Some real progress

Ok sometimes it is just as well to embrace the pain and go with the flow.

Today I fitted the headlights and man what a mission! The front struts came out first as I wasn't going to argue with the collective experience of other builders.

I am convinced that there is a special place in hell reservedfor whoever came up with the placing of the headlights. There must be a special tool for this - some sort of mutant box socket with a split in it and hex flats each end. Anyway the services of an extra length 19 socket and a pair of water pump pliers sufficed. Zero points for design, Mr Birkin.

I remembered to ground the earth wires from the rear light clusters, and while I was in an earthy mood, proceeded to do so for every earth wire I could find. Tested too!

The next item was the front fenders, and those went on with a minimum of fuss.

Tomorrow I paint the exhausts black and I fit the carpets.

Getting going again

Today was the first day in a long while I have actually had the chance to do something, so I did a bit of everything.

First bit of business was to replace the drilled out pop rivets on the bonnet catches which were removed by the painters. I've decided to use M4 riv nuts instead with stainless cap screws - much classier. These rivnut guns are very useful bits of kit.

Then I fitted the Webcon throttle bodies to the engine, and hooked up the fuel and return pipes, plus the breathers. The throttle cables were next. These cables will have to come off again when I fit the brake/clutch cylinder cover but for now it is fine. The throttle linkage seems to work pretty smoothly.

Last job for the day I fitted the rear mudguards, plus the rear light clusters. I must just remember to hook up the earth wire.

Here she is......

The dog has found some shade!

Paint Your Wagon.........

The deed is done. The car is painted. 15 large later I have a Ferrari Red Birkin. No pics as yet as the paint shop has not delivered it but I did have a sneak preview and she looks gorgeous. The builders are still busy renovating the house so the car for the meantime will stay at the paint shop. I will bring it back as soon as they are out of my hair and things get back to normal.

Also on the agenda is wrapping the exhaust headers with DEI Titanium fabric which will add a couple of ponies and keep both the engine and the engine bay cool. The stuff is a gunmetal grey so that fits in with the overall colour scheme.

Getting going again...

It has been a 5 month delay but over the weekend I prepped the car for spraypainting. I removed all the loose bits 'n' pieces lying in the car and taped up all the open holes on the engine.

Also realised why the 5 month break was necessary - it was hot!

Got her off the stands singlehanded (my G-d it is a low car) using the crane.

Yesterday my pal arrives with the trailer and we take the car to PPRust Panelbeaters.

Colour: Rosso Corsa. For the cognoscenti among us - Ferrari Red.

It will take about a month.

Now to sell my children for medical experiments.......!

Some Movement at Last!!!

The past 2 months I have been stalled looking for a reasonable quote on spray painting the car. It seems I have at last found someone prepared to do it for less than a kidney transplant.

The only hurdle is getting the car loaded and taken to Jo'burg. And they can only do it in January. So my start date has been put out to February.

Still no Progress........

Well y'all must be wondering what further stuff I have managed to do since I got back from Bots.
To be honest, nothing, what with shooting competitions, trips to the Cape, visiting the kids etc etc. every weekend has been chock-full of activity but nothing to do with car building.

The other factor is of course the spraypainting. I have got to the stage where if I put anything on the car I am going to have to remove it if I wanta decent job done. This last weekend of the 24/25th November a buddy has hooked me up with a quality painter who can do the job for less than R10K. My next best quote was R19K - a significant gap!!!!

So let's see how this pans out.....