Well its been over a month now since I last posted, so an update is due.
I have now got the rear section bonded on, the front section bonded on at the A pillars, and the boot lid all fitted and working, with the solenoid fitted and tested. Cabling this up will wait until after paint, so it has the customary temporary boot release cord at the moment.
I also assembled the wiper system, and after a bit of messing around with fitting, that is now completed, wired up and tested before bonding on the front section to the A pillars.
I decided to take a chance on fitting a stubby antenna replacement for the radio, so I remounted the amplifier at a 45 degree angle pointing backwards. The 10 cm antenna (£5 from Amazon) screwed on replacing the original one, and this all fits nicely underneath the GRP rear wing.
Early testing indicated the reception was at least as good as, if not better than the original antenna, so I am very pleased with this neat, hidden approach.
I had cut the body in the filler hatch to the shape shown on the scribe marks, but after fitting the hinge and leaving it screwed on for a few weeks, when I removed it I saw some cracking of the fibreglass around the holes. I decided this would be a weak point (probably not much glass fibres in this area?) so I cut it all out, and made a metal plate to bolt the hinge to. This plate was then bonded in place behind the hatch.I'm now happy with that.
Had a few trips to DNA to see Brian and the boys - always fills me with enthusiasm when I see the near completed cars they are working on!
And I got to see the progress on Dock's new project - looking good.
Unfortunately I am away on business for two weeks, so not much more will happen until April, but when I get back, I'll be fitting the bonnet, then finally bonding in the rest of the front section.
Then I will turn my attention to bonding on the door skins and then fitting the bumpers and nose/screen trim surrounds before its ready for paint.