A fine Summer

                   Burlington Dairy June, July, August 2008.

Thurs.19.06.08 to Sat.16.08.08. Having returned from my extended trip to France I have been quite surprised to find that there has been considerable progress on the project. So much so that I intend merely listing each task with a view to rewriting once the first draft has been undertaken. But then again bollocks to it: probably at this stage a list is as good as it gets?

• The nosecone aluminium panels have been fitted tidying as well as streamlining the front end of the car.
• The carpets have been cut, placed in the cockpit to await gluing down. The boot box has also been lined together with the boot itself. The depth of colour together with its quality perfectly enhances the other tones of the car. The debate now is whether or not to ‘bind’ the floor sections. The cockpit trim surround has proved to be totally unsuitable, lacking substance it is beginning, even now, to break up. A more generous heavy-duty rubber that can withstand the rigours of climbing in and out of the vehicle must replace this. 
• Chris has enlisted the expertise of ‘Dick’ to assist in the fitting of the wiring loom. Dick has been in his element pontificating about voltage, resistance and the relevant tolerances that are critical when avoiding flash fires that result in burned out vehicles. His knowledge alongside his understanding has been a source of amazement, fettling, winkling and puffing his way through the complexities of supplying power to the various components of the car. He has, remarkably all but completed the wiring of the dash. With the mishmash of gauges clocks and switches it has been a remarkable accomplishment to make the whole system to function. He has surprised even the most cynical of doubters. A dark horse, still waters running deep, a flawed jewel or just someone who will always have one slate slightly dislodged. With the power supplied by a battery charger, with one flick of a switch, closely followed by another the car sprang to life. The front and rear lights burst into life, firstly the dim side lights echoed by the beam of the headlights, the indicators winked, tick tock, bright red stop lights popped on then off, the dashboard glowed reflecting the deep dark chocolate wood of the dash, the rear number plate even spread a soft white blanket across the aluminium base plate. Everything worked, without a fault. It is probably one of the few occasions when tasks have not had to be repeated, remade or abandoned.

Yet another snag list has been drawn up, some parts of I have been able to order today from James Paddock. These include……….

• 125252   1x distributor pedestal gasket 0.20mm
• 2x radiator caps, 7lbs
• 121311   1x radiator overflow pipe
• Gtr 108   1x temperature transmitter
• jpr 111    1x core plug set, cup type
• 2x felt washers for the rocker box cover
• 4x 10mm jubilee clips for the fuel line to the carburettors
• 1x flasher unit bracket
• 1x horn spring mechanism
• 24g1345  1x ignition barrel and key
• 3x standard bulbs for the speedo
• 3x standard bulbs for the 3 way clock, fuel temp, indicator

The total cost of all of the parts was £66.14p

I have phoned Max to ask his advice regarding the regulator which has only 6 spade connectors instead of the necessary 8. He seemed quite calm peculiarly jovial. I guess the change of medication has helped his demeanour. He put me onto Pete, his assistant, who sounded like he had ‘taken’ to using Max’s ‘ex’ medical supplies. He drolled on about E D WL FBB, joining two wires to one connector, but he didn’t know which, thus solving our problem. I think not. 

I have also contacted Andy at Europa to change the ammeter for a voltage gauge. He is also looking into the ‘eternal spring’ problem.