Floor pans... It's a start!

So, I have made some floor pans using my beading tool. This was quite difficult as you have guide the sheet metal through athe the same time turning the handle... Some of the grooves are a little wonky, but not too bad.

It's rollin... just

Three days on car. It does help when you can string a few days together. Cut template for floors, fitted rear suspension and put some wheels on. Then, I finally was able to drop body on, just to look at how it sits on chassis. Here are some pics.

Also cut rear extensions off, much neater and has no affect on chassis.

Getting closer, maybe some wheels next...

Diff nearly in, just the front bushes to put on which i forgot to bring down to the garage. I have ordered some shims for the Rotoflex suspension, which i will fit this weekend.  Looking for local steel stockist to buy 2mm mild steel sheet to make the floorpans and front bulkhead.

Rolling chassis within the month!

Hopefully... the diff has had new bearings etc... the leaf spring has been stripped, painted and rebuilt with new bushes and thrust buttons between the leaves.

I have ordered spacers and shims for the Rotoflex suspension. It will be great to start thinking about building the frame that supports the bodywork, also lowered floorpans/bulkhead.

I know its been a long time...

I havn't given up... i now have spare time and a regular budget for car, as long as i keep painting at home! I have cleaned up some more pieces and ordered the bearings, nuts and bolts to put diff back together. 

Also found on ebay some nice period extras.

Vintage Marchal 630 Model Fog Lamp "virages et brouillard"
 

 Classic cable pull (possibly Jowett)

I hope to update more regularly, now that the good weather has turned up...

After 2 years, I have finally started to bolt bits back on...

Finally starting to clear parts form one garage to another. Must learn how to take gearbox apart and get some brake fluid to re build calipers. I should concentrate on one item at a time, but can't stop myself using the new parts that i have had for so long. Anyway here are some pics of my progress.

Someone is lending me an impact screwdriver to take drum off of hub, hoping this may help with taking old bearings off.

Crap weather, but still able to paint.

I had some more parts shotblast, much cheaper than last time... don't know why. now I can rebuild brake calipers, fuel tank, gearbox and diff. Finally able to work Sundays on car, Should start to see some progress.

Hurry up and get something done!

Starting to get more free time... Hoorah! I'm fed up painting the house. I need to finish spraying the chassis before the cold weather comes, meanwhile I have started to strip the gearbox and have more bits ready for shot-blasting. So, still just restoring Vitesse...

Rare Vintage Radiomatic A3P 1955 Valve push button car radio

It's taken a while a while to find the right styling and price... now, it isn't working but my next door neighbours brother restores Roberts Radios, so I am hoping he can work his magic on this. Maybe he can add an ipod connection! If not, I will just clean it.

Tyres on rims... but what combination?

Havn't got anything ready to bolt them too, but I will need these to complete rolling chassis. One thing i do still need is a leaf spring. Here are some pics of my new tyres 165 x 80 x 13".

Maybe I should spray the trim ring? Don't think the Hot rod style works...

Well i'm 6 months older... At last something new to report!

Too windy on the coast, so I have made a spraybooth that can stay in the garage. I continue to build up suspension parts, but need to get to the garage and finish spraying chassis, then all these bits can go on. I have enough money to create at least a rolling chassis... Anyway, here are some pics.

More parts have been ordered today...

Starting to put some parts together...

Adjustable tie rods are finished, have ordered some heatshrink to cover joint when set up, also wishbone/hub carrier are partially completed. Bearings to follow.

Just cleaning and looking over Christmas...

I really thought I was going to have lots of time to work on car over Christmas. The rainy days, I could only clean or look at bits, and when it was sunny we had things to do. I have started to look through boxes of parts so that I can start building up suspension components. If I can get a couple of coats on the chassis, there should be something starting to form down the garage.

More Red Oxide...

I had some shotblasting done, all my wheels and most of the suspension parts. Suddenly there is lots to get on with, including topcating and fitting bushes / U/Js. By the spring, I would hope to have a rolling chassis...

Red oxide on chassis

First coat of red oxide paint has been applied to chassis, it makes it look quite fresh now. It certainly makes a change not to see rust... another coat next week, maybe a top coat of Ruby Red!

 

Chassis washed down and POR'd

I used metal ready prep on the chassis, then washed it down. The next step was to POR 15 it which gives a very hard surface and is now ready to undercoat.

I have started to shotblast parts and red oxide them... I gave one part a quick coat of Ruby Red top coat to see what it looked like. The chassis and most parts will be this colour with the remaining parts powder coated in satin silver. I will gradually build up over the winter months, finishing up with a rolling chassis.

Chassis is now complete!

Day 2 at the garage and I have finished the chassis, almost... I have seen 3 little patches to do, so I will start that in the morning.

 Took some time tack welding the outriggers on and making sure they are in the right place and level for when I make the floorpans etc...