MadaboutKitcars

Not really done much in the last few weeks. Waiting for the dash from Nubodi and the SWB kit to arrive to get me motivated again.

I did make a decision on seats though and they've arrived. Placed them in the car to see how I think they'll fit.

IMAG0722 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

I think I'm going to put the original carpet back in and then look for a thin carpet to go on top of that. I'm a bit worried about filling all the voids if I go with a new carpet that doesnt have the thick foam on the back.

I think they're more just a general nod to the era. I got a great deal on them and decided if I didn't like them when they turned up at least I have a frame to get recovered.

Current inspiration...

Yeah, I like the look of the car in general - no fogs either. But I think I will be more the colour scheme I'm copying than anything else



Yeah, they both look class. The grey and the blue look great and if it hadnt already been done I might have headed in that direction.
Hoping now I get my kit and finish it before someone else goes that way!

20170607_123850 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

This is from Richard at Nubodi as an idea of what can be achieved on the dash swap.

When I was originally looking at black for the car it was the way I was going to go - body coloured top, grey front. Now thinking I might end up all black inside... I really wish I could just decide and stick to it!

Quick Question

I've changed steering wheels and will be changing dash so wont have an airbag warning. Is there a problem then with removing the airbag module?

Thanks - I've the steering wheel and dash and everything already off - WCA mention removing the "airbag trigger from the centre console". I'm assuming that this means I'm good to remove.

Kit has arrived!

IMAG0803 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Was fun when the lorry arrived and asked if I had a forklift as it had been loaded on the side and would need a forklift to get it off. Luckily being in an industrial estate has its advantages... Asked one of the lads who work for the landlord to do me a favour and then bunged him a €10 to say thanks.

Had to then unload the palletes to fit into the unit.

IMAG0806 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr


It's given me a little bit more zest to get the job done now.

I lost a bit of desire after the disappointment with not getting the dials I had ordered from Nubodi. They weren't of sufficient quality so Nubodi sent them back and refunded me. I actually ended up losing money on the whole thing with exchange rates dropping significantly in between ordering and refund. Not anyone's fault really but not a great feeling.

I'm now left with a dilema about what to do with the interior. It was the promise of step-by-step instructions to fit dials that convinced me to order in the first place and had me charge fully into stripping the interior. Now I feel I'm left high and dry trying to bodge something without any real clue what I am doing. C'est la vie...

Ermmm - Standard would be easiest, but.........

I agree - the ones fitted to the Nubodi cars do look class. I never got the opportunity to see them in the flesh.

The kit was fine. It wasn't dispatched like that - but showing it all wrapped and and in it's protective outer wouldn't make a great photo.

Thanks folks - looking at a few different options now.

Just to clarify - as I know the way the written word can be interpreted - the gauges failed Nubodi's quality control (they were using a 3rd party) and they quite rightly took the decision not to ship them.

Quick question - if I put the frame/crashbar into the vehicle is it easy to get back out? Want to do a kind of trial fit before I paint anything and dont want to then be stuck unable to powder coat the frame.

Thanks for the quick response.

Going to be a dry fit. It's half to give me inspiration and half to move the kit out of the way so my mate has room to get his car finished and then move his car back home (sharing a garage).

Had to move the kit out of the way so placed it in the right places on the cat and slid the "roll cage" in too.

Give a real sense of how it will look, much more than any pictures, which dont really do it justice.

IMG-20170728-WA0010 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

IMG-20170728-WA0011 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Ha, yeah thats what I was thinking too

Well I've done nothing since the last pictures...

So time to get back on with the work.

First job will be to get the roll cage painted and fitted (assuming it comes out!). What have others done? Hammerite?

I've gauges ordered and a few other bits (lights and fuel cap). I'm till trying to decide what to do with dashboard. I have the Nubodi one but like the look of the tribute one retaining the demisters etc... decisions, decision...

Got a mate fabricating the bases for the chairs and have new (2nd hand) carpets for the car.

To borrow a phrase from IT - I'll be looking to get "the least viable model" completed asap and MOT'd and then I can carry on tweaking from there. Maybe I should have left the interior as is but now it's out I'll have to sort that first.

Been talking to Chris about a few things and I'm changing from the Nubodi dash to the new Tribute one (as per Geoff's build) - mainly to keep the vents.

Also the new centre console as per the below pic. That's the metal fabrication that Chris has made the buck from, it will be GRP with the plan to cover in foam and then material (pleather) over that.

[IMG]IMG_1629 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr[/IMG]

That looks great - not sure if with my red seats it might be a bit too much though?

I'm still undecided about a stereo in the car. One minute I'm putting a full ICE system in, then next just an old fashioned stereo or nothing...

Up to the unit to work on the car on Saturday

First job was to remove the roll cage and paint it. It had only been placed in loosely - or so I thought. Good a good bit of 'persuading' to get it back out.

Toyed with the idea of getting it powder coated but decided just to go with Hammerite and a hammered look finish. Applied it with a brush and it looks pretty good (2nd coat hadn't fully dried when I left). Also means if it gets scratched I can easily touch up.

20180120_155902 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Also took the opportunity to paint the exposed metal beam under the dashboard

20180120_155921 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Also removed the drivers side window (That damn sneaky bolt under the door that holds the 1/2 light frame nearly tricked me again)
Then tried a trial fit of the windows.

20180120_165922 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Do I need to remove the button that locks the doors from inside? They seem to be in the way. Do I keep the rubbers to put back on?

20180120_165929 by couerdelion2013, on Flickr

Also started working on the door cards. Have a template made in cardboard just need to make one up now in hardboard so I can trial fit.

Still cant decide - another week to go before I start on the interior properly and need to decide!