Celebrating One Year

Small note to celebrate the first anniversary on receiving the kit. One year ago around this hour I was returning home after delivering the rental van on the depot, feeling completely drained of energy but very happy.

Looking back, I'm sorry I haven't kept a clear record of hours spent on the car. It would have been enough to write down how many hours in each post... Probably have spent around 250 hours so far, but it's more of an educated guess. Could have spent a lot less if I had done the right thing 1st time, had all the proper tools on the 1st attempt, etc. But it's all part of the learning process and one of my goals is to learn a bit about mechanics.

All in all, a wonderful adventure, that allowed my to meet new and great people, learn, have fun, have a project. Thanks to all that helped, supported or inspired!

Additional Cutting of the Bodywork

I'm loving the dremmel. But since it is borrowed, I thought it would be best to perform as many jobs with it as possible until I have to return it. So, instead of drilling for the radiator, I thought it would be best to trial-fit the bodywork so that I could shave off excess to make it fit well and also to use the dremmel on the bulkhead (specially so that I can have a throttle peddle).

The scuttle had to be cut on one side, in the interior lip, to accommodate the arch where the steering column attaches to. This was a quick job.

More cutting had to be done on the nosecone to make way for the nosecone attachment parts and also to clear the way where it was hitting slightly the radiator mounts.

In the end couldn't mark the bulkhead's final place since the engine cover part lost it's curve after laying on the floor for a year. I had heard about glass fiber loosing a bit it's shape after some time. Being kept on a room that exceeds 35º in the summer... I guess I should expect it. Notice the picture where it looks too "straight", without the curve.

Although I didn't mark the bulkhead's location, I noticed that it needs some trimming specially in front of the drivers. After trimming it, I'll hold the nosecone and scuttle in place with tape and then, even if the engine-cover is not with the right shape, I'll be able to check where the scuttle shall lay. But that will have to wait for the next weekend.
Oh, and holding the nosecone and scuttle in place with tape will really be a must. After taking this picture I tried to get the engine-cover roughly in place and ended up pushing the nosecone. It dropped on the cement floor, and it now has scratches in two different (and visible) places. :( I hope I can get some wax and/or another material to cover up mistakes I'll be doing along the build.

Cutting the Nose Cone

Got home from work, kid is away, wife celebrating something at work... Got myself on car-clothes and went to the balcony with the nosecone and the dremmel. Cut loosely the big air opening on the front. Then 2 small cuts on the back of the cone, where it meets the engine cover, so that the chassis supports can fit through. These supports are where the cone bolts to, once in place.

Very happy that last weekend I bought a professional air mask from 3M, certified to work with small dust particles. There was lots of fiber glass powder flying around and I bet it wouldn't have been good for my lungs to get a share of it.

Only after having cut the big opening I thought how will the grill bolt on it all. I hope I haven't cut too much or too near the "edge"...

In the end, it took me a bit over one hour to cut it all and almost 30m to clean afterwards.