My other toy!!

A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away..........

Way back in 2002, I decided to build a kit car. Now at the time I was working six days a week, so planned on a two year build period........ fat chance.

Some delays, money included, led to the three year mark (2005) and about 75% into the build. Then disaster struck in the form of 2 feet of river water in our house. It took a year you get back in and another year to get sorted out. That takes us up to end of 2007. However, the flood and all it's consequences, sent me into clinical depression, which lasted five years. (end of 2012, during which time I simply couldn't face finishing it.

I recommenced work and got it finished, only for it to blow a head gasket while at the garage having the carbs jetted and tuned properly. (it's a black art is that) By this time it's 2013.

I stripped the head, had it skimmed and re-built it. Then the aluminium oil pick up in the sump fractured and it took some time before I could find someone to weld it for me. (they are like rocky horse doo da fo find and buy) The engine sat there ready to be rebuilt then in 2015 our house was flooded with 2' of river water once again leading to another eighteen months before normal life could resume. In October last year my wife became very seriously ill (life threatening) and I became resigned to never finishing the project.

Things have stabilised with my wife, and as I am now her full time carer, I decided to get my local garage to rebuild the top end of the engine and get her running.

Next, is to give it a good clean and polish, and get it booked in for it's IVA test. Once through the test, there are several things to change and one or two things to add, so what you see, is not the final incarnation.

Looks better in the daylight Al!

Mind you, it looked nice in the shed even with the cylinder head off. lol

That is beautiful Al, not sure the roll cage flatters her though.

so now you are spoilt for choice........

'got to go to Tesco............should i take the sporty blue one?.......or the old puddle jumper?.....or the practical Citroen?'

LOL............. wot Citroen would that be then Paul????

She's no grocery getter Paul. Weighs in at under 500kg with two litres of Fiat 132 Mirafiori twincam under the bonnet, putting out 140bhp!!

She's going to a specialist next week to have the twin 40 Dellortos properly jetted and ballanced.

Scoobie Do's where are you!! LOL

That's a fantastic looking ride, Al.

Like the mythical Phoenix, it'll constantly be reborn after mishaps.

I always wondered what happened to this. Good work.

forgot...you used to have a citroen, you changed it last year, didnt you

I actually do recall this... that's such a nice car. Great to see you working on it again Al.

I remember this project from way back then. First time I have seen pictures of it outside. Nice looking car. I still think you should have put a Hemi in it.

Thanks all.

RetiredMike wrote:
Like the mythical Phoenix, it'll constantly be reborn after mishaps.

   

It got the Phoenix handle when the guy I bought the kit from sold his previous and similar design to someone else. Realising his mistake, he designed a new version and called it the Phoenix!!!

Zbuckster wrote:I remember this project from way back then. First time I have seen pictures of it outside. Nice looking car. I still think you should have put a Hemi in it.

Hmmmm.... a full blown 426/427 would be far to much weight up front Buck. It's perfectly possible to shoe horn in a Rover 3.5 litre V8 though. However, even that engine is considerably heavier than the 2L Fiat Twincam and only makes about 20bhp more! Besides the extra weight is no good for handling either.

Now that is a toy I would love to own. If only the steering wheel was on the proper side.

2whl wrote: If only the steering wheel was on the proper side.

it is

Wow, now that is AWESOME Al. More pictures please.

Thanks Paul and Mitch.

Your wish is my command Mitch:











This is the layout of the dash. Post test it will be replaced with circle polished aluminium.

Really is a cracker Al, fab drivers view of the bonnet and wings.

Love it.....! Very nice...!

Very cool!

Thanks guys.

Yes, that is impressive.

Thanks D.