Southern GT #006.

[Graham Inchley]

There's no way it will be finished by Christmas unless any one has some builders magic going spare? I will post some pictures soon, I left the camera at work on Friday (DOH!), so bear with me.
Pick up the engines next weekend. They are in bits at the moment so that will give me a chance to learn about the 289 during build.

 

[Julian West]

There's no way it will be finished by Christmas.

Graham,

But you didn't say which Christmas!!

 

[Graham Inchley]

Your right Julian, it never pays to profisise, especially with a build like this. I'm still sorting out the enabling works around the house, garages and sheds!

 

[Graham Inchley]

Chris Melia Bodyshell.

Here are the images of the bodyshell, as delivered by Chris last week. Chris had done his cross wind calculations very well, he dropped it from a helicopter at 10 000' and plumb centred it in the front garden - with out hitting the roses!!

 

[Keith]

Hmmmm, the gaps are gonna need some work.....rockonsmile

 

[Steve Kulper]

mmmm looks like a firefab.

Steve

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

The finish on the body panels looks excellent congratulations.

Will Ted still be your mate when he takes a leak on them while they are in the garden?

 

[Graham Inchley]

Ted knows his stuff and respects a good thing when he sees it. As you can see he looks pretty chuffed with the bodyshell and so am I. It's definitely got all the right curves in the right places.
It's a long way off but I am actually looking forward to doing the body work! Before I joined the Navy I worked with my late Father in an old chicken shed in the middle of nowhere spraying cars. I find it interesting that most people ask what colour is it going to be and not more technical questions! The answer to this is anyones guess - any ideas? Today I like the idea of greys as if it were the image of a gulf coloured car taken with black and white film.

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Hmmmm, the gaps are gonna need some work.....

but Keith they're already at original gapping :O)

Brett

 

[Keith]

but Keith they're already at original gapping :O)

Brett

Just kidding Chris honest. Looks a fine job.

 

[Pete McCluskey.]

By the look on Teds face I reckon he's thinking, "this is a pretty cool kennel that Graham has bought for me". "A bit stark, but with a decent sound system, Plasma screen and Jacuzzi I bet it will impress the crap out of that stuck up little Poodle that lives down the road'.

 

[Graham Inchley]

The Doberman next door is up for it!
Poodles - "Velcro Dogs"! Have you ever played that game where you throw a ball at the velcro target? Well it works with poodles too!!! Try it, it always gets a laugh.
Last night was taken up with filling in tax forms, what a pain. Why can't they leave me alone to get on with building my assets? "Born free, taxed to death", how true is that.

 

[Keith]

Last night was taken up with filling in tax forms, what a pain. Why can't they leave me alone to get on with building my assets? "Born free, taxed to death", how true is that.

Don't start me!

 

[Graham Inchley]

Tax.

I think I just have!
My Dad had a bank account registered in the name of "FTTM". Doesn't take much working out really.

 

[Keith]

I think I just have!
My Dad had a bank account registered in the name of "FTTM". Doesn't take much working out really.

That's a cool idea...

 

[Graham Inchley]

Just, UPRIGHT and of mature age?

Just thought it would be an idea to show the uprights I picked up from Mick on Friday. Very nice too!! Look good on the mantle piece and even better on the car in time to come.
Build (fabrication) progress has been slow due to an illness in the family but knowledge and contacts (powder coating etc) is going well.

 

[Graham Inchley]

Re: Southern GT #006

Sitrep!

Panels. Still very much engulfed in fabricating these to the chassis. Actually more like titivating the panels supplied by Mick Sollis. The panels are supplied very slightly oversize which makes life much easier when fitting to the chassis. Mick has been extremely helpful and supportive with the build so far. Build is slow whilst the house refurb continues. This is good for me as I'm gathering info as I go along. Panelling will be complete by April after they have been powder coated the same colour as the chassis.
I don't know what other builders think at this stage but I find it very rewarding and (without trying to sound like a dork) quite exciting. I've been set on one colour now for more than a few months - which is a good sign! There's a body shop in our village which specialises in classic rebuilds, the last of which was a Jaguar owned by Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean). The finish on this car is fantastic and hence I have asked them for assistance with the SGT 006. Prep work will be carried out by myself as I used to be a vehicle refinisher some time ago.

One question: To the nearest 100 or so how many rivets should I order for this build? I have chosen a rivet pitch of between 2" and 3" depending on which part of the chassis and access etc. I am using closed end 5/32" rivets from Prifast. Ordered some to get the ball rolling and they were very prompt in delivering and at a good price.

 

[SouthernGT40]

Graham
How`s the build coming along?
Regards Martin Gough.

 

[Graham Inchley]

Thanks for the interest Martin, sorry the reply has been slow in coming:

Build is "progressing". Got to get the house finished first. As long as the chassis is complete by summer I'll be chuffed. I work at Heathrow so been rather busy up there too in recent weeks! Things are settling down now so will be back on track soon.
Fabrication of panels is now up to cockpit area. This area has got to look good as this is where I will be spending quite a bit of time hopefully in the future. Not much else to report I'm afraid.
Stripped the heads on one of the lumps a couple of weeks ago out of interest. I hadn't realised there was a cross port in each of the heads, thought i was seeing things! What is the function of these? Are they for balancing? The ports have had some heavy work done on them which will save me some time. Can't ignore fettlin' a port or two, really enjoy that bit.
There is a Saab 99 in a barn just up the road obviously left to rack'n'ruin. The headlights look like they might fit the GT? Anyone tried them for size before?