Taking advantage of this recent good weather, I've now sprayed the roof, windscreen pillars, and the panel behind the bonnet. For some reason there are a few little patches on the roof where the paint has reacted and blistered up, I sanded it right back, re-primed it, and painted it again, and the same bloody thing happened! I've decided the blemishes are "in keeping with the character of the car" so I've left them. Similarly, because new sections beneath the windscreen pillars have been welded in, I didn't manage to get the blend perfectly smooth. I'm also quickly learning that maybe metallic silver isn't the best colour for my introduction to bodywork and spraying.

Oh well, it looks loads better than it did, and these are the kind of things I can re-do (to a higher quality) when the car's on the road.

I've also rebuilt the front bumper assembly today, nothing was quite lining up before. Much better now, I had to put the wheels on just to make it look like I've nearly got a car (although in reality it's miles off being finished).

that looks great. its really comming along nicely. i had a sumilar problem on my roof. i stipped it back and rubbed it with sporot andall was well.

the wheels look good.

so what is next on the agenda?

Next is the rear wings, I'm trying to get away without painting these so have got some T-Cut and 800 grit at the ready. Rear bumper and lights need to go back on, and I want to get the glass back in before the winter. Might start playing with wiring too, and putting all the ancilliaries back in (heater motors, washer bottle etc). Need a replacement brake master cylinder, and then need to make a decision on what to do about the engine; build mine, or buy one (both need money which I just don't have at the moment!).

It's about time for an update!

With the car being outside, I haven't done much over the winter except save up for an engine. I ended up buying an engine off one of the guys on IB. I've not really done anything to the engine except for painting a few bits of tinware, tidying things up, and trying to identify bits of wiring and hoses.



This weekend I'm mounting the gearbox and getting the car ready for the engine install (I'm using Alec's guide for the job on Pelican http://www.pelicanparts.com/MotorCity/marcesq1

I also got round to putting on those fibreglass bumpers, and a plain engine lid. I know the front and rear bumpers are a mismatch of styles but my original bellows were in shreds and the weight saving of fibreglass (and getting rid of those horrible hydraulic bumper mounts) is pretty attractive. If the car turns out to be deserving of some money, I'll be backdating the front end, but I need to get it on the road before all that.

Hopefully I've now bought all the serious stuff and it's "just" a case of putting everything back together! Wish me luck.

Looks like your making some real progress. 

I like the early look front and rear bumpers.  Did they go on easily?  You'll save quite a bit of weight with those.

The 3.2 carrera engine will make a huge difference.  Is the engine standard or has it been tuned in any way.

Keep it up and you'll be on the road before you know it.

The bumpers went on very easily. The fit isn't brilliant but I'm sure it could be much better with a bit more fiddling. You're definitely right about the weight saving, those steel bumpers weigh a fortune!

The engine is standard (as far as I know) but has a stainless cat replacement pipe, I guess there's always the option for a performance chip in the future.

Light weight plus a 3.2 - you will really notice a big difference in the car when you get her all back together.

A chip, exhuast and cam could make a massive difference.  Wort thinking about foe the future.

Did I just see this changing hands for £6900 on Classic Car Rescue?!

Quote: JK at Jul 01, 2013 6:35:01 pm

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Did I just see this changing hands for £6900 on Classic Car Rescue?!

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yep , didnt rescue it though did they

£22k valuation was a bit pie in the sky too!