30 December 2005
This is a very, very early MGA. I rebuilt the engine in 1982 or 1983, the owner had the body repaired and painted at about the same time. Then it sat -- sat for nearly 25 years. He hauled it up here about three months ago. We first got the chassis operational. Then we began on the body. The goal is to make the body nearly 100% complete with fenders and doors before fitting it to the chassis.
Here, Casey assembles the windscreen.
And here, Casey works with the RH side of the firewall.
MONDAY 01/02/06
We've begun with the chassis-frame on one side and the body on the other. Then, with the assistance from everyone in the shop ->
We lifted the body from the sawhorses to the frame.
Then, Casey began to connect the various engine controls.
Here, the stiffner tubes are gone and it's beginning to look a little more like a real MGA.
TUESDAY 01/03/06
The body is now mounted to the chassis
And the engine controls, radiator, and associated wiring and cables are in place.
WEDNESDAY 01/05/06
All day...All day... and the picture looks not much different than the day before -- but all day long little things have been getting fitted, connected, and by the end of the day the tach, speedo, remaining gauges, clutch, throttle -- all worked and the car reached speeds of 60 mph on the hoist!
THURSDAY 01/05/06
What a difference one day can make. Yesterday were all the little things, mostly "unseen." Today -- well -- today Casey hung the fenders.
And fit the fender welting. My what a difference one day makes!
FRIDAY 01/06/06
The fender welting (or piping) is fitted left and right, fore and aft.
The rear taillamps are now fitted
As well as the front lamps
And some small error in the switch wiring corrected. And now the lamps all work! Mark Kenworthy has the bonnet and boot hinges, as well as the splash panels and the door hinges. The car should be finished this week!
Now the lights illuminate. So -- the nervous system is beginning to work!
We had to take a break on this project, but Casey was back on it with a fever pitch. Here the cockpit trim is going on.
Soon Casey had the whole interior in place
And then the door shut plates, and then the doors fitted and closing
And then the bumpers. Gosh is this close!!
