"instead of a couple of years"
HA! - pretty optimistic there!! I will NEVER do this again. I don't mind
the work, but it's way way way more than you could ever imagine, both in
cost and time. You get used to the cost after a while, but not being able
to drive it is near unbearable.
Here's what will happen, if you're like me: you'll ignore my sage advice,
convincing yourself "do it right, or not at all!". You'll be hunting down
the best place to sandblast your bare frame while compiling your next order
for Prothane suspension bits and stainless steel heater pipes. New pistons
- why not? A bit of extra power while I'm in here anyway! Yahoo this is
fun! And the years will pass by until you can't stand it anymore.
I'm telling you! I started really wanting to re-do my 69 P1800S in 1994,
and look where I am. Once I realized how long it would take, I went and
bought a 68 Mk. 3 Spit - no kidding! As you know, I don't have it anymore,
so now I REALLY want a mid-50s Royal Enfield, just so I can enjoy driving
on a sunny day.
After this, it will be nothing but a rolling resto. for me!
DON'T DO IT!
(How was that?)
Jim
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 11:15:11 -0500
From: Rob Christopher <robc@cisco.com>
Subject: [SPAM] On the slippery slope....
......The bonnet, front valance, both bumpers, all four fenders, interior,
and hood are all off the car now. I also pulled the engine this weekend
(bought a big yellow shop crane at Princess Auto here in Ottawa, only
$188.....cool shop toy!) to make it easier to straighten/repair the
frame and paint the engine bay. The only stuff left on the "car" is the
brake plumbing, gas tank, dash, wiring harness, drive train and
suspension.
As I already know the differential could use some new seals, all the
suspension bushings are 25 years old and could use replacing, and the
only way to properly paint the entire body is to remove it from the
frame, I'm thinking full frame off resto. Rebuild the suspension, paint
everything, frame, suspension pieces. The result of which would be a
"new" car for only a couple $thou more than I have planned now to get
the engine rebuilt (it only has 76000 miles on it but what the heck,
it's out of the car now so do it now), buy the body parts I need, have
the body stripped and fully painted (Sapphire Blue I think) and new
interior. It only makes sense to do everything to the frame now instead
of later, right? Why have a mint body and interior and crappy
suspension and frame?
This all sounds like fun to me but somebody stop me!!!! Talk me out of
it!!! Tell me I want to drive it next year instead of a couple of years
from now!!!
In all seriousness, just letting you all know that CF28217UO will
survive it's encounter with the tree, and it'll be better than ever.
I'll just be broke from it. 8^)
Rob
Ottawa, ON
74.5 TR6 CF28217UO (frame off resto underway???)
Looking for late 60s Spit to drive while the '6 is in surgery.
|