XK120 banger racing!
Discussion
Having worked in the classic car trade for 25 years I have seen some huge bodges just to make money done by some who should know better and not all on low price runabouts.I don't think banger racing is much different just more honest.Any way good luck with the XK it's been a great story and I love the idea of keeping a bit of racing history.
XKman said:
Hi all, thanks for all your comments. Really motivating. You need encouragement when doing any project, so been out there today with my son, Tom, doing some welding. He is much better than me.
Mr Tidy, good comments, I feel no animosity towards Plonker.if he hadn't done what he did, I wouldn't have the car now.
I think it was Andy, , the roll cage in the car was originally scaffolding pole origin. I managed to get this proper one off eBay. The other concern about filters on the carbs - they have meshes, just can't see them on the photo.
Anyhow, as soon as there is more to report, will let you know. Nearly got the repairs done to the hinge boxes and body mountings, so in a week or so, will lift off the front body, paint the chassis and rebuild the front suspension. Then, start to put bits back on.
I'm just so glad it ended up with someone like you, so it will get restored to how it should be! Mr Tidy, good comments, I feel no animosity towards Plonker.if he hadn't done what he did, I wouldn't have the car now.
I think it was Andy, , the roll cage in the car was originally scaffolding pole origin. I managed to get this proper one off eBay. The other concern about filters on the carbs - they have meshes, just can't see them on the photo.
Anyhow, as soon as there is more to report, will let you know. Nearly got the repairs done to the hinge boxes and body mountings, so in a week or so, will lift off the front body, paint the chassis and rebuild the front suspension. Then, start to put bits back on.
Really looking forward to the updates!
Morning all, having repaired the body mountings and lower hinge boxes, yesterday we lifted the remaining salveageable body off the chassis. ie the bulkhead forwards with front wings. This is the first time it has been off since it was built in late 1957. apart from grinding some welds off which the banger boys had done, the chassis is in excellent condition, with no repairs required.
Next is to strip off the front suspension, clean, paint and reassemble with polybushes, and also rebuild the steering rack.
Next is to strip off the front suspension, clean, paint and reassemble with polybushes, and also rebuild the steering rack.
Mr Tidy said:
XKman said:
Hi all, thanks for all your comments. Really motivating. You need encouragement when doing any project, so been out there today with my son, Tom, doing some welding. He is much better than me.
Mr Tidy, good comments, I feel no animosity towards Plonker.if he hadn't done what he did, I wouldn't have the car now.
I think it was Andy, , the roll cage in the car was originally scaffolding pole origin. I managed to get this proper one off eBay. The other concern about filters on the carbs - they have meshes, just can't see them on the photo.
Anyhow, as soon as there is more to report, will let you know. Nearly got the repairs done to the hinge boxes and body mountings, so in a week or so, will lift off the front body, paint the chassis and rebuild the front suspension. Then, start to put bits back on.
I'm just so glad it ended up with someone like you, so it will get restored to how it should be! Mr Tidy, good comments, I feel no animosity towards Plonker.if he hadn't done what he did, I wouldn't have the car now.
I think it was Andy, , the roll cage in the car was originally scaffolding pole origin. I managed to get this proper one off eBay. The other concern about filters on the carbs - they have meshes, just can't see them on the photo.
Anyhow, as soon as there is more to report, will let you know. Nearly got the repairs done to the hinge boxes and body mountings, so in a week or so, will lift off the front body, paint the chassis and rebuild the front suspension. Then, start to put bits back on.
Really looking forward to the updates!
Right in the middle of Norfolk. Many thanks for the offer but got lots of people to help, when I need it.
Now got the steering rack off, needs minor rebuild, new bellows and TRE's, plus paint. Should get front suspension off soon, including the torsion bars. Takes a while to clean and repaint so will be a few weeks before it will all be back in black.
Now got the steering rack off, needs minor rebuild, new bellows and TRE's, plus paint. Should get front suspension off soon, including the torsion bars. Takes a while to clean and repaint so will be a few weeks before it will all be back in black.
Amazing thread. What a story of riches to rags to riches for the XK150. Fair play to Plonker for coming on here and explaining his reasons knowing full well the reception he would recieve. I think that banger racers do get unfairly treated. They do their bit to keep other cars going by selling off the bits that don't need and racing the unsalvagable cars better than leaving them to disappear into the undergrowth.
Well done to XK man for saving a lovely car.
Well done to XK man for saving a lovely car.
Hi all, significant progress has been made despite still a lot to do at my new property/workshop.
The XK 150 banger chassis is now all painted. All front suspension has been refurbished and refitted with an uprated anti roll bar and adjustable Koni shock absorbers. Most brake pipes have been fitted along with the fuel line, brake and clutch master cylinders, and brake/clutch pedal assembly.
Soon will put the rear body on loosely, as need to finish welding up and repairing the front end - front wings to bulkhead. Then this will be fitted on the chassis first as you work backwards from this to get the sills, doors, and roof to fit with the rear body.
As Rob suggested, it would be good to retain some of the banger racer history. There are quite a lot of serious dents on the underside of the chassis which would have been serious work to get out, but a more interesting bit is that when the widow insisted on the roof being cut off, prior to the banger race preparation, they cut through the chrome frames, which I have had to replace, but also partially cut through the window chrome surrounds as well.
I have attached a photo to date and will be in touch once more progress is made.
The XK 150 banger chassis is now all painted. All front suspension has been refurbished and refitted with an uprated anti roll bar and adjustable Koni shock absorbers. Most brake pipes have been fitted along with the fuel line, brake and clutch master cylinders, and brake/clutch pedal assembly.
Soon will put the rear body on loosely, as need to finish welding up and repairing the front end - front wings to bulkhead. Then this will be fitted on the chassis first as you work backwards from this to get the sills, doors, and roof to fit with the rear body.
As Rob suggested, it would be good to retain some of the banger racer history. There are quite a lot of serious dents on the underside of the chassis which would have been serious work to get out, but a more interesting bit is that when the widow insisted on the roof being cut off, prior to the banger race preparation, they cut through the chrome frames, which I have had to replace, but also partially cut through the window chrome surrounds as well.
I have attached a photo to date and will be in touch once more progress is made.
Hi all, apologies for lack of posts but progress has been slow. Getting the rear body to fit with the front has taken some time but it is getting there. Door hinges have been repaired and just the one big front wing panel to weld in. Then the most challenging bit, getting the new roof on in the right place!
Will attach a photo as she stands.
Will attach a photo as she stands.
Hi all, good news. I have fitted the chrome window frames and new quarterlights ( the originals were cut through), repaired the rear screen moulding by using the bottom part of the original roof and got it tacked on temporarily, and have arranged with a local bodyshop for them to paint the car. Nick at Ashtons Bodyshop in Dereham will finish off the shell and prepare for painting. Then he will apply the Ecurie Ecosse blue body colour. The car is being delivered to him the last week in September and we hope to have it done by Christmas.
I will post again when I get the car back.
I will post again when I get the car back.
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