The big lift

Tues.05.02.08. In the afternoon I collected the residual painted panels from Nigel. He had not ‘buffed’ them because the fibreglass on the surface of the bonnet had pitted producing in the tiny pinholes that had to be filled with paint leaving a blistered effect. These must be removed when the car has been assembled to complete the final finish.

Thurs.07.02.08. Having spent only the smallest amount of time on the project this week Chris has suddenly announced that Monday should be the ‘big lift’ day. Gathering the Preacher, sundry Highams and possibly Lewis, 1.00 o’clock is the allocated rendezvous for the momentous ‘tub and chassis’ amalgamation: just like two frogs in a swamp. David has also suggested that the same team should then travel to the farm to transfer the abandoned ‘pig pen’ into his yard. This will later be painted, properly tidied to become the new home for his large dogs. 

Mon.11.02.08. The troops began to muster around 1.00 in preparation for the monumental lift. The tub was first shifted out of the workshop to rest on the driveway until the chassis had been juggled into a central forward position enabling easy access to all areas of the vehicle when the final build was initiated. The Preacher, Lewis and Andrew gripped the front bumper bracket whilst David and I clutched the rear wheel arches and bottom sill. The majority of the weight was situated at the front end supporting the engine, 5 inch box section and suspension towers, shocks and springs. With David ‘counting in’ we lifted the entire running gear into the designated space whilst Chris rushed around in an attempt to position the axle stands under the appropriate chassis box section. The decision to employ the five bodies to manoeuvre the chassis was absolutely justified as the ‘big boys’ at the sharp end needed all their muscle to steady the operation. Although the car is relatively light the concentration of the running gear at the front required simple brute strength to gain sufficient height to facilitate the re-sighting of the stands. Similarly, the tub once carefully raised could be ‘walked in’ then slowly lowered onto the chassis cautiously dodging brake pipes, cables and brackets until all fixing points had been synchronised.

The complete exercise had taken less than 20 minutes but spirits were high as, once placed together, the tub and chassis immediately resembled a proper vehicle. The last occasion that we had both seen this phenomenon had been in a past life. The engine compartment combined with the ancillary components shimmered collectively as if designed meticulously by a sensitive, professional draughtsman. The deep green of the coachwork promised much being the perfect backcloth to the delightful sparkling properties of the engineering. Why this simple assembly had taken so long I shall always find baffling, but perhaps, just as a child innately possesses ‘reading readiness’ (the unfathomable precise occasion when a child conceptualises text and utterly embraces the written word) Chris decided that Monday 11.02.08 would be the ‘right time’ to bring the two elements together. 

Buoyed with the pleasures of the day we gathered at the Bowling Green to rejoice over a well earned pint but we were soon out shone by Cockney Mick who was about to deliver, his now famous, “I gotta a mate” speech, justly reminiscent of Martin Loofa Kings “I have a dream”.