1971 Spitfire Mk8 - A long overdue build thread

stafford1500 said:

And a simple image of the cars state after the 2023 Challenge. Time to get back on this now that there is room...

You really should paint a Union Jack to match the weld seams.  This is so cool.

It was white and red along the seams until I redid the hood. Kinda a reverse English flag (not the uk flag).

St Georges cross.

Hood is off and getting panel work today. Lots of hammer and dolly work, with a little welding and grinding.

beautiful work!

In reply to Greg Smith (Forum Supporter) :

Thanks. I may have to actually go hammer some more this evening with a cold beverage in hand to relax from a day of staring at numbers in a room with no windows. This car has been my stress relief for a very long time. I had planned to document the whole thing way back when, but now it's all stored in my head, even the small detail in the all white wiring loom...

Very cool! 

This summer got away from me and I didn't do much. The garage still looks like the picture above except there is a different welding torch on the hood. I should get myself motivated to get back out there...

In reply to stafford1500 :

Beating Monzora is the motivation right?

AWSX1686 (Forum Supporter) said:

In reply to stafford1500 :

Beating Monzora is the motivation right?

I'm happy to provide motivation to get people to bring crazy E36 M3 to the challenge!

Well it's been another long stretch without updates. It seems I prefer working on the car rather than updating the build thread.

Anyway, I spent the past few weeks building the radiator ductwork for a newly fabricated radiator. The new radiator started as a core and I welded tanks inlets and outlets to it to better fit the engines water necks, both near centerline.

It only took a few passes to find/weld the pin holes. Next is fit the assembly to the car and add water, then check for leaks with temp.

Ductwork is fiberglass with foam core for thickness/stiffness. Lots of wet layup and four pieces to make the assembly serviceable. Also ruber to seal around chassis bits.

Next up is an intake duct that houses a filter.

Spent the past few days getting off my ass to get the car ready to bring to the challenge. If I am successful then it will run in over budget.

Quick overview then pictures...

I need to tear the car down completely and do some finish welding on the chassis and a little on the body. Then reassemble and verify all the systems. Finally tie up the bits that aren't needed for the challnge but will be needed for street legal use.

And now the pictures...

Hood off

Cooling removed

Front suspension subframe removed

Ready for engine removal, then body removal then rear suspension removal, then welding and painting.

I need more space...

Another week and a little more progress.

Engine, gearbox, wiring harness, interior, fuel system, and rear access tin work removed.

Time for some bodywork welding then I can split the body from the chassis. Chassis work/welding after that.

Reassembly is the reverse of removal...

In reply to stafford1500 :

The fact you worked at Swift is blatantly obvious in your suspension. David Bruns was a master. He should have patented the camber shim outboard on the upright.

You do amazing work sir.

Im looking forward to seeing it in a few weeks. Wish I had time to offer to help.

Sketch factor...

ALL OF IT

Body separated from the chassis

Success. After 25 years of slowly adding things to the chassis, mostly with the body fitted, it cam apart with only minimal fight. I guess I did an ok job of thinking through systems integration.

Now I can progress with the interior body welding and final chassis welding before reassembly.

I COULD install the driveline and run it up and down the street without the body, but that would take extra time.

i'll bring tin snips and rivets and skin that center tunnel for you. ;-)

Done for the night. Only a little more grinding to do on the body. Some of these areas have not been visible since I dragged this project from southern California to North Carolina in 2008.

Had to stop and celebrate a little since I have been dreading this disassembly and clean up. It's not as bad as I thought it was going to be and I can see my learning curve in the work.

La Unica never fails.

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

i'll bring tin snips and rivets and skin that center tunnel for you. ;-)

Already done and sitting to the side for now. I appreciate the offer though. If I need help I know how to find you.

This is exciting!

Steve, please feel free to continue any needed extra effort at my house if you need, challenge week.

Seeing this run will be epic.

stafford1500 said:

I can see my learning curve in the work.

i so get that. not that i'm good now, only that i'm better than when i started. 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:

stafford1500 said:

I can see my learning curve in the work.

i so get that. not that i'm good now, only that i'm better than when i started. 

Samesies, and probably the biggest reason my truck will always be in my fleet.