Panels, box and Pigs

Weds.18.04.07. Both engine panels have been secured to the central tub, they have been packed with filler compound and are extremely substantial. Chris has not welcomed the return of the dreaded tete dust but his skill has been rewarded by the continuous sweeping line that has been formed, the practicality of a now totally sturdy unyielding structure is the ‘real’ bonus. 

The patterns for the engine bay panels have been re-cut accommodating the bell housing, the new location of the master cylinders, battery cubicle and steering shaft. These will later be fabricated by Catterall and Woods of Chorley. To ensure complete accuracy they will be laser cut using 2mm density aluminium. The entire body of the car now has taken on yet another emerging look’. ‘Completeness’ once disguised, has become immediately apparent.   

The boot lining has proved a little difficult to construct but the provisional cardboard maquette has slotted in pretty well, considering this has been the first fitting. The curved top will be tackled tomorrow but there are several solutions to the problem, all of which are respectable compromises. But the major decision today has been to abandon the dashboard design entirely for a radical option. Fuck me!

Much earlier in the project the realisation of having spent several weeks planning, designing and manufacturing these various dashboard blueprints, only to have them rejected entirely, would have propelled me into my vacuous black hole, bottom lip protruding, stamping my feet. But, I must now be either utterly immune to criticism or I have developed a greater understanding of ‘Design and Build’. The present dash models are no longer relevant because it is proposed by Chris to remove the original strengthening bar from beneath scuttle to re-locate internally above. This would allow the main dash panel to be supported by the bar but would also, more importantly, eliminate the 6cms below the dash that has proved to be difficult to mask, without displaying a clumsy, bulky arrangement. It is another bold amendment and another fundamental lesson. “Never be afraid to undo previous mistakes”. The amount of time and effort that has been given to this particular assignment is miniscule compared with the bigger picture; to alter thus committing to a superior finite design must be the primary consideration. The knowledge gained from the original concept will not be wasted but the eventual outcome will become sufficient, satisfactory recompense. 

Nonetheless, it didn’t prevent me from having a shed full of ale later in the Oak. The ‘Landlord’ proudly announced that the pigs should arrive to “Southpork” on Saturday morning. There will be 3 Saddlebacks and 3 cross Wild Boar/ Saddleback, all six week old wieners. David quietly read ‘The Wigan Observer’, Chris decided that it was an evening of ‘listening’, Doctor Dave seemed strangely sober and today I saw a bin man driving his truck wearing a pair of fuckin’ ‘Ray bans’. What’s all that about?