1969 Maserati Ghibli - The Resurection
Discussion
CoolC said:
Do you envisage having this on the road in 2013? Is that realistic?
I would love to get the Diva on the road this year but that's absolutely unrealistic, even 2014 would be a mighty achievement and would require a good few sacrifices. Apart from work and keeping the Tuscan and 968 in good fettle I play a sport 2-3 times a week and the Lady of the House works as well so we share most house chores, guess I'll have to be patient (as the Lady is with me 
)Stick with it. You have done a hell of a job so far and even the "imperfect" paint is better than you'd expect at most body shops.
Just think of how it will feel to be able to tell people "I did it ALL my self".
I have done a similar thin renovating an old house and the sense of pride you get when you've had to learn how to plaster, make doors, plumb 5 bathrooms etc is immense.
Just think of how it will feel to be able to tell people "I did it ALL my self".
I have done a similar thin renovating an old house and the sense of pride you get when you've had to learn how to plaster, make doors, plumb 5 bathrooms etc is immense.
Your gaff so your rules, for sure.
I think the vast majority of us following your endeavours here are simply rooting for you to keep going & not lose heart with your project.
Progress rate is at whatever pace you are happy with because all project planning timelines on something like this are a complete illusion. It just will be what it will be.
Huge congratulations for what you've achieved so far and best wishes for your endeavours in 2013.
I think the vast majority of us following your endeavours here are simply rooting for you to keep going & not lose heart with your project.
Progress rate is at whatever pace you are happy with because all project planning timelines on something like this are a complete illusion. It just will be what it will be.
Huge congratulations for what you've achieved so far and best wishes for your endeavours in 2013.
Don't in any way disheartened! This isn't the first set back and it's likely to not be the last. You've done some amazing work so far to an exceptionally high standard. There's a fantastic car taking shape here and when it's finished you can be very proud. Looking forward to reading more updates throughout 2013 
I'm hugely impressed that its got this far and, despite the problems you still have the enthusiasm to continue, let alone the patience which I'm sadly lacking. Having promised myself to attend to a few minor issues with my garage queen (which isn't even in that good a condition) I'll probably take the easy route and get someone else to sort it out; clearly at the other end of the spectrum to yourself so I can doubly appreciate your work.
2014 though?
2014 though?
Chad speed said:
CoolC said:
Do you envisage having this on the road in 2013? Is that realistic?
I would love to get the Diva on the road this year but that's absolutely unrealistic, even 2014 would be a mighty achievement and would require a good few sacrifices. Apart from work and keeping the Tuscan and 968 in good fettle I play a sport 2-3 times a week and the Lady of the House works as well so we share most house chores, guess I'll have to be patient (as the Lady is with me )Paint looks good btw, very nice.
Although bolting the big bits back together does not take too long its surprising where the time dissapears, its the small unseen details that can swallow huge chunks of time. The parts that need to be bolted on may also have to be sourced or refurbished. There is no point rushing to finish to a certain timescale as this project is for fun and theres no fun in putting yourself under added pressure of time constraints.
dpp said:
Although bolting the big bits back together does not take too long its surprising where the time dissapears, its the small unseen details that can swallow huge chunks of time. The parts that need to be bolted on may also have to be sourced or refurbished. There is no point rushing to finish to a certain timescale as this project is for fun and theres no fun in putting yourself under added pressure of time constraints.
I know from doing my own car that once the thing came back painted, it took another year + before it was all back together ... There's lots of things you can do that see a quick improvement but a lot of the stuff you don't see takes time to get right - the wiring looms, checking and rechecking stuff ...
If most of the parts on this are being refurbed then depending on what is done already then that's more time to work on stuff ... and it's that that takes the time. A lot of the stuff on my car was straight repro replacement and so that's just cashneeded
but a lot of stuff was also original and refinished which as well as tiem is more cash It's looking really good though - I can imagine the frustration you had with those runs and the subsequent problems. It'll all be okay in the end though. Just make a list of things to do (which'll be never ending) ut at least it works as a kind of checklist.
Been following your restoration Chadspeed - what a lovely car and commendable workmanship - you must be deservedly proud 
Many a year ago I stayed at a small hotel for several weeks on the Hagley Road Birmingham. Next door were two Ghibli's both rotten as a pear and looking severely dilapidated resplendent with green mould, rust and flat tyres. If I recall one was white and one light met blue - I stand to be corrected my memory plays tricks these days lol!
Anyone else remember the rotten De Tomaso De Ville around the back of one of the factory units at Silverstone (early eighties)
Many a year ago I stayed at a small hotel for several weeks on the Hagley Road Birmingham. Next door were two Ghibli's both rotten as a pear and looking severely dilapidated resplendent with green mould, rust and flat tyres. If I recall one was white and one light met blue - I stand to be corrected my memory plays tricks these days lol!
Anyone else remember the rotten De Tomaso De Ville around the back of one of the factory units at Silverstone (early eighties)
Transmitter Man said:
Michael,
Dick Puxty of Emilia Concessionaires, for some years the sole UK importer distributor of De Tomaso was based at Silverstone.
Phil
Ahh...that explains it- Thank you.Dick Puxty of Emilia Concessionaires, for some years the sole UK importer distributor of De Tomaso was based at Silverstone.
Phil
We share the same taste, I often used to burble across in my 350i, always lusted after a 420SEAC
Hello peeps
Progress on the paint halted due to low temperatures in the garage but I did manage to get a test panel sprayed in etch and primer so when the weather turns I'll be able to practice a few things before returning to the body shell.
Through the wonders of PH I've made a good few friends also bitten by the Italian Classic bug and I have recently learnt there is yet another Ghibli being restored on the South East of good old Blighty. It's right hand drive and is undergoing a full restoration at a well known specialist, I expect it to be a top notch contender when finished. That's now 4 Ghibli under restoration in a 30 mile radius plus one other spares car about to land from overseas.
With the permission of the owners I'd like to throw in a few photo's of their projects as and when time allows.
Progress has been made in other areas, here's a couple of photo's of the fuel filler caps and the dry sump oil tank cap. Two points of interest:
1 - In true Maserati fashion the oil tank cap is clearly a fuel filler cap that's been popped in a lathe and the face recessed to accept the Agipoil badge.
2 - One of these caps is a replica made by 'Two Ghibli's' Mark, a fantastic piece of work.
The replica is the one closest to the camera in the top photo, once it gains a bit of shine through use or a light polish it will be indistinguishable.
Progress on the paint halted due to low temperatures in the garage but I did manage to get a test panel sprayed in etch and primer so when the weather turns I'll be able to practice a few things before returning to the body shell.
Through the wonders of PH I've made a good few friends also bitten by the Italian Classic bug and I have recently learnt there is yet another Ghibli being restored on the South East of good old Blighty. It's right hand drive and is undergoing a full restoration at a well known specialist, I expect it to be a top notch contender when finished. That's now 4 Ghibli under restoration in a 30 mile radius plus one other spares car about to land from overseas.
With the permission of the owners I'd like to throw in a few photo's of their projects as and when time allows.
Progress has been made in other areas, here's a couple of photo's of the fuel filler caps and the dry sump oil tank cap. Two points of interest:
1 - In true Maserati fashion the oil tank cap is clearly a fuel filler cap that's been popped in a lathe and the face recessed to accept the Agipoil badge.
2 - One of these caps is a replica made by 'Two Ghibli's' Mark, a fantastic piece of work.
The replica is the one closest to the camera in the top photo, once it gains a bit of shine through use or a light polish it will be indistinguishable.
Mark where are you?Here I am! back from the day job attempting to fund the purchase of more Maserati parts! Regarding the replica petrol/oil cap, I was lucky in having one very good example of it on my car, but one very scrappy one. They are indeed Bakelite on a brass core and suitably weighty. After a bit of experimentation, I took a mould from the good one with RTV silicone and stripped the bakelite outer from the other with a chisel.
I then found a great two part polyurethane casting resin on Ebay, it is self coloured black, and has the viscosity of water, so it follows the mould perfectly. It also sets in 20 minutes.
After pouring a suitable quantity into the mould, I then lowered the core into it, making sure it was true and centered with a VERY basic jig. Once the resin sets, it is easy to peel off the flexible mould, and Voila, a new cap.
I have just remade a run of the original (and unobtainable) vent knobs using the same method. It is quite easy to try really, and quite satisfying.
Best regards to all.
Mark.
I then found a great two part polyurethane casting resin on Ebay, it is self coloured black, and has the viscosity of water, so it follows the mould perfectly. It also sets in 20 minutes.
After pouring a suitable quantity into the mould, I then lowered the core into it, making sure it was true and centered with a VERY basic jig. Once the resin sets, it is easy to peel off the flexible mould, and Voila, a new cap.
I have just remade a run of the original (and unobtainable) vent knobs using the same method. It is quite easy to try really, and quite satisfying.
Best regards to all.
Mark.
GoGoGhibli said:
Here I am! back from the day job attempting to fund the purchase of more Maserati parts! Regarding the replica petrol/oil cap, I was lucky in having one very good example of it on my car, but one very scrappy one. They are indeed Bakelite on a brass core and suitably weighty. After a bit of experimentation, I took a mould from the good one with RTV silicone and stripped the bakelite outer from the other with a chisel.
I then found a great two part polyurethane casting resin on Ebay, it is self coloured black, and has the viscosity of water, so it follows the mould perfectly. It also sets in 20 minutes.
After pouring a suitable quantity into the mould, I then lowered the core into it, making sure it was true and centered with a VERY basic jig. Once the resin sets, it is easy to peel off the flexible mould, and Voila, a new cap.
I have just remade a run of the original (and unobtainable) vent knobs using the same method. It is quite easy to try really, and quite satisfying.
Best regards to all.
Mark.
You're to be congratulated on this - fantastic work and very satisfying when it all comes off and you end up with what you were after ...I then found a great two part polyurethane casting resin on Ebay, it is self coloured black, and has the viscosity of water, so it follows the mould perfectly. It also sets in 20 minutes.
After pouring a suitable quantity into the mould, I then lowered the core into it, making sure it was true and centered with a VERY basic jig. Once the resin sets, it is easy to peel off the flexible mould, and Voila, a new cap.
I have just remade a run of the original (and unobtainable) vent knobs using the same method. It is quite easy to try really, and quite satisfying.
Best regards to all.
Mark.
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