Hand Formed Aluminium Body

[Hamish]

It’s alive !!!

great work 

[Nick Jones]

3 hours ago, John Bonnett said:

big thank you to Nick for his help and guidance in negotiating the minefield of wiring the ECU.

Luckily you weren’t asking any hard questions….

Does sound sweet. 

3 hours ago, John Bonnett said:

I don't know whether I've been very lucky or if all Sigmas are as good as the one I have but it really is a gem

Luckier than Chris for sure….. that’s turning into a bit of a saga.

[John Bonnett]

12 hours ago, Nick Jones said:

Luckily you weren’t asking any hard questions….

Does sound sweet. 

Luckier than Chris for sure….. that’s turning into a bit of a saga.

I'm fascinated by what Chris is doing so please do keep us apprised of the latest developments.

[John Bonnett]

12 hours ago, Hamish said:

It’s alive !!!

great work 

Thank you Hamish. I can imagine your glee when you first started your new engine not to mention the first drive with another fifty odd horsepower to unleash. These really are very special moments, that's for sure.

[Nick Jones]

3 hours ago, John Bonnett said:

I'm fascinated by what Chris is doing so please do keep us apprised of the latest developments.

Yeah….. he could even do himself as he does lurk on here…..

The main problem right now is that the “ready to drop in” engine really wasn’t. He’s getting to know the Zetec SE rather more intimately than planned.

[John Bonnett]

22 hours ago, Hamish said:

It’s alive !!!

great work 

Thank you Hamish. I can imagine your glee when you first started your new engine not to mention the first drive with another fifty odd horsepower to unleash. These really are very special moments, that's for sure.

 

Perhaps the clue was in the very reasonable delivered price for the engine 

[Nick Jones]

2 hours ago, John Bonnett said:

Perhaps the clue was in the very reasonable delivered price for the engine 

Maybe.... but I think the vendor genuinely thought it was ok.  Perhaps it was when removed but sat a long time.  Certainly by the time they shipped it and partially refunded him they'd have done better to frag it!  Anyway, he's probably got most of the bits to build a working one, just that he was rather hoping to repeat your experience!

[John Bonnett]

Unfortunately, there's a fault with the ECU and it is on its way back to the makers for rectification. The first drive was so close too. Never mind, plenty to be getting on with. 

I'm not too bad working with metal but wood is another story and well outside my comfort zone. But needs must because for the front end I'm using a wooden station buck so it is something I just have to get to grips with. I've made a good start and the general shape is starting to emerge. Quite exciting really.

[Nick Jones]

Yow….. that’s all rather technical 

Begin to see the lines emerging. Will have to make the time for an inspection in person

[John Bonnett]

Love to see you Nick. Hopefully the ECU won't be too long away and you can see the engine running. Andrew Walton is having a four wheel alignment done on the GT6 at 2.00pm this Friday at Tipton and I'm joining him and have booked lunch for 12.30 at the pub next door. Fancy joining us?

[Nick Jones]

22 hours ago, John Bonnett said:

Fancy joining us?

Yes. I’ll see if I can move things around

[John Bonnett]

A bit more development on the buck and the grille surround frame lodged in position.

[JohnD]

With that bonnet surround and the gorgeous body lines, it'll be a mini-Aston!

JOhn

[John Bonnett]

I've spent a bit of time making the radiator grille and I have also put a curve into the frame in an effort to get away from a flat front. The grille itself is very simple, comprising 3/4 x 3/16 inch flat aluminium bar and 6mm diameter aluminium tube but like egg box grilles which are also simple look very good, well I think so anyway 

The grille is now in pretty much the right position, mounted to the buck and this will enable me to cut a few more stations.

[Nick Jones]

Nice work John 

[John Bonnett]

26 minutes ago, Nick Jones said:

Nice work John 

Thank you Nick. The next bit, building the buck will be interesting to see the shape emerge.

[PeteStupps]

Nice! Shaping up very well, that grille looks ace

[Hamish]

Lovely job John. 

[RedRooster]

Nice work as usual, though I find one slat is enough John 

 

[John Bonnett]

Thanks Chaps.

Brad, I haven't heard from you for a while. How is the under powered Tiger going? Have you been brave enough to give it a big right foot?

[Nick Jones]

16 hours ago, John Bonnett said:

under powered Tiger

 Not usually the problem…..*
 

 

 

 

 

* perpetually empty fuel tank, rapid (rear) tyre wear, need to view the way ahead through side windows….. these are the problems….

[2.5piman]

Hello John,

 a couple of similaries to the 60s Aston Martins, designed though by Touring of Milan although the grille shape is a characteristic from much earlier.

The DB5 had a nice feature as the fuel tank was behind the rear seat a fuel filler on both sides of the car.

Alec

 

[John Bonnett]

21 hours ago, Nick Jones said:

 Not usually the problem…..*
 

 

 

 

 

* perpetually empty fuel tank, rapid (rear) tyre wear, need to view the way ahead through side windows….. these are the problems….

Agreed Nick but the engine Brad has had built is awesome and takes it to completely new level, one hell of a spec.

[RedRooster]

John, 

What else was I supposed to do with my redundecy money   and John Sleath was just such a sweet talker. 

It's not a bad little lump, I'm quite fond of the one off cam grind I specified which also changes the firing order, it gives it a bit of attitude rather than sounding like a tug boat. If anyone wants to know more about that I'll explain later. 

 

[John Bonnett]

Go on Brad, remind me. And what made you change the firing order? Fantastic looking engine bay, a real credit to you and the care you have taken with the rebuild. Beautifully done.