Alga's build (was: One year old...)
 

So, my build turned one year old this week... I bought the steel on the 29 July 2009. During the year I've spent over 230 hours fabbing the chassis, suspension and tearing down the donor, and countless more hours procrastinating on this forum :-). I've spent over 720 pounds on parts and materials (excluding the welder and other tools, a healthy 800 quid more).
I've run out of steam somewhat and have been spending a bit less time on the project since the first half year.

Here is a quick review of my achievements so far.

I have a chassis with all of the welding finished, suspension, rad mounts, etc. done:



The Zetec 2.0 engine and Type 9 gearbox are sat in place:

I bought a tired Sierra with the front already ripped. You can imagine how my wife was happy with this sight outside during most of the winter.

Had some fun tearing it down in -10°C temps this past winter. Not too bad when all the rusted suspension nuts keep you constantly working hard.

Eventually I scrapped the shell and got some beer money after the VAT, transport and deregistration costs were counted out

Initially I though of using the Pinto that came with Sierra

but later I was persuaded to use a Zetec. Either with standard pre-PATS ECU or MegaSquirt (I'm looking forward to all the soldering, electronics are fun)

I have the suspension bits all fabricated, primed and painted by now.


And here's me working on the rear upright jig sometime in the spring, with a silly "Zappa" beard style. Good job beards grow back pretty fast :)


So there, happy birthday, my roadster!

Oh, I had some fun with electrolysis on the front hubs and rear drums, too!

The driveshafts are still filthy, and they need to get clean pretty quick if I want to get to the rolling chassis stage!

Looking nice Albert :cool:

get it on wheels & you,ll be amazed how much motivation it gives you ;)

I noticed one thing wrong tho.................the steering wheel is on the wrong side :p :D

Keep at it , look forward to the pics showing a rolling chassis.

cheers
andy

Yeah, yeah. :) I've been looking at so many build pics on this forum that I almost welded in the steering support on the right.

Just looking back at my blog, it seems I started mine 2 years and 4 months ago, and I'm still not finished!

Keep going Alga - looks like you are working to a really good standard - keep it up!

I wouldnt worry guys I'm 3 years in and still not as far along as either of you!

mind you I made some daft decisions at the start with various things and have had 2 house moves a job change and a divorce to deal with so i dont worry to much, lol im still building to strip down again i didnt want to get the chassis powdercoated till all the holes were drilled and all the brackets welded

She's a roller!

That is looking great Albert :cool:

A huge moment of the build that's for sure :)
Still remember the day I rolled my chassis out of the workshop for the first time .... Wheels certainly seem to bring the chassis to life.

Looks like your little ones are having great fun :)

Keep up the great work, I love to see builds making progress :cool:

Just about 7 weeks shy of three years, it moves on its own power:

http://youtu.be/jSA2pzJ9CqM

Chuffed to bits!

:cool:
Thats a great milestone, a huge well done.

The family sound as excited as you must have been:)

Love the "Biggles" flying hat & goggles & you might need a bigger fuel tank :D

Nice one Albert :cool:

cheers
andy

loooking good. well done :)

Thanks, mates.

I got the aviator hat and goggles from friends for my birthday. As an encouragement to get on with the build :)

Great news
 

Hi Albert

Watching that youtube clip has just put a big smile on my face. :)

I can only imagine just how pleased you must feel. :cool: :)

Have followed your build with interest & will continue to do so, well done indeed.

Going to be something special once completed, that's for sure. :cool:

Well done Albert :)

Looks like you live in a nice area too.

I'm close to submitting the car for the equivalent of the IVA test in Warsaw, Poland. Arrangements are being made with one of the local Locost/kit car builders there.

I've put together a gallery of most build progress photos I have, about 500 of them:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1008810...?noredirect=1#

Also I've been keeping records of time I've spent on the build, here is a breakdown of how long each part took:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...EE&usp=sharing

Best of luck for the test,


TT

Nice one Albert (I 've been looking for a flying helmet and goggles like that:o )

I hope the test goes well.

Well done. Video is great!!:D

Love the video, just got back from a chassis welding session, seeing one moving about under its own power is exciting!

Cool video and pictures.

Can I ask what the ral code was you used for the Grp?

David

The colour is RAL1037 Sun Yellow.

Thanks for the good wishes, but the test is still about 4 weeks away, provided I manage to sort out the logistics.

I hope everything will be OK ;)
Polish IVA is much easier than UK - that I was told :) Especially when you have experience/contacts at IVA station. But it's still stressful etc. Like every exam in life... so - good luck :)
Can you tell exact date of your visit in Warsaw ? Maybe I will be there for some reason ;)

Sure, I'll let you know when when I know when I'm going.

Took the roadster out for a couple of photos of the finished article (not really, the aeroscreen is not yet attached):

The IVA test is planned on the 27 April in Warsaw. If all goes well, I'll be blasting down the roads a month from now!

Well done Albert.That looks good.Good fun drifting about on icy roads:eek: :eek:

Best wishes for your test.

Well done Albert!

Well done Albert, Looking Good all the best for the Test

Nice going Albert and good luck with the test

Finally, done. Blasting around, getting mud in my face from wet roads, grinning like an idiot! Here I'm taking my son home after school:



Had a friendly race/test drive with an owner of an E92 M3:




Hard to beat a 4 litre V8 revving to 8500 in any department, including sound, but the thrills are hard to describe in either of those.

I need a shift light.

[quote=alga;90319]Finally, done. Blasting around, getting mud in my face from wet roads, grinning like an idiot! Here I'm taking my son home after school:

I bet you are the coolest Dad !

[quote=ayjay;90324]Albert - the car looks fantastic - well done! It's seeing stuff like this that keeps me thinking about how ace it will be when I get mine done!

Albert how come you have two different reg numbers in your pics:confused:

:confused:

So, I had the original Polish registration and the sale agreement, then went and registered the car on my name, and got the Lithuanian plates. I rode with the Polish plates just for one evening, I'm not sure if it was fully legal.

Some inspiration for you, mates:
http://youtu.be/VaaxH5ERGuQ