The night before moving the shell I needed to move everything out from underneath the car, I also wanted to move anything that was too close. It was all stack at one end of the garage allowing lots of movement around the shell. The following morning nice and early I was joined by
@BIGASH and a flatbed truck I hired. I opened up the front garage doors for what must be the first time in 2 years.
The flatbed driver brought a dolly which we placed under the rear end of the shell, we then lifted the front end - NICE AND LIGHT. It came out of the garage pretty easy and then went onto the flatbed not that much harder...with the help from a winch.
The journey was only short to the fabricator and all went well. The shell was moved into the fabricators workshop and we talked over the plan of action.This was really handy as we could talk over thoughts about how the cage would fit, how some of the metal inside of the car would be changed and timings - I must say I am very happy I am now heading down this route than having to rely on my neighbour.
The fabricator has been keeping in-touch and letting me know the progress of the build, all is going well and I will be heading over between Christmas and New Year with the seat to make sure the harness bars are welded in at the correct height. At this point it will also be discussed when the car is going into paint (conveniently next door to the fabricator) and the complications around that.
I say complications, meaning the fitment of some extra panels. Straight after dropping the car off I then headed north to CCF fibreglass and picked up my fibreglass doors and tailgate. I am currently awaiting my fibreglass spoiler and early roof scoop from CM composites also. These will all need fitting to the shell however are going to take some work to trim and fit, for hinges, catches, aero catches etc so it will be agreed with the fabricator and painter when this can happen.
Right up-to-date now to today. With an empty garage it gives me room to organise my parts and work on them. I have set them out in three areas (left to right): RUNNING GEAR, ENGINE and PANEL FITTING.
There are a number of jobs that I need to complete whilst the car is away, ready for the rebuild when the shell is back (listed below):
1. DOOR AND TAILGATE TRIMMING. The doors and tailgate are total blanks so they need holes cutting for all items to be fitted including mirrors, handles, trims, hinges and catches although my main consideration is how I am going to fit the windows. All these need to be done asap as these panels need to be dropped off and test fitted at the painters early in January. To help me along with this work I knocked up a stand to work on the panels (should save my back).
2. ENGINE BUILD. The engine needs to have a new cambelt fitted, the new repair sump and then all the gubbins bolted back on. I will be speaking to Beaniesport about this and either taking it down to there workshop or asking them to come to my garage. Ideally this needs to happen in January so that the engine is ready to go back in when the shell is back.
3. RUNNING GEAR. The idea is to build up the rear beam and front sub frames respectively with all the suspension etc so that when the shell comes back this can all be bolted straight on - I may even take the rear beam with me and bolt it on at the body shop meaning it should be easier to move on the return journey.
All of the above mean a lot of work and a fair few items I need to purchase. Christmas really needs to be done with as I think January is going to be a very very busy month.