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MadaboutKitcars

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1st kit car Fiorano

By Car photographer · 213 updates · Jul 2015 to Sep 2023

Read the full original thread (with everyone's replies) in the archive →

April 2016

15 Apr 2016, 10:45pm Chassis and Body


It was more to do with not getting the filler wet in case it ruins the painting process. Hopefully Monday might be the day
16 Apr 2016, 6:23pm Chassis and Body


have fun!
Got my MOT today!!

.....so on monday and tuesday I'll be doing a bit more filling and sanding - then gotta find someone to paint it - really hoping I can get it done before the kit car show in a couple of weeks!!
16 Apr 2016, 10:52pm Chassis and Body
Ha, yeah.
I did take a couple but need to put them on Flickr before I can get them on here.
I think it was a pretty 'easy going' place as it was unpainted - they knew it was going to paint next week so 'let me off' luckily :)
17 Apr 2016, 9:00am General Update


Unfortunately I've only driven it once - about 25 foot down a driveway! The mechanic drive it off the tow truck and into the Mot.
However even on the tow truck it was turning heads ;)
17 Apr 2016, 2:35pm General Update

LOL - like I said - a very sympathetic station!!

I'm still thinking about colours, rosso Barchetta or maybe nissan clear red are both pretty close.

as regards naming it - I don't know if I stand an easier chance as a 'triumph special' than a 'Fiorano' - basically I'm happy with whatever they will ask less questions about - not sure if the name will make any difference to that though?
18 Apr 2016, 9:17pm Chassis and Body
ok some more pics - firstly another 'catering themed' hack
- used a fish fryer tool to make a grille for my bonnet bulge ;)
DSC_0109 by paul ward, on Flickr

DSC_0107_1 by paul ward, on Flickr
18 Apr 2016, 9:19pm Mechanical Overhaul
next - an idea for my grille - made out of balsa wood as a test ..... I seem to have got the wheel tracking / alignment sorted now too ;)

DSC_0111 by paul ward, on Flickr

DSC_0113 by paul ward, on Flickr
18 Apr 2016, 9:25pm Mechanical Overhaul Chassis and Body
and finally - the last thing holding me up before it can go to paint - the side holes we cut to allow for a full wheel lock on the steering have been shaped and are being filled - hopefully when painted they will look ok

DSC_0098_1 by paul ward, on Flickr
19 Apr 2016, 7:30am General Update
Cheers
19 Apr 2016, 6:27pm Chassis and Body
so it looks like I'm going to have to brush paint the car if I'm going to get it finished before the kit car show - wish me luck!!
20 Apr 2016, 7:39am Chassis and Body


Thanks,
yeah, I spent most of yesterday visiting almost every body shop in Birmingham, they all said they were too busy to do it in that short amount of time.
so I figured I'd try this way.

So today we are taking all the bits off the car and possibly going to do an etch primer layer from spray cans,
then friday maybe we will paint the high build brush primer on, fingers crossed!!
27 Apr 2016, 7:31pm Chassis and Body
I honestly don't know about the shot blasting prices. I'd say maybe just contact a few places and get other quotes too.

yes I did get the paint on - I made a few fatal errors, which have resulted in the paint finish looking shit close up.

I brush painted the bonnet and boot which resulted in the paint being too thick and causing runs - then I rollered the body which although it had less runs - didn't cover the primer properly (due to my lack of time and prep), so that has an uneven surface too. - if the paint hardens enough to sand it in a week or so I think it may still be retrievable - however if it always remains this tacky - it's going to be a nightmare .... I'll have to wait and see.

- so if I do make it to stoneleigh I reckon I need a rope barrier so no one can get too close ;)

The car looks great from a distance though - I'll upload a pic from home later if I get a chance.
27 Apr 2016, 10:01pm Chassis and Body
Really not sure if it was cellulose - it was brushing paint, from Jawel paints but not sure what it was made of.

Ok here we go .... DSC_0156 by paul ward, on Flickr
IMG_20160427_183057 by paul ward, on Flickr

still got to do the grille properly (this one's only a balsa wood mockup), and do some stuff with the interior. also I need to flat and repaint if the paint goes dry at some point.
28 Apr 2016, 10:38pm Chassis and Body
Cheers guys,
The paint close up really does look pretty bad - so go easy on me if I do make it to Stoneleigh ;)

I'm not sure about finishing bits - I have a bonnet badge, chrome prancing horse and side stickers but tried them all today and I only really thought the bonnet badge looked any good, so not sure yet, maybe I'll bring them to Stoneleigh to get some opinions.
29 Apr 2016, 8:27am General Update
Cheers guys :)
30 Apr 2016, 11:18am Mechanical Overhaul
BAD NEWS... I'm afraid it looks like I might not make it now - on the drive back from the workshop the back wheelarch support bracket broke it's weld - I don't have welding equipment or the knowledge needed - so unless I can think of something it looks like I may be grounded!
Not happy :(
30 Apr 2016, 6:50pm General Update
Update - got it welded, but not feeling that confident now - i think if I come in the car or not will depend on the weather

May 2016

1 May 2016, 1:27pm General Update
Well I'm here - unfortunatly not in the car though - just felt a little bit nervous of taking it that far on its first run, also I wasn't sure what the weather was going to do - very sad I couldn't bring it :(
4 May 2016, 10:45pm Chassis and Body
Good stuff,
it's really cool to think in a few months time that forgotten chassis will have a new life once again as one of the best looking cars on the road ;)
4 May 2016, 10:48pm General Update
I've booked mine back into the garage next week to have some of the niggles sorted, and hopefully getting the aluminium pieces tomorrow to make the new grille with :)