MKIII to MKI conversion - amazing job.

Hi

It's about time I posted some details in the gallery. A little while ago, around the time I joined GT40s.com, Chris Melia put his MKIII up for sale. We agreed a deal very soon after, and I was very happy to buy the car as a MKIII - however, measuring up the garage I had a problem - the MKIII was too long. So we agreed that Chris would convert the car to a MKI, in the same Ford Imperial blue, so some time later I could swap it round again.

Chris had always wanted to build a MKI, so this was his chance. By the way, I am a fraud in all of this - the extent of my involvement being to source a few parts and letting Chris get on with it.

Some amazing glasswork later, with an original profile back end, a unique deep twin front nostril, boxes for the Hartwell latches, etc, etc, as well as the fabrication of a MKI rear clip frame, a new crossover exhaust, and numerous other modifications (which I will list in an article for the mag in dure course), the MKI was born.

What made the job harder was that Chris could only work with the front and rear clips to get the gaps right - the main tub had to remain untouched, because of the potential refitment of the MKIII f/r clips.

Chris and the MKI today made the AGM at Stoneleigh - unfortunately I didn't - with just a few minor jobs left, here are a couple of before and after pics. I think you will agree that Chris did an amazing job, and you are probably wondering if I will ever refit the MKIII panels - good question.

Before - with Ronnie Spain:

Today - photo by Brett McCall

Chris is probably cursing the day he met me and wishing the car had left his garage as a MKIII a few months ago. Sorry mate and thanks again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif.

I will add more photos soon.

Rob

 

Another pic from Stoneleigh today by Brett:

 

[Jim Glickenhaus]

Very Nice Work!

 

[Bill Bayard]

Whoa! An amazing transformation! It looks fantastic!

 

MKIII to MKI - update

Well - here's the back end, with new glass rear screen and a pair of nifty Chris Melia grilles either side of the exhausts.

The next pics will (hopefully) see the car with a set of Borranis which are currently being restored.

Cheers

Rob

 

Borrani wheels - 1 down, 4 to go.

The Borrani wires are coming back from MWS next week - in the meantime I bought a spare Borrani (off 1044) complete with its original Goodyear, and tried it out under the nostril. It's half an inch wider than the current spare - but it's a perfect fit!

A couple of pictures below:

The interesting job will be seing whether the offsets etc are OK for the road wheels. But - whatever it takes - they WILL fit.

Cheers

Rob

 

Borrani wheels - they\'re back!

I received the Borranis back from MWS this week - new centres and spokes, polished, painted and outer rim paint removed per the originals. (A few of the spokes were bent, I guess before Shelby changed to Halibrands). Anyway, here are a few "before and after shots". The next time you see these they will be on the car (hopefully).

Cheers

Rob

 

Borrani wires - finally fitted

My camera's died so cameraphone photos are all I have just now, but the GT40-103 Borranis/Marchal headlamps etc are finally on the car. More images to follow when the camera's fixed.

Cheers!

 

[Tim Kay]

Re: Borrani wires - finally fitted

Rob,

What a backdrop /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gifPulling into the weeds was the only place you could find to take a picture of those beautiful wheels /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Julian West]

Re: Borrani wires - finally fitted

Rob,

Looks fantastic, the wires really look great against the blue bodywork.

On a different subject, your mirrors look really nice. I have a pair of chrome Sebrings that I'd like to fit. Yours look like they are on some kind of plynth, could you post more details?

Also, how do you rate the rear visibility?

Any info greatly appreciated.

 

Sebring Mirrors

Cheers Julian

The Sebrings on my car are the later mirrors (chrome on die-cast metal with a plastic base - see the left mirror in below image). The plinth is plastic and the mirror is held on with 3 screws. The older type Sebrings (on right on image below) are held on by two screws. There is no plinth with the earlier ones that I have, but the later plinths should modify OK.

The later mirrors are available at Ferrari specialists http://www.superformance.co.uk.

Visibility is not great - but I really like the look of these mirrors and I've just had to get used to it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Cheers.

 

My GT40 for sale - MK1 & MK111

Well I never thought I'd say it but it's sadly time to sell.

Since I've had the car, it's had the original Borranis restored and fitted (including the spare), Marchal lights front and rear, a whole new set of rose-joints fitted at the rear at around £2k and numerous other jobs. There are a few minor issues (electronic speedo jumps and needs calibrating, one hartwell latch needs replacing but will be replaced before she goes, drivers seat slightly worn, and a few minor bits of bodywork) but she's a genuine car and a sight to behold on the road. She's even recently appeared in a book on the life of John Tojeiro, who designed and built the chassis. For those who don't know, GT40 modified the chassis to accept his own suspension, and built the car
up as a MKIII. He converted it to a MKI when I bought the car. He did a fantastic job.

As well as the MK1, you get the MK111 panels, lights, rear frame, luggage box etc. 2 cars for the price of 1!

For the buyer, by separate negotiation I also have set of Italian Weber 48IDAs on the correct 351W manifold, a Pantera box if you fancy the challenge and other stuff.

I'm not giving her away - I'll try Ebay this weekend and see what happens - if she doesn't sell for the right price I'll keep her, but I won't have the time to use her like she deserves. It's a real shame either way.

Cheers

Rob

 

[Dave B]

Re: My GT40 for sale - MK1 & MK111

how much???
you have pm
thanks dave b

 

Re: My GT40 for sale - MK1 & MK111

Car now sold to a forum member - many thanks to everyone for their interest.

 

No more enquiries please ...

Well, I'm still getting enquiries on whether my 40 is for sale. It's definitely sold, the transaction is complete - and it went very smoothly, a credit to the new owner. He plans to use the car much more than I did, which is what it's all about.

My garage is not quite empty. It now houses my son's Seat Ibiza - interesting contrast for sure.

Cheers.