a-post ambition...

I had previously attached the inner a-post and aligned the door as best i could. Sunday morning i decided to tackle the a-post skin an make the hinge pillar complete.

I stated by placing the skin over the a-post and making some visual checks. It all seemed well, so i removed the door in order to clamp, mark and cut the a-post skin to make it fit. Once trimmed and trial fitted i drilled several 8mm holes (using the new pillar drill) along the flange to allow plug welding in place.

Once "dry" fitted again and clamped, folded the door side flange around the inner a-post and squashed tight using a set of "mole" grips. I tacked the remaining flange to the foot well and re hung the door.

Something is not quite right! The door catches on the front of the a-post cover. I have adjusted the hell out of the hinges and catch plate, but nothing gets it clear. On top of this the door requires a little lift to fully close on the catch
In an attempt to rectify the catching issue i trimmed some metal from the a-post skin. This gave the required clearance but doesn't look good! I would need some filler and some smoothing out to make the vertical lines straight.

I need to address the door closing issue, I'm not happy about lifting it to close, it should close with a nice thud and with no need to lift it.

I may have to remove the a-post and skin and start again. Its not impossible but just a nuisance.

A special mention...

A special mention goes to Mr Chris Wilkinson who covered his car in gearbox oil to collect my Type 9, compensated with a few beer tokens of course.

After watching a Type 9 Ebay auction for several days and seeing it end with no bids, i emailed the seller to see if he would take an offer. It turns out he had
sold it already, but also had a few other "surplus" boxes. A few emails later and i had secured a standard Type 9 from a Ginetta race car. It had been serviced well and regularly, but had been used in a race enviroment. It's missing the input shaft bearing retainer (nose cone to most of us) but a kind gentleman on the MG BBS has offered me the parts i need.

I think an essential purchase will be a quick shift kit, to shorten the throw and make a more positive change.

Its the thought that counts!?

Who ever said "its the thought that counts" in relation to giving gifts? Of course its not! Thankfully both the thoughts and gifts for my birthday recently were superb!

My wife bought me a Titan 6" bench grinder and a Titan Pillar drill, both of which will dramatically increase productivity in the garage! Among other gifts from family and friends were several repair pannels that will be needed in the next month or so.

Shortly after unboxing my gifts I was in the garage putting them together!

Im really looking forward to a solid days work some time soon. Circumstances havent allowed much yet, but they will. I will make them.

As if she couldnt be a better wife, she made me an amazing cake resembling an Midget!

Parts list...

Spurred on by the realisation the im very close to finishing the right hand side metal work, ive made a list of "to do's":

1. Right hand rear wing repair above sill (£6.12 Sussex Classic Cars)
2. Right hand rear arch to light repair (in stock!)
3. Right hand boot floor corner (£8.98 Sussex Classic Cars)
4. Boot Floor (£108.54 Sussex Classic Cars)
5. Right hand front chassis leg repair (£19.07 Sussex Classic Cars)

It makes a very pleasing and reasonably cheap lsit, which makes me think i can get the right hand side completed by summer, excluding the boot floor.

Its my birthday soon so i might get a few panels FOC so to speak!

Back to business...

Having finished the house move, its now time to sort the garage and get welding again!

I was under the impression that the garage had power, and it did, until the house was re-wired and the garage was cut off! My dreams of no longer having to use an extension lead shattered, i ran my extension lead semi-permanently. I know i probably shouldnt, but i dug it in about 6 inches around the patio leading to the garage and intend to leave it there for as long as im in the house. We rent, so i cant put in fixed wiring. Its artic grade, external cable, so should be fine!

The move went smoothly, but having to move a house and garage at the same time means the garage got a little neglected. Things we just "put" in the garage, which was fine, but i have to sort it now!
An hour or so saw power and light restored and a little order brought to LMG 5K's new home.


Im quielty confident that it wont take me much longer to get the off side floor, sills, crossmemeber and bulkhead finished. The shell will then be structurally sound and the rest is just cosmetic. Id like to think i can get the structure done by the end of 2009, leaving 2010 for the mechanics and final bits.

MSA National Class B License...

Ive recently been looking into getting a racing license. This is mainly in preparation for finishing the project in the hope of entering the Peter Best Insurance Challenge in class C! But its at least 2 years away!

Basically the first thing to do is drive a track and get some, if only a little, experience. Ive already done a track day at Thruxton which i throughly enjoyed. I drove a single seater Formula Renault, and a Porsche Cayman. These can cost anything up to £250 depending on length and car etc. My wife bought mine with Tesco Club Card vouchers!

Next, i need to purchase a "MSA Go Racing" pack at £53.00, which consists of all the docs, regs and a video with all the information you need to complete a ARDS test day.

I then need to book an ARDS test day at my nearest or favourite track, which in my case would be Brands Hatch or Thruxton. MotorSport Vision at Brands Hatch quote £250 for an ARDS Test day . The ARDS consists of a briefing and video demo, a 30 minute practical assessment and then a multiple choice written exam. All sites say its just the basics and proving you can control the car.

After passing the ARDS a basic medical is required costing around £50.00. If your over 45 you need an ECG too pushing medicals up to £200.00.

Lastly there's a license fee, £51 for the National Class B license.

All in your looking at around £400 exlcuding the track day experiace, but i guess this is optional if your confident in yourself!