Triumph engines are so reliable I will never ever have a problem Rene!
Seriously though, Chris gave me the option of a flip front, but I chose what I have now instead.
I still am not sure if I made the right choice, but as the freshly deflowered virgin once said "its too late now"
Having said that, the bonnet opening is large enough easily for the engine to be removed. And access is fairly good above and below.
Oddly enough, Mick O'Malley, who is building the D Type version A352, opted for a non-flip front as well, then changed his mind,
and has converted to flip!
At the stage I'm at now though, I'll live with it.
See what I mean?
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Yes Rene, a stainless or alloy frame would be ideal for you.
In my case I was very lucky to find a donor Spitfire which not only was 44 years old, but was virtually totally rust-free.
A very rare animal indeed.
I am confident that I will never have any rust issues in the future, as I have further treated the remaining metal parts on my car, so they will remain in good condition. And of course the fibre glass and alluminium should last a fair while too.
You are right Ed, I agree with what you are saying.
At one stage several years ago I had an Alpha Romeo, and at that point the steel they used was abysmal rubbish, and the car almost rusted away before I got it home!
In my earlier post to Rene, I forgot to mention that my donor Spitfire also came with a freshly installed re-conditioned engine, which I have re-serviced, and should be good for a long while.
So I was double-whammy lucky donor-wise.
Morning to you Geoff, thanks for the positive words!
Yes of course I am pleased with the interior, lots of extra work, but I think worth it.
Cannot imagine how Steve McQueen opted for such a bland car interior himself, the coolest bloke in the world maybe, but taste was in short supply!
Thanks for that Mick.
With only a 30 degree lift, is an engine out action possible, or would you just take the front right off?
Monday
Today I intended to do both of the windscreen support covers, However,
there was more to it than I thought, and I never got both done.
I did work for 9 hours though, and just managed the one, but the other ought to be faster now I'm practiced at it!
I may have gone a bit wild with the rivets, but I'll live with that, and the other side will be the same.
pics:
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Thanks for all the good word fellahs! I do appreciate it.
Mr Towed, ref your inquiry, several people have asked me exactly the same question, and I have given a lot of thought to it, and I believe I would follow your example.
You have something very unique, ( we are talking cars here!)
and at my builds end, so will I.
If we were to give in and swap/sell, I think we would forever regret it.
In my earlier post of the finished panel, I forgot to add that regardless of the 30+ rivets in it, it is held on to the body with just two self tappers, top and lower side, so it only takes 15 seconds to remove.
Gary and FB thanks for the links.
For some reason, the Lynx cars really do seem to have huge price tags, I only have pictures to judge from, but they do not seem to be radically better than other good replicas.
One went at Goodwood last year for a staggering £380 000.
What a naughty looking fraud I'm going to have at the end!
Ed, you must be joking!
I'd take half that with no leaning!
Tuesday
I had to do normal life this morning, but got stuck into the car after lunch.
I was able to use the drivers side card pattern with a bit of modding, which saved me lots of time, and I made the passengers side panel and fitted it.
Afterwards, I realised that it does not have as many rivets in it as the drivers side, but as both sides cannot be seen at once, ( chameleons accepted, but they don't really count), I care not a fig.
I will not bore you with pics of patterns or construction, we've done that yesterday, so here is the finished fitted panel.
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Spent the morning planning and making the first of the door panel trims, not finished yet, but the planning phase and cutting out is the time consuming bit.
I am running short of aluminium sheeting now, but will have enough to complete the car.
So far there is over 90 square feet of alloy gone into the build,
that is (for Rene) over 8 square metres.
The door panels will be covered in red leather, with the stainless door bolts on show.
I have made them in alloy and not card, because it is thinner, and will look neater.
Pics so far:
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Later on Wednesday
Well, its been another long day, and I've only just finished work.
It has been a good day and I have completed the first door trim.
The second one is always faster, as it will be almost a mirror image of the first one. I can use the pattern, and I have already cut the second one in alloy.
I am working against the clock, and desperately hope to finish it before Stoneleigh, but if I can't it will be a shame, but it won't be for lack of effort.
By the way, I am not sure whether to leave the door in black, or paint it BRG when the car gets done.
I am open to suggestions,what do people think?
Here is what I did this afternoon:
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Yes Rene, they are allen bolts, and I really like the look of them, so they will stay.
I take your point on originality, but some things, I just have to do my way.
I forgot to mention earlier when explaining about allen bolts.
I have used them for just about everything that is on the car externally.
They are in a row around the windscreen lower edge, they are holding both side screens onto the doors, they go right across the top of the windscreen holding the stainless strip in place, they also hold on the quarter lights, apart from holding the doors onto the hinges.
I know myself well enough, and there is no way I could ever in a million years, put that many old-fashioned period slot headed bolts in place without the screwdriver sliding out of place several times, and scratching paintwork, and tearing through the leather.
But with the allen bolts there is no problem like that, and no risk of any damage, I hereby rest my case......
Paul, ref the colour for the inside of the windscreen, I think I'll just leave the glass clear, as it will give better visibilty that way :-)
Seriously, I'm not sure, but it will be either black or silver.
Thanks Jonesy, that's just what I'm hoping for!
I also am leaning towards black.
Nice one Landmannnn!!
( I knew that of course ) :-)
Thursday
Due to other commitments, I was only able to put in 6 hours of work today,
but it was just enough to do what I had planned, which was to get the drivers door trim done.
I did make one small error on the drivers trim panel, but I am short of time and past caring about very minor things like that, and anyhow, it will add to the quirky character of the car.
Anyone spot my F.U.?
Pics:
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Smack on Geoff!
Was I peed off when I noticed what I'd done!
Its not just the corner WCA, the whole floor is covered in build muck!
A sping clean is planned, probably after Stoneleigh..........
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