620 replies to this topic

[Bean]

Yeah, it really was!

I've bought the boarding for the back. The template is coming along ok - Just needs a few tweaks here and there. Tomorrow I will be taking the template out and drawing it onto the board. The board is going in in two pieces - I need to get my hands on a jig saw though

Kris has been working on the wiring loom, too. We're modifying it a bit to make it more "modern". IE - Modern connectors etc. Especially the connectors for the lights at the front! It's such a stupid place to put them, so we're going to be moving them around and making it a little bit less fragile!

I will take some photos tomorrow!




He's still on his palettes though...



... for the next couple of days, at least

[Bean]

Leave Bean with a jig saw ...










... and she will retrim the back of her van








Leave Kris with an angle grinder ...





... and he will cut holes in the van!







So - the huge delay in putting the rear subby on, is due to the alignment of the holes! We found that the metal used in the heelboard repair was faaar too thick and it was pushing the subby out completely.

So - Kris has had to grind that panel back and we're going to weld another one on!



As you can see, I've cut the panels for the back! They're only placed there for now, so please ignore the fact that they're hanging off!

These panels are going to be in black vinyl!



And here's the barn that we've been sorting and making shelves for:






England_Expects is coming back again this week and helping us out again. Second attempt to get the subby's and engine in, this week!!

[JordanRaisbeck]

Cant wait to see some updated pics i love this project

[Bean]

Waddya mean some up-to-date ones? lol

Those were taken today!

[JordanRaisbeck]

Ohh you se i was posting about the previous ones, you must have uploaded themones when i was posting But still looks nice, and you'll get that subby on dont worry

Jordan.

[Bean]

Oh, I see! Thank you, Jordan! I really hope so, too!

[Bean]

Wooohooo!! Pressies in post!

[luvlygal]

Oooh, it's all coming together!

I'm going to have to be Frankie spotting when I'm in Hereford when he's on the road!

[Bean]

You'll more than likely see him out and about! When Frankie's on the road, I think I'll take Reggie off. He's got some issues that I just can't sort at the moment! So - Yep! He'll be my daily drive!

[luvlygal]

Cool! I'll keep my eyes peeled when I know he's driving

[Bean]

Well, it is with a heavy heart that I have to announce that Frankie isn't going to make the IMM.

He won't even see 2009


Since working on Frankie, we have come across a few niggles with the body work. These niggles were, I thought, just me being overly pedantic on a 42 year old car. But as time has gone on, we've been increasingly unhappy with elements on the car.

Since trying to fit the rear subframe and we've had to chop the mounting panels out, I think it's all got a bit too much. Also, yesterday, we found a big crack in the paint by the rear arch, from the filler underneath. (Now, don't get me wrong, he's solid metal there, but it's just the thickness of the filler put over the top that has cracked.)


So - We've put a stop to the build.



I want this van to be right. I want to do it justice and, with the way he is at the moment, I'm just not happy. After a very long discussion last night, we've decided that the fairest thing to do, both for the business and for the van is to strip it. The van is going to be a once in a lifetime thing and whilst it's in the state that it's in (ie, shell) - I think I should take the time to make sure it's done correctly. I don't want to come back to it in a year and find that I have to sort something major out.



So...

In order to put right the body, we need to take the shell right back - see what we find!



*sigh*

[Git]

Oh no Bean.... what a terrible shame... but you're right, he'll need to be done propery... must be soooooo gutting...

[Bec]

Aww Bean it is a shame he'll take a bit longer but in the long run and Frankie's future career as mini eye candy it's so worth it! It's best to sort him now than have a poorly Frankie on your hands not much further down the line and have lots more work to strip him back. Good on your both for giving him the best possible future

[Bean]

I can't tell you how gutted I am, Lee. So much for a restored shell?

But, I know (And Kris knows!) what I'm like with Reggie and he's my daily drive! I know that if we just fixed what was wrong and left it, that I'd never be happy. I want to know what I'm driving around in.

It's an expensive mistake to make, but you live and learn? We've spent so much time and money on the car so far and for the body to let it down, like I think it will, would be a tremendous shame. Afterall, what do you have if you haven't got a decent shell?



I just want to say a huge thank you to Norman (England_Expects) for everything that he's done so far. I'm hugely grateful. You're a true legend.


But for now, it's back to basics and grinding

[Bean]

Aww Bean it is a shame he'll take a bit longer but in the long run and Frankie's future career as mini eye candy it's so worth it! It's best to sort him now than have a poorly Frankie on your hands not much further down the line and have lots more work to strip him back. Good on your both for giving him the best possible future

Thanks Bec. It's important to me that I keep him going for hopefully another 40 years! Hehe

I won't be selling Frankie, so it's best to put in the money now than to have to do it again.


Bring on the concours version of Frankie, lol