It's here!

[Corsair613]

The car arrived today, the two crates were unpacked, and the chassis is on the sawhorses. That's some heavy stuff!! Thanks to two friends who came by to help, my wife (of course!), and a few random construction guys working in the neighborhood who were shanghaied to help move the chassis.

Now I've just got to figure out how to remove the pre-fit doors and center section. I think the latter is self-explanatory, but the former is a head-scratcher. Can't figure out how to remove the lower hinge. I can undo the gas strut and the four Allen bolts, but then what? The plate won't pass through the slot in the GRP. Hmm…

Ken

[Storer]

Enjoy the build.

Spend plenty of time studying the Build CD. I know as a man it is not the normal thing to do but it does help.


Paul

[Corsair613]

Yep, I certainly will. I've been poring over it since April, but I'm still flummoxed by those hinges. I think there must be a couple of nuts inside the door, but I'm just too tired to go look now.

Any idea where the paperwork (MCO, etc.) may be found? In one of the boxes, undoubtedly, but where?

Ken

[UltimaFAN]

welcome to the club and I wish you to enjoy it!

I remove my center section by simply lifting it, do it slowly each corner at a time with small amplitude movement, once it is free, you can lift it with 3 other persons.

what is the MCO and paperwork? Everything is now on the CD.

[UltimaCH]

Welcome to the builders club! Enjoy the build and take your time. Haste makes waste, so measure twice before cutting once.

[The Italian]

Great ! where are you?

[Corsair613]

UltimaFAN said:

welcome to the club and I wish you to enjoy it!

I remove my center section by simply lifting it, do it slowly each corner at a time with small amplitude movement, once it is free, you can lift it with 3 other persons.

what is the MCO and paperwork? Everything is now on the CD.

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to getting started.

MCO = Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (a sort of Bill of Sale)

Ken

[Corsair613]

UltimaCH said:

Welcome to the builders club! Enjoy the build and take your time. Haste makes waste, so measure twice before cutting once.

Thanks! I'm all for avoiding foolish errors and do plan to proceed carefully.

Ken

[Corsair613]

The Italian said:

Great ! where are you?

I'm in Clermont, FL (near Orlando).

Ken

[UltimaFAN]

Corsair613 said:

Thanks! I'm really looking forward to getting started.

MCO = Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (a sort of Bill of Sale)

Ken

Your invoice and custom's clearance paper are not sufficient?
You can ask Richard if it is just a letter with the chassis number and a signature, but US citizen are better to help you than myself as every country is different.

[Corsair613]

UltimaFAN said:

Your invoice and custom's clearance paper are not sufficient?
You can ask Richard if it is just a letter with the chassis number and a signature, but US citizen are better to help you than myself as every country is different.

I thought I might get away with just the invoice and customs papers, as you suggested, but it doesn't seem to be the case. I've emailed Richard and will report back here with the answer. I figured that I'd get the title application squared away now and save the registration dance for later.

Ken

[UltimaFAN]

Here in Switzerland it is important to have all the paper cleared during the import period, as the customs provide the initial car registration paper containing the vehicule identity number linked to the chassis number and owner. Once this paper is done, the build can be started in peace during years.

[Corsair613]

UltimaFAN said:

Here in Switzerland it is important to have all the paper cleared during the import period, as the customs provide the initial car registration paper containing the vehicule identity number linked to the chassis number and owner. Once this paper is done, the build can be started in peace during years.

I wish it were that simple. Here, I need to have my papers examined and compared to the chassis VIN plate for the title application. The exact procedure is slightly different in each state, but in Florida I'll need to either truck the chassis to the nearest DMV office (not going to happen) or arrange to have a local cop come out, look things over, and sign the title application. Once the car is titled, I can wait to register it (and receive a license plate) until just before it's ready to drive.

Whew! I'm tired just thinking about all that and I haven't even started building yet! :-)

Ken

[Corsair613]

MCO (signed and scanned) received from Richard via email. I should be all set.

Ken

[Steve_D]

Back to your first problem.
Assuming this is a GTR. I checked your PH garage and no mention of an Ultima....poor form.

Leave the hinge and strut in position.
Remove the 2 screws holding the upper hinge plate into the roof.
Be careful to now hold the door whilst reaching down inside the door and remove the 2 nuts and washers that secure the hinge. You can then lift the door away. There is a steel spreader plate inside the door which you will want to store away so it doesn't crash about inside the door.

Lifting the body off is fun. You will remove all the fixings then lift it off only to find the bottom edge of the dash lips under a chassis cross rail. You have to ease it past the rail a bit like a Terry clip (not sure what they are called in the US).

Steve

[Corsair613]

Steve_D said:

Back to your first problem.
Assuming this is a GTR. I checked your PH garage and no mention of an Ultima....poor form.

Leave the hinge and strut in position.
Remove the 2 screws holding the upper hinge plate into the roof.
Be careful to now hold the door whilst reaching down inside the door and remove the 2 nuts and washers that secure the hinge. You can then lift the door away. There is a steel spreader plate inside the door which you will want to store away so it doesn't crash about inside the door.

Lifting the body off is fun. You will remove all the fixings then lift it off only to find the bottom edge of the dash lips under a chassis cross rail. You have to ease it past the rail a bit like a Terry clip (not sure what they are called in the US).

Steve

Hi Steve,

Sorry about the PH garage. I'd deliberately left it off because I hadn't yet received the car and hadn't updated it since delivery yesterday. Now rectified! :-)

Thanks for the description of the door attachment hardware. I'd sort of sussed it out, but greatly appreciate the confirmation.

I must admit that I've neither heard of a Terry clip nor seen one like it (per Googled photos). Must not have an aeronautical analogue. I do take your point, though.

Ken

[3Dee]

Hi Ken,

Pity you weren't closer to me! I will be 150 miles away in Cape Coral soon for a couple of weeks with my family and a boat. My build took 6 years of dreaming and part-weekends + one year out due to an extension to placate the missus!

Have fun.... You will love it!

Keith

[Corsair613]

3Dee said:

Hi Ken,

Pity you weren't closer to me! I will be 150 miles away in Cape Coral soon for a couple of weeks with my family and a boat. My build took 6 years of dreaming and part-weekends + one year out due to an extension to placate the missus!

Have fun.... You will love it!

Keith

Hi Keith,

You'll enjoy Cape Coral - the SW coast of FL is beautiful and the Gulf is nice this time of year. Enjoy your vacation!

Ken