Little progress update on the Spit :)

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228) 08/30/2017 at 04:46 • Filed to: Spit6

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Bodyshell back on the ground. Engine, gearbox and diff fitted to check clearances and propshaft length.

Terrible photo but my suspension mounts are done :)

Finished boxing in the roof to the roll hoop which is the last welding on the hardtop, and chopped off the prop tunnel to box in the last bit of the body to the chassis and then stitch the tunnel back on.

Did a little list of the welding left to do and there’s light at the end of the tunnel! I’ve got about half a dozen more rust holes, front suspension brace/crumple zone, radiator mounts, bonnet mounts and a battery tray :)

Then it’s exciting stuff like test-fitting all the other little components :)

pip bip - choose Corrour > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 05:00

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so it’ll be back on the road for christmas?

:P

duurtlang > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/30/2017 at 05:19

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I expect Dr Frankenstein here to explore Wales in this Spitfire next March/April.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 05:47

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I will buy you a pint at the next oppomeet if you get this on the road for then.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. 08/30/2017 at 06:12

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You’re on! I’m not exactly hopeful, but you’re on ;)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang 08/30/2017 at 06:17

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I certainly hope so!

Also looking at it the moniker ‘Dr Frankenstein’ is more fitting than I thought. Seeing as I’m too lazy (ahem, strategic with my time ) to dress my welds the whole thing looks like a patchwork of different cars ;)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/30/2017 at 06:18

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Well, if I’m being ambitious it could be on its wheels by then!

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 07:07

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The guy who coined the name really has a feel for it. I think he knew it would end up looking like this. ;)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 07:33

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Haha if beer isn’t motivation I dont know what is.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 07:48

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Great progress! Would be really nice if you can have it finished before the meet.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer 08/30/2017 at 08:09

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Thanks! It really would :) that is my aim, and for the first time it actually seems like a moderately realistic one.

Finish welding, trial fit all major components, sandblast, paint, windows, build up suspension, clutch, brakes, exhaust manifold, lower the inlet manifold, sort the FG bonnet, seats, dash, steering, fuel lines and pumps, electrics, exhaust, lights and switchgear, horn, tuning, seatbelts, gearbox tunnel, tyres...anything else I’m forgetting...

A lot of work, but definitely doable!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 10:40

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You should run with that patchwork idea and make a harlequin Spitfire with the welds dividing each color.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/30/2017 at 11:18

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I did definitely consider that ;) lot of money in paint though :S

An idea I did have (not for this one) is following an article by Torchinsky about Kintsugi, which is a Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, and applying it to cars. You get kickass stuff like this:

So, applied to cars what I’d do (if I was repairing each individual external panel on a car) is to paint the whole thing either off-white or a dark bronze like this bowl, and then paint each bead of weld or seam in gold :)

The reason I wouldn’t do it with this car is my welding isn’t anywhere near the level where I’d actually want to draw attention to it! However, I was inspired somewhat by the article into not dressing my welds so they show off the fact that it’s been broken and fixed, rather trying to mask the fact and make it look as if it’s new.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 11:26

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Yeah, sounds like a lot of work. But definitely nothing as major as turning a chassis and a shell into a unibody. Good luck!

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires 08/30/2017 at 12:13

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I like your idea a lot.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/30/2017 at 12:17

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Well, to be frank it’s Torchinsky’s idea, but I’ll be happy to implement it if I ever get the skill required in doing so ;)