This morning I've been to see my friend Graham so we could take some comparison photos of my coupe and his recently bought convertible.
Since he bought it from Chris a few weeks ago he's had some brake and suspension work done for MOT and has altered quite a few small bits on the way to making it his idea of how a slightly hot rodded version would look.
Making a kit to fit your vision is a lot of the fun of this hobby and it was interesting to see just how many details are different between the 2 cars.
I've also bought some trim to go round the edge of the windscreen and will report back when I've fitted it. I bought quite a bit so should have enough to supply a couple more cars if it all works ok.
Cheers, Bob.
I cut the screen trim to length and taped in. Will leave it to settle and probably tiger seal it on tomorrow.
Trim is stuck in now and does the job nicely.
I've started to disguise the high level brake light
Will do a bit more tomorrow
Thanks, I do like to mess about with the detail bits.
Cheers, Bob.
Nearly finished the high level rear light now. The red plastic surround is now black and has the mesh fitted over the top. I'll try to sort something to go around the edge to make it look more like an air vent. I'm at Newark auto jumble on Sunday so will have a poke about for anything suitable.
Hi,
It's a boat trim from Walker Rubber in Norwich. I bought all 15 metres that they had in stock.
I can send you enough (plus a bit extra) for £12 with post. Just pm me if you're interested.
I taped it in place first and by the next day it held it's new shape which made glueing it much easier. It also needs a tiny bit trimming off the wiper/vent cover plastic panel which is easily done in situ with a sharp knife.
Cheers, Bob.
Reply to pm sent.
I stuck it in with Stixall from Tool Station but I expect any of the body adhesive sorts of stuff would work.
Cheers, Bob.
That was my first plan. Speaking to the guy at the rubber supplier he showed me some flat rubber but warned that it goes brown after a few months, I've seen this before.
The other trouble is getting a chrome trim to bend round the corners without a groove to help hold it in place.
It will look great if you can get it to work though.
Cheers, Bob.
You won't need to, it curves round so easily and keeps it's shape if you tape it for a while
Yes, I've used a plastic trim, fine for me but I'm sure an alloy one would look really good if it was bent nicely.
That's a shame but as the rest that I bought has sold to 250 owners on here, I'm sure it will resell easily.
Keep searching, something suitable will appear.
Cheers, Bob.
I finally got around to finishing off the trim on the high level brake light. It's just a piece of 6mm self adhesive rubber but it does the job fine.
I've also fitted a strip along the side of the centre console sections as suggested and it does make the separate sections look more like one complete unit. It's just a bit from a Rover of some sort and is too short but I'll make something better now I have a proper plan.
Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year to all on here. Bob.
Best wishes to you as well.
It would be good to meet up once Spring appears, perhaps the kit car show if not before.
Cheers, Bob.
Hi, It really was a great day and i know so many of the folks who were there that the time just flew by.
Thanks for your kind remarks about the car.
Graham's car will gradually alter but will always be a version of flat black as that's what he loves.
Cheers, Bob.
Very nice of you to say so, especially when they've all been built to such a high standard.
Finished off the boot today. carpeted the rear extension panel and painted the hinges and boot stay.
I was going to carpet the panels of rough finish fibreglass on the boot lid but have decided against it for now.
Thanks Paul,
Next I'll find the piece of fluted alloy from the back of the shed that I plan to use to edge the centre console.
I've read through the comments regarding number plates and have just ordered a set of black/silver ones. Strictly for show use only……... Honestly.
For those who don't like the square plate on the front, sorry, but I've ordered another square one which will be fitted in the same place.
The plan is to make the black/silver plates use the same bolt holes as the reflective ones and fit one over the other on wing nuts for easy change over.
Having another try at the centre console.
The main part does it's job but it is disjointed so I thought I'd do something along the sides.
As usual I'm using my haphazard make it up as I go along with what's lying about method.
Plan 'A' failed as the piece of ribbed alloy I found wasn't big enough
Plan 'B' nearly failed as I cut the next piece of alloy for the n/s wrong but fortunately it will fit the o/s.
Then I covered it with the same vinyl as I used on the doors.
Here's the n/s panel.
Will try to do a bit more later in the week.
Distracted by another little project today.
The heater knobs that I ordered a couple of months ago turned up from China yesterday. They were cheap so I took a chance as the were the right diameter.
The push on fitting at the back was unsuitable so I decided to try to use half a BMW knob and half a Chinese one. It's stuck together now so tomorrow I'll see if it actually works, if it does I'll cut the others.