Thread: extraordinary - build your own car - must see!

That's amazing!

That could be fun.

Looks like a fun thing..but what a shed

There are many things that truly amaze me about this:
1). He did it
2). He did it from scratch
3). He did it from scratch in less than 2 years
4). He produced fantastic documentation - that alone is amazing..

I'm inspired - just need a shed like that

GQ

These could be photos of my Dad's workshop! I've grown-up with cars like these and watched them develop from lengths of mild steel tube and sheets of zero temper aluminium to concourse winners.

I'd spend hours watching and helping Dad on the lastest project - I reckon I've done a 38 year apprentiship! I still enjoy going over to see the latest project. The most recent was an MG race replica that he did for a customer. Past jobs have included Jags, Lotus 11, Lotus 7 (many), Vauxhalls, Austin Healeys and Sprites, just about every model of MG, and even some work on the Volvo Super Tourers.

He has a Lotus 7 replica that he built himself based on the original series 3 plans. We even did a few night shifts on that one (Usually these were the planning shifts!)

I'll be go over to borrow his compressor tomorrow, but there aren't any projects to inspect at the moment. He and Mum are somewhere in the NT doing the grey nomad caravan thing. He's got customers waiting for him to get back though.

I'll have to see if I can get some photos to post. I've got some here somewhere, but Dad has thousands.

Just found a couple of pics. There's the MG Race repilca engine, the Lotus suspension and my little girl in the Lotus at Speed on Tweed a few years ago. (the Lotus has a blower on it now - goes good!)

Paul, given I started this as a finder on how to polish aluminium - how do I polish it (as in the pic of your child in the Lotus?), to that finish?

BTW: Been to Tweed on Speed most years, but not the last a few weeks ago... we should compare pics...

cheers, GQ

My brother just finished building a AC Cobra replica...

Very Nice....
Gen3 270Kw

it only weighs 900kg....

Serious play time...

Originally Posted by Quiggers

Paul, given I started this as a finder on how to polish aluminium - how do I polish it (as in the pic of your child in the Lotus?), to that finish?

It depends on the condition of the aluminium that you are starting with. Generally it will have some deep scratches so it will need rubbing back with progressively finer paper, starting dry and then wet rubbing with the finer paper. Once your down to around 1000 grit you go to a buffing compound with either a buff, or if it is a small part, a polishing wheel on a bench grinder. Dad has experimented with a few different polishing compounds, and has found one that works really well. I can't remember what it is, but I can find out. There is a supplier up here in Slacks Creek, but once I find the name of the product, you may be able to source it locally.

Generally, to get the mirror finish it's all in the preparation work done with the paper.

What is it that you want to polish? Thin aluminium panels can be difficult as the heat generated by the buff can cause them to buckle.

Originally Posted by Quiggers

BTW: Been to Tweed on Speed most years, but not the last a few weeks ago... we should compare pics...

cheers, GQ

I got so busy, that I forgot it was on. Remebered the following Monday. All reports are that it was a good one too.