More pics from Merlin - more work on the front lights and first shot of the work in progress vented tailgate/engine hatch
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
lights coming along..
pics from Merlin: lot of blending and moulding to be done but the overall shape and sharp cutting lines crossed with the curved glass is very pleasing. Very low profile have a good Le Mans look..
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
more carbon
Merlin making more progress - cut a lot out of the doors and still had time to make up new carbon panels for the cut-out and aero fuel filler.. also the aero catches look good
Monday, September 17, 2007
more from Merlin.. weight watchers.. phoenix take the money!
i sorted out the steering wheel and quick release adaptor. seat position seems good. oh and i attacked your doors the driver side wieghed in at 18kg so choped most of the crap away including the stuff on the inside, and got the weight down to 12kg so minus 24kg both sides ( that's a lot ) easily makes up for new cage and extra bits n pieces. Merlin
Meanwhile Phoenix have cashed the £300 cheque I sent for the work invoiced eventhough John L had said he was setting that aside. Now that has been cashed as full and final settlement then it's all steam ahead to puruse my losses. I may have gone easy if they had set aside the invoice but this makes things a whole lot simpler.
They have until the 27th before the matter goes back to trading standards and ultimately the lawyers..
ding ding!
Meanwhile Phoenix have cashed the £300 cheque I sent for the work invoiced eventhough John L had said he was setting that aside. Now that has been cashed as full and final settlement then it's all steam ahead to puruse my losses. I may have gone easy if they had set aside the invoice but this makes things a whole lot simpler.
They have until the 27th before the matter goes back to trading standards and ultimately the lawyers..
ding ding!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Monday, September 10, 2007
Ssh top secret - 358ss front-end takes shape
looks like Merlin has a lot of fun splicing in the ZX lights into the Esprit.. mmmm. nice!
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Bits n peices.. work continues at MVS..
It looks like Merlin has been busy cutting the front end to make way for the new headlights... Merlin is also using hid Civic as inspiration of the shape of the cut-in.. Hopefully end result is more like the Diablo GTR limited edition track/race car.
Merlin confirmed: "altenator turned up along with aero catches + fuel cap.strange question how tall are you ?this is for seat position and srteering wheel.the pic of the civic is " inspiration " for the headlights.cheers merlin"
Also had work back from MSA scrutineer Marc H who confirmed cross-bars look okay: Hi JonGood to hear from you - I had been wondering how things were going and if we'd see the esprit next year .the bars look fine to me - I'm not aware of any problems with them for the blue book either.If you want more strength you can weld additional gussets onto the welded joints like they show on the door bars here:http://www.safetydevices.com/images/products/rollcages/step3_weldin_cage_terminoli.gifhope that helps any other questions let me knowregards Marc
I also found a basic CAD design for the GT1 works car so thought I'd thrown that in.
Other news: 2008 Time Attack prelim registration already coming through from Rob Barnes.. how the last year has passed with its ups and downs.
Quick update from 5th avenue off Broadway
Cheers
Jon
Friday, August 31, 2007
Latest pics from the workshop
Latest pics from Merlin.. car really starting to shape-up.. engine/trans in and low n level, tailgate modified, shifter working, rear lights coming along, firewall in..
Friday, August 24, 2007
Ongoing 'discussions' with Phoenix
Formal letter of complaint lodged with Phoenix. JL called me today and awaiting full response to my claim.. happy to consider any reaosnable offers. stay tuned. JB
More updates from Merlin.. pics to follow
"we got gears, made the linkage over the past two days, got a bit pissed off at times, but it was worth it in the end, allthough you will only be able to use 1st and 4th, i dont see a problem with this. only joking we got em all . wot a bastard job thou, no wonder it costs so much for the original linkage. boot mould should be done by monday, a nice louvered job. martyn didnt seem to impressed when i told i wanted to fit the f1 style air intake on to the roof so i said "tough it will look mental" he just laughed and walked away! i keep meaning to send you some pics but i always forget il will try to remember this weekend.bye for now.merlin."
"aero cathes look dear, i think i paid that money for the locking 1s. try rallydesign.co.uk ok so your wing mirrors just turned up 4mins ago, martyn is jumping up and down because he is very excited about these he has looked every where for a pair of these for his elan , where did you get them from? and at what cost? the rear bumper on the nissan 350z, we made 1 just like this for a subaru, its a very simple and efective way for reducing turbulance in the wheel arches, i think you may find sum pics of it at autosportif.co.uk or .com they look after peoples rally cars. we built him a 1 off aero kit so he could do the 24hr at nurmburg ring.cheers"
"all gears seem positive, a nice heatlhy clunk when it goes in to reverse, rear visability will be none with this tail gate, i will still fit a pespex panel into the new fire wall just in case sumthing changes. but the camera sounds dead cool, a bit like pimp my ride.. the new fire wall is going to be in 3 pieces due to how orkward it is to make while the cage is insitue, 2 pieces have been made today and the top piece a bit later on this after noon, i have taken a pic of the 2 pieces fitted to the car, you will get these pics later. "
"have you seen the lotus elise wing mirrors? or vx 220 mirrors. u may have to be carefull with the wing mirrors from larger cars due to the fact that they mite full of guff like elec motors+demist, with this stuff it starts to get heavy.cheers for now merlin"
"aero cathes look dear, i think i paid that money for the locking 1s. try rallydesign.co.uk ok so your wing mirrors just turned up 4mins ago, martyn is jumping up and down because he is very excited about these he has looked every where for a pair of these for his elan , where did you get them from? and at what cost? the rear bumper on the nissan 350z, we made 1 just like this for a subaru, its a very simple and efective way for reducing turbulance in the wheel arches, i think you may find sum pics of it at autosportif.co.uk or .com they look after peoples rally cars. we built him a 1 off aero kit so he could do the 24hr at nurmburg ring.cheers"
"all gears seem positive, a nice heatlhy clunk when it goes in to reverse, rear visability will be none with this tail gate, i will still fit a pespex panel into the new fire wall just in case sumthing changes. but the camera sounds dead cool, a bit like pimp my ride.. the new fire wall is going to be in 3 pieces due to how orkward it is to make while the cage is insitue, 2 pieces have been made today and the top piece a bit later on this after noon, i have taken a pic of the 2 pieces fitted to the car, you will get these pics later. "
"have you seen the lotus elise wing mirrors? or vx 220 mirrors. u may have to be carefull with the wing mirrors from larger cars due to the fact that they mite full of guff like elec motors+demist, with this stuff it starts to get heavy.cheers for now merlin"
Monday, August 20, 2007
Loose ends.. a letter to John L
Finally got an all-clear on the transaxle from Kev at GTO engineering. One less thing to worry about. That now allows me to address the outstanding invoice with Phoenix. Spoke to Falkirk Trading Standards today who were very sympathetic about my story. The following letter will be sent tomorrow morning; if that doesn't work then they'll take the file over and see if any action against Phoenix is due and fight on my behalf if there's a case owing:
FAO: John Leitch, Servicing Manager
Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Limited
Glensburgh Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8XJ
Date: 20th August 2007
Ref: C268360, dated 23rd May 2007 (no reminder recorded)
RE: Lotus: Removal of Engine and ancillaries
Dear Mr Leitch,
Thank you for your invoice for the sum of £598.78 inc. VAT. Please forgive the delay in responding; but following works undertaken by your workshop the car has since been passed to my current mechanic and race builder at MVS Racing, Wales. Since taking custody of the vehicle MVS have undertaken a full review of your work, between 2nd October 2006 and 23rd May 2007, on behalf of Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Limited and relating to the engine conversion of a Lotus race car (Q386 NVS).
For the record you stated that the contract for services with your good selves was halted at the instruction of your general manager. Unfortunately this has caused a lot of inconvenience to all parties involved, both fiscally and in terms of lost competition time. It is my belief that the original contract for services was engaged on a ‘subsidised’ labour basis in exchange for promotional benefit in kind. Although a rate per hour was never finalised a fee of £500, for the completed build, was mentioned at outset as well as your repeated assurances of “being looked after”. On this proviso the project proceeded, including the shipment of many expensive engine and transmission parts, imported as part of a sponsorship deal with B&A Foreign Cars, Texas.
Whilst I fully appreciate that the outcome may have been very different, had your management not intervened, it nonetheless left me on a limb in terms of project completion after significant delay, many £0000s invested and a limited budget to cover future labour charges.
However putting these losses aside I have reviewed your invoice for the removal of engine and ancillaries and find it wholly reasonable in the circumstances. Unfortunately I must adjust the final payment to account for a subsequent repair to an expensive alloy billet transaxle adapter plate, which was damaged in your custody through misaligned drilling for fitment. The damage prevented correct alignment of the transaxle and necessitated a portion of alloy to be cut out, filleted, welded, machined and re-drilled. I have been informed this process took approximately 8 hours labour for one of MVS’ mechanics. The adjustment to the payment is attached overleaf together with pictures of the repair for reference.
Following a preliminary discussion a copy of my file is ready to be sent to Falkirk Trading Standards, pending the outcome of this offer, which is made in Full and Final Settlement of the invoice referred. I therefore hope Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Ltd will accept so that all parties can move on quietly, and wish to thank your staff for their otherwise friendly service, good faith and good humour through testing times.
Without prejudice
Jonathan S. Beckett
14 Dumyat Rise, Larbert, FK5 4FL
Appendix:
1a. Invoice for services: C268360 (copy attached)
Services referred: Removal of Engine and ancillaries
Amount invoiced by Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Limited: £598.78
Less,
1b. Cost of labour for the repair of 1 x billet transaxle adapter plate
Repair: Cut out original metal, fillet, weld, machine and re-drill by MVS Racing
Hours required (1 mechanic) 8 hours
Cost per hour from MVS Racing (reduced rate) £35.00
Total cost of repair £280.00
+ VAT to be charged (17.50%) £49.00
Labour Sub-total £329.00
Payment: Amount invoiced less full cost of repair (1a-1b) £269.78
A full engineer’s report, from MVS Racing, detailing the repair is available upon receipt of an additional nominal payment of £30, cheques made payable to MVS Racing.
Please refer to pictures (x3) attached detailing the repair. The replacement cost of a new made-to-order racing billet transaxle adapter plate was estimated in the region of £350.00 once shipped from the United States and would have also incurred additional delay to the ongoing build/conversion.
FAO: John Leitch, Servicing Manager
Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Limited
Glensburgh Road, Grangemouth, FK3 8XJ
Date: 20th August 2007
Ref: C268360, dated 23rd May 2007 (no reminder recorded)
RE: Lotus: Removal of Engine and ancillaries
Dear Mr Leitch,
Thank you for your invoice for the sum of £598.78 inc. VAT. Please forgive the delay in responding; but following works undertaken by your workshop the car has since been passed to my current mechanic and race builder at MVS Racing, Wales. Since taking custody of the vehicle MVS have undertaken a full review of your work, between 2nd October 2006 and 23rd May 2007, on behalf of Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Limited and relating to the engine conversion of a Lotus race car (Q386 NVS).
For the record you stated that the contract for services with your good selves was halted at the instruction of your general manager. Unfortunately this has caused a lot of inconvenience to all parties involved, both fiscally and in terms of lost competition time. It is my belief that the original contract for services was engaged on a ‘subsidised’ labour basis in exchange for promotional benefit in kind. Although a rate per hour was never finalised a fee of £500, for the completed build, was mentioned at outset as well as your repeated assurances of “being looked after”. On this proviso the project proceeded, including the shipment of many expensive engine and transmission parts, imported as part of a sponsorship deal with B&A Foreign Cars, Texas.
Whilst I fully appreciate that the outcome may have been very different, had your management not intervened, it nonetheless left me on a limb in terms of project completion after significant delay, many £0000s invested and a limited budget to cover future labour charges.
However putting these losses aside I have reviewed your invoice for the removal of engine and ancillaries and find it wholly reasonable in the circumstances. Unfortunately I must adjust the final payment to account for a subsequent repair to an expensive alloy billet transaxle adapter plate, which was damaged in your custody through misaligned drilling for fitment. The damage prevented correct alignment of the transaxle and necessitated a portion of alloy to be cut out, filleted, welded, machined and re-drilled. I have been informed this process took approximately 8 hours labour for one of MVS’ mechanics. The adjustment to the payment is attached overleaf together with pictures of the repair for reference.
Following a preliminary discussion a copy of my file is ready to be sent to Falkirk Trading Standards, pending the outcome of this offer, which is made in Full and Final Settlement of the invoice referred. I therefore hope Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Ltd will accept so that all parties can move on quietly, and wish to thank your staff for their otherwise friendly service, good faith and good humour through testing times.
Without prejudice
Jonathan S. Beckett
14 Dumyat Rise, Larbert, FK5 4FL
Appendix:
1a. Invoice for services: C268360 (copy attached)
Services referred: Removal of Engine and ancillaries
Amount invoiced by Phoenix Honda (Falkirk) Limited: £598.78
Less,
1b. Cost of labour for the repair of 1 x billet transaxle adapter plate
Repair: Cut out original metal, fillet, weld, machine and re-drill by MVS Racing
Hours required (1 mechanic) 8 hours
Cost per hour from MVS Racing (reduced rate) £35.00
Total cost of repair £280.00
+ VAT to be charged (17.50%) £49.00
Labour Sub-total £329.00
Payment: Amount invoiced less full cost of repair (1a-1b) £269.78
A full engineer’s report, from MVS Racing, detailing the repair is available upon receipt of an additional nominal payment of £30, cheques made payable to MVS Racing.
Please refer to pictures (x3) attached detailing the repair. The replacement cost of a new made-to-order racing billet transaxle adapter plate was estimated in the region of £350.00 once shipped from the United States and would have also incurred additional delay to the ongoing build/conversion.
Merlin casts his magic..
Latest update from Merlin.. there was a potential proboem with the G50 box as it was stuck in gear - Kev from GTO engineering popped over to help.. thankfully it looks as if the box is okay.. just needs to be modified for the upside-down spray bar. Rear number plate leds ordered and on their way. Ordering vinyl number plates and looking for fuel hose for the guys.
We continue to swap ideas on the bodywork.. hopefully the guys will produce an absolute monster, all spoilers, vents, engine intake and wide arches.. we're all using Gottfried's Grassinger Ultima as a loose guide albeit the car will have to compromise to run on the road... just.. I'm also sending them pics of old Group4 cars and SuperGT racers.
"kev is a great bloke, so much so that he managed to fix it on our bench, "
two thumbs up " he was concerned about the number of bolts that were slack and not half as tight as they should be, also he did mention that as it is the larger of the g50 boxes it probably didnt need an oil cooler as it holds more oil than the shorter g50 box.
cheers for ordering the little bits and pieces i have found that in the past it is allway the smallest things that you get unstuck on, i really need the guy to sort the fuel tanks out as this seem to be stoping me from doing a lot of work, unfortunatly everything revolves around these, ie cant fit / make fire wall, finish rollcage, sort out interior, once these tanks are in there is going to be a massive change to the apperence to the car, which will be a real boost for me.
at the mo there is a louvered boot lid being made with a big f1 style air intake being stuck to the top of it!!! mental cheers merlin.."
We continue to swap ideas on the bodywork.. hopefully the guys will produce an absolute monster, all spoilers, vents, engine intake and wide arches.. we're all using Gottfried's Grassinger Ultima as a loose guide albeit the car will have to compromise to run on the road... just.. I'm also sending them pics of old Group4 cars and SuperGT racers.
"kev is a great bloke, so much so that he managed to fix it on our bench, "
two thumbs up " he was concerned about the number of bolts that were slack and not half as tight as they should be, also he did mention that as it is the larger of the g50 boxes it probably didnt need an oil cooler as it holds more oil than the shorter g50 box.
cheers for ordering the little bits and pieces i have found that in the past it is allway the smallest things that you get unstuck on, i really need the guy to sort the fuel tanks out as this seem to be stoping me from doing a lot of work, unfortunatly everything revolves around these, ie cant fit / make fire wall, finish rollcage, sort out interior, once these tanks are in there is going to be a massive change to the apperence to the car, which will be a real boost for me.
at the mo there is a louvered boot lid being made with a big f1 style air intake being stuck to the top of it!!! mental cheers merlin.."
Thursday, July 19, 2007
A Tight Fit..
Martyn sent up some pics to show the challenge ahead - what's now clear is that the tight clearances were a big cause of the obvious inertia at Phoenix who held the car from October 2006 until May 2007 (7 months). Already with MVS for little over a month and the progress is clear. I feel this has less to do with the service mgr or technicians at Phoenix and more to do with mgt's dubious approach to time resource.
Many sections of the rear chassis will need to be cut and new tubes re-welded. This in itself is not concern but clearly the timetable becomes tighter to finish the car for testing before the season end. Obviously their wil be an impact on the budget but we can address that when the car's completed.
Of more concern is that fact Martyn says the billet adapter plate will quite a lof of work to drill out, weld and re drill holes due to poor located drills holes from Phoenix. At a cost of nigh on £300 shipped from the US this came as a disappointing news.
Other updates being I managed to source a new heavy duty 110l EWP water pump from Oz and twin oil filter and heat exchanger from the US.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
June Update - first impressions can be deceiving..
Right guys - got a call from Martyn @ MVS last night - Phoenix's inertia problems were probably due to the fact they must had sized the engine in the available space then parked it (without telling me). So the initial 'it should fit okay' presumption wasn't entirely correct..
Martyn says the engine is just simply too big for the current chassis so various tubes etc will need to be cut and a new tubular rear end made up. Also the oil filter will need relocated by remote and even the short nose water pump introdues too much so will switch to an electric pump.
We're also going to go with a fab'd long-range fuel tank.It's actually best to do the whole thing and compromise the things that can be added later without upsetting the overall balance. Apparently he'll have to tilt the engine to get the upside down G50-50 more level with the rear hubs so that the shafts will last longer than 5 seconds.
That means he'd be tilting the intake manifold and downdraught carb.. That'll mess the float champer I'm guessing so an adaptor plate will be needed..
The stepped-stahl headers also wont work so he's getting an ex-F1 guy to make me up some, which apparently rock and he found an imbalance in the measurements between the two banks anyway - that's probably because they're either a) for an oval set-up or b) they were rubbish.
Explains why no one has done this outside of a spaceframe.
Pics to follow - promise.
Martyn says the engine is just simply too big for the current chassis so various tubes etc will need to be cut and a new tubular rear end made up. Also the oil filter will need relocated by remote and even the short nose water pump introdues too much so will switch to an electric pump.
We're also going to go with a fab'd long-range fuel tank.It's actually best to do the whole thing and compromise the things that can be added later without upsetting the overall balance. Apparently he'll have to tilt the engine to get the upside down G50-50 more level with the rear hubs so that the shafts will last longer than 5 seconds.
That means he'd be tilting the intake manifold and downdraught carb.. That'll mess the float champer I'm guessing so an adaptor plate will be needed..
The stepped-stahl headers also wont work so he's getting an ex-F1 guy to make me up some, which apparently rock and he found an imbalance in the measurements between the two banks anyway - that's probably because they're either a) for an oval set-up or b) they were rubbish.
Explains why no one has done this outside of a spaceframe.
Pics to follow - promise.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Moving on.. new Welsh start for project
To start: apologies for no posts of late. It's been a fairly depressing time with little progress.
Martyn and Mandy (MVS Racing) finally picked up the Esprit from Phoenix Honda, it's a real load off my mind to know the car is moving somewhere wanted and where progress can again progress. Martyn has many yrs experience and the perfect guy to make the project happen.
Everything loaded up ok and Mandy says they got back ok to Wales. Only thing missed was I forgot to load up the old oil cooler. Alternator is on the way from US; but Martyn has another way to draw a charge for zero drag on the engine. Will see what Martyn wants to do re rads and Martyn has another idea for a fuel cell. Will need to get a gauge for that but will see what he comes up with first.
Martyn is going to start and itemise everything and work out what's needed before work commences. Slightly scary that he feels the car needs 16" wide wheels for the rear to take the engine output..
Although the money is now frightfully scary - at least we expect some light at the end of the tunnel. It means I can start thinking about the completed car etc - eta approx Sept-October.
The plan is also MOT the car and insure to widen its appeal. The pistonheads ad has been updated and we will continue to keep the car up for sale if the right buyer comes along.
The good news is we finished with Phoenix on good terms, the guys stayed helped helpful with the loading and although there is the small matter of a £600 bill; in the end it could have worked out much worse.. M&M were great and whole day couldn't have gone better.
Hopefully the next update will include comes pics and some continuing good news.
ttfn
Martyn and Mandy (MVS Racing) finally picked up the Esprit from Phoenix Honda, it's a real load off my mind to know the car is moving somewhere wanted and where progress can again progress. Martyn has many yrs experience and the perfect guy to make the project happen.
Everything loaded up ok and Mandy says they got back ok to Wales. Only thing missed was I forgot to load up the old oil cooler. Alternator is on the way from US; but Martyn has another way to draw a charge for zero drag on the engine. Will see what Martyn wants to do re rads and Martyn has another idea for a fuel cell. Will need to get a gauge for that but will see what he comes up with first.
Martyn is going to start and itemise everything and work out what's needed before work commences. Slightly scary that he feels the car needs 16" wide wheels for the rear to take the engine output..
Although the money is now frightfully scary - at least we expect some light at the end of the tunnel. It means I can start thinking about the completed car etc - eta approx Sept-October.
The plan is also MOT the car and insure to widen its appeal. The pistonheads ad has been updated and we will continue to keep the car up for sale if the right buyer comes along.
The good news is we finished with Phoenix on good terms, the guys stayed helped helpful with the loading and although there is the small matter of a £600 bill; in the end it could have worked out much worse.. M&M were great and whole day couldn't have gone better.
Hopefully the next update will include comes pics and some continuing good news.
ttfn
Friday, May 04, 2007
a very tempting offer.. moving forward?
Martyn @ MVS has offered to take on the build - pending numbers - will speak to John L to get car back on wheels and ready to be picked up. The car will then be livered under MVS Racing and be built as a road-legal racer.
I'll reiterate at this point that I have the utmost respect for John Leitch, Alan Watson and Big Stevie @ Phoenix Honda Grangemouth; but that their mgt have demonstrated the worst possible customer care of the lowest order. It's a shame since they gave me good customer care yrs ago for my old Integra TypeR; but I'm a firm believer that if you take a project on then you see it to the finish. For the time taken I could have stripped the car myself. Very sad as I know the guys @ Phoenix were also keen to see it through and I know if John was allowed to make the shots then we'd be pushing ahead.
I look fwd to the day when the car eventually appears in magazines and on track and they knew they could have been part of that and realise the lost promotional opportuniy. As long as I am treated fairly from here on in then I see no point in taking any further; tho I'd love to have a sit down chat with them GM about the whole fiasco. People have suggested legal action, trading standards, local press and even Watchdog but as much as I am a big believer in fairness I want to move on with the project and finally get on track again.
Meanwhile the name Team Phoenix becomes more and more fitting.. will this bird every fly out of the ashes tho?
I'll reiterate at this point that I have the utmost respect for John Leitch, Alan Watson and Big Stevie @ Phoenix Honda Grangemouth; but that their mgt have demonstrated the worst possible customer care of the lowest order. It's a shame since they gave me good customer care yrs ago for my old Integra TypeR; but I'm a firm believer that if you take a project on then you see it to the finish. For the time taken I could have stripped the car myself. Very sad as I know the guys @ Phoenix were also keen to see it through and I know if John was allowed to make the shots then we'd be pushing ahead.
I look fwd to the day when the car eventually appears in magazines and on track and they knew they could have been part of that and realise the lost promotional opportuniy. As long as I am treated fairly from here on in then I see no point in taking any further; tho I'd love to have a sit down chat with them GM about the whole fiasco. People have suggested legal action, trading standards, local press and even Watchdog but as much as I am a big believer in fairness I want to move on with the project and finally get on track again.
Meanwhile the name Team Phoenix becomes more and more fitting.. will this bird every fly out of the ashes tho?
DIY?
The decision by Phoenix Honda was a shocking turn of events and they even have the gaul to consider invoicing me for basically gutting the car and returning an incomplete project.. nice one Honda. It's left my finances in tatters since we went ahead and ordered most of the bits but end of the day we jst can't afford to have it built somewhere else.
Project has been advertised for a wee while now on PH and racecarsdirect.co.uk but with only muted interest. There remains one potential buyer but he's stuck with his own sale currently.. I almost sold the engine/trans to an Ultima builder in Aberdeen but by the time I went back to the other buyer and back again he went and ordered sth from the US.so..
spoke to my dad last night - picking up his 2-tonne crane over next week and we're going to make a stab of sizing up and modifying mounts to fit the engine in. Looking at some Chevy ones currently whicgh we should then be able to mod to suit. From there it's case of going through the list of jobs and doing things in sequence. I reckon there's no more than a dozen simply because the set-up is so basic albeit it'll take time after that to set-up it up for the optimum.It means I've lost another season but would love to see the dream realised.
Finances look awful but just gonna suck it in and go for broke. Will then continue to advertise the car for sale but will of course increase the ante as we complete more at each stage. I'd hazzard final value in the 35-40K region once fully built and running, simply based on its spec and potential.
Project has been advertised for a wee while now on PH and racecarsdirect.co.uk but with only muted interest. There remains one potential buyer but he's stuck with his own sale currently.. I almost sold the engine/trans to an Ultima builder in Aberdeen but by the time I went back to the other buyer and back again he went and ordered sth from the US.so..
spoke to my dad last night - picking up his 2-tonne crane over next week and we're going to make a stab of sizing up and modifying mounts to fit the engine in. Looking at some Chevy ones currently whicgh we should then be able to mod to suit. From there it's case of going through the list of jobs and doing things in sequence. I reckon there's no more than a dozen simply because the set-up is so basic albeit it'll take time after that to set-up it up for the optimum.It means I've lost another season but would love to see the dream realised.
Finances look awful but just gonna suck it in and go for broke. Will then continue to advertise the car for sale but will of course increase the ante as we complete more at each stage. I'd hazzard final value in the 35-40K region once fully built and running, simply based on its spec and potential.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Esprit for sale.. £17K ono
Not left with much choice following Phoenix pulling the plug on Monday..
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/152919.htm
Looking for 17K ono
Martyn @ MVS has offered to finish the work.. sth to think about but I'd take an offer to sell first/
Gutted doesn't come close.. 30K down currently..!
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/152919.htm
Looking for 17K ono
Martyn @ MVS has offered to finish the work.. sth to think about but I'd take an offer to sell first/
Gutted doesn't come close.. 30K down currently..!
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Update - 4th April - bad tidings - Phoenix deal in flames
Where to start..
The General Manager at Phoenix pulled the plug yesterday - I must admit to still being stunned at this news. This then poses the very real problem of where to go to finish the work.
I spoke to Dunc at Hypertech yesterday but he's floored. Spoke to Alan at Falkland today who certainly has the expertise - especially via Kev's racing Cossie. I will speak with them again next weeke to go over what's involved - my big worry there being whether I can afford their rates but I have to be prepared to take at least some hit to get the project complete.
Gaz at Autotecnique will speak to another workshop for me and Coops will speak to Greesport.
I will keep the team name but from now on it will have no association with that company. Once car is safely out of their hands then I can think about whether any recourse is worthwhile given the tenious nature of the arrangement.
All very sad.
The General Manager at Phoenix pulled the plug yesterday - I must admit to still being stunned at this news. This then poses the very real problem of where to go to finish the work.
I spoke to Dunc at Hypertech yesterday but he's floored. Spoke to Alan at Falkland today who certainly has the expertise - especially via Kev's racing Cossie. I will speak with them again next weeke to go over what's involved - my big worry there being whether I can afford their rates but I have to be prepared to take at least some hit to get the project complete.
Gaz at Autotecnique will speak to another workshop for me and Coops will speak to Greesport.
I will keep the team name but from now on it will have no association with that company. Once car is safely out of their hands then I can think about whether any recourse is worthwhile given the tenious nature of the arrangement.
All very sad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)