The camera can capture some fantastic moments IV
Discussion
Blib said:
Thanks Mickk. It's absolutely beautiful. Mrs B. still has no idea that it exists. I've been hiding it in my father's garage (That's where the flatbed shot was taken.)
We actually started work on it 50 weeks ago. I'll get some proper shots of the car asap.
I had originally decided to buy it, shine it up and then hand it over. However, I got a little carried away.
So, we stripped it, converted it to RHD, fitted a 126 engine and gearbox, fitted front disk brakes, fitted a new loom, replaced the front seats with 126 recliners, re-trimmed the seats in burgundy and ivory leather, covered everything else in leather too, fitted a new burgundy roof, fitted new carpets throughout, added a retro look radio, fitted an immobiliser, replaced the door cards and mirrors, painted the car in Mrs B's favourite colour, pinstriped the car, including her personal motiv, fitted new wipers and lights, painted the fuel tank in the tricolore colours and added new bumper overriders.
Basically everything but the chassis and body is new.
All the while I've kept it a secret. Furthermore, we live near Classic Chrome in Mortlake. They usually have a couple of 500s in stock. Mrs B always stops and comments on them when we pass and I've taken enormous pleasure each time in sucking my teeth, pointing out the sticker price and sagely intoning that "we've missed the boat. They're too expensive now".
All I have to do is stick the car back in my dad's garage until mid May, drive it over to East Sheen the day befor her birthday, tuck it away in a back street and present the keys to her on May 21st.
And do you know what? She deserves it. She's an amazing woman and I worship the ground that she walks on.
dude - totally awesome, she's going to be a very happy lady. Well done!We actually started work on it 50 weeks ago. I'll get some proper shots of the car asap.
I had originally decided to buy it, shine it up and then hand it over. However, I got a little carried away.
So, we stripped it, converted it to RHD, fitted a 126 engine and gearbox, fitted front disk brakes, fitted a new loom, replaced the front seats with 126 recliners, re-trimmed the seats in burgundy and ivory leather, covered everything else in leather too, fitted a new burgundy roof, fitted new carpets throughout, added a retro look radio, fitted an immobiliser, replaced the door cards and mirrors, painted the car in Mrs B's favourite colour, pinstriped the car, including her personal motiv, fitted new wipers and lights, painted the fuel tank in the tricolore colours and added new bumper overriders.
Basically everything but the chassis and body is new.
All the while I've kept it a secret. Furthermore, we live near Classic Chrome in Mortlake. They usually have a couple of 500s in stock. Mrs B always stops and comments on them when we pass and I've taken enormous pleasure each time in sucking my teeth, pointing out the sticker price and sagely intoning that "we've missed the boat. They're too expensive now".
All I have to do is stick the car back in my dad's garage until mid May, drive it over to East Sheen the day befor her birthday, tuck it away in a back street and present the keys to her on May 21st.
And do you know what? She deserves it. She's an amazing woman and I worship the ground that she walks on.
Blib said:
Blib said:
BUT.
My glass fitting background won't allow me to see the two winder handles at different angles when the windows are closed. Both handles should be just forward of the bottom of the wind when the window is closed (as with the passenger door)
If they are sorted as such, the car will be perfect
CoolC said:
The car is looking lovely Blib, I especially like the Italian flag detail on the tank.
BUT.
My glass fitting background won't allow me to see the two winder handles at different angles when the windows are closed. Both handles should be just forward of the bottom of the wind when the window is closed (as with the passenger door)
If they are sorted as such, the car will be perfect
An easy fix. BUT.
My glass fitting background won't allow me to see the two winder handles at different angles when the windows are closed. Both handles should be just forward of the bottom of the wind when the window is closed (as with the passenger door)
If they are sorted as such, the car will be perfect
Blib said:
You know that I'm no mechanic. However, I wanted to be as involved as I possibly could. I stripped the car in my dad's garage and helped in every stage of the rebuild. Cleaning the engine block with a wire brush was me!
I even bought my own set of overalls and steel capped boots.
However, the overwhelming credit goes to:
Keith Waite of K&L Motors, Golder's Green. An Alfa specialist who looked after my Hawk, he did the lion's share of the work.
The bodywork was carried out by my mate Mick @ North London Crash Repairs, in Golders Green.
Proietti, Fiat 500 specialists on the Caledonian Road did the steering wheel conversion and provided many of the part for the car and an awful lot of advice.
Ricambio, another Fiat parts specialist also supplied lots of the interior gubbins and they too were a great help in the build.
It's been great fun. And, no Mickk, you can't have it.
I even bought my own set of overalls and steel capped boots.
However, the overwhelming credit goes to:
Keith Waite of K&L Motors, Golder's Green. An Alfa specialist who looked after my Hawk, he did the lion's share of the work.
The bodywork was carried out by my mate Mick @ North London Crash Repairs, in Golders Green.
Proietti, Fiat 500 specialists on the Caledonian Road did the steering wheel conversion and provided many of the part for the car and an awful lot of advice.
Ricambio, another Fiat parts specialist also supplied lots of the interior gubbins and they too were a great help in the build.
It's been great fun. And, no Mickk, you can't have it.
You forgot God.
Thanks everyone. I'm hoping to get some more photos taken on Friday as I need them for the 'Agreed Value' insurance clause. I'll stick them up then.
One of the touches I'm really happy with is the pinstriping. Mrs B's nickname is 'Mouse'. I wanted to incorporate that somewhere in the car to personalise it. To that end, I got hold of a chap called Neil Melliard who painted a mouse and extended its tail to run the length of the car. The tail is in burgundy and there's a green stripe below as a nod towards the tricolore.
Here's Neil in steady hand action.
One of the touches I'm really happy with is the pinstriping. Mrs B's nickname is 'Mouse'. I wanted to incorporate that somewhere in the car to personalise it. To that end, I got hold of a chap called Neil Melliard who painted a mouse and extended its tail to run the length of the car. The tail is in burgundy and there's a green stripe below as a nod towards the tricolore.
Here's Neil in steady hand action.
Edited by Blib on Friday 1st May 20:37
Edited by Blib on Friday 1st May 20:38
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