MDA Mk1 with Gulf Arches - Martin P

[Dalton Veitch]

This is looking very good already. We can see that you are being fussy (thorough) to get exacly the look and level of finish you will be happy with. This attention to detail will pay off, and you'll have a great car. Some people paint body colour in the light recesses and some paint them black. Looks like you're going for the black already. Do you intend to do the finish painting or the remaining construction (piping, hydraulics, gearshift, A/C, wiring, engine/trans, etc.)first?

Waiting on more great pics,

Dalton

 

[Bill Musarra]

Speaking of painting the recesses black,,,,I had heard that unless the paint is of a flat finish(unpolished or sanded with 600 grit) there would be a lot of "star" formations due to the light bouncing off the plexis and the paint. Can anyone confirm or nulify that???


Bill

 

[Martin]

Bill,

I'd heard this also. The paint I've used is a satin black which gives a dull sheen. If it's too glossy, I'll paint it matt.

Dalton,

Thanks for the comments. I intend to get the body complete, i.e sanded and filled where necessary,doors hung, aligned and gapped including fitment of door latches, rubbers etc then move on to the mechanical stuff. two reasons, 1) prepping the body is messy and i don't want lots of tiny particles going into all my nice new shiny parts 2) it gives me something to do that doesn't cost too much money.
I won't be final painting until the end of the build but I wanted all the holes cut and everything lined up right so when the paint goes on, that's it. Finished. The black painted recesses I personally prefer but only in the light wells.
Cheers

 

[Martin]

O.K Here are a few pics of my Spot Lamps. They are mounted from the inside and are fully adjustable if required.

 

[Martin]

I've installed the main cooling pipes. I lagged the main pipes in an attempt to keep heat away from the interior of the car. The photo shows all the pipes lagged but I had to remove the lagging from the smaller heater pipes as they wouldn't fit in the hole otherwise.

 

[John]

I've installed the main cooling pipes. I lagged the main pipes in an attempt to keep heat away from the interior of the car. The photo shows all the pipes lagged but I had to remove the lagging from the smaller heater pipes as they wouldn't fit in the hole otherwise.

Don't forget to run lines for the A/C - it is hot as hell riding in the car with the cooling tubes running down the center panel! I didn't have A/C tubes in mine and caught hell pulling the lines through the side panels near the gas tanks!

John
epper:

 

[Martin]

Thanks John,
I'll make sure I take care of that. AC is a must.

 

[Martin]

Next mini project is a roof vent in the style of the Gulf Cars. I started by making the vent cover in aluminium, then cut out the holes in the body. I made a plenum from aluminium to go between the two skins of the spider, then glassed it in along with the vent cover. It's not finished yet but i'm pleased with progress so far. I intend to make another plenum for inside the car with a water trap and drain. I'll post pics when it's done.

 

[John]

Next mini project is a roof vent in the style of the Gulf Cars. I started by making the vent cover in aluminium, then cut out the holes in the body. I made a plenum from aluminium to go between the two skins of the spider, then glassed it in along with the vent cover. It's not finished yet but i'm pleased with progress so far. I intend to make another plenum for inside the car with a water trap and drain. I'll post pics when it's done.

That area near the vent would be a good location for a rear view camera - seeing out the rear view mirror is almost impossible. I located my camera on the rear hinged section, but locating it on the spider would be even more desirable.

John
epper:

 

[Martin]

Finished Roof Vent

 

[Martin]

Just coudn't resist opening the garage door and taking a pic of the car. First Sunny day in a long time.

 

[CraigB]

Hi Martin,
that looks great!! You are making huge progress - I will have to start working harder or you are likely to overtake me

Great detailing, keep up the good work

 

[Martin]

With the roof vent finished, at least on the outer bodywork, I moved to the Sills. When I came to initially align them I wasn't totally happy with the curvature going back under the car so I didn't follow exactly the line up to the pre-cut panels. The front was o.k but the rear had a different radius. I decided rather than trimming the sill and making it fit, I would go with the curvature that seemed correct to me and make a new rear panel to cover the gap.
I saw that on some original cars the sill did have this rear cover extending back into the car. I've attached a photo I took at Brands Hatch some months ago showing this feature.
So here goes....

 

[Martin]

Finished Sill Panel. The other side to do now. This one took ages so no updates for a while.

 

[Paolo-LoveGT40 Modelworks]

what is that blue car near the geetee in your garage?

 

[Howard Jones]

If you do the front of the sills like you did the rear, very nice by the way, make sure you don't loose any clearance for the tire being turned. Because the rears don't do this they will be fine but if I did that to my front I wouldn't have been able to turn the wheels. The tires would have rubbed on your "cap" at the front end of the sill.

I would recomend you do the same "cap" on the fronts but with a recessed "cap" instead of a flat one.

I also wish I had thought of that. Very nice finish for the ends of the sills instead of a flat piece of sheet metal.

I would cover the "cap" with leading edge tape to prevent rock dammage when you get her painted.

 

[Keith]

what is that blue car near the geetee in your garage?

An MGB with a V8 perhaps?

 

[Martin]

Howard, Thanks for the tips, I only intend to do the rears like this at present.

Paulo and Kieth, it is indeed an MGB with a V8. It was my first attempt at a restoration come customised car. It's not at all standard and I'm sure the purists hate it. I however love it.
Cheers Martin

 

[Murray Cowley]

Martin, I had to sell my MGB GT V8 after restoration. I loved my B and always wanted a roadster. I like the look of yours, to hell with the purists! I have a ZA Magnette, thats not standard and likely to be even less so when I can get to it, now where did I put that spare Rover V8??

 

[Martin]

Getting a little tired of the body work and so are the neighbours so I decided to fit the radiator. It's all progress..