the challenge of making the hood myself, at least I won't be upside down covered in shit like I have been recently!
I went into a hanglider factory years ago, and I can assure you that I put more care and attention into making a harness for my spaniel than they did the glider fabric, that said Id like to agree with the towed's message, just because its funny. Ed
I must be suffering with "finishing fever", as dead on 6 am, my eyes snapped open and I thought "wheelarch", I leapt out of bed, ran downstairs and got stuck into the car.
Yesterday a friend of mine gave me a flat cardboard box full of gaskets, saying it may be useful to me.
Well, all the gaskets were MGB, so won't be that useful, but I needed a carboard pattern for the last panel, and the box came in incredibly useful for that!
My friend probably would not understand if I told him the gaskets were no
'kin good, but the box was brilliant!
The time now is just after 8:30, and all the panels are in.
I will post this, then run outside and paint the wheel arch black, then that job is DONE.
Scottie your car looks immense.
On the subject of looks your car looks more like a long nose D type which was introduced from 1955 I think, the comparison you showed was of a short nose D Type.
I must be suffering with "finishing fever", as dead on 6 am, my eyes snapped open and I thought "wheelarch", I leapt out of bed, ran downstairs and got stuck into the car.
Well, I carried on working all day, and got the following done:
Fitted the windscreen
Fitted the wipers
Got the seat belts in
Fitted the seats
Fitted the bonnet and shimmed it up.
Doesn't sound like much, but it fought me all the way.
The seats have been in and out several times and always fitted correctly,
today the passengers seat just would not fit far enough back, it was an unbelievable one inch out, and I did not waste time trying to figure out what had gone wrong, in the end I just re-drilled and bolted it in place.
It looks okay now.
I have the doors to fit and shim up, (took me over a day last time)
and then just bolt the mirrors on, which is a two minute job as the anchors are both in place.
I have to be up-front and say I was pleased with how it looked at the end of the day!
Its going to take you 45 mins to fill up with petrol every time, 2 mins to fill the tank and 43 talking to all the admirers, hope you are proud of yourself ? Ed.
WOW I have been a bit absent over the last week or so and not checked in and what a difference - this looks fantastic Scottie, not long now... well just doors and mirrors to be precise!
Looks great with all the various bits and bobs bolted on. All that attention to detail has finally come together and looks superb.
Look forward to your new thread 'Scottie on the road' with lots of pictures of your travels and maybe one of the grin on your face as you drive down the road for the first time.
eep: 
