Clean up time

Weds16.08.06. I have been to Richie’s workshop having the engine side panels re-cut. He has made an excellent professional job of matching Colin’s original pattern, the difference being they are now cut using 15mm rather than 9mm marine ply. They are obviously stronger, better suited for the purpose and will be easier to clad later in aluminium. Chris has discovered on the body tub another fault requiring some remedial repair. The floor pan towards the front of the body section has warped during the past 27 years parting company from the central tub. Road dirt had been forced into the broken laminated timber filling the gaps with accumulated muck. Once this residual grime had been removed the gap was screwed and sealed with fibreglass producing a freshly strengthened, rigid and solid joint.  

We have attempted to ‘make ready’ the garage in preparation for the return of the chassis: jettisoning unwanted rubbish, cleaning the work surfaces, cataloguing the tools, creating ‘order’. We plan to have both sections of the car side by side enabling the assembly work to be simultaneously and independently undertaken. The strategies we discussed earlier in the week are, thankfully, proving effective. The rolling chassis will be built up entirely. The suspension units, braking systems, steering mechanisms, drive train and even the wiring loom should all be in place before the completed central tub is introduced. The newly proposed fixed engine panels should then be added before the car is primed then painted.

“We had better get a move on if you want this car tested and running by October.” This was the first time for a long time that Chris has past comment about the deadline. I am not sure if it is a good or a bad thing?