Noob with a new mx5 Saturn build.

[norton]

I've been busy today.

[norton]

I'll be starting on the side panels Monday. Hopefully they'll go well. The plan is to vinyl wrap the back and side to match the bodywork vmax is putting together for me.

[SteveH1]

Nice job looks well

[robj]

Nice job you've done there. Looks a lot smoother than I managed.

[norton]

Thanks guys, I'm really pleased with it and looking forward to the side panels now.

[norton]

One side panel is coming along.







I'm a bit stuck on the lower arms rear mounting hole. I was naive in thinking I didn't need to put a fold in the panel where the front most lower rail kicks more inwards than the top rail. I saw various grp panels that didn't but I can't see how that won't interfere with the lower arm. Bawlz.

[voucht]

Hi,
First congratulation for your rear tube: it looks excellent !

Second, as you say, some GRP panels are straight, as mine are. It does not interfere with ther lower wishbone, as the pivot point is 25mm (bottom rail) + 30mm (bracket) = 55mm higher than the lower face of the bottom rail, so it allows a bit of downward movement to the wishbone.

2014-08-07_15-42-02 by Sylvain ROIG, sur Flickr

2014-08-07_16-36-22 by Sylvain ROIG, sur Flickr

The main question for you, is how are you going to attach the front of your rear panel to the bottom rail ? That is also the reason why there is a fold in the book's ally side panels. My GRP panels have a 90° return underneath the panel.

SidePanel-NoDims by Sylvain ROIG, sur Flickr

[SteveH]

That's exactly how I want the back of mine to look
Was it easy enough to bend around the rear frame?

Originally Posted by norton

I've been busy today.

[norton]

It was far easier than I thought it would be. If you watch this video about caterhams somewhere in it shows a guy folding the corners. https://youtu.be/Y3EbtLoROhU
Definitely start from the middle though and work outwards and pre bend the basic corners over a tube (or welding gas bottle) first.

[SteveH]

What size sheet of aluminium did you use for the rear?

Originally Posted by norton

It was far easier than I thought it would be. If you watch this video about caterhams somewhere in it shows a guy folding the corners. https://youtu.be/Y3EbtLoROhU
Definitely start from the middle though and work outwards and pre bend the basic corners over a tube (or welding gas bottle) first.