Speedo and Tacho Swap

Saturday 15th February

Well the dash is back out and the speedo is to be sent back to Speedy cables. Why? Well, I didn't calibrate it properly and when I test drove it a 20 mile run put 800 miles on the clock!! As I'm not planning on doing much more than 3,000 miles per annum I wanted it setting back to zero.

I had hoped that I would be able to get the dials out and swapped over without removing the dash but they were fitted really tightly so end the end it was another (and hopefully for the final time) dash out job! This is certainly something worthy of warning other builders about as it is impossible to reset the odometer without returning it to the supplier.

Saturday 22nd February

The dash is back in a looking good with the new instrument set up. The steering wheel has been realigned and the indicators cancel correctly.

Another job that needed sorting after IVA was the horn - I had asked Andy to look at this when he prepped the car but it must have been over looked and the tester didn't even the horn at IVA. The way I had it wired meant it worked on the push back position but not in the self return position. There were some mods that were needed to be done to the relay wiring which I had overlooked during the build. Essentially there is a thin purple wire that is looped across two relay terminals which needs to be cut and then an earth fitting to terminal 86 (not terminal 85 as per the build notes)

Headlamps

Sunday 2nd February

Swapped the headlamps today for Lucas P700s

I once saw a GD at the factory with these fitted and I was blown away by them

Nice Rear End

As Total Kit Car magazine had requested to do a shoot using my car, fortunately for me Andy agreed to tidy up a few of the jobs I had scheduled to do.

So off came the fog and reverse lights, the Q-Jacks were fitted as were the Wind Wings and Side Louvres/Grilles.

I hope readers will agree the rear end is rather sexy now...

Post IVA Alterations

Having got the car through IVA, there were always a number of changes I had planned to do as well as completing a few little jobs that I simply didn't get around to finishing off.

In summary the alterations are:-

1. Swap Speedo and Tacho positions - really feel that the tacho needs to be closer to the driver.
2. Remove fog and reverse lights - the original cars never had these and I think the car looks much neater with clean lines at the rear
3. Fit grilles to wings
4. Fit wind wings
5. Fit Q Jacks to Rear - originally I had planned to fit to front and rear but on reflection I think the front looks just fine
6. Swap headlamps for Lucas P700s - nothing wrong with the standard lamps but I think the P700s ooze class and add a real period feel

And the outstanding jobs are:-

1. Fit hood and tonneau cover - to be done by Intertrim
2. Source and fit carpet to rear bulkhead - there is a section of the boot that is uncarpeted that I want to cover
3. Fit 12v power supply - will come in handy when travelling to Classic Le Mans to charge SatNav and the like
4. Remove in-line fan thermostat (this has never been connected), re-position electric fan controller and add over ride switch
5. Fit mesh to brake and oil cooler ducts
6. Fit battery brain
7. Fit tracker
8. Fit stone guards to rear arches
9. Set up suspension
10. Fit wheel spinners 
11. Source and fit sump guard - I have asked Andy to come up with a sump guard for me. The Morosso sump I have is very low and is quite exposed and with the amount of speed bumps on our roads I think this could be a great safety device
12. Apply GD decals
13. Re-fit gear box bell housing cover plate - this was removed when setting up clutch and whilst ins't entirely necessary, I am happier with it in place than not
14. Fit document holder to transmission tunnel