Pedal box design

Thurs.14.09.06. Colin has been working on re-locating the pedal box. He intends to cut the bulk head to accommodate the three pedals. He has constructed the unit in such a way that an extra brake pedal will be used as a substitute accelerator, the pedals have also been moved forward into the footwell, so positioned to maximise accessibility plus comfort: the height from the footwell and the spacing being of paramount importance.

Colin insisted, rightly, that it would be necessary a complete mechanical dry build assembling the ancillaries, the water pump, radiator, master cylinders, manifold and carburettors, regulator box and coil. This would ensure that the fuel lines, brake pipes, water hoses and the wiring loom could be plotted successfully from one unit to another. Also to remind us, once more, of the scrupulous, considerate methods he employs to solve the numerous difficulties encountered. His approach has consequently provided some of the better solutions. Recalling the ‘fuck up’ of the scuttle top it seems he had been judged unfairly or simply misunderstood because every other piece of work he has carried out has been of the highest quality. He possesses tremendous technical ability in many fields. His welding is superb, his work with fibreglass is excellent, his engineering knowledge and practice displays great experience and together with his aesthetic sensitivity he can safely be called a true ‘motor car’ artisan.

Unlike Andy, who has had to hold his hands up to an awful job of the engine panels. I have had the onerous task of taking them back and making him several offers that he couldn’t refuse. First of all, please make a silk purse from a sow’s ear, second, give back £100.00 plus the scrap aluminium so that I can make a chicken shed, or thirdly just return the £140.00. I opened the meeting very diplomatically, “I feel genuinely embarrassed bringing these panels back but the guy who is supposed to be fitting them is unable to because they are the wrong size. The width at the top is uneven, the inside cannot be polished and the edges are rough. The boss is not pleased: what can we do about it? Do you suppose we can we rectify this matter? Can we mutually resolve this issue? How can we move on from this? Is it possible to think outside of the box with this one? Perhaps this problem is off the grid anyway?” Andy appeared uneasy, openly displaying bewilderment at my wordy delivery, but eventually he chose option B, he coughed up the £100.00 freely donating the crap Alli. When I returned from my ‘repossession job’ I was quickly directed to pick up a stainless steel water pump feeder pipe and an extra brake pedal from Nutty Steve. 

A request from Chris to buy a pair of seats together with an overdrive box was selectively ignored but I did manage to ‘suss out’ the condition of the said items yet knowing first hand that anything ‘major’ bought from Steve would probably be scrap, have absolutely no provenance but worst of all would likely be ‘daft money’. I returned with the pedal and the pipe. As expected, I guessed that something would be wrong: it was the pedal.  I had bought a clutch instead of a brake pedal.