Thurs.28.05.09. The clumsy attempts to weld the extra length of hose to the existing failed miserably. There was little choice but to purchase another section of pipe to re-start the exercise. Using brush steels to open the robust hose enabled the leather to be glued in position without having to wrestle with the natural ‘coiling’ motion. The outer flaps were then glued to the interior of the hose. Now that does sound like one of Cockney Mick’s sexual predilections.
Meanwhile at Westmead, much more momentous deeds were being performed. Colin had visited in the morning to assist with bleeding the brakes, since the re-build of the callipers. Once the wheels had been fitted the car was then dropped from the axle stands to test the ‘springing’ at each corner. Because of the racing standard ‘counter camber’ block on the rear the car stood very low, offering only 4inches of clearance, whilst at the front of the vehicle there is sufficient movement in the adjustable spring platform to achieve a level height. The lower profile encourages a much more aggressive appearance, certainly very different from the original posture. Whether this is at all practical remains to be seen, but for now it is planned to lower the front to correspond with the rear before any conclusive decision is made.
In the afternoon a visit from Dick prompted an even bolder statement. “Let’s run the car up the street to see how she settles!” Which is precisely what happened.
With Dick at the helm Burlington 001 carefully manoeuvred out of the workshop and then slowly plodded up Westmead. The car has never moved under it’s own steam for thirty years. This has been a very special day. There were smiles all round: Dick claimed that gear changes were exceptionally smooth, the car felt tight, responsive extremely sure. It must be time to open a tin of Chunks: I was beginning to think that this day would never happen.
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