Davecymru's Miglia build :)

[davecymru]

Well after 10 hrs of driving, 2 bottles of Lucozade Sport, 2 Snickers, 1 bag of Haribo and a Sausage roll with Brown Sauce inside it! I'm home.

And so is the donor for my Miglia :D

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/itshere_zps33781a36.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/itshere_zps33781a36.jpg.html)

It's a 1600 Vitesse.

I'll post more details tomorrow, as i've been out of the house for 12 hrs now and i'm thoroughlly knackered and SWMBO has just opened me a Cider!


Here we go again... :biggrin:

[mikmiglia]

Good Choice Dave , you wont be disappointed :wink:

Nice donor too, how is the chassis Dave ??

[Paul L]

Dave - I look forward to seeing your new build progress. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Mister Towed]

Welcome back Dave. I know you've been having a two year fling with your 'bit on the side' Lamboalike, but I knew in my heart that you'd return to your true love sooner or later.

With your previous Sammio build behind you it should be a quick build this time then...

[rattler]

hi dave another miglia I am all most there mot this thurs fingers crossed .will post pic at w/e you will notbe disappointed with the miglia kit dave 2 rattler

[davecymru]

Cheers guys.

Now that I've had some sleep and not just sat in traffic jams all day, a bit more on my plans...

The donor is a 1600 Vitesse and the biggest difference I've already noticed to last time is that i have _all_ of the parts and they're all plugged together!!! Also the donor had a brand new chassis fitted towards the end of the 80's and then a new engine fitted by Canleys in 2003 and was used regularly until 2007 when it was parked up "for a while"

That currently looks like it may mean that the bits that i wanted to re-furb on my next build may actually already be done for me :)

Then there is my bug list of to-do's based on my Sammio building and driving experiences. Those currently are:


Doors - so that i don't ruin the seats
A Heater / Fan
A Wireless!
Twin Exhausts
Alloy rad and electric cooling fans (luckily i have a wide selection of fans left over from the Countach cooling debacle!)
In-hump storage
Leather interior
Paint the car myself and get a better finish, based on the experience i gained from last time
Upgrade the brakes
Trunionless front suspension!!
CV jointed driveshafts
Side windows
Chrome... bits...
NOT bullet wing mirrors
Possibly Burr Walnut dash
and more day dreams that I'm sure will change just as much as the above list as i progress and mean that Rimmer Bros and Canleys are kept in business for a long time to come:)


So not wishing to mess around, i've made a start.


Roof off, boot off, doors off, interior stripped:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/endofday1_zps35bf8ecd.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/endofday1_zps35bf8ecd.jpg.html)

Next will be bonnet off and dash strip. But first i want to figure out what half of the oddly marked buttons, knobs and random Lucas black toggle switches actually "do" :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/dash_zps1d0a696a.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/dash_zps1d0a696a.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

The first of the alcohol fueled e-bay purchases have arrived :)

Even though I'm planning on fitting a modern micro heat exchanger, I still wanted the controls to look right for the car and not just a std part from CBS.

So after a good evening on Google and Ebay looking for something unique and period i now have these, originally from an Austim A50 i'm led to believe!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/heatercontrols_zps50f3895c.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/heatercontrols_zps50f3895c.jpg.html)

The the other part that i always knew i wanted was chrome air vents and tbh i did have my heart set on Rolls Royce ones. But then i spotted this complete Bentley Continental dash which came with the organ-stop vent controls and some other bits-n-bobs that i may reuse, and i had to have it :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/dash_zps1b90b66f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/dash_zps1b90b66f.jpg.html)


yes... yes... i know i've yet to even order the kit from Mike, but that's not the point :)

[davecymru]

Whoo Hoo It Starts!!! :biggrin:

One of the big boo-boo's i made with the Sammio donor was not getting it running _before_ i started mucking about with it and that directly led to engine issues later in the build and also body positioning issues.

So not wishing to make the same mistakes twice i tried to start the Vitesse the other day and everything was good but no spark :(
One quick clean of the points and re-gapping them and it started first time last night and ran _real_ sweet! :high5:


Also... it turns out that as well as having a new chassis at some point in the past and then a new Engine in 2003, it's also had new front calipers, new drums and a new fuel line and fuel pump fitted in 2003! and from a quick look underneath last night the Diff also looks brand new! So a lot of the parts that i was expecting to replace and had to replace on the Sammio have already been done :)

The only bad thing so far is a fubbared radiator which looks well gunked up and leaks a bit.
So after a lot of research of what other Vitesse and GT6 owners have done and based on my cooling experiences with the Countach I've opted for an Alloy rad and the one to go for seems to be an after-market Alloy Honda Civic Rad. So I've just ordered one of these from RaceSpec Performance:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/rad_zps460f6be9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/rad_zps460f6be9.jpg.html)

With the 350x385x60mm core it will hold more volume of coolant than one of the Renault 5 GT Turbo rads on the Countach which should mean that the electric fan won't be cutting in as often and the switch from mechanical to electric should also address any over-cooling worries.

A quick dig around the garage last night turned up far more electric fans than i care to remember buying and trying on the Countach :eusa_whistle: but should give me plenty of options!

Out of interest, what size electric cooling fan have others opted for?

[Paul L]

Great news on the engine start. :cool:

I also love the Bentley dash & heater controls.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Mister Towed]

I have a feeling my fan was 14" but I'll measure it in the morning. I made a shroud for it out of sheet steel as that's what I had laying about in the garage -

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z371/dmonebillion/002-9.jpg (http://s1186.photobucket.com/user/dmonebillion/media/002-9.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

Thanks Towed. I've got a feeling that the largest I have is a 10" (phanaar)
BTW, is that a Civic rad u also went for? I would check your build thread but I'm on the tablet ATM and its being tempremental!


Bit more progress last night, as its now in the garage, and I wasn't just imaging that the Countach was a monster in comparison as I now have _loads_ of room :-)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps028278ba.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps028278ba.jpg.html)

So in the words of Jonny 5 ..... "dissasamble" :biggrin1:
(Kid's, ask your parents!)

[Mister Towed]

The one pictured is a standard Honda Civic radiator as fitted to all petrol models from the 1.4 to the V-Tech. I punched a hole in it with the steel bar I was shaping into the nose hoop, so I replaced it with a double width aluminium version imported from China via ebay, which fitted the shroud I'd fabricated.

Despite this I've had a bit of an issue with cooling at high speed. That could be down to my scoops creating pressure behind the radiator and stopping the airflow through it, or it's been suggested that aluminium isn't as thermally efficient as copper. To improve high speed cooling I've fitted a rear mounted MR2 radiator in series with the Honda one and added a BMW auxiliary electric pump to help circulate the coolant. I'll finish plumbing all that in today if I get the motor fully rebuilt.

If I was building another I'd be using an uprated, copper cored Ford Escort RS2000 radiator as recommended by Phil J -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-ESCORT-RS2000-MK2-RADIATOR-UPRATED-CORE-42MM-/251442835157?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3a8b292ed5

Not cheap but he swears by them and has no cooling issues at all. He's also kept the engine driven fan btw, which works fine but will obviously sap a bit of power at higher revs.

Good luck DC, I know the Lambo was your original dream car, but it's nice to see you back building something a bit more interesting and more likely to just work.

[davecymru]

Many thanks for that.

If you've only got problems at speed, that sounds like airflow to me?

I did notice that your radiator shroud doesn't have any bypass flaps fitted?
So when running slowly you're pulling all the air through with the fan fine and you know that is working fine, but when running at speed it's the air/wind rather than the fan that is doing the cooling and in that case your cowl is actually blocking quite a bit of your rad.
I'd say one thing worth trying would be to add by-pass flaps such as these:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/shroudwithflaps_zps59dd250e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/shroudwithflaps_zps59dd250e.jpg.html)

Just an idea :)


My monstrous 60mm deep Civic rad turned up yesterday, so atm I'm hopeful that it'll do the job when on the move.

And then based on knowledge gained from the Lambo experiences I just want to make sure that I've got a powerful enough fan to move the air at slower speeds.
I've got a 10" Kenlowe laying around that is rated at just shy of 800 CFM which 'may' do the job? Hence my question to see what others have used.
But jumping to 12" gives nearly 1300CFM, so a huge difference as i found on the Big Red Car!

[Mister Towed]

Thanks for the tip on the shroud bypass flaps, I might take a look at drilling some vent holes in the shroud if my rear radiator doesn't address the issue.

I also measured my fan today - it's a 12" one.

[Paul L]

... the Big Red Car ...
Dave - Keep meaning to ask what happened to the Countach?

I watched your build thread get hijacked, but didn't spot an update.

Good luck with the strip down, try not to get lost in all that garage space. :icon_wink:

[davecymru]

The Big Red Car is off to it's new home on Friday (all things going well!)

In the meantime the strip-down contiues and the e-bay'ing has begun.

Despite saying "Collection only" and repeating that in the ad's it still amazes me how many people have contacted me asking how much to ship different bits!

Hopefully get the tub off tonight and then the fun really begins :)

[mikmiglia]

Good News Dave :eyebrows:

Your back to spending on lots of nice parts i see.

[davecymru]

Shhh.... :eusa_shhh: i'm still not totally sure that SWMBO isn't subscribed to this thread. :madgrin:

That aside, the stripping continues apace and all of the bodywork is now off (and sold!) apart from the main tub and the bulkhead and those should be off this week.
The weekend i managed to dismantle the Dashboard and extract all of the electrics off of the bulkhead, including heater, wipers etc.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20140613_076_zps2f65b483.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20140613_076_zps2f65b483.jpg.html)

I also spent..... " a couple of quid" at the Bristol Classic Car Show on Sunday on a few bits-n-bobs including:

All the exterior lights
Bonnet pins
Tins of etch primer and Chassis Black.
and a few other bits for the garage....


So as long as i get a few good nights this week i should be down to the chassis and starting to build a list of what needs to be done before the order goes in with Mike and i start putting it all back together :)

I don't know why, but so-far this seems to be going quicker than last time getting to this stage?

[rattler]

hi dave 2nd time around always is my car stuk in spray shop two day cutting back with 3000 w/d hope to post pic at w/e dave

[davecymru]

Tub off!

And i find a new exhaust as well as the immaculate chassis that i was hoping for!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20140617_001_zps85884151.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20140617_001_zps85884151.jpg.html)

Plus... What seems to be a new Diff!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20140617_005_zps5e2a51cc.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20140617_005_zps5e2a51cc.jpg.html)

[mikmiglia]

Dave , that is a great start, wont take so long as before with such a strong donor. I always say pay a little more for a good vehicle , as your time and interest can be used for the more interesting bits of the build.:eusa_clap:

[Marc F]

And stop gloating with all your new shiny stuff :-)

Seriously though, looks like a good base car, so should be a sweet build.

[davecymru]

Cheers both, it does feel like i'm (excuse the pun) motoring through this a lot faster than previously. At least so far.

A good bit of progress over the past few days.

Bulkhead off.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bulkheadoff_zps15b9dda0.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bulkheadoff_zps15b9dda0.jpg.html)

While the bulkhead on the Sammio was sound, i always regretted not taking it off, so i'm glad i _had_ to remove it for this build :)

Rear end stripped as far as i'm stripping it as everything else seems to be new or recently refurbished!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/rearstripped_zps1a641a4d.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/rearstripped_zps1a641a4d.jpg.html)

Before i bought this donor i was expecting to have to strip and weld the chassis on whatever i ended up with and i was preparing to buy a soda blaster (i don't have that toy yet :) ) But now that I've seen the state of the chassis, all it needs is a wash, going over with a wire brush and then painting ! :)

Then lastly, those of you who may have followed my Sammio build will know that i can't praise "Spitfire Graveyard" enough! My last donor came without clocks, with the wrong carbs, no throttle pedal and a load of other bits missing. The team at the Graveyard always made sure that i bought the _right_ bits and they also made sure that i bought everything that was needed, rather than what i thought was needed.

So I've just used them to source the fuel tank, and while it will get a lick of paint tomorrow along with everything else, internally it's really good.
But they also left the fuel filler on for me! i'm well chuffed :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/newfueltank_zps22f8f8ff.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/newfueltank_zps22f8f8ff.jpg.html)


So..... given the good condition of most of what i've got ( sorry Mark!) what i'm now thinking my plan of attack with this car is:

Get everything renovated that will be inaccessible when built.
Get the frame on
Get the body on.
Fit a basic interior with minimal clocks etc. & reuse the Spitfire fuel filler
Paint it
Get in on the road and start enjoying it! :)


Then over time:

Enhance the interior (fit heater / glove-box / other shiny bits)
Fit a posher fuel filler.
Upgrade front brakes and replace front suspension with trunionless
upgrade rear brakes and suspension
etc.
etc.


I'm now thinking that this may be a better approach for me as i did get bogged down with some unnecessary bits on the last build..
At least that's the plan for today! :)

[Thurcroft flyer]

that looks a great start for you there Dave chassis running gear etc look fantastic. good look with the build looks like you have bought wisely.

[davecymru]

Cheers matey.


Despite saying that i was going to leave the rear of the chassis how it was, i decided to strip all of the rear end down anyway, as i'd only regret it if i didn't and i have a few weeks before the kit turns up.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/nowstripped_zps0912711e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/nowstripped_zps0912711e.jpg.html)


So seeing as i'd been abandoned today (Cub fun day!) i had the garage to myself all day :)

So 4 hours with a filament wheel (my new toy for this build and very nice it was!) and the chassis was stripped and cleaned from the front outriggers backwards. and i looked like i'd just come up out of the mines!

Another regret on the last build was not using red oxide, so this time i invested in some etch red oxide! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/redoxide_zps116735ac.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/redoxide_zps116735ac.jpg.html)

That dried remarkably quickly in all of this heat! Which meant that i also then manged to get the chassis black on :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/chassisblack_zpsa68e2c23.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/chassisblack_zpsa68e2c23.jpg.html)

And before the totally knackered Cubs returned i even had time to sort out the petrol tank.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/tankpainted_zps2e1a290f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/tankpainted_zps2e1a290f.jpg.html)


So a bit of a mammoth session that's been put me well in advance of where i thought i'd be by now and ended with a bottle of "Daddys apple Juice", or Henry Westerns finest 8.4% if i'm being totally honest! :)

[davecymru]

And the rear end is now reassembled thanks to the assistance of messers Rimmer, Canley, Fittchet, Paddock etc.

I've got for largely the same setup as on my old Sammio as i know it works "for me" and it also provides me with adjustment on the road. So I've gone for:


Swing Spring
1" Lowering Block
Gax adjustable shocks
New trunions!
All new brake lines


It also turns out that under the muck of the original donor, it already had Stainless brake hoses fitted!! So those have been cleaned and refitted along with new stainless locknuts throughout.

I also stripped, checked and cleaned/repainted everything else and this time around it looks as though the rear brake components are good enough that i don't need to replace it all :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zpsf92cee43.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zpsf92cee43.jpg.html)

Now to see if i can sort out the front end before the kit turns up :)

[Mister Towed]

That's all looking very clean DC. Good choice of donor.

[davecymru]

Another weekend with the sprogs away with Cubs, means another unexpected boost to the timelines!

So with the rear end done until the frame turns up, i turned my attention to the front.

The engine was new only 11 years ago and it shows (ignoring the rocker cover!!), so I've no intention of removing it, but i want everything else off, cleaned and repainted.

So after a few evenings, a long Saturday, 2 cans of WD40, 1/2 a dozen 1mm cutting discs and amazingly all of my skin still intact! the front suspension (and other assorted bits) are now off!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/frontoff_zpsbc9cfc20.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/frontoff_zpsbc9cfc20.jpg.html)

And yes, i do seem to be collecting Triumph Heater Matrixes, or is that Matrices? anyway...


Then came a few hrs with the fibrewheel to clean everything and it came up a treat!
This is the passengers side stripped, the drivers side is already stripped and repainted and just about visible in the background.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/stripped_zps40101050.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/stripped_zps40101050.jpg.html)

There were a few.... 'interesting' bits along the way and as-ever both sets of trunions will be completely rebuilt. I'm also replacing all of the bushes, which is a good thing given what i found on the bottom of the shocks!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/dodgybush_zps978a959e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/dodgybush_zps978a959e.jpg.html)

What scares me most is that the previous owner really looked after the mechanicals of this car until it was taken off the road yet still things like this creep through all of the inspections! I also know he'll be reading this, so i thought this would be an interesting pic for him :)
Good job I've got new shocks to go on!

[rattler]

hi dave all looks good you will be finished before you know it number 3 on the road/bressuire g/p next year ? rattler

[rattler]

hi dave I have a standered t/rad with 14 inch fan car runs at90 d even on a short circuit track but it is only 1200 cc .sat in it my big head is 50mm above the hump rattler

[davecymru]

Thanks Rattler, i'm hopefully going to get the front chassis painted over the next few days and the front suspension reassembled and then i'm onto cleaning and servicing the engine. At that point i'll start looking at my new radiator and my cooling system.

Looking at what Towed has recently been through, and also what i went through with the Countach, I've been revisiting my coolant volume calculations and from what i can see (in mm) the numbers are:

Towed

Towed original Honda rad - 350x430x42mm = 6,321,000 mm3
Towed new posh rad - 450x450x42mm = 8,505,000 mm3


Me

Core of my Alloy rad - 350x385x60mm = 8,085,000 mm3
Overall size of my alloy rad- 385x475x60mm = 10,972,500 mm3


Obviously i know that it's not a solid space and final volume depends on the number of cores, differences in shape of the header tanks etc. Let alone the thermal differences in materials! But with these numbers as a starting point I'm happy to continue with the alloy option for now.

What i also planning on doing is opting for the biggest single Kenlowe dual-speed fan i can get in order to get the best CFM airflow rate.

Ref: http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/fans/specifiers/fans-cpc.html

fun fun fun :)

[davecymru]

Gearbox off and i find... i've got the newer style clutch fitted:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20140715_002_zps0f05f98a.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20140715_002_zps0f05f98a.jpg.html)

Which was a nice find :)

With a bit of "gentle persuasion" that parted company with the flywheel and everything seems to look in good condition and easily cleanable :)

What i don't know - so i thought i'd ask - is a clutch plate "cleanable-n-reusable" if the friction material is all there? Or do you just replace it rather than risk it?

I think I've answered my own question there haven't i!

[oxford1360]

I'd buy a friction plate and release bearing while you have it off...........which is multi-tasking.

[swifty]

Also check the pressure plate springs for signs of fatigue and the friction surface for wear, you can generally tell the condition of a clutch from the amount of friction liner left.

[loxilane]

ISTR the clutch has done less than 2000 miles and the release was changed at the same time.
Looks as if all is going well :)
Brian

[davecymru]

Brilliant, thanks Brian :)

Despite me saying that the engine was staying in and staying in one piece, i have two weeks until the kit turns up and with the Sammio there were a few jobs that I'd wished I'd done more-thoroughly,so.....

Engine lifted.
Manifolds off, dynamo off, fan off, steering rack off, front brake pipe off etc...
Front chassis de-greased and fibre-wheel'd
Etch-Red-Oxide applied:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps46ce02b6.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps46ce02b6.jpg.html)


Then when that dried, Chassis Black applied:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps4f03ba36.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps4f03ba36.jpg.html)

So that is now the whole chassis done, apart from the inner rails at the front which face the engine as after the grease was stripped off of those, they were mint! :) gawd-bless the Triumph rust protection scheme i.e. cover it all in oil-n-grease!

Exhaust manifold fibre-wheel'd and painted in VHT.
Steering rack stripped down, cleaned, painted, new gaiters fitted and new track rod ends fitted

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps954d7449.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps954d7449.jpg.html)

and while i'm waiting for the new gearbox and engine mounts to turn up i've also started de-greasing and cleaning the inlet manifold and gearbox:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps6a199b66.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps6a199b66.jpg.html)

I should gain a fair bit of weight saving simply due to removing pounds of crud from inside the bell housing! :)

So "Fingers Crossed" this will be the last of the stripping and cleaning and i'll soon be on to the build/rebuild :)

[Paul L]

Dave - This is all coming together very nicely. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[swifty]

Stripping and cleaning all those parts is a wise move Dave as it easier now than it would of been once fully built plus you see what condition the parts are in.

The chassis look great, look forward to the rest of the build.

[davecymru]

Just before 8am this morning I was greeted with "Hi I've got your kit for you" :D

Apologies to John for me only being semi-conscious while helping him unload! But it's the day after we came back from holiday and i wasn't expecting you until 8.30 so my alarm was set for 8.15! :)

But waffle aside i have now taken delivery of:


Main body-shell
Bonnet
Doors
windscreen strip
Main frame


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps135ca663.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps135ca663.jpg.html)

:D

with a few other bits-n-bobs to follow:

Floorpan,
Headrest,
Screen,
Grill.


and i'm still dithering about getting a fiberglass bulkhead from Mike or making one, as TBH after looking at the frame this morning it doesn't look like brain surgery!!

So progress this morning.... frame fitted:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps311563b3.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps311563b3.jpg.html)

Just kidding, it's just resting in place :)

Now i'm of for a bit of a tinkering session and to give everything the once over and i'll add a few more pics later on.

That said, just from looking at the molding of the wind deflector strip compared to my old Sammio one, i can see that things have moved on quite a bit in terms of quality!! :D

[Paul L]

Dave - I always say the quality of the Miglia is miles better than the original Cordite. :cool:

The fact the gel coat is so shiny is also a good sign.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[rattler]

hi dave car looking good I made my b/head resin bonded ply skind in aly I sill cant post pic but im sure there is some on one of my post another ride out today brilliant rattler:eusa_angel:

[garyh]

Can't means won't... that's what i was always told.

[davecymru]

? Not sure i understand the can't / won't thing?

anyhow....

I've just about finished rebuilding the front suspension but the cheepo lock nuts supplied with the track rod ends from Rimmers both stripped their threads when torquing them up. :mad:

I'd set the 1st for 30lbs which was the lower end of what Haynes recommend and it stripped way before then.
So i set the 2nd for 22lbs, it reached that but felt like it wouldn't go much further and when i upped it to 26lbs it stripped as well. <grrr>

I managed to get them off with my nut splitters and luckily it was just the nuts, so i'll have another crack at those tomorrow!

Apart from that i've also run all of the brake lines (apart from to the master cylinder - as it's not there yet!) and i've also tried bolting the frame down

and.....

..

..

IT FITS!!! :faint2:


Mike, i always knew it would, but it was nice to see anyway :D


Both front mounting points, all 4 main mounting points and the 2 over the rear suspension all lined up without any use of adjustment-tool-No.1!! :)

There may be a minor bit of "fettling" needed on those over the rear outriggers, but I've never seen 2 sets of outriggers in the same location, so i'll forgive that :)

I hope to have the petrol tank and seatbelt mounts sorted, trial the pedals and steering and then start painting the frame tomorrow, so i'll get loads of pics then :)

[swifty]

Hi davecymru I think i am down near your neck of the woods next week, visiting Okehampton, is that near you.

[davecymru]

Swifty, just in case you missed it, i dropped you a PM.


As far as the build is concerned there has been a lot going on (frame fettling, front suspension and engine rebuild, line running etc.) but there's not many pics i want to post yet until things start coming together, hopefully after the weekend!

That said, i did have a bit of a falling-out with one of the new front suspension bushes so I reverted to the vice to get it in place.

The Bush won!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/smashedvice_zps8f49f22b.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/smashedvice_zps8f49f22b.jpg.html)

I ended up removing the bush, binning it and it's replacement went in no problem at all!

Apart from that wifey thinks that the suspension may be set a bit low atm!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/poser_zps60f27767.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/poser_zps60f27767.jpg.html)

Joking aside this is one of the first pictures I've seen of a Miglia with someone sat in the shell and i think it really shows how much longer the bonnet is!

I'll try and get some decent build pics up over the next few days.

[garyh]

Looks nice... and the Miglia... BOOM BOOM, as Basil Brush would say.

[PJ GRABOWSKI]

keep the images flowing D , regular updates are neat.

[swifty]

The shape of the shell looks good, the long bonnet definitely suits the shape of the car, looking forward to see your progress.

I did get your pm but are heading back early hours sat so unable to call in, may be another time and thanks for the offer.

[davecymru]

I think I've just about stripped and cleaned every original part i'm going to reuse and those that haven't already been refitted are drying, i.e. the refurbished brake pedal housings.

I have trial fitted the petrol tank and run all the new fuel lines, i'm just waiting for the frame to dry before i refit it.

I have fabricated a central tunnel and welded that onto the body frame and mounted the handbrake cable linkages. The handbrake was delivered to work last week while i was out so i'll pick that up tomorrow.

I have also painted the frame. I know i may still have to make minor adjustments, but i wanted it cleaned, treated and painted partly to keep my spirits up and parts to stabilise it.

Frame primered

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/frameprimered_zpsc793dff7.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/frameprimered_zpsc793dff7.jpg.html)

And painted

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/framepainted_zpsa62aca54.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/framepainted_zpsa62aca54.jpg.html)

and i know that I've not posted much about the body yet as i've been trying to finish off the chassis and frame, but i had to do a trial fit, just-to-see how it'd go!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/trialbodypositioning_zps5c34ebf1.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/trialbodypositioning_zps5c34ebf1.jpg.html)

It fits a treat!!! Well done young Mike! :madgrin:

I know that I've got to adjust the height of the rear when i fit it properly, but the front all seems to line up lovely and the shell 'tucks under' nicely.
It also looks good around the ends of the front outriggers to be able to mount that area quite strongly.


I'm now just doing my last few little jobs putting the engine back together while i wait for the lowered floor-pans to turn up (cough)(cough) as until they're fitted i can't bolt the frame down and start mounting the body properly.

oh... and i know this is asking for trouble quoting a deadline.... but atm i'm aiming to have it on the road in basic form ready for "at least" the last local show of the year, the The Footman James Classic Vehicle Restoration Show on 1st/2nd Nov

:flypig:

[davecymru]

I've finally chosen my handbrake!

I always wanted a chrome one (as there will be a nice scarttering of high quality chrome bits on this car eventually) and i wanted something 2nd hand as i was a bit of age and there was no way i was going to pay £200+ for an e-type one!!

So i have gone with the below...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/handbrake_zpsd2b8dff1.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/handbrake_zpsd2b8dff1.jpg.html)

Before you scroll down, anyone care to guess what it's from?

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
If you said Humber Super Snipe, award yourself 10 points! :)

Plus i have also chosen the paint colour.
Obviously it was always going to be a red one, because as we all know, red ones go faster! But wanted something rich and a red that has been around for a while.

Second place was:
Ferrari Rossa Corsa

But after seeing a few cars in this recently, i have finally opted for:
Porsche Guards Red!

[davecymru]

And seeing as i feel guilty for not posting many photos (especially when compared to Paul!) i thought i'd better take a few this evening after i managed to snatch a quick hr in the garage .

The petrol tank is now fitted! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/petroltankfitted_zpsaa017df6.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/petroltankfitted_zpsaa017df6.jpg.html)

And i've fitted a new sender in it seeing as the end had dropped off of the old one! ohhh err missus!!! :)

And everything is now nicely plumbed in

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/petroltankplumbing_zps001bff86.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/petroltankplumbing_zps001bff86.jpg.html)

And here's the central frame i fabricated to support the new handbrake and the handbrake bracket.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/handbrakesubframe_zps513e3b93.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/handbrakesubframe_zps513e3b93.jpg.html)

Next i'm fitting the brake and clutch pedals and then it's onto the radiator and finishing off the engine.

For this build i then want to be able to 'drive' it in the moon buggy phase before i fit the body as i didn't do that with the Sammio and as a result there were a few issues that i could have avoided! So as soon as the floor pans are here and fitted, i should hope that by this weekend it'll get it first glimpse of sunlight!! :)

[swifty]

Dave your build is taking shape and looking good and the chrome handbrake will looks cool, great choice. I had hoped to have my car on the road this year but i seem to be taking two steps forward then three back so good luck with your deadline and i look forward to seeing the guards red colour.

[EL PRIMER]

looking good David , second time around has gotta be a lot easier. I guess a better quality package that isn't quite so tape measure defiant makes a difference , but having been there before has to make things flow a bit better as well.
She seems to be coming together very quickly .

[1iTim]

Beautiful! Good work!

[Paul L]

Dave - Great handbrake. :cool:

Looks like you will have another nice car when it is finished.

Good luck getting to the moon buggy stage, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Hummm.... an interesting few days.

I have picked up my seats and this time I've opted for Cobra Cubs rather than the Cobra Classics as the Cubs are smaller overall and also have lower sides. The reason i wanted these is that with the Classics in my old Sammio the seat belt never quite sat right for me.

So i plonked a bit of board over the chassis so that i could do some seat, wheel and pedal setup and i immediately spotted something that i had completely missed until now.

See if you can spot it from this photo:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/pedalplate_zps0fe2f3fc.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/pedalplate_zps0fe2f3fc.jpg.html)


See if this helps:


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/pedallocations_zps41fd2616.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/pedallocations_zps41fd2616.jpg.html)


Give up?

Basically the plate to attach the pedals to has been welded far too close to the center tunnel and also on the wrong side of that cross member :eusa_doh:

Obviously this isn't the end of the world and for us Miglia/Sammio types we take this kind of thing in our stride, so i simply cut it off with some 1mm discs and then with the aid of that above pic and also by plonking the seat roughly in place i figured out where it "should " go.

(to the right a bit and in front of the crossmember)

While i was doing this i also 'fettled' the steering wheel location and many thanks to SWMBO for helping my lift the shell on and off a few times until i was happy :)


Also as my donor was an _old_ Vitesse it had a solid rod linkage for the throttle pedal and i always suspected i'd need to convert that to cable, but while having a rummage over various forums i found that the later Spitfires had a bulkhead mounted throttle pedal rather than a floor-mounted one.
So courtesy of those very nice people at Spitfire Graveyard i now have this to tinker with :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/throttlepedal_zpsa9294f95.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/throttlepedal_zpsa9294f95.jpg.html)

oh... and i've also fabricated and welded in place the brackets for the Humber handbrake :)

[Thurcroft flyer]

I feel for you with the pedals, I too had to reposition my pedals once I put my seat in place. good choice with the throtle pedal I have used the spitfire one, it looks a better option than the floor mounted vitesse one.

[Paul L]

Dave - Good to see you taking the "adjustment" in your stride. :cool:

I must confess I was gutted when I discovered the pedal mounting plate didn't work properly in my Cordite.

Of course, if this was my second build, I'd also be cutting & welding without batting an eyelid. :icon_wink:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

I have just taken delivery of a "shed load" of aluminum sheet and L section as I've decided to bond and rivet everything together in aluminum instead of using wood! (at least that's the plan today!)

I came to this decision after seeing how the builder of my old Countach kit had done things as i was very impressed with how he'd built that and i can't see why i couldn't do the same on the Miglia.


Also after numerous trials over the last week with the Miglia frame in place and after doing a considerable amount of reading :ranger: i'm ditching the Honda alloy radiator and picking up a new _normal_ Vitesse one! :icon_frown:

Reason being....

The Vitesse engine / cooling system was designed to have an always-on fan in the system, so i would really want to keep that in place and then possibly add an electric one "as well".
I really couldn't find a way to fit the Honda rad, with it's central-top inlet, and the longer straight-6 Vitesse engine so that i could keep the metal fan in place and route all of the plumbing and fit an electric fan.

If it had been a 4-pot then no problems, but I'm really snugly for space, so i'm going to run with a standard (albeit new so hopefully therefore effective!) cooling system :)

If any of you Herald boys want to make me an offer for the Honda rad or any of my electric fan collection (numerous makes and sizes) then please drop me a PM before i list it on flea-bay..

[Marc F]

Totally agree with that plan - I love Ally, and will try really hard not to use wood in mine. I am toying with getting some ally mudguards and cutting them up for curves.

[davecymru]

:icon_biggrin:

I've just put the old radiator back in place and positioned the bodyshell on the frame to see how much i'd need to lower the radiator by for the Miglia, as i had to do that previously for my old Sammio Spyder.

and....

it all seems to just.... fit!
.
.
.
.
.
Panic started to set in that i'd ballsed something up!
.
.
.
.
.
Jiggled shell around just to make sure i'm not being a numpty!
Nope still seems to fit.
.
.
.
.
.
Jiggled shell around again, while starting to grin.
Still seems to just fit in the std location.
.
.
.
.
.
Quick txt to young Mike and he's just confirmed that i can leave the radiator in the normal position and it all should fit just fine!!!!

:icon_biggrin:



<stands back and waits for the "have you read the extensive build instructions" comments!>


:icon_biggrin:

[Mister Towed]

It fits? Where's the fun in that?

[Marc F]

That is definitely the impression I had got, that the Miglia had that extra bit of development in it so that things fitted and worked. So well done.

But to be honest, with all your experience of radiators what did you expect :-)

[davecymru]

The new radiator is here and mounted :) and i notice that the newer style "traditional" Vitesse rad that i have gone for has offset cooling tubes rather in-line like my original one and the one on my Sammio. So i'm expecting good things from this! :)

But ignore the bolt-together bits, this weekend has been about the bulkhead!

After much pondering and looking at the big pile-o-aluminium i ordered from metals4you.co.uk i first extended the sides of the supporting frame forwards with 25x25x3mm steel box section.

Then I welded a horizontal 4mm thick steel plate from the drivers side upright and spaning across the back of the brake and clutch cylinders to bolt them to (making a nice strong pedal box even before the extra alloy L section and panels are in place!!)
This is also what the new throttle pedal is going to be bolted on to. Now from this point onward i'm hoping that everything else is going to be alloy.

You can see that plate and the first of the alloy cross members in this pic

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bulkhead1_zpsc1b106d9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bulkhead1_zpsc1b106d9.jpg.html)


And now for the fun part making all of the panels!

ATM it feels very much like "Insert tab A into Slot B" :twitch: And I've already learnt the hard way not to fasten anything in place until I've got _all_ the parts ready!! :doh:

I've already got a load done but i've also found that i really need the front floors in place before i go too far!
So I've had to bite the bullet and start fabricating two of those out of alloy so that i could get the measurements for the rest of the parts. But i'll be using the main dropped floorpans from Mike when they turn up.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bulkheadbits_zps4c94eb84.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bulkheadbits_zps4c94eb84.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

And the lowered floorpans have been fabricated and I've started on the rest of the bulkhead!

Lots of bonding (with Tiger Seal) and also riveting together have made them very strong and given me much needed foot room!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/floors1_zpscc08ed9b.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/floors1_zpscc08ed9b.jpg.html)

I've also now altered and welded on the changed steering column mounts so that i can finish fitting the steering and cutting the front bulkhead panel on the drivers side.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/floors2_zpsf41a1c70.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/floors2_zpsf41a1c70.jpg.html)

Along with finishing the steering i'm also going to fabricate into the bulkhead a battery box. As if i didn't have enough drilling and pop-riveting to do as it stands!! :)

[Paul L]

Very nice work Dave. :cool:

I must confess I'd never used rivets before my build and they are great little things.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Thurcroft flyer]

looks great coming along fine now I like the ally floor pans. did your pedals fall in place for your seating position o.k. or did you have to alter them. mind you if you look at my frame and then yours, although they are for the same base vehicle, they are fabricated quite differently (intresting)

[davecymru]

Cheers guys!

I did pick up on the frame differences and mentioned them to Mike as my pedal plate was simply in the wrong position!
He has said that he is trying to make the frame simpler, but also better and he's now looking at getting it all tigg'd together in order to offer a better quality product.

Personally it didn't bother me nowadays, but i know that "me pre-Sammio" may have been a bit more cautious placing an order if i knew i'd _have_ to make the alterations i now have.

On the topic of alterations, i took a load of pics at the Mark Moor International Vehicle festival the other week as a part of my "mood board" and i'll post some of those up here shortly in case they can also inspire others.

Plus there were some REALLY nice cars!! :)

[davecymru]

Mark Moor International Vehicle Festival 2014

350+ cars, vans, tractors & bikes from all generations turned up to what was an amazing show!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/0_zps130d1d40.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/0_zps130d1d40.jpg.html)

My favourite car of the show. "The Duchess"

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/1_zps6d6981b7.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/1_zps6d6981b7.jpg.html)

Nice interior!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/2_zps6f515f60.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/2_zps6f515f60.jpg.html)

The Tri-King parked next to it was also amazing inside and something for me to aim for!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/6_zps35fb2f1c.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/6_zps35fb2f1c.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

I was on the scrounge for ideas for my interior, and this _really_ old one showed what can be achieved with a load of alloy a lot of patience (well... some) and some pop rivets!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/3_zps3ce0f3de.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/3_zps3ce0f3de.jpg.html)

The Cobra that turned up looked lovely inside, but was a bit "leather fetishist" for my tastes!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/8_zps6ad5ebfd.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/8_zps6ad5ebfd.jpg.html)

Although it did have one feature that Towed may want to consider in case of future cooling issues!! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/7_zps118b5d55.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/7_zps118b5d55.jpg.html)

I can't for the life of me remember what this was, but i really like this interior and especially the door handles

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/5_zps0456a648.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/5_zps0456a648.jpg.html)

And i know i need to change the gear lever on the Miglia and this has given me a cunning idea! More to come on that one next week...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/4_zpsa74220cb.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/4_zpsa74220cb.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

There were also more than a few pretty, pretty engine bays on show! The Mini boys really know how to make the most of a small package (fannaaarr)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/11_zpse6ecfd97.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/11_zpse6ecfd97.jpg.html)

And for the nerds amongst you, there were 2 of these at the show!!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/10_zpse9b97abe.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/10_zpse9b97abe.jpg.html)

While i like a shiny engine bay, i do think the hot-rod boys win!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/12_zps15010508.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/12_zps15010508.jpg.html)

An alternative idea for a fuel supply for the ocd amongst you

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/9_zps092c33f4.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/9_zps092c33f4.jpg.html)

[Thurcroft flyer]

like the Viking trike dash very clean and neat.

[Marc F]

Tr3 maybe?

[peterux]

I can't for the life of me remember what this was, but i really like this interior and especially the door handles

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Mark%20Moor%202014/5_zps0456a648.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Mark%20Moor%202014/5_zps0456a648.jpg.html)



My guess is that is a Vincent MPH.

http://www.vincent-mph.co.uk/index.htm

[davecymru]

humm.... Vincent does sound familiar.. it was V.nice whatever it was and i do like the Door Handles as a possible for the Miglia!

Lots of build progress this weekend, but not many photos to show for it.

The lowered floor pans turned up! :D
I've decided to use the alloy ones at the front (to look a bit posher!) at least for the moment and those along with the new glass fibre rear ones from Mike have now been trimmed, and bonded and bolted in place! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/floorpans_zpsd7675b90.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/floorpans_zpsd7675b90.jpg.html)

This means that the frame is now finally all bolted down and the fun can really begin.

(Note: pic above taken before these next "adjustments")
I then realized that i'd mounted the seat belt mount points on the wrong side of the frame :doh: so i cut them off and re-welded them on the front instead...

I've also re-adjusted the steering mounting so that I've got space to fit the dash gauges.


The front of the bulkhead also got bonded and riveted in place and I've mounted the starter solenoid as the first point of starting wiring everything up:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/dsbulkhead_zps42016006.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/dsbulkhead_zps42016006.jpg.html)

The plan from here is:

1) Trial fit body so that i can adjust the exhaust length and fit new exhaust bracket. fyi, i'm reusing the original one, at least for now, as it's very nice!

2) Finish fabricating the bulkhead, as that will allow me to..

3) Re-fit all of the wiring.

4) Run the last leg of the clutch and brake lines to the servos, that means that i can stop it once I've started it (always useful!!)

5) Adjust the steering column.


By doing all of that i will then have a running and driving moon-buggy and once i'm at that stage i will consider fitting the body! As i'm not making the same mistake as with the Sammio and doing that inside the garage!


How long to do all of this?? Fingers crossed, by next weekend? :flypig:

[Thurcroft flyer]

Looking good...... Did you receive your grill???

[Marc F]

Very nice - the alloy panelling is going well. That was one of my discussions with Mike, about the fibreglass bulkhead, but he was not happy with its fit so we decided alloy was the way to go.

[Mister Towed]

Love the alloy floorpans/bulkhead, wish I'd done that with mine. Would've saved me a fortune in Hammerite rattle cans to keep the rust at bay. :(

Those internal door handles look like S2 or S3 Land Rover jobbies to me - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Series-2-3-upto-1980-aprox-R-H-Front-Door-Handle-and-Lock-337801-x1-/221191708926?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ALand+Rover&hash=item33800da0fe

t'other side is also available on ebay.

Good luck with the moon rover stage, let's see this one on the road in double quick time!

[davecymru]

Looking good...... Did you receive your grill???

Mike has said that it will be with me this weekend coming. Which will be good as it means i can cut the grill hole before i fir the shell!

[1iTim]

Hey dave my starter is on the other side of the engine (non manifold) side, ehat r u using?

[davecymru]

Hey dave my starter is on the other side of the engine (non manifold) side, ehat r u using?

1966, 1.6 Vitesse straight 6

[1iTim]

Ah, of course, i see that from ur other pics. Thx have a great3 weekend!

[davecymru]

Must remember... never set myself deadlines....


Ok, so i'm a week(ish) behind where i wanted to be but i have now:

* Finished fitting the steering.
* Had tyres and tubes fitted to my nice shiny 14" wire wheels - went for 175,70,14 in the end
* Undersealed everything
* Trial fitted the body so that i could redesign the exhaust and finish fabricating the bulkhead.
* Modified the exhaust.
* Finished the bulkhead (as far as it's going until the shell is on) and fitted a lowered battery tray.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zpsa80edd69.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zpsa80edd69.jpg.html)

That has now been sealed, etch-primed and painted black since i took that photo.
I had pondered leaving it shiny (too much cleaning) or painting it body colored but i thought that Black would be easiest in the long term.

And I've now started refitting the wiring loom:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zpsef6304d3.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zpsef6304d3.jpg.html)

This one has fuses!!

You can also see in this pic that I've stuck with what is quickly becoming Miglia tradition and I've re-worked the frame around the steering wheel so that i can place the dials where i want! Plus i also want a glovebox! (posh, i know!)
PI do like a bit of on-the-fly Heath Robinson fabrication :)

So hopefully this weekend the wiring will all be in and i can test that everything works.
Then plumb in Clutch and Brakes.
Then it can go onto it's wheels! :)


At least, that's the theory..

[Mister Towed]

Love the ally front bulkhead and 'pans, very jealous indeed. :)

[1iTim]

Beautiful dave!

[Paul L]

Dave - Whilst I didn't mention it at the time, I did think your deadline was a tad optimistic. :icon_wink:

Having said that, it is all looking good so far. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[mikmiglia]

Dave looking great, its worth making the effort on the details. :thumb:

[Thurcroft flyer]

I like the alloy Dave looks really professional and well done. I went with the ally chequer plate, partly for strength, but mostly because I had it given to me for free........ needs must as they say. keep up the great work and up dates.

[davecymru]

And after a long weekend, the front of the bulkhead is etch primered and painted.

New battery clamps fabricated and the battery is fitted.

Air filters are on (left protective covers on them for now!)

New points, condenser, plugs and leads all fitted.

The Final lengths of brake and clutch lines were run and attached with my nice shiny rubber lined P-Clips! (another thing i promised myself i would use on my next build )

The new +ve and -ve power lines have all been made up and clipped in place and the wiring loom has been run back-to-front!
Obviously the loom is still loose at the ends until i fit the shell (you can see the front part cable tied to the front cross member in my 2nd pic) , but i will be wiring up and trying all lights and indicators and dials, gauges and switches "before" i fit the shell as i'm not messing around with the shell fitted like i did with the Sammio!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/wired_zps7a44a6a1.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/wired_zps7a44a6a1.jpg.html)

Note: Rocker cover breather filter is on order!

Then i realised that as i'm using a totally std cooling system i could fit the expansion bottle. So i found where the old panel had been.... carefully stored.... (cough)thrown(cough) and removed the expansion bottle bracket.

That was stripped, primed and painted and then a length of alloy angle was riveted to one of the front frame uprights to give me just the position i was after to mount the bottle.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/overflowbottle_zps2ae3f519.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/overflowbottle_zps2ae3f519.jpg.html)

It's a lot lower than it looks in that photo and the top is below the cross member.


I've also fitted the wire wheel adapters and with any luck tomorrow i'll try and start her up!! :)

[davecymru]

And before anyone else spots it, yes the clutch line is clipped to the bulkhead atm, i was on-a-roll by that point and not thinking! That clip will be removed before i try to start the engine! :)

[Paul L]

Coming together very nicely. :cool:

... with any luck tomorrow i'll try and start her up!! ...

Fingers crossed.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[1iTim]

So did it start alright?

[davecymru]

Not exactly :(

I tried starting it but got no-joy and I spotted a few things that needed addressing. So, in the spirit of this build, I'm not messing around and i'm going to address them properly.

The story so far....

I have replaced the plugs, leads, distributor cap, rotor arm and coil.
I've now fitted one of those "in distributor" electronic ignition kits.
I've picked up a new timing light and I've tested the wiring is all working and I can see that i'm getting sparks. But it was being, what is technically known as, a bit of a bugger!
So...
The carbs are now off as they were the pime suspect and were also leaking slightly, so they are going to be stripped and inspected as i suspect the starting problem is a mix of crud from the new/old fuel tank and the floats not being set right.

The exhaust manifold was also blowing slightly, as when i refitted it i just reused the old gasket (i know, i know), so the manifold is now off and I'm waiting on a new gasket from messers Rimmer.


At the same time as all of that......


I have now filled and bled the clutch.
I also tried to bleed the brakes but the bleed nipples on the rear cylinders (the bits I'd not changed!!) were seized solid :( so I've replaced both the rear brake cylinders and now have a fully bled brake system :)

I've also run all of the wiring for all the rear lights (brake/stop, indicators, numberplate light) and they have been trial fitted and are now all working.

I've also run the front wiring and i've removed any excess extensions (i.e. for dual lights) and the horn has also now been trial-fitted, tested and is working.
I've also wired up the fuel gauge and that is working.
(i find wiring quite relaxing!)

So i'll sort out the Carbs hopefully tonight and then the manifold tomorrow night and then everything can be rebuilt on Wed and try again!


The lesson from this last week is - the bits I've assumed didn't need replacing, did!

Although on a positive note, the way things are going, when i do come to fit the body, i will already have everything mechanical and electrical in place and working, which is one thing i did want with this build :)

[davecymru]

Exhaust gasket changed and carbs rebuilt - there were a few odd things that needed sorting but it's been a long day and I need wine, so for now i'll just say...

IT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D

[1iTim]

Congrats!

[davecymru]

Multi-part update time :)

First, on my old Sammio Spyder i had 15" wire wheels with 165 80 15 tyres, giving a total diameter of: 64.5cm
TBH, they were too big! as my bulkhead exploits with the hammer and welder proved.
So on the Miglia i've gone for 14" wire wheels with 175 70 14 tyres, giving me a total diameter of 60.06cm and what a difference that makes. In a good way!

So with the engine started last night, the new throttle linkage was fabricated this morning and the car put onto it's wheel for the first time since it went in the garage a few months ago.

The engine started and it drove out of the garage with no problems at all!!!!!! :D


MOON BUGGY!!


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/out_1_zps57c54cc6.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/out_1_zps57c54cc6.jpg.html)


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/out_2_zps4aa37c17.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/out_2_zps4aa37c17.jpg.html)


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/out_3_zpsfa73eeaa.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/out_3_zpsfa73eeaa.jpg.html)


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/out_4_zps9dc04f54.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/out_4_zps9dc04f54.jpg.html)


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/out_5_zps8cf5c989.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/out_5_zps8cf5c989.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

So.... will it fit?

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/ready_1_zps75b5eb33.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/ready_1_zps75b5eb33.jpg.html)

YUP!! :D

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bodyon1_zps1c8ea3fc.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bodyon1_zps1c8ea3fc.jpg.html)

I and sit much lower in it that i did in the Sammio as you can see from the photo (i'm 6'2")

It's not bonded in yet, but i can see that only minor jiggling is going to be needed! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bodyon2_zpsa320e7ad.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bodyon2_zpsa320e7ad.jpg.html)

And the bit i was worried about, the rear end, seems fine! phew!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bodyon3_zps2179f95f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bodyon3_zps2179f95f.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

The Cobra Cub bucket seats are perfectly sized and exactly what i was after!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/seat1_zps2bde6b50.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/seat1_zps2bde6b50.jpg.html)

As you could see above, they give me a lovely driving position and i do feel much lower down than in the Sammio and the view over the bonnet is much more impressive that little bit lower! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/seat2_zpsc33c57c6.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/seat2_zpsc33c57c6.jpg.html)

And the initial body on-off-on-off--repeat... jiggling to sort out the steering wheel and pedal position really paid off!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/pedals_zpsa8227def.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/pedals_zpsa8227def.jpg.html)

It's like it was tailored just for me. Oh.. it was :)

Finally i was never really sure about cutting and extending the gear lever, so after getting an idea from one of the old-timers when i went to the Mark Moor International vehicle festival, i talked to the very nice chap at Spitfire Graveyard (http://spitfiregraveyard.com/ I can't recommend them highly enough!! ) and told him what i was upto. We figured out that one of the Spitfire gear levers was cantered over considerably more than the Herald/Vitesse one and should give me the reach and clearance i was after. About an extra 2 / 2.5 inches, or so.

As you can see two pics above, it seems to have worked a treat!

Here's it is in Neutral

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/gearlever1_zpsc60dfc61.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/gearlever1_zpsc60dfc61.jpg.html)

and in 1st / Reverse / 3rd i still have a few cm's to the dashboard! :D

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/gearlever2_zps5e550279.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/gearlever2_zps5e550279.jpg.html)

Yes... you need long arms to use it. But did i mention i'm 6'2"? :D


All in all a very, very productive weekend and now i have to spend some time with the family before they forget what i look like :)

[Paul L]

... All in all a very, very productive weekend ...
It certainly looks like it. :cool:

Before I got side tracked on body work, I was really hoping to have a working moon buggy by now. :rolleyes:

There must be something very encouraging about knowing everything worked before the body shell goes on.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Thurcroft flyer]

well done your flying along, looks like a real sports car now, you will be on the road in no time, keep up the good work and the photos.

[swifty]

Nice work on the bulk head paneling, it looks the part. It must be a pleasure to fit the body and it all looks ok, so no fiber glassing for you then. I think if i had not had to do as much with the body i would of been nearly finished by now.

Keep up the good work and posting the pictures.

[DerbyDreamer]

Inspirational stuff, Dave! Just getting close myself - resorted to using an original Vitesse bulkhead which means shortening the rear of the bonnet/extending in front of the screen, to cover the gap, but I can do fibreglass more easily than I can do welding!

Found the 1" spacer on a rear swing spring sits down nicely at the rear, but I'll be driving 'uphill' until I sort the fronts - shorter coils I hope...

Looking forward to seeing the next installment!

Richard

[Marc F]

Dave - you are really encouraging me with your progress. I get to pick mine up on Sunday, and I will have some different issues (mine is Spitfire based, so Mike has shortened the body and had a new sub-frame made up). But two questions for now:

1) What gauge ally did you use in the end? I want something robust enough but without building a battleship :-)

2) Why do you think the gear stick is so far away? Is it because on a Sammio the driver is effectively sitting in the back seat of a Herald? I ask because when I tried mine down at Mike's I felt itr was a long way under teh dash, yet on my car my seating position should be the same as the Spit.

Anyway, really good to see that - and your comments on wheel sizes has been noted. When I was with Mike he had a car on 15s and it looked teh biz, but I saw some Dunlop tyres at the weekend - crossplies - and they look like what I am after, but they have a tall shoulder to the tread, so am having second thoughts (again) about wheel sizes.

Cheers.

[davecymru]

Cheers guys. It really does feel like i've got to a new "stage" of the build as a result of this weekend! :)




1) What gauge ally did you use in the end? I want something robust enough but without building a battleship :-)


1.2mm. That pop riveted to the Alloy angle and all riveted to the steel frame feels nice and sturdy. I was really pleased with how solid the floors and bulkhead have turned out!



2) Why do you think the gear stick is so far away? Is it because on a Sammio the driver is effectively sitting in the back seat of a Herald? I ask because when I tried mine down at Mike's I felt itr was a long way under teh dash, yet on my car my seating position should be the same as the Spit.


With the std Vitesse gear lever it simply hits the Miglia dash so can't go into Reverse/1st/3rd.
I've seen the extensions people have used but i was sure there was a way of sorting it out, without cutting.
My old Sammio had a lever that was very tilted (don't ask, long story) and i liked the feel but i never knew where it came from, now i know.

Please remember that my comment of "feels a long way away" comes from sitting in and driving the car once out and in to the garage. So i will have a proper feel (phanaarr) over the new few weeks.

[davecymru]

Busy busy busy this weekend!

I didnt have chance to do anything in the week so I've been playing catch up as i still want to try and make the last show of the year at the Bath & West in November (snigger away!)

Time to strap it all in place and jiggle things about. so to speak!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141002_002_zps2cf4d114.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141002_002_zps2cf4d114.jpg.html)

Got the rear end centralised and the wheels as central on both sides as possible.
It was more level than this by the end and the new swing spring is still settling down so the camber on the wheels no longer looks quite so drastic

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141002_003_zpsb3a18cdd.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141002_003_zpsb3a18cdd.jpg.html)

Just resting on the frame the front end needed some fettling! The reinforcement Mike has added in the bonnet is quite.... extreme! good, and please don't' think i'm knocking it. but there is lots of it :)

So a jack under the front and a sanding wheel on some of the reinforcement and i got the front nicely positioned in the end but this is how it started

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141002_004_zps690efe82.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141002_004_zps690efe82.jpg.html)

I have been wondering how to fix the front, then i saw my enormous pile of Alloy Angle and i had a <doh> moment! Front now fixed in two strips either side makes it very firm! I will add more before i'm finished.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141003_001_zps99e3f45b.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141003_001_zps99e3f45b.jpg.html)


Then the Fiber Glassing began! Long strips along the entire length either side first. You can also see the mod to the bonnet reinforcement in the background.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141003_005_zps0c1475f3.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141003_005_zps0c1475f3.jpg.html)

Then bulkhead to scuttle, and can i say that upside down fiber glassing is HORRIBLE!!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141003_004_zps2b7b9a38.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141003_004_zps2b7b9a38.jpg.html)

Then i did both sides of bulkhead to the body-shell sides, but i was a bit to sticky to take pics of that by then!!

[davecymru]

Also with this build i want to reuse as many bits-n-bobs from teh original Vitesse as i can and one thing i always had in mind was to reuse the rear view mirror.

Here is how it started.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141005_001_zps12171bbe.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141005_001_zps12171bbe.jpg.html)

Pins were drilled out either sides and the bottom mounting point was sawn off.

Then it was reprofiled with the power-file, prinmered and painted and it now looks like this!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141005_002_zps9d80644e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141005_002_zps9d80644e.jpg.html)

I was originally planning to fill the holes on the sides, but tbh once i saw it painted they just make it look that bit quirkier! :)

I'll mount it during the week as i'm fitting the dash, seating, seat belts, mirrors and aero-screens in place before i start on the interior panneling

[Thurcroft flyer]

Hi dave did you ask for the reinforcing on the bonnet or did mike supply it that way, also did you receive your front grill. Keep up the good work it's looking really good, strong, and very neat.

[Paul L]

Dave - Great progress. :cool:

Did you use any bonding paste, or just the fibreglass, to join the body shell to the moon rover?

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Just pop rivets and fiberglass used so far. I might use some bonding paste on the rear where it touches the frame. But atm I've got an enormous tub of bonding paste and not a lot of bondage to do!

The reinforcing on the bonnet was done for me and i can see where Mike screwed the bonnet on to the shell to get it all aligned before adding it! It's a quality item, but when i see what Paul is doing with the rope i do wonder if it's overkill? It'd be interesting to hear Mikes experiences with the bonnet that led him to doing things this way?


Unfortunately..... i wasn't clever enough to screw the bonnet and doors in place when i was lining up and fixing the main tub on, so i do have a little bit of remedial.... reshaping, work to do on the doors/bonnet and that is totally my fault! <doh> we live and learn!

No grill yet :( It was meant to be here weeks ago!
TBH i had exactly the same grill delay issue with my Spyder! For some reason Poole seems to be a bit of a Bermuda triangle when it comes to fabricating grills! ;)

[davecymru]

I found with the Sammio that the key to getting through a build is 2 things.

1) Have lots of little jobs in your mind so that if you can't do one, you can do another.
2) "A Little and often" makes more progress than you imagine.

So while i "need" to finish off some of the fiberglassing and start on the interior paneling. It's cold! And I've had a long day. So I've sorted out the dashboard layout instead :)

As much as i admire Towed's dashboard and where Paul's is going, i still want to get this car on the road and enjoy it and leave myself some jobs to rework over time.

So for now - it's cheap and cheerful :)

And TBH i'm actually surprised how well it looks just with the std dash blank and the gauges and switches fitted :) and spending some time adjusting the frame behind that areas really paid off!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/dash_zpsa8fa873f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/dash_zpsa8fa873f.jpg.html)

Gauges are just resting in place atm, but i think it's turned out very well!!

I'm also going to make up a small alloy panel to go on the dash over the steering wheel column.
The hole above the wheel in between the 2 large gauges is an idea "in progress" atm so, more later if it works. and if it doesn't then ignore you ever saw it! :)

I also mounted the modified Vitesse rear view mirror and again i'm actually a little surprised at how well it just... fits! :)

[Marc F]

looking good - not sure on how I want my dials but this is a starting point - I was tempted by central, like my Spitfire (mk 3) but I like how youyrs has started

[1iTim]

Looks great dave, that mirror solution is exactly what i plan to do. Did u have to extend the steering column at all?
Tim

[davecymru]

So today it was time to mount the bonnet hinges :)

I had a rummage through my bits boxes and found the two Peugeot hinges that I'd originally bought for the Murcielago kit that I was going to try years ago but never started. These would have been used on the boot lid and are made such that they bring it out-n-up. So ideal for rear mounted hinges for the Miglia bonnet I thought.


Everything planned and I fabricated some mounting posts, welded in some captive bolts to make my life easier and bolted them between the frame and the bulkhead. Here's the drivers side one just in front of the brake master cylinder:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/hingemount_zpsbdb5701d.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/hingemount_zpsbdb5701d.jpg.html)

Then I mounted the hinges and carefully fitted-removed-fitted-removed the bonnet so that I could fabricate spacer blocks

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/hingemounted_zps61dd598a.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/hingemounted_zps61dd598a.jpg.html)

With everything in place I trialed the arc of the hinges to see if my out-n-up theory would work and it looked promising

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/hingeopened_zpse191089c.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/hingeopened_zpse191089c.jpg.html)

But...... At the back of the bonnet opening there is quite a big lip!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnetlip_zps957914f2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnetlip_zps957914f2.jpg.html)

And that coupled with how quickly the bonnet tapers means that it just wouldn't work! :(

By this point I'd lost a bit of skin from knuckles and gained a few minor burns and it was a bit of:

:frusty:

:cry:

:rant:


Then I remembered......


:idea:


The other day someone mentioned using Mini door hinges.... Now chance has it that I already have a set that I am going to use for mounting my doors!
So.....
Looking at the angle of the LH side hinges and seeing where that naturally sat on the curve of the bonnet.
Then looking at the angle of the RH side hinge and seeing where that naturally sat on the curve on the other side of the bonnet.
.
.
.

20mins later
.
.
.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/minihinges1_zpsf2cd434a.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/minihinges1_zpsf2cd434a.jpg.html)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/minihinges2_zps5f9d9893.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/minihinges2_zps5f9d9893.jpg.html)

HAPPY!!!! :peace:

Yes you can see in those pics that I need to do some minor fettling of the bonnet, but that is largely due to the current reinforcement and should be easy to alter (famous last words?)

At the rear edge it's a bit more pronounced atm, but nothing that a load of slits with a 1mm cutting disc shouldn't sort!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnetreshaping_zps90d837be.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnetreshaping_zps90d837be.jpg.html)

And better still, the mounting posts from the original hinge idea are in exactly the right place to mount my bonnet pins! :icon_lol:

So all in all, result!
I'm not totally how sure it's going to look with 3 sets of those hinges (bonnet and doors) but if it does look too "in your face" then i'll just paint the bonnet ones :)


Now I need to spend time with the family before they forget what I look like, but before I go a few of you asked what my bonnet strengthening looks like atm, so here's a pic:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnetreenforcement_zps7094f8c4.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnetreenforcement_zps7094f8c4.jpg.html)

:peace:

[micky1mo]

You really should try a pair of 2CV door hinges.
I think there just what you'r looking for :icon_cool:

You keep threatening to to call-in and have a "nosey" so why not call have a "nosey", a cuppa and check out the said items? :tea:

[garyh]

You could spray the same colour as the car? Then they would blend in...

[EL PRIMER]

The MX5 units are a nice simple fix as well , for a hidden hinge arrangement.
Tribute remove them on their 250 kits so should have a few pairs laying about .

[Mister Towed]

The MX5 units are a nice simple fix as well , for a hidden hinge arrangement.
Tribute remove them on their 250 kits so should have a few pairs laying about .

Seconded, that would look better imho. :rockon:

[EL PRIMER]

I think I have a couple of pairs kicking about too.If you want them , they are free , just pay the postage ...about £6 nowadays .

looking at your bonnet shut , I would guess that maybe the hinges have bottomed out and sit at the wrong angle to allow the bonnet to close properly , this can be rectified by grinding a bit of the hinge shut area to increase travel or correct the angle by mounting the body mounted piece on a little plinth to raise it neither of those solutions is ideal in my opinion.

pm me if you want them.

[1iTim]

It may b a silly question but have we tried the herald v/ vitesse door hinges?

[davecymru]

hummm.... I'd not thought about the Herald door hinges, I think I let mine go with the doors to a very nice man with a beard. ok... so 90% of the very nice men who had parts also had beards... but I ramble..


EL PRIMER - Thank you for your very kind offer! I'm almost tempted to have those hinges off of you just you to tinker with. But as I'm happy with the way the Mini hinges are progressing it seems a shame to have those off of you in case someone else could use them!


That aside, I thought I'd better post the rest of what I've been up to this weekend as things are progressing apace now!
All of the bonnet reinforcement was cut away, which seems like a hell of a shame, but makes the bonnet much more adjustable and a ridiculous amount lighter!

I also fitted the drivers seat so that I could start to work on ergonomics!
With that in place I fitted the side mirrors from the original Vitesse and I'm very happy with how they look and more importantly, I'm impressed with how much rearwards visibility they give me! Which makes a difference to the Bullet mirrors which is had on the Sammio!
I've also made a first stab at fitting the aero screens.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141012_003_zps52f5df16.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141012_003_zps52f5df16.jpg.html)


Then I fitted the new lighter and more flexible bonnet and refitted the hinges with big penny washers to help the stress (I might make up plates eventually to replace those and bond them in place)
Note: You need to use LHT on the right side of the bonnet and RHT on the left side and it works and looks a treat!

Then I fettled the edges with the flap wheel in the angry-grinder and it really started to take shape!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141013_002_zpsb2785cc4.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141013_002_zpsb2785cc4.jpg.html)


Then I reused two of the mounting holes I'd cut for the rear-hinge experiment as mounting holes for the bonnet pins and they are ideally placed!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141013_001_zps56fffa61.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141013_001_zps56fffa61.jpg.html)

And in traditional fashion for me, the pin mounts are currently a bit Heath-Robinson and _far_ too over engineered! But they work, so will do for now :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141013_003_zpsaea776e6.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141013_003_zpsaea776e6.jpg.html)


Finally I cut the hole in the rear deck and fitted the filler cap that came free with the Spitfire tank. That'll do nicely for now! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141013_004_zps764b18f7.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141013_004_zps764b18f7.jpg.html)

[micky1mo]

I also fitted the drivers seat so that I could start to work on ergonomics!



Is that the bit where you sit in the seat going, brumm!!! brumm!!!:icon_rolleyes:

[Paul L]

Dave - Looks like you are making great progress. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Is that the bit where you sit in the seat going, brumm!!! brumm!!!:icon_rolleyes:

Damn right! :)

Which reminds me, i need to fit the back-stop to the throttle pedal as it does make an intoxicating noise when the revs build :)

[davecymru]

Well there has been a lot of progress over the past week but not much to show for it!

The front of the shell has now been glassed to the end of the front outriggers and the rear of the shell glassed to the ends of the rear outriggers.
This makes things a _lot_ more solid!

I've also finished glassing between the bulkhead and the shell and reminded myself that i really don't like fibreglassing upside down and/or in awkward places!
I also put a skim of bonding paste over the fibreglass that runs along the bottom edge of the shell just to make it a bit more solid, even though i will be bonding and riveting alloy sheet to supply the eventual strength in that area.

Then i started shaping the doors and bonnet and i added a new reenforcing strip along the front edge of the bonnet.
The Blue foam packing from the edges of the alloy sheet i had delivered was the ideal size!

This is an awful photo, but gives you an idea of where it's gone.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/reenforcment_1_zpsc81c8822.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/reenforcment_1_zpsc81c8822.jpg.html)

Then the door locks turned up!
I've opted for the Mini Bear Claw latches from CBS and from an initial rough trial fitting last night they look and fit superbly! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/doorlocks_zpsa5e6cff2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/doorlocks_zpsa5e6cff2.jpg.html)

I'll try and get some better photos of what's been done on the weekend

[Marc F]

Good (?) to see your doors are as bad as mine :-) Lot of gaps to fill aren't there... And mine are not very good shape wise to the shell so I will need to see what can be done to help their alignment. But good to see you making progress - inspirational stuff

[Barry Stard]

Good (?) to see your doors are as bad as mine :-) Lot of gaps to fill aren't there... And mine are not very good shape wise to the shell so I will need to see what can be done to help their alignment. But good to see you making progress - inspirational stuff

Says here that the doors fit perfectly: http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4062

[Marc F]

Well, there are lies, damn lies and press articles :-)

But I think that is just the way these cars are - we are not paying £50k for a Cobra look-a-like, so we are getting more of a project car. Just part of the colourful tapestry of this style of car building. But it is helpful for me when I see others' cars, as it stops me worrying too much :-)

[davecymru]

Even if i was paying £20k for a Cobra-in-a-box i would expect to have some minor fettling to do on the panels. But i didn't, i paid a considerable amount less and I knew that there would be some reworking required.
As MarcF says, it's good to share so that we can all work through/around these areas together, as part of my personal reworking is going to be due to:

My donor car.
How i mounted the frame
How i mounted the bodywork

etc...

I know that Mike and Mike (Miglia/Sammio - this isn't going to get confusing now is it!! :) ) are both trying to improve their products to try and reduce the amount of reworking needed on a build, but TBH for the price that we pay for these frame/bodyshell packages we simply need to go in to these projects with our eyes open and be willing to either

a) put up with some of the quirks
or
b) Put in the time and effort to change them to our personal standards (i.e. Paul!)

:)

I do have some more 'quirks' that i've encountered that i'll share this weekend, but again, nothing world ending!! :)

[Paul L]

Dave - I'm looking forward to seeing some doors that work. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

PS
Does Frankenstein Hillbilly actually count as a standard?

:icon_wink:

[Patton]

Dave, are going to Shepton next weekend, "The Restoration Show" I'll be there saturday in the Tribute, regards Pat

[davecymru]

Sadly not :(
I'm away at my nieces christening which my brother-in-law has inconveniently booked for the same weekend as the last show of the year!

SWMBO finds this funny!

[davecymru]

Well this last week has been all about the interior.

To start with I panelled in around the gearbox as this is the most 'faffy' area and so I wanted it over and done with! And it was all done with only 1 minor power-file 'incident' to the side of my hand! :eusa_doh:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/alloypanelingfootwell_zps661649b7.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/alloypanelingfootwell_zps661649b7.jpg.html)


Then I did the cockpit rear panels now that I've trial fitted the seats and I know where it needs to end.

I've decided to mount them to the frame and to a long length of alloy angle that is run across from edge to edge of the frame and sits on top of the handbrake-frame in the middle. At the top where the panels meet the shell I am cutting slits in a length of alloy angle so that I can bend it and then that is going to be bonded in place with Tiger Seal.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/rearcockpitpaneling_zpsa786c8c7.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/rearcockpitpaneling_zpsa786c8c7.jpg.html)


One thing to note when you look at how those panels sit inside the lip of the shell and interestingly for other Miglia builders is that the distance from the panel to the shell lip is slightly different behind each seat!
Now I haven't spent much time investigating this yet so I don't know if that's due to the donor vehicle, or the frame, or how I've mounted the shell or just how the body is! I'll do some more measurements over the week.
TBH I don't care but I know that some of you will and so I thought I'd mention it in case others come across it. Or then again you might not if you've done things differently to me! :)

Also note the length of blue padding (packaging from the metal sheet I had delivered!) which will be profiled and covered in order to finish things off but a by-product of that is that it also helps hide this slight inconsistency. Result! :)

I have also been fitting aluminium angle everywhere else on the interior ready to rivet the panels on to and I've also now decided on my final centre tunnel design. The initial choice is based slightly on comfort and slightly on practicality of where panels need to sit!

I've now run two lengths of alloy box section to form the new tunnel top and you can see those in the below picture and in the first picture.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/pre-panelingsupports_zps36d32bf5.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/pre-panelingsupports_zps36d32bf5.jpg.html)

Finally while I was buying yet-more pop rivets (I really under estimated how many I'd get through!) I saw something that under normal circumstances I'd never even look twice at, but somehow seemed ideal for the Miglia. Some alloy dust cap covers! For only £1 I thought it worth a try and they seem to fit in just right :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/shiny_zpsb4596bf9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/shiny_zpsb4596bf9.jpg.html)

Hopefully i'll get more of the interior done this week, then it's just finish off the door locks and fit the lights before I can start the bodywork prep for painting!

Oh... and the grill! I'm _still_ waiting for my grill <cough><cough> (and the head rest and Perspex wind deflector) and TBH I'm currently thinking about taking the same approach as I did with the delayed floor plans, and fabricating my own grill so that I can get on with things!

[davecymru]

I'm finding that 'a little and often' is the way to tackle Alloy Paneling! as the cutting/shaping/drilling/riveting does take longer than you'd think and is also quite a physical task, especially for someone who drives a keyboard for a living!

So the passengers side of the central tunnel is now in place:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/centretunnel_zps42c03e2c.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/centretunnel_zps42c03e2c.jpg.html)

and amazingly I've now just about run out of alloy sheet! (I'd originally ordered 2 sheets of 2000x1000x1.2mm!) So a quick order to metals4u for another 2 sheets and a load more alloy-angle has just been placed that (after some careful measuring) looks like it will allow me to finish the interior and make the wheel arch liners :)


Additionally to that and with the help of the nice chaps at Merlin Motorsport and the Triumph Owners Club forum, I've been doing a bit of research into the Vitesse Suspension as I'm not happy with how mine is sitting at the front and my local MOT men don't like chopped springs!

Here's an interesting read (with embedded charts) for anyone looking at altering their front suspension that shows you what std springs were fitted and advise for after-market spring rates:

http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/forum10/Blah.pl?m-1294420747/

That shows us is the front spring rates and that the OEM ones are 2 3/4" internal diameter.

Now interestingly.... if you buy the height adjustable GAZ shocks from mssr's Rimmer, those were custom made for Rimmers with a 2 3/4" spring seat so you could fit the std springs!
I know this as the nice man at Merlin Motorsports rang them and asked for me :)

But... most after-market lowering springs, including the ones i'd bought previously specifically for the Vitesse (although i can't remember where from) are 2 1/2" Internal Diameter!

So, If you alter the spring seats down to 2 1/2" (not too hard i've found!), or buy some 2 1/2" spring seats for your shocks then suddenly the world is your lobster!!

And if you talk to the nice man at Merlin, you can opt for just about any length and rate of 2 1/2" spring that you'd ever want and for not a lot of money at all!! :D

https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/suspension-steering/coilover-springs/faulkners-race-springs/2-5-inch-i-d-coilover-springs

After my reading and measuring i have now ordered some 2 1/2" x 8" x 325lbs springs and we shall see what we shall see :)

[Paul L]

Dave - Your cockpit panelling is coming along very nicely. :cool:

I'll also come back to your front spring info links when I finally get to that stage.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[1iTim]

Very nice indeed. I see rivets along the trans tunnel to the floor, but isnt the chassis rail inder there? How've u managed that?

[swifty]

Nice ally work Dave it all looks very professional, equally spaced rivets and all that keep up the good work.

The link for the springs is one to keep for later as i have fitted the standard springs for now with the intentions of seeing how they work and possibly upgrading.

[Mister Towed]

Best not to go too hard on the front springs. I've gone from 3 & 3/4" cut down Vitesse 220lb springs, which rattled my fillings out and made the car very skittish, to 1.5" cut down Spitfire 4 (mk1) 150lb springs, which allow much more spirited driving as the front tyres stay in contact with the road instead of hopping about all over the place.

[davecymru]

Cheers all :)


Very nice indeed. I see rivets along the trans tunnel to the floor, but isnt the chassis rail inder there? How've u managed that?

There are only a few rivets along that floor seam as i didn't want to turn the chassis rails into Swiss Cheese!
Those few rivets that are there go through the edges of the dropped floorpans just to hold things in place and that Alloy Angle is bonded in place along it's length with Tiger Seal and then when it's all connected up at either end it is proving very strong and stable!

The front most verticals panels by the gearbox are pretty much all on top of floorpan-overlap, so are riveted all the way along. plus they're visible and that looks prettier :)

TBH as far as the paneling is concerned I'm making it up as I'm going along and just making it look how _i_ want it to look and TBH I'm thoroughly enjoying it! :)

[davecymru]

While waiting for the Aluminium delivery I decided upon my rear light configuration. I'm applying the "simply quality" approach as i splashed out on good quality glass and chrome items this time and fitted things where they naturally want to sit.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/rearlights_zps7963b291.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/rearlights_zps7963b291.jpg.html)

The lights were just balanced in place in this pic so look a little wonky, but i'm happy with how it looks!

I also fitted the front lights and indicators using the same approach, but then the metal delivery turned up from metals4u.co.uk so i don't have any pics of them.

Next day delivery was very impressive for 2 sheets of 2000x1000x1.2mm sheet and a few lengths of angle which allowed me to continue with the interior paneling.

I managed to get the drivers side of the tunnel and the first part of the top fitted and I then went on to the rear corner pieces as i was a bit worried because i wasn't sure what i was going to do with them. But while testing options the solution came naturally and i'm very happy with how they are turning out!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/panneling_zps61d7c66d.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/panneling_zps61d7c66d.jpg.html)

[Mister Towed]

Dave, looks very swish but are you going to brace the front centre of the rear deck with anything?

You're probably way ahead of me as you've previous Sammio experience, but that's where your hand will naturally come to rest when you get in/out and it'll crack if there's nothing supporting it beneath.

[EL PRIMER]

^^^^ what he said .

I am not totally familiar with the Miglia framework , so can't fully comment on how their version works

My memory of the Sammio version was that the front edge of the cockpit rear (?! ) was fully supported by the framework to do just what Towed said above.

Even a piece of aluminium box section ran along under that edge and supported by 2 legs of ally box to create a 'goalpost' and bonded in place or fixed with a row of wide headed rivets through the body on the top surface or something similar would help and be in keeping with the whole alewminum interior , maybe ?
Choose a box dimension less or equal to the depth of the lip , 1'' maybe , and you will virtually not notice it.

You can probably use bonding paste and clamp the ally with G clamps and then fit the uprights into place after its cured . no need to weld it together and you could pie cut the top bar to fit the curve if necessary , again , no need to weld it as when bonded in place , it aint going anywhere !

Really liking the way the car is shaping up , by the way , rear light configuration works well , interior is well worth the effort too. This could be a nice little car.

[davecymru]

TBH with my old Sammio I found that the corner of the cockpit by the hump coupled with the central tunnel and the top of the side got more of a hammering. Although I did have central seat-belts so that may have been a factor in how I got in-n-out?

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Triumph%20Kit%20Car/interiorfinished2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Triumph%20Kit%20Car/interiorfinished2.jpg.html)


That said, what I've decided to do with the Miglia is bond right-angle alloy from the top edge of the rear panels to the underside body to seal off the back of the cockpit. Then rivet an alloy Z section from the rear cockpit lip to the alloy panel. Creating a box section running along the rear edge, that should give more than enough strength :)

(it should make more sense in pictures when I get around to it!)


This past week has been all about the front suspension.
The new 8" x 325lbs x 2 1/2" springs turned up and I was worried at first as they do look a lot shorter than the "lowered" springs from Rimmers that I'd fitted that I'd had knocking around for a few years that turned out to be 11 1/2"

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/springcomparison_zpsb707e841.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/springcomparison_zpsb707e841.jpg.html)


But before I could fit them I had to properly alter the spring seats on the GAZ adjustables from 2 3/4" down to 2 1/2". So it was finally time to fix and recomission the lathe I inherited from my Gramp!

With the new adjustable drive belt fitted, the spring seats were turned down to 2 1/2"
(must remember to give the lathe a damn good cleaning and oiling session at some point!)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/turningdownspringseat_zpsc8619aa9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/turningdownspringseat_zpsc8619aa9.jpg.html)

Those seats were then refitted and based on rough calculations the initial height was were set to 1" above bottom and then everything was fitted back on to the car.

And the change to the front end was absolutely spot on!! :becky:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/newstance_zps107fe749.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/newstance_zps107fe749.jpg.html)

They are central in the wheel arches and the clearance is uniform all round! :)

The back end on the other hand..... :(

has already been lowered with a 1" lowering block and Swing Spring and atm does seem to be still sitting a bit high, but I'm hoping that by the time all of the interior is fitted and I've got some fuel in the tank it should sit better. :pray:
Otherwise I'm going to have to add another lowering block..

[swifty]

Nice work Dave, the front end looks great but the rear does look a little high that's is the gap between the tyre and arch. If you already have fitted a 1 inch block then could it be the shell that's incorrect may be it needs a little cut and shut or was that how mike intended the gap to be.

I do think the lathe needs a little lubrication. :smile:

[Paul L]

Dave - Nice job on the front end. :cool:

At this stage, I also have no idea where the back end of may car is going to end up. :rolleyes:

I do know my body shell weighs significantly more than standard given my cutting & shutting, extra hump, boot lid, etc.

So I've put ride height in the "come back to later" pile.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

I managed to find a front end pic now that it's lowered, and it seems that i need to have a bit of a fettle at the weekend with the spring seat heights as atm it's a little bit lower on the left side.

Or i took the pic at an angle.... either way, i'll measure things before i change anything :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/WP_20141109_009_zpsd4f26c4e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/WP_20141109_009_zpsd4f26c4e.jpg.html)

This also shows how i'm fitting my lights and indicators and the nearly-final hole for the grill that i'll be fabricating as soon as the interior is done.


With the nights now thoroughly drawn-in I've only had a few 1hr evening sessions on the car this week, but I've started sanding down the body seams and the drivers side interior is now paneled! :)


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/WP_20141113_001_zps44cb0edc.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/WP_20141113_001_zps44cb0edc.jpg.html)


I will be putting a trim strip over the lip of the door opening, hence the slight wobbly edges in places as they will be hidden.

Then last night a dig around in the attic turned up all of my left-over Sammio materials (black fabric, back ribbed matting, rubber seals etc..) so I'll be going through those this weekend to see if I've got enough to reuse on the Miglia, and to decide exactly what I'm going to use them for :)

[Paul L]

Dave - I always like the transformation cutting out the headlight holes make. :cool:

But can I ask about your headlight adjustment holes?

It looks like your holes "face" each other, whereas mine are currently "matching".

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p306/TT_Paul_L/DSCF7852.jpg

I've never fitted headlights from scratch before, so do I need to adjust one side of mine?

Or is it simply a case of more than one way to skin a cat?

( Note no cats were harmed in the making of this post. :icon_wink: )

Cheers, Paul. :)

PS
The panelling is coming on very nicely. :cool:

[micky1mo]

Dave -
But can I ask about your headlight adjustment holes?

It looks like your holes "face" each other, whereas mine are currently "matching".

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p306/TT_Paul_L/DSCF7852.jpg

Cheers, Paul. :)

:cool:

Your head light bowls are fitted the correct way or should I say standard way. Don't know what's going on with Dave's but it will be fun trying to stop the light units falling out every time he hits a bump :smile:

[davecymru]

You can tell I've had a long weekend, I scan read your post Paul and I was actually looking at your car pic to see if I could see a cat! then I read it properly :doh:

As far as the headlights are concerned, as long as you can adjust them their full range of travel up/down and left/right, then I think we're fine? Although I'm open to being told by someone else that the adjustment holes have to be located xyz?

---

This weekend I wanted to finish cutting the bulk of the interior panels before it starts to get really cold and I have to work with the garage door shut. As it turns out SWMBO gave me a bit more 'garage time' than I was expecting :love: and I end the weekend with the interior panelled all apart from a few small odds-n-sods! :)


Passenger side panelled first as I thought it was going to be the most awkward. It was!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/passengersside_zps2cadff86.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/passengersside_zps2cadff86.jpg.html)

Just got to mount clips for the wires, that I want to leave partially visible as I've seen that look in a few 50's era race cars.


Then it was trying to figure out how to close the gaps between the rear of the dropped floorpans and the rear bulkhead.

Tried one idea on the passengers side and it seemed to look the part and did the job nicely!
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/behindpassengersseat_zps8cd3be23.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/behindpassengersseat_zps8cd3be23.jpg.html)

The eagle-eye'd amongst you will notice a few seam gaps yet to be filled, but shhh... don't tell anyone else and i'll sort them out before it's on the road :eusa_shifty:


Then I did the drivers side
...
And did the curved strip joining the upright panels on the drivers side
...
And made up the top of the tunnel.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/lotsdoneonrear_zpsac31c94e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/lotsdoneonrear_zpsac31c94e.jpg.html)

There are a few interior panel gaps that aren't quite 100% (we're not talking anything major!) and I was worrying about them, but a few of my neighbours popped in for a nosey and told me to stop being daft and that it looks totally "period"! and if I'm leaving it bare for a while then don't even bother to rub off the pencil marks as it all 'adds to the look' :suspicious:.

While I now agree about some of the gapping, I'm not sure about leaving all of the pencil marks yet :)

Happy happy happy

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/interiorlookinggood_zps94e2ffd9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/interiorlookinggood_zps94e2ffd9.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

Your head light bowls are fitted the correct way or should I say standard way. Don't know what's going on with Dave's but it will be fun trying to stop the light units falling out every time he hits a bump :smile:

Those 'larger' holes are just the ones that the back of the adjustment screw sit into, there are a number of smaller holes that actually secure the headlight buckets.

[garyh]

I looked at the pics and went onto another thread.... Then I came back to it as I thought it was a bit bad not say that it's looking really good. Everyone likes a pat on the back... So are you jus having mats? Don't wan to hide all of that work,and what are the cables that you are leaving on show?

[davecymru]

Last major interior panelling job - finish off the rear of the cockpit and join it to the body shell lip to provide strength/support.

It's worth pointing out that the rear inner lip of my cockpit was a bit.... wonky! But I know that with the shell mounted any cut-n-shut would be a nightmare! (Ref my and Pauls experiences of fibre-glassing upside down! not together I hasten to add!!!) So I decided to work with it and then in the future add something to cover any nasty looking bits.

First I removed the existing rivets that held the top of the rear panels to the frame and added some L-section on top. Then riveted it all back in place.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/WP_20141120_002_zps3dfd38b9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/WP_20141120_002_zps3dfd38b9.jpg.html)

Then I added another strip of L section alloy on top of that and inside the lip to join that to the shell.
Note the "join" where there are no rivets where I had to split the long single length in order to work around the wonkiness!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/WP_20141120_008_zps217129c1.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/WP_20141120_008_zps217129c1.jpg.html)

This has resulted in a very strong and stable rear lip, tested with a bit of jumping up and down. So I'm happy that's not going anywhere!
Also note the 6 riv-nuts I fitted as I want a removable centre panel "just in case"

And with the initial rough-cut panel held in place with button headed, Allen bolts it looks just how I wanted it! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/WP_20141120_007_zps6ecf05fc.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/WP_20141120_007_zps6ecf05fc.jpg.html)

Just some cleaning and tidying to do. And I'm also not sure if I'm going to put filler over the join of the shell and strengthening yet.... I'm still pondering that one

[Paul L]

Dave - Nice work on the panelling. :cool:

I've come to the conclusion that "wonky" represents the 50s racing equivalent of "straight". :icon_wink:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Brown Paper envelope has turned up
.
.
.
.
.
Seems to have DVLA on it
.
.
.
.
.
:bounce:
.
.
.
.
.
And
...
I am no longer the owner of a Triumph Vitesse, what is in my garage is now a Triumph Miglia!!
:whoo:
:eusa_dance:

I'll update the registration thread in a mo. But just in case anyone is interested, the process i followed was to do EXACTLY what the DVLA asked for, no more, no less (well... an ikkle bit more, but i'll explain below :) ).

So the initial application contained 3 things:

- V627/1 Built up vehicle report - content as pilfered from the Ribble version and reworded slightly to suit Miglia stating that it was a body conversion and that all that i wanted was to change the name on the V5 from Triumph Vitesse to Triumph Miglia.
- V5C - I noted on here that the colour was changing from Green to Red, and that the body type was changing from Saloon to Sports
- Miglia Receipt

That was sent off.

Waited 3 weeks.

Got a letter from DVLA asking me to provide a photo of the car - BUT - this was in relation to changing the "body Type" part of the V5.

So i sent off a printed photo of the car in the garage, but as the number plate wasn't showing (this wasn't requested, but i know others have been asked) i also included printed photos of the VIN Plate and Engine number, and i stated that i had included those as when i did my Sammio those were inspected.

Waited 2 1/2 weeks.

New V5 arrived stating:
Triumph Miglia
Sports
Red

:amen:

[1iTim]

Fantastic to hear, dave, top work
Best,
Tim

[swifty]

Neat panel work Dave it looks the part, are you looking at painting the ally or leaving as is?

[Paul L]

Dave - Many congratulations on the V5C. :cool:

There is clearly a lot to be said for keeping it simple.

Quite by chance, my V5C also arrived today, but I've had to send it back. :icon_sad:

So can I just check how your original and revised V5C was laid out?

Has it gone from:
Make - Triumph
Model - Vitesse

To:
Make - Triumph
Model - Miglia

Or is "Triumph Miglia" now the Make with the Model line left blank?

As my original V5C has Spitfire 1500 as the Model and that is all I wanted them to change.

It is a shame I didn't see this earlier, as I have already sent a note to the DVLA. :rolleyes:

Mind you, if the new name has to fit in the Make space, then I need to shorten mine anyway.

Cheers, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

As far as the interior is concerned I'm in two minds about painting the aluminum, as even though it will be bare for-now, eventually i am likely to cover it at some point in the future. So i may keep it bare to avoid any paint scratching/flaking in the future?


My V5 now says: Triumph Miglia on the Make line.
Previously under the old VOSA system with my last build i had, had my V5 changed to
Make: Sammio
Model:Spyder

But given the latest DVLA guidance and the sort of things that I've been reading recently about what Swansea is saying, i.e.
"that wasn't a Triumph model so we can't change it to that"

Having the Make as "Triumph Miglia" actually makes sense, describes the car and i'm fine with that. :)

Although after doing some pondering about this, i wonder if having this change in place now opens up the model field on their system? as i can't imagine that there are any pre-set models under the "Triumph Miglia" Make? (just a thought)

Although there is always the chance that they may still insist you stick with one of the Triumph ones?

[Paul L]

Dave - Thanks for the feedback, as that makes a lot of sense.

Shame the DVLA didn't mention this, as my new name has exceeded the V5C "Make" character limit. :rolleyes:

Cheers, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Well here we go again, it's time for...

Filling, sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding, filling, sanding.......

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/startedsanding_zps18d9b0e2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/startedsanding_zps18d9b0e2.jpg.html)

And while this time I'm not going to have the bonnet problems i had with my Sammio :) i do get to experience the fun of hanging and gapping doors for the first time!

Hopefully i should break the back of this over the weekend (famous last words?), although before i go too far i do need to do some measurements on chassis height because if with the existing setup the chassis is currently level, then I'm going to cut and lower the rear arches to address the gap. But if the chassis is currently higher at the back then I'm going to get an extra lowering block to bring the back end down and leave the body alone.

funfunfun :)

[Mister Towed]

Fast work to get to the filling and sanding stage in six months as a hobbyist, Dave, well done!

Only Patoune gets things done quicker and he's a pro with a fully equipped workshop and a team of spannermen at his command.

The solid donor looks to have helped enormously though, I was still welding my chassis after six months. :(

As for the ride height front and rear, I'd make sure the suspension is fully settled before modifying the bodywork. After all, your Spyder looks like it lowered itself an inch or more at the back once you started driving it -

Towards end of build:
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag120/smonebillion/DSC00725_zpsecf32278.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/smonebillion/media/DSC00725_zpsecf32278.jpg.html)

Waving it away with a tear in your eye as I recall :(
http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag120/smonebillion/going_zpsa6e4f63c.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/smonebillion/media/going_zpsa6e4f63c.jpg.html)

You might want to consider removing a leaf or two from the rear spring too. I know you've gone with Spitfire swing spring at the back again, but did you ever manage to sort out the handling on your Spyder?

(Quote from your build thread, Feb 2012) -

1. Its DAMN quick! Or at least it seems like it when your @rse is only a few inches from the road

2. Its bleedin skittish! I'm going to have to take some time to get used it it or i'm going through a hedge, backwards

I know 'uprated' springs are fashionable amongst the track-day bores, but mine was very skittish until I softened the suspension front and rear, now it sticks to the road like glue and doesn't knock your fillings out when you run ants over.

Anyway, looking forward to seeing this one finished so crack on!

[davecymru]

Cheers matey.

What a great photo-comparison, thanks for that memory jog! Plus it made me smile on an otherwise gloomy Friday morning :)

Given what they show, i think i'll raise the Miglia front end slightly just to level things out for the moment and then re-evaluate the rear end after a few weeks of driving :)

As far as the suspension on the Miglia is concerned i have set all of the shocks to their softest setting to start with and I'm also a lot happier knowing exactly what size/rating my springs are this time around as it was a bit "suck-it-and-see" with the Sammio!
Also i now know Merlin Motorsport have a huge range of different springs in stock at very reasonable prices and are only 15mnis from my office..... :D

[ufo17]

Hi Davecymryu can you tell me how to find the thread for your sammio build it looks fantastic. I have looked but can't find it:noidea:. Miglia's looking great. cheers ufo17.

[Mister Towed]

Hi Davecymryu can you tell me how to find the thread for your sammio build it looks fantastic. I have looked but can't find it:noidea:. Miglia's looking great. cheers ufo17.

Go to the Sammio/Ribble page. Click 'Views' on the right hand side of the page to rearrange the individual threads. DC's build thread will then be about nine down from the top.

[Paul L]

UFO - Or you can look at the first post on the "Useful Info" sticky (On the Sammio/Ribble Page) where there is a photo of Dave's car and a "Click Here" link.

:icon_wink:

Actually, allow me...

davecymru - Click Here (http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3004)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Triumph%20Kit%20Car/done_a4.jpg

[davecymru]

Cheers all, and thanks Paul.

UFO - you may also be interested in my Sammio running report thread:
http://www.madabout-kitcars.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3505
It's along the same lines as the "Mr Towed on the Road" thread, but was only over the space of a year and I wasn't quite as imaginative with my thread naming :)


And bringing things up to date, this week has been all about the bodywork. The first round of filling and sanding has gone well and I've done the front-to-back seams. I even blasted them over with a bit of primer when they were done just to perk up my spirits!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_017_zps1cf53b47.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_017_zps1cf53b47.jpg.html)

Then it was more filling on the rear
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_018_zps473d73e1.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_018_zps473d73e1.jpg.html)

and on the front edge of the bonnet
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_019_zpsa5502c12.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_019_zpsa5502c12.jpg.html)

Then out came the fibreglass filler as I had to rectify a boo boo I made fitting one of the rear lights. A cardboard tube was made the same diameter as the hole I want. That was taped in place and some card taped behind the remaining gap. Then in was glooped the filler
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_020_zpscbbbe6ec.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_020_zpscbbbe6ec.jpg.html)

Then I used the remaining mixed fibreglass filler to build up the top of the passengers door to the same height as the cockpit
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_016_zps0d44b0d8.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_016_zps0d44b0d8.jpg.html)

more to come...

[davecymru]

There are 4 fabrication tasks that I've been putting off, but I've got to the point where they are the 4 main fabrication tasks left:
1) Make a grill! mumblemumblemumblemumble.....
2) Fit the chrome mesh to the side vents
3) Fit the door locks properly
4) Do something with the filler cap

Seeing as I've been doing bodywork and seeing as it could have been the most involved task, I decided to get no.4 out of the way!

So on the Miglia the fuel tank sits much further back than my Spyder, so the fuel filler is in a much more angled section of bodywork.
My initial idea was to sink it slightly in order to keep it horizontal, either with:
A) a lowered, bonded and melded in fibreglass section
or
b) a fabricated metal panel that would angle from the front to the back but would bolt on top of the shell.

In order to get the filler cap low enough and still able to open here's the hole I ended up with!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_009_zpseae4f269.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_009_zpseae4f269.jpg.html)

I didn't like this!

So I've gone with option
c) Make a panel to allow me to bolt the filler on at an angle and use flexible filler hose! This is CONSIDERABLY simpler than what I was planning! :)

So some scrap steel was found, a hole cut at the right point and trimmed roughly to cover the big hole I'd made. BTW that hole is, by accident, perfectly sized to access everything on the fuel tank should the need ever arise! :)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_010_zpsb7fdefa5.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_010_zpsb7fdefa5.jpg.html)

Initial test fit looked good! It allowed the filler to be angled just right without putting any stress on the fibreglass
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_011_zpse82ae84c.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_011_zpse82ae84c.jpg.html)

Any visible bolts on this build are going to be Allen headed, so I drilled some holes at regular intervals and dropped in some bolts and I was very chuffed with the result as it is right in keeping with the look of the interior!
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_013_zpsad919903.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_013_zpsad919903.jpg.html)

A quick test showed that the plate allows the filler to open without fouling the body shell and it kept everything firmly in place
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_014_zpsf953e7f8.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_014_zpsf953e7f8.jpg.html)

And here's a good shot demonstrating the angle everything is now at:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20141130_015_zpsfd0c7e85.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20141130_015_zpsfd0c7e85.jpg.html)

Obviously I will tidy things up and then paint it the same colour as the car, but I'm tired now and it's cider-o'clock!
But given what a faff I could have had with fibreglass or welding something, I'm quite chuffed with what I've ended up, how relatively simple it was and how it looks :)

[Paul L]

Dave - Nice work on the petrol cap. :cool:

Can I ask a daft question, are the bolts just biting into the fibreglass?

Good luck, Paul. :)

[swifty]

Cool solution to what could of been a complicated task.

[davecymru]

Can I ask a daft question, are the bolts just biting into the fibreglass?


The bolts go straight through and then have large penny washers, spring washers and a normal nut on the back.

Obviously it helps if you have a small child to-hand to assist with tightening things up! :)


Note: While my son was doing the test-run with me on this, i spotted that the rear deck really is quite thin and flexible! Had i spotted this before i fitted the shell then i would have glassed some bracing on the back. But as it stands, and with no wish to upside-down Fiberglas with everything in place, I'm going to have to have a ponder....

[Paul L]

Cheers Dave. :cool:

I am really tempted to steal this idea, as the time for drilling the hole for my own filler cap is fast approaching. :eek:

Given your last point, I might also add some extra matting around the hole itself while the body shell is still off the frame.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[PJ GRABOWSKI]

Dave,awesome work so far. The bodies are advertised as 3x 900 layout,in my book that makes them around quarter of one inch(5-6mm) thick. My buddy assures me that is incredibly robust and is more than enough strength wise. So don't worry too much about the flex.

[davecymru]

humm... cheers matey.

No update for a while, but lots of little bits have been going on.

Firstly the doors, the catches are in place and i've decided to go for a pull-cord style handle utilising some of the old brake and clutch cables i have laying around. That needs a sturdy anchor point on the other side of the door, so i got a couple of big UNF bolts and drilled holes through them large enough to loop the cable through:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_pull_bolt_zps1a3e7968.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_pull_bolt_zps1a3e7968.jpg.html)

and then made up some large flat penny washers to spread the load. Job done :)
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_pull_bolt_fitted_zps6db44141.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_pull_bolt_fitted_zps6db44141.jpg.html)
Those will now be painted the same colour as the body to make them blend in.


Then it's been lots of sanding / filling / sanding / filling / sanding ...
I'm getting there, with the bonnet now virtually done

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/sanding_1_zps2db38691.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/sanding_1_zps2db38691.jpg.html)

And the passengers side door also nearing completion (ignoring the chunk i took out of the gel coat on the body when i accidentally wacked it with the powerfile :( )

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/sanding_3_zps8abc8eb8.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/sanding_3_zps8abc8eb8.jpg.html)

And Towed was right that the rear spring is starting to settle, but i think that some minor work may be needed with the rear of the rear wheelarch? We'll just have to wait and see...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/sanding_2_zpsbccfd259.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/sanding_2_zpsbccfd259.jpg.html)

[davecymru]

Can you tell what it is yet? :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/grill_1_zps3553abe9.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/grill_1_zps3553abe9.jpg.html)

Yup, seeing as Poole is the black-hole of Grills, :noidea: i've had to take the plunge and make my own.

ATM i'm still experimenting. i've cut a load of slits ar regular intervals in alloy U channel.
Then attached L section brackets to those and L section bonded to the inside of the shell. The idea being that when it's all complete i could remove it by drilling out the pop rivets (at least that's the theory!)

Top bonded in place

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/grill_3_zpsef19b1a8.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/grill_3_zpsef19b1a8.jpg.html)

Bottom bonded in place

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/grill_2_zps795be6d1.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/grill_2_zps795be6d1.jpg.html)

I'm not going to fit the vertical slats until the shell is painted, so back to my filling and sanding :(

[Paul L]

Spooky!

I was also playing with my grill today, and it too is an alternative to the beer grate one I ordered that never made it out of the Poole Triangle. :icon_wink:

The good news is that your build is really coming together nicely. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Mister Towed]

Getting parts out of Poole needs to be done in John Le Carre stylee - you meet in a picturesque European City centre and your money walks slowly across the Town square only once you see that the parts are present and in one piece. And keep scanning the roof tops for snipers as double crosses are common...

[Thurcroft flyer]

glad it's not just me then with the grill and headrest problems

[1iTim]

Me too, i was beginning to think it was personal!
Exercising my patience. Patiently.

Merry christmas all,
T

[davecymru]

It's a shame to hear there are minor supply problems as I don't' think it's any secret that I like Mike and I think he's making a cracking product! And while it is a bit annoying, it did make me chuckle as I had exactly the same issue with the grill for my Sammio.

Back when I did the Sammio I was much more naïve and I worried what I'd do without all of the 'factory' bits. This time around and with a bit of knowledge and experience under my belt it's not a big deal, just a bit irritating.

Right... I have an entire day today to work on the car :D But first a quick trip to Halfrauds as I'm out of body filler and i'll need more for SWMBO's bl00dy camper van when I'm done with the Miglia! So hopefully loads of progress today :)

[Mister Towed]

It's a shame to hear there are minor supply problems as I don't' think it's any secret that I like Mike and I think he's making a cracking product! And while it is a bit annoying, it did make me chuckle as I had exactly the same issue with the grill for my Sammio.

Back when I did the Sammio I was much more naïve and I worried what I'd do without all of the 'factory' bits. This time around and with a bit of knowledge and experience under my belt it's not a big deal, just a bit irritating.

Right... I have an entire day today to work on the car :D But first a quick trip to Halfrauds as I'm out of body filler and i'll need more for SWMBO's bl00dy camper van when I'm done with the Miglia! So hopefully loads of progress today :)

My own Poole Triangle mystery involved the amazing vanishing Sammio tonneau cover.

It seems a third party supplier let Gary J down and I did get my money back (eventually). Oh, and as far as I'm aware it was nothing to do with Mike btw.

[garyh]

I drove down to Poole, had breakfast in the caf, put everything in a van, had a chat and drove home, sorted....

[micky1mo]

Spooky!

I was also playing with my grill today, and it too is an alternative to the beer grate one I ordered that never made it out of the Poole Triangle. :icon_wink:
:)

It just so happens that today I found a source of material to re-manufacture the old style "beer crate" grills, which I am going to use on my A1 Alpha.
As the A1 Alpha's bonnet is very similar (oops) to the Sammio range there's no reason why the new grills can't be retro fitted to the original Spyder/Pilot, Cordite/Navigator and even the Miglia's :happy:
The big difference is this time the grills will be made of aluminium rather than the original steel, which obviously makes them much lighter but being aluminium the grill could be polished giving the "chrome" effect :eusa_snooty:

[davecymru]

In between family-duties, it's been a LONG weekend undercoating the main tub and SWMBO captured it perfectly in what shes calls the "Breaking Somerset" photo :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/BreakingSomerset_zps6c98b41f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/BreakingSomerset_zps6c98b41f.jpg.html)

[Mister Towed]

In between family-duties, it's been a LONG weekend undercoating the main tub and SWMBO captured it perfectly in what shes calls the "Breaking Somerset" photo :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/BreakingSomerset_zps6c98b41f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/BreakingSomerset_zps6c98b41f.jpg.html)

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag120/smonebillion/walter_white_from_breaking_bad_by_waarheid-d6p75lv_zpsbfe54440.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/smonebillion/media/walter_white_from_breaking_bad_by_waarheid-d6p75lv_zpsbfe54440.jpg.html)

I am the one who knocks...

[Paul L]

Dave - Great news that you are already starting the painting process. :cool:

Good luck, Paul, :)

[davecymru]

I've been a bit quiet on here of late, but the build is progressing.
Just a bit slowly due to the endless rounds of filling / priming / sanding / filling / priming /sanding / <repeat as necessary>

Then today I finally got to the "FFS that'll do" stage!

I've said it before, but having gone through this process myself I can see why a professional paint job costs too much due to the time and care put into it!

So a few layers of high build primer have been applied and as many faults as I could spot in my cramped ikkle garage have been rectified in between layers.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/sanding_primer_zps6d2a6387.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/sanding_primer_zps6d2a6387.jpg.html)


Then today after I finally snapped I applied the first of the top coats to the main tub! :) And also started priming the bonnet.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/firstcoat_zpsa8042b52.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/firstcoat_zpsa8042b52.jpg.html)

It's certainly very Red.....

Sadly don't let that mirror finish fool you, as it was all still wet at that point, but it did give me a glimpse of things to come (fingers crossed!)

I thought it worth sharing that as I'm spraying in quite a constricted and cluttered space (needs must) I've founds that raising the car up on Axle stands has really helped with the spraying and also helps getting a better overall picture of things as I progress


So as I'm likely to be tied up over the next few days i'll wish you all a good new year and I look fwd to the Miglia/Sammio/Ribble/Tribute fun continuing in 2015.

Dave

[swifty]

You are certainly making good progress Dave, are you using cellulose or two pack?

[Paul L]

... endless rounds of filling / priming / sanding / filling / priming /sanding / <repeat as necessary> ...
Dave - I've only started to scratch the surface of the work involved prepping for paint, but I can already see why it gives you nightmares/flashbacks! :icon_wink:

Still, it is great to see the car in red. :cool:

Overall, this really has been a very fast build, which is a credit to both you and the kit.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Mister Towed]

Nice colour DC, I hope it stays shiny for you.

Very good point about raising the car up on axle stands to make spraying easier. That's exactly what I did, mainly as it just seemed sensible to keep the body as far off the (dusty) floor as possible -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag120/smonebillion/002_zps26e5b9ab.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/smonebillion/media/002_zps26e5b9ab.jpg.html)

Keep up the good work and see you on the road soon!

[davecymru]

Ohhh plastic dustsheets, posh! :)

I just bought my bi-yearly copy of the Sunday Times as I find that provides enough masking materials and firelight paper to last a good few months :)

Progress update...
Painting, flatting, painting, flatting, correcting, painting...

Main tub just about done, started putting topcoat on bonnet. Will do doors last as I still suspect they'll be a faff!

In case its of any interest I've been using grey high build primer, then 180 grit wet-n-dry to shape and flat that and a final sand with 400 grit, before...

Then Cellulose top coat, with the light use of wet, 400 grit in between layers.

Then I have 1200 grit for the final fattening before I dig out the polish.

Fingers crossed the final coat on the body has no more drips as I want to start the flattening on that tomorrow!
Will get some pics then as well.

[davecymru]

The main flatting with 1200 grit is now just about done and I've moved onto the cutting compound.
It's HARD work, so I've been finding other little jobs to do in-n-around it to keep my spirits up.

One of the first things I wanted to do was get the fuel filler refitted so that no gunk ended up in the tank.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/fuelfilerbackon_zps6d18e68f.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/fuelfilerbackon_zps6d18e68f.jpg.html)

Happy with that, I started to assemble the grill. I've still got the end pieces to fit, but I'm v.happy with the look of it so far.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/grillgoingtogether_zps01d054b2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/grillgoingtogether_zps01d054b2.jpg.html)

Then I decided to start unwrapping and cleaning.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/cleaner_zps5c079cc2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/cleaner_zps5c079cc2.jpg.html)

Forum members who've been on here since the start of the Sammio section will be glad to know that I've got a few bits of overspray! :)

[davecymru]

Today has been cleaning, tidying and reassembling the steering.

The 2 areas of the Miglia build that originally unsettled me were:

1) Stretching the gear lever.

Well, I worked around that by opting for the angled Spitfire lever, so no cutting and welding required.


2) Altering the steering column.

Again, I was worried about cutting-n-welding the column, so I had a think about other options and as the result of looking at what a few others on here have done, coupled with an idea from a Herald owner (who advised me of the design of the collapsible Triumph column!) I settled upon a solution that needs no cutting or welding at all!!!


My Solution

The collapsible design of the original Vitesse column is achieved by the top section being hollow and the bottom section fitting inside it, with a cut-out in the top section and a flat filed in the bottom section, all held together with a chunky great clamp!

That design allows the column to collapse in case of a head-on collision by the inner shaft sliding up inside the outer one.
But as far as we're concerned, it also means that if we un-do that clamp we can 'shrink' the length of the column by simply sliding the lower shaft further into the upper one!

So once disassembled and the new length decided upon with a bit of trial and error I filed a new 'flat' on the inner shaft in it's new location:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/steeringcolumn_zpsae5662f0.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/steeringcolumn_zpsae5662f0.jpg.html)

And reassembled it with the original clamp.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/steeringcolumncoupling_zps28b02e7e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/steeringcolumncoupling_zps28b02e7e.jpg.html)

Bobs your uncle, shortened without any cutting or welding :)

So while (as some of you will have figured out) that top section is no longer collapsible, it is now connected to the rack with an intermediary shaft (splined steering shaft from Car Builder Solutions!), and 2 new Steering Column UJ's to link them all together. Which is an accepted alternative column design if I did have to follow IVA guidelines! So a nice result and some peace of mind to boot :)

Here's it all is fitted in place, along with the pillow-block bearing on the bulkhead which makes for a very nice feel through the wheel! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/steeringinplace_zps84ec195d.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/steeringinplace_zps84ec195d.jpg.html)

Happy! :)

[Paul L]

Dave - Nice result on the steering column. :cool:

It is really coming together now and your DIY grille looks very professional too.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[garyh]

Very tidy.

[davecymru]

This week has been all about the bodywork.

After talking to one of the guys at work who is into "detailing" (posh car cleaning!! ;) ) I decided to modify the approach I took last time, to see if I could get a more professional finish this time around.

So...

Here's an example of how things generally look after painting, with a good 3 or 4 coats of colour:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps1ff35935.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps1ff35935.jpg.html)

To this I then do a rub down with 1200 grit wet-n-dry (used wet).

Then that is followed by a once over with Halfords Rubbing compound (also used wet)

That makes things look like this:

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps100681ff.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps100681ff.jpg.html)

This in itself looks nice and is very flat, but it's hazy.

So after doing all of the bodywork on the Sammio by hand, and not wanting to go through all of that faff again! I was looking at investing in an electric polisher when I stumbled across this power drill adapter for £4.99 in Halfords!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps4bd5fd9e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps4bd5fd9e.jpg.html)

That coupled with a Hard (White) flatting pad, a soft (Black) polishing pad at £4.99 each and things came to considerably less than some of the admittedly very nice Random Orbit polishers I'd been day dreaming over!

A quick scan of my cleaning shelf threw up a bottle of Meguires Ultimate compound for the final flatting. and a huge bottle of Autoglym for the final polishing.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps065d1cd2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps065d1cd2.jpg.html)

And with a lot of hard work, this is the sort of result I am now getting!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zps0eecd0f2.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zps0eecd0f2.jpg.html)

TBH this is a whole leap ahead of the paint finish I achieved on the Sammio!

It's also surprising how quickly I get through power drill batteries, so I'm taking things a small area at a time and also refitting things as I go (while batteries recharge!)

[Paul L]

Dave - Thanks for all the painting / finishing tips, as it does look very shiny. :cool:

It must be nice to putting things like the screens back on for the final time.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

The current spate of bad weather got me thinking about weather proofing.
Well..... about wind-proofing my rear view mirror at the very least!

I'd seen the dual screen approach that some are going for in order to stop the wind blowing the mirror about and while I like that look, I had also seen all manner of chunky looking ad-hoc wind-shields on 50's/60's racing cars and seeing as I'm going for that sort of look at the moment I decided to take that route.

So first step was get all Blue Peter and to mock some options up in cardboard and sticky-backed-plastic

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/cardprototype_zpsbf811e38.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/cardprototype_zpsbf811e38.jpg.html)

Then when I had something I was happy with I flattened that out.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/cardtemplate_zps5f58cc2b.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/cardtemplate_zps5f58cc2b.jpg.html)

Then transferred it to aluminium and bent that to shape. At this stage I REALLY wished I had a bigger garage and a nice workbench! But I was happy with what I could do.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/foldedaluminium_zps5177ecf4.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/foldedaluminium_zps5177ecf4.jpg.html)

Then mounting holes were drilled, the top corners riveted together and everything given a good few coats of etch primer.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/drilledrivitedprimered_zpsf695585e.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/drilledrivitedprimered_zpsf695585e.jpg.html)

Then after a few layers of Red and a bit of polishing it was bolted in place, with a thin foam gasket between it and the car although i'll put a bit of silicon around it to seal the gaps that you can see on the corners in the pics.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/rearviewcoverboltedinplace_zpsfb76662a.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/rearviewcoverboltedinplace_zpsfb76662a.jpg.html)

It's not "perfect", but it'll do the job and it certainly gives the "look" I was after! :)

I also decided to keep it grey undercoat inside as I quite like the look!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/rearviewcover2_zps08984a63.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/rearviewcover2_zps08984a63.jpg.html)

It's worth pointing out the slight colour difference between that and the rest of the car. Despite this having a good 3 and a bit coats of colour the difference is due to the etch-primer being a darker grey than the high-build primer used on the shell. Interesting but in a nerdy way :)

[swifty]

Nice work davecyrmu your build is flying along now and the paint finish is excellent. The tip about different under coat colour's is one to remember, the local paint suppliers to me have advised i use a white colour high build which i was going to use on the body only but think i will use it any parts with the same top coat colour, thanks for that one.

Not long till your car will be on the road and may be a video of it running, look forward to your next update.

[Paul L]

Dave - If it wasn't was watching Blue Peter as a kid, I'd have no idea how to build my car. :icon_wink:

My first thought for a rear view mirror shield was very similar to yours.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iwbpqsU97gY/U7vXE4pAE_I/AAAAAAAAHWM/lPKYrOVehH4/w960-h720-no/DSCF3313.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U01MAUJsnsg/U7vXfnNNY4I/AAAAAAAAHWk/8zArP-YSqpw/w960-h720-no/DSCF3314.JPG

I think the use of rivets along the top edges really gives it that "pit lane adjustment" look. :cool:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Cheers matey, TBH i'm quite liking the rivets everywhere look, and i've done a few things this weekend that make it look even more 50's racer - more to come on that later in the week :)


BTW, I've just been catching up on posts and i noticed that when i post updates i tend to be..... focused... on what I'm writing and i don't always reply to questions or even say thank you to people for all of your nice comments, suggestions and general pish-taking.

Sorry, me bad :(

So thank you all, as your feedback, no matter whether good or bad is always appreciated, even if i don't always say so!

[davecymru]

"a little and often" is how I've approached this build, but atm the weather is sapping my ability to do more than an hr here,n,there!

That said, the grill is done.
The bonnet is half polished and about to go on once I've fixed a minor gasket issue with the carbs.
The doors are nearly ready for topcoat and the door cards have been fabricated and are nearly done.
The electrics are just about finished being refitted, although the fuel and temp gauges seem to be playing up.

And while in Lidl the other day they had these powder extinguishers on offer for a price I couldn't ignore and I'm tempted to fit it here to add to the race car look? still not 100% sure yet tho..

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/temporary_zpsc67a8573.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/temporary_zpsc67a8573.jpg.html)

[Paul L]

Dave - You know the rules...

If there are no photos, then you can not claim to have not done any work!

Doors & door cards?

What are these strange things you speak of?

:icon_wink:

Jokes aside, I've been thinking about fitting an extinguisher myself, but no haven't made a final decision yet.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[swifty]

As they say great minds think alike, i too could not resit the bargain fire extinguisher from Lidl but not sure on the plastic bracket....umm

[davecymru]

Cheers Swifty. I know what you mean about the mounting bracket. I might try and make/acquire something in Stainless. I think i know what I'm after and i'll keep a lookout, but the plastic will do for the moment.


Dave - You know the rules...
If there are no photos, then you can not claim to have not done any work!
Doors & door cards?
What are these strange things you speak of?
:icon_wink:


ohhh he's getting cheekier! :)

Fair point about the photos tho. so....


Cut sheet aluminium roughly to shape and drilled fixing holes

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_card_1_zpsx35tvfwx.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_card_1_zpsx35tvfwx.jpg.html)

Then fitted riv-nuts in the door shells and screwed the alloy in place.
Doing this made it take the curve of the doors, helped along with the big-rubber-ammer

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_cards_zpslhun7kw5.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_cards_zpslhun7kw5.jpg.html)

Then i need some way to get to the door release cables, so I've decided to copy the Countach approach and cut two recesses and fit cubby-boxes.

So i marked out roughly the shape i want and then drilled a few big holes to get the snips through

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_card_2_zpsqf9zz2gj.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_card_2_zpsqf9zz2gj.jpg.html)

That was roughly cut out with the tin snips

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_card_3_zpsw0a2qen6.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_card_3_zpsw0a2qen6.jpg.html)

Then the final shape was nibbled away with the aviation snips and turned out exactly how i wanted :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_card_4_zpss1jmbqne.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_card_4_zpss1jmbqne.jpg.html)


I also found that Aviation snips are good at trimming fibreglass as well and without causing all of the normal dust and fumes!
Next, the door boxes :)

[davecymru]

BTW, if you hadn't spotted it, i have no space to work on things this big in my garage, so i've joined Paul in trying to do work outside in between snow/rain showers!
The plank of wood is to try and minimise damage to the door, and my knees!

[Paul L]

Dave - Great job on the doors. :cool:

Shame you have to work outside, as I know that is a pain at the moment.
( I've spent too long lying on the cold ground recently. )

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

It's SO Cold!!!!! So it's currently lots of little jobs, or jobs chopped up into smaller parts!

The rear part of the car has now had the paint flatted and polished so i could fit the rear lights and the period reflectors that i picked up which i quite like as they come on angled rubber mounts!

When i was selling the Lambo and thinking about all the things i was going to do on this build i did have it in mind that I was going to cut out parts of the rear and recess the lights... and... and... and...

But I've decided to keep it simple for this first phase so I've ended up with the below: (which despite everything being measured when positioned, does look wonky in this photo!!!)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/rear%20lights_zpsu3omuy4p.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/rear%20lights_zpsu3omuy4p.jpg.html)

I've also quickly fabricated an alloy heat shield/trim in the same manner as my filler cap ring, to tidy up around the exhaust.

And the reason that it's still up on axle stands is that I've been paneling in the rear wheel arches. Those are nearly done and just need a bit of tidying up.

Nearside:
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/nearside%20rear_zpsaf4f7glz.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/nearside%20rear_zpsaf4f7glz.jpg.html)
(yes i know i need to level the bottom of the panels where they join :) )

Offside
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/offside%20rear_zpsvrsd63gz.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/offside%20rear_zpsvrsd63gz.jpg.html)
The join needs to be fettled (whacked with an ammer) to flat it out, but my fingers were numb by this point!

I am quite happy with how they have turned out and the curved panels around the ends of the fuel tank mounts i am especially happy with, despite them being cut and formed on my lap, while sitting on a plank of plywood on the drive!

[davecymru]

And then it was the doors..

Always the doors...

I will be SO glad when these are finished and fitted as they have been a right royal pain! Espeically as they are an awkward shape to work with and not exactly small so have mainly had to be done outside so that i don't get "too" much dust in the garage!

The endless rounds of sanding / filling / flatting, left me with them like this.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/doors%20flatted_zpsu7wwkedv.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/doors%20flatted_zpsu7wwkedv.jpg.html)

They then got cleaned and primered, with any other parts nearby covered in newspaper and dustsheets to avoid overspray as far as possible.

I'll be so glad when everything is fitted on the car as it's getting a tad cramped in the garage atm...

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/doors%20primered_zps8qxmhovi.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/doors%20primered_zps8qxmhovi.jpg.html)

[Paul L]

Dave - It looks like you are making very good progress despite the bad weather. :cool:

The panelling for the rear inner wheel arches looks the business & I like the simple rear lighting layout too.

Glad to hear that your battle with the doors is nearly won.

I might even "borrow" your alloy exhaust shield idea, or at least, a variation on that theme.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[Mister Towed]

Nice wheel arch liners, DC. :)

My rear lights also look wonky in some pictures but not in the flesh. It seems to depend on the angle the picture is taken at. I think it's an optical illusion caused by the curves of the rear deck area, and, seeing as how the Miglia back end is exactly the same as the Sammio Spyder (through sheer coincidence, I'm sure...), it's not surprising it shares some of the same idiosyncrasies.

Indicators look wonky in this shot -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag120/smonebillion/002_zpsbe1b3a1e.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/smonebillion/media/002_zpsbe1b3a1e.jpg.html)

But they're actually not -

http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag120/smonebillion/001_zps019d7e11.jpg (http://s1301.photobucket.com/user/smonebillion/media/001_zps019d7e11.jpg.html)

Ahh, the seaside. Can't wait for a bit of dryer/warmer weather, sigh.

[garyh]

Looks amazing, how do you attach the aluminium panels to the bodyshell?

[davecymru]

Cheers guys. hummm..... beach..... :)

GaryH - I've filled the gap between the panels and the bodyshell with L-section alloy strip, or hand-beaten L-section for the interesting curvy bits.

On the top of those section i have used tiger-seal to adhere them to the underneath of the body-shell and then they are then riveted to the alloy panels. When firmly in place i then sealed around the edges with more Tigerseal and when that's dry i plan on glooping on some of that lovely thick tarry black wheel arch liner jollop everywhere to absorb any stones that are thrown up. This approach worked really well on the rear of the Spyder, although this time around i plan not to get any of that black cr@p in my hair as last time i had to get the wife to cut it out!!

This pic is looking up and to the rear of the passengers side arch. It doesn't look the tidiest as i'd just started sealing the edges when i thought to take a pic before it all went black! But it does show Hows it's all put together.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/inner%20rear%20wheel%20arches_zpsedwfkxil.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/inner%20rear%20wheel%20arches_zpsedwfkxil.jpg.html )

[davecymru]

Note: there is no panel across the top underneath the fibreglass shell. I know some will do that to stop stones impacting the shell and possibly damaging the paint. But as i mentioned, on the Spyder i simply coated the inside of that part of the shell with a few layers of that thick black wheel arch gloop, and it did fine for as long as i had it.

[davecymru]

The inner rear wheelarches are now lined and they have been coated in 2 thick coats of this gloop:
http://www.hammerite.co.uk/products/underbody_seal.jsp

and so, it seems, has my garage floor... coveralls... walls... and anything else the brush even mildly looked at! But.... NOT my hair!!! :bounce:

Joking aside, For anyone who's not used this sort of underbody seal before, BEWARE! it gets absolutely everywhere and i'm really glad i was wearing gloves and thick coveralls as it's a nightmare to get off of skin.


I have also fitted the new gaskets to the carbs and the material for the 2nd part of my grill has turned up :)


I've also done yet more sanding, filling, priming etc. on the doors and i'm "nearly" ready to paint them and get them on the car as i'm now fed up of bumping into the bl00dy things!!

Next - some minor paint corrections due to me being a numpty! :ohwell:

[Scottie22]

Good job on the wheel arches Dave! The alloy looks superb with all the rivets!

[davecymru]

Well what a weekend that was...

I picked up my pressed alloy (B&W) number plates and fitted those and what a motivation boost that was!

I also picked up the door edging strip and fitted it around each door where the alloy and fiberglass meet and it _really_ starts to make things look more _finished_

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door%20trim_zps3jp6ipp5.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door%20trim_zps3jp6ipp5.jpg.html)

I also measured (twice) the rubber seal i'd need for the bonnet and managed to pick up a 5m length at the weekend.

Fitted it looks superb!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet%20trim_zpsfp6aoasf.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet%20trim_zpsfp6aoasf.jpg.html)

Although sadly the bonnet no longer closes!! as the D part is simply not compressing enough :(

So I've left that for now and will come back to that when i regain my sense of humor....


Additionally to that, i also manged to pick up replacement temp and fuel gauges at the auto-jumble on Sun and so i now have a working Fuel gauge :)
(Note to the original owner of my Vitesse as i know he'd want to know - both the fuel tank sender and the gauge were gone in the end :) )

I've also done the paint corrections on the main tub, painted the drivers door red and _finally_ finished filling pin holes in the passengers door!! :)


Jobs for this week..... TBH i've got so much done the weekend i want a few days to get my head around what's left :)

[reneanglia]

Just read the whole tread,i am impressed by the attention to detail and build quality.........only one advice,loose the powder extinguishers.
They may be cheap but are totally useless,you can't put out more fire as a lighter and if it goes off by accident it will destroy all electrics,alloy connectors and more.
For a car fire you should use a Halon extinguisher or another non agressive agent and at least a 2kg bottle.
When a powder bottle went off by accident in one of our trucks at work there was so much damage the truck(2 years old)was a total loss.....
René

[swifty]

Its looking great Dave, can't wait to see the whole car outside, may be a video of you burning up the open road.

[davecymru]

Cheers guys.

only one advice,loose the powder extinguishers.
They may be cheap but are totally useless,you can't put out more fire as a lighter and if it goes off by accident it will destroy all electrics,alloy connectors and more.
For a car fire you should use a Halon extinguisher or another non agressive agent and at least a 2kg bottle.
When a powder bottle went off by accident in one of our trucks at work there was so much damage the truck(2 years old)was a total loss.....
René

Hi René, thank you so much for sharing that, i never knew and i'll certainly rethink the extinguisher before i go much further!!

[reneanglia]

Halon is a bit expansive,a good foam extinguisher is affordable and will do the job,foam is'nt agressive........
Foam extinguishers are sometimes available on fairs,nice shiney old ones which are refillable............foam extinguisher need to be checked and refilled once every 5 years.

[davecymru]

Cheers matey.


--

While I've not been making a massive amount of progress over the past two weeks due to real life getting in the way, i am getting there!

The dash instruments are all now in and working and I've just got to tidy up routing of the speedo cable. The hole i had to cut in the dash between the large dials to get to my main earth point, I've decided just to blank off for now using more alloy and rivets, but ultimately i am thinking about fitting a period analogue clock there


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/dash_zpshlyl9f23.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/dash_zpshlyl9f23.jpg.html)


When i had finished fabricating and fitting the vertical grill, i had also purchased an off-cut of interwoven stainless mesh off of this company who also advertise on e-bay.
http://www.themeshcompany.com/
The mesh is going behind the side vents, but before i chopped it up i held a bit behind the grill just to see what it looked like, and it looked a _lot_ more... "finished".

So i purchased a larger sheet and i am now using the same mesh on the side vents and also behind the grill!


http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/grill_zpsoxjbfufe.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/grill_zpsoxjbfufe.jpg.html)


It looks good in the garage and i can't wait to see what it looks like out in the open.

[Paul L]

Dave - It is all looking good. :cool:

With a bit of luck, you will be on the road just as the decent weather returns. :pray:

Good luck, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Isn't it amazing how a bit of sunshine re-energises you!

So the bonnet is now on and the bonnet catches fitted and adjusted and then I drove the car out of the garage for a proper look. Well happy! :)

The rear has settled a little bit since this pic and I will also raise the front just ever so slightly to get a nice balance.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_on_zpsgziiw6s4.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_on_zpsgziiw6s4.jpg.html)


Next it was front indicators in, front light buckets in, and most importantly the AA badge has been fitted :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/front_lights_in_zpspss4cwxw.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/front_lights_in_zpspss4cwxw.jpg.html)


Keeping the interior basic for the time being I have simply painted the floors black and then put the seats in!

I have to add gear and handbrake gaiters over the next few days and then I have all sorts of bits-n-bobs to add, but the those can be done once its on the road.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/seats_in_zpssxfhm7to.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/seats_in_zpssxfhm7to.jpg.html)


And now the seats are in I have fitted and set-up the wing mirrors and I'm very happy with how well the original Vitesse ones look, as they really fit in with the look I was going for!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/wing_mirros_on_zpsfjinu7lu.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/wing_mirros_on_zpsfjinu7lu.jpg.html)

Next... the doors.....

[jones]

Dave you must be so happy - it looks absolutely awesome!

Congratulations - not long to go now.

[Mister Towed]

Dave, looking mighty fine but you might want to put your passenger side seatbelt in the right way round.

[Thurcroft flyer]

looking good Dave, your almost there

[Paul L]

Dave - Your car is looking great in the sunshine. :cool:

I keep forgetting to ask how you fix your lights & head lamp buckets to the body shell.

Do you use self tapping screws, or nuts & bolts?

Without wishing to tempt fate, you seem well on the way for a sub 12 month build. :eek:

Which has got to be one of the quickest builds on here, especially if you ignore the professional (i.e. full time) builders.

Good luck with the doors, Paul. :)

[davecymru]

Cheers guys, nearly there :)

Towed - I see you spotted my deliberate mistake.... :eusa_whistle: ..... that'll be sorted in a mo (cheers matey!) :thumb:


Paul, I'm not a fan of self tappers, even into those clip thingies, so I have used bolts with big washers, spring washers and normal nuts on the back to hold the buckets in. I'd used that setup on the Spyder as well so I know it works and stays in place.
BTW you were right about the bucket orientation! :doh: Even those there is no 'up' marked on the buckets, when I came to fit the bulbs there was! luckily it was a simple 2 min exercise with the drill to fix.

[davecymru]

Time for the doors...

Refitted the drilled bolt that will hold the non-lock end of the door release cable

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_catch_bolt_zps76r245qx.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_catch_bolt_zps76r245qx.jpg.html)


Fed cable through the hole in the bolt and fastened with a U-clamp and also a trick my father showed me years ago to cover stray cable ends that also adds extra strength, by using the innards of an electrical choka-blok! Works and looks lovely :)



http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_catch_cable_zps6slialyk.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_catch_cable_zps6slialyk.jpg.html)


I forgot to get a pic of the catch end, but the cable was trimmed to sit just below mid-way

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/door_catch_pullcord_zpsu4acdiyr.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/door_catch_pullcord_zpsu4acdiyr.jpg.html)


Then to tidy up the 'look' I had intended to fit recessed alloy boxes in the same style as the Countach door recesses, but after a day of faffing I couldn't get it looking quite right, so it's KISS for now and a quick lick of black paint was applied inside the door with the new cable tied up out of the way

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150310_14_11_13_Pro_zpsm6zt0qqb.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150310_14_11_13_Pro_zpsm6zt0qqb.jpg.html)


And with the Alloy panel fitted it looks just the job! :) It also gives me another thing to add to my "improve over time" list :)

You can see on this pic two rows of rivets above and below the recess opening. They are securing 2 lengths of L-Section alloy to strengthen the panel and to also act as mounting point for the internal door boxes if/when I get around to them.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150310_15_22_18_Pro_zpszhj0iiai.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150310_15_22_18_Pro_zpszhj0iiai.jpg.html)


And with the doors shut I'm very happy with the look, and the cable releases work remarkably well! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150310_15_25_17_Pro_zpslylrlgjn.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150310_15_25_17_Pro_zpslylrlgjn.jpg.html)


So from the outside with the mesh fitted behind the side vents everything is just about finished, apart from fitting the headlight trims (after I've adjusted them), _LOTS_ of polishing and adjusting the height of the shocks.

This pic shows up the current front/rear wheel arch height difference really well, but I don't want to lower the rear any more as I have memories of tyre scrub on the rear wheelarches in my Spyder in the back of my mind... So for now i'll see what I can achieve by raising the front :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150310_15_25_01_Pro_zpsixg7vtew.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150310_15_25_01_Pro_zpsixg7vtew.jpg.html)

[Mister Towed]

Nice door panels Dave, they remind me of the Porsche 718 RSK.

I think you're going to need to lower the back an inch or so though - it does look like you've got a bit of positive camber on the back wheels and they really want to be vertical for best results.

On the road soon though, eh?

[jones]

Dave you must be really happy, those doors look great well actually the whole interior does.

[Thurcroft flyer]

she,s looking well Dave, you have really impressed me with the speed of your build. you have done some great work on that car you should be proud of yourself. now you can enjoy driving in the summer sunshine.......if we get any???.

[Paul L]

Dave - Your doors look great, inside & out. :cool:

Looking forward to seeing it polished in the sunshine.

Good luck, Paul. :)

[reneanglia]

Really like it...........
Only thing i don't like are te wheels sticking out on the rear end,i think if thr rear wings where i little bit wider at the rear down side it will look better.
I know you stick with this shape now,maybe a future build to adjust this?
Still a beatiful car though,i start to feel a dutch miglia is coming up in the future..........

[davecymru]

Cheers guys.

It's probably worth pointing out that the rear end has already had a 1" lowering block added and a brand new swing spring conversion, but it's mainly been up on axle stands from the time it was fitted until the last few days so there's been no time for the spring to settle, so before i make any more changes to the rear i'll see how it looks after a week or so!

Few more piccys to add from the last week or so:

During the build I'd been using a length of 2x4 as my bonnet prop and it was about time that I addressed it as my neighbours were taking the mick :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_1_zpsaepu7kyi.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_1_zpsaepu7kyi.jpg.html)

So I found a length of 10mm alloy bar, calculated how long I wanted it, cut it to length and then bent it to an S shape with some soft-jaws in the vice and then threaded one end

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_2_zpstu8zzlef.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_2_zpstu8zzlef.jpg.html)

Luckily a piece of box that I'd used to mount the front of the shell was in exactly the right location to act as hinge end, so a hole was drilled right the way through

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_3_zps2ttn7gyy.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_3_zps2ttn7gyy.jpg.html)

And a length of alloy angle cut, shaped and drilled to act as the bracket. I also found that fitting a rubber grommet makes it look and work much more professionally.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_4_zps8xja7gnh.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_4_zps8xja7gnh.jpg.html)

With the 2x4 still in place to keep things steady, the bracket was bonded to the bonnet in the right location

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_5_zpsnpq88ahr.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_5_zpsnpq88ahr.jpg.html)

then multiple layers of fibreglass matting were glassed over it for added strength

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_6_zpsdfw97dv8.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_6_zpsdfw97dv8.jpg.html)

And with a lick of black paint, bobs ur uncle :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_7_zpsbby2gmkf.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_7_zpsbby2gmkf.jpg.html)

Some of you may have spotted the foam rubber at the top of the prop. I was trying to figure out how to keep it in place when not needed, and with that bit of foam over it, when the bonnet is closed it is exactly the right size to go between my bonnet pin mount and the bonnet to stop it moving about. result! :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/bonnet_8_zps2kga1toy.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/bonnet_8_zps2kga1toy.jpg.html)

[toe911]

Still a beatiful car though,i start to feel a dutch miglia is coming up in the future..........

Wishing you the best of luck with that , my friend.

[reneanglia]

Wishing you the best of luck with that , my friend.
I'll guess this remark is about all the fuzz that's going on with the miglia HQ not responding?
I did not try to reach them yet as i am not sure what i will build in the near future,could also be something else like an A352 tribute or even a sammio or to keep it simple a dutch kit like a Burton.

@Dave.......is it possible to make a alloy bonnet cover on the inside?......it will look so much better as the hairy unfinished inside it has now..........:violin:

[DerbyDreamer]

Perhaps a heat reflective mat might be an alternative - my Gilbern GT (60's GRP) has one, in an attempt to preserve the paint on the bonnet, I guess?

[davecymru]

Cheers guys.

I was thinking about that heat reflective mat eventually as well, but black paint will do to start with :)

What I had encountered on my Contach was that the silver mat on the engine cover needs to be fitted... right... otherwise it can get very tatty very quickly.

[davecymru]

Btw, can whoever is trying to hack into my profile, please stop.

Many thanks :)

[davecymru]

Well....

I don't know how to say this....

but..

I HAVE AN MOT!!!!!! :D

[davecymru]

Here's a few piccys as a lot of small jobs have been done over the past few weeks in the run up to yesterdays MOT.


I made up trim rings for the handbrake and gear-lever and fitted leather gaiters. I've also fitted foot rests for the passenger and for the drivers clutch foot for those longer journeys :) I also added an access panel behind the drivers foot rest as I needed to replace the speedo cable.
And I've also moved the steering wheel slightly down and slightly to the left so that I can use the oem Vitesse wheel and keep the skin on my knuckles :)

Here's a pic of the finished (for now) interior :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150415_19_51_49_Pro_zpsq8x0oqtp.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150415_19_51_49_Pro_zpsq8x0oqtp.jpg.html)


Exterior wise, I've raised the front suspension by about an inch and fitted new headlamps with built in sidelights as even though I liked the posh Lucas ones, I didn't want to drill them or the bodyshell atm.
btw the angle of the rear wheels isn't anywhere as bad as it looks in this photo!!

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150415_10_22_38_Pro_zpss03qhajr.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150415_10_22_38_Pro_zpss03qhajr.jpg.html)

I've only done 14 miles on a few small trips today (only passed yesterday and I'm just eliminating the final gremlins as I build up confidence!) but I have already found that my door pockets are exactly the right size to transport celebratory beer back from the local shop :D

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150415_19_48_34_Pro_zpsi6sdaibj.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150415_19_48_34_Pro_zpsi6sdaibj.jpg.html)

I've got more bits-n-bobs to post, but they can wait as the last few days have been hectic and those beers won't drink themselves :D

[Paul L]

Dave - Congratulations on the MOT. :cool:

Enjoy the beer, as you've certainly earned it.

Cheers, Paul. :)

[garyh]

And that's another one done, looks lovely. What time is the new owner picking it up?

[1iTim]

Congrats Dave ! Just in time for summer

T

[Mister Towed]

Great job DC, now enjoy the car without getting itchy fingers to try and finish someone else's part built nightmare...

[davecymru]

Cheers all,

This one is staying with me for as long as I can afford to keep it!

And as far as "part built nightmares" are concerned, it's onto her VW camper next....

I've already got through one tub of Krust and I'm nowhere near finished :(

[swifty]

Great work Dave your car looks the part and certainly one to be proud of, i bet there's a man driving around Somerset in a fifties style red sports car with the biggest grin on his face.

Happy motoring and the summer is about to start.

[Thurcroft flyer]

Well done dave!!! I bet you are proud as punch, the car looks excellent, and it's a credit to your skills. You have knocked me back with the speed you have built this, yet at every stage the car looks great. I especially like the ally interior looks really professional once again well done, now you can enjoy the summer showing her off. Is there any chance you can give us a brief description of what she feels like to drive, and what reactions you are receiving from the public.thanks.

[davecymru]

Cheers guys.

I've now done about 60 miles, I'm only just getting used to how it drives and at the moment I'd describe it as small and bouncy :)
The suspension is softer than my Sammio and I sit much lower down and much further back so it's a whole different driving experience in the Miglia!

The aero-screens are..... pretty to look at, but I've now broken out the motorbike helmet until it warms up a bit! :rain:

I took it on a 30 mile round trip to a local classic car meet-up last Sunday and it was very warmly received and I had a lot of questions. Obviously there was one pillock who make a "it's just a kit car" comment when he didn't realise I was the owner :) And one guy who walked along it knocking it the entire length to see if it was all fibreglass! I know some would have shouted, but it just made me smile :)

Then when I came back from a cup of tea I found a group of old chaps around it with one on his back on the wet grass with his head under the car making very nice comments about the cleanliness and newness, while he tried to figure out what it was :)

So a good first run-out, alothugh I did feel a bit guilty about who I parked next to, although it does make a very interesting side-by-side "before and after" comparison :)

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f255/davecymru/Miglia/WP_20150419_10_44_34_Pro_zpsojimfaut.jpg (http://s49.photobucket.com/user/davecymru/media/Miglia/WP_20150419_10_44_34_Pro_zpsojimfaut.jpg.html)

[Paul L]

..Obviously there was one pillock who make a "it's just a kit car" comment...

JUST a kit car!?

JUST!?

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/b1017online.com/files/2013/04/26304806.jpg