Finished at last!

Following our test day at Silverstone, the only problem was the need to reset the front ride height. So we reckoned the car was ready for painting. To do this meant we had to take the front and rear bodywork off (again!)

Anyway, the finished result met all our expectations.

The colour is the originally specified BRG .

The number plate lettering is specially computer generated script to the correct period 3 1/2 inch size letters.

We plan to put some miles on the car to fully run it in then - - - - -watch this space!!

Testing, testing - - -

The picture shows Jerry driving at Silverstone on 19th April at the HGPCA Track day.

He completed some 50 laps to shake down the car and run it in.

We had some problems with air in the brakes but it was a very successful day and the car created alot of interest.

This picture shows Jerry about to leave on his first lap!

Note the period helmet!

Prior to this test day, we had completed assembly of the car and tested it at Tibenham airfield - the place we used earlier in the year when we were waiting for the bodywork.

The next phase is to get the car MoT tested, licensed and then painted.

The Sting in the Tail

Just as you think you are nearly there, something crops up! For us, this was the bag tank.
This tank was ground-breaking technology in the 1950's but is relatively common in racing cars now. It was a design taken from aircraft manufacturing practice and had the safety advantage of reducing fire risk in the event of a crash as a conventional metal tank could split and lose all the fuel.

So what does it look like?

These views show the top and bottom. The big holes are so you can get your hands into the tank and install the filler, filters and take-off pipes. And you can see the required certification!

And here are some of the components needed for the installation.

The tank fits into an "envelope" constructed in the tail - you can see the tail upside down and the slot. The other pictures show the fasteners: the clips fit through the sides of the "envelope".

And the other ones shown go through the top skin of the tail - you can see 4 small nuts on all D-Type tails - these stop the tank fabric collapsing.

Yes, it does all fit but not easily! - particularly when the regulations now require the tank to be foam filled!!

Just think! - you never see any of this when you see the car!!

The Final Fitting

We offered up the nose and tail sections.

The nose fitted perfectly and looked really goood - although some internal panels have to be modified.

The tail looks equally good but fitting will require a bit of fettling!

The tail carries the bag tank which is the last major item to complete the car.

Hopefully, it arrives next week.

Bodywork

The last pices of our "jigsaw" have finally arrived.

No we are not building a tractor - this is how the crates containing the front and rear bodywork arrived in Norfolk.

Unpacking the crates was better than Christmas!

The tail section shows the panel behind which the bag tank is to be fitted

Powered by Jaguar

The last posting dealt with some of the work we had to do before we could try out the car (minus its bodywork)

We could think of no more reasons to delay so we booked alocal airfield (Tibenham) and took the car there on Tuesday 6th Feb. It was very sunny and very, very cold.



But, as the pictures show, the car looked good - and Jerry's happy face tells you that it worked fine!









Now back in the workshop, we have to fit the bodywork and get it painted!

Brakes and Bits

We haven't been idle since our last posting!
Our plan was to get the car running before finally fitting and painting the bodywork.

The first task was to get the brakes fitted and working - easier said than done.
Here are some pictures of the front calipers showing the various parts including the retractor pins.

The only way the rear brakes can be bled is by running the Plessey pump. This means that the car has to be on stands and driving the rear wheels! (The design of the braking circuitry was described in an earlier posting.)

Before we could drive the car, we needed to make the cockpit safe by fitting our smart transmission tunnel. And before we fitted this, we needed to fit the clutch interlock - a device which prevents the car jumping out of gear.

We also needed to fit the engine breather pipe.

For interest, here is a picture of the starter button we have had made as originals are now unobtainable.

Front bodywork

The main things left to do now are:
- fit the brake calipers
- test the brakes and transmission
- tune engine and carburation
- fit rear body work and bag tank
- fit the front body work

All the necessary bits needed are in progress.

The longest lead item is the front body work.
The buck is made. And making the nose section is underway.