Saved from the scrappers...

[caduceus]

After a few months or viewing, then walking away, and returning to see this poor neglected beauty, she is in the safe confines of a dry garage and out of the elements after 1 1/2 years of being stood still.


It's early days and I need to really need to get her up on stands to find out what needs doing to at least get her an MOT. She really is in a poor state. Hood needs replacing, bodywork attention, tyres, battery, electrics, brakes, gearbox selection, etc...

I look forward to building some great friendships on this forum and sharing the passion of these rare and beautiful beasts. After posting a few threads here recently it's clear the Chimaera community is a close nit one and willing to help, which bodes well, as I think I'm going to need all the help I can get.

No newbie thread is complete without some pics:

This has been her home for the last 18 months



And as of 18:30 today



Now her new home





In a sorry state



The first HT lead I tried to remove


I'm so excited about the prospect of bring her back from the brink.

Cheers
Caduceus

Edited by caduceus on Thursday 19th February 13:06

[caduceus]

I thought I'd update this thread from last April.
After working on her for 3-4 months the ole girl passed her MOT, and I got to drive her for a few months over the summer and up till the end of Jan this year. It was always the plan, a 'shake down' period to all intents, to see what else crops up. And more did...

Anyway, she came off the road this month and I slowly prepared her for the body off restoration. Then 2 days ago she was ready. Unfortunately I didn't take pics if the whole process, but here's the result:

Engine out



Body onto the makeshift dolly


And the dreaded rotting chassis Starting from the O/S front outer

O/S front inner

O/S outrigger

O/S rear

N/S rear

N/S front

Virtually every corner is fubar

Chassis now safely in the garage and ready for disassembly, before going to the shot blasters.


Going to be a busy next few months...

[caduceus]

Barreti said:

Holy st. Those pictures of the chassis outriggers are scary. In an accident there would have been a really good chance of you being launched from the car with the seatbelt and a lump of chassis still attached to you.

Doesn't bear thinking about does it....

Barreti said:

Good luck with the restoration. Damned right thing to do, rescuing that car, well done Sir.

Thanks, appreciate the encouragement

[caduceus]

Car is coming along quite well now. Chassis is stripped of all it's 'barnacles'



Then went at it with a wire wheel attachment to find out where the rust starts and stops



Marked all the points where the cuts are to be made with a bit of primer






It's pretty much ready for fabrication now. Just waiting for my new 'angle finder' off fleaBay. Also making last decision on what MIG welder to get. More than likely a Sealey SuperMIG 180. Also need to order the steel tube and plate this week, and get some scrap angle iron off a local sheet metal shop for the jig fab.

The next lot of photos should see my first attempt at MIG welding

Before anyone gets their knickers in a twist thinking I'm going to try and weld the outriggers straight away, I won't be. The idea is to buy more tube than I need and practice until I get a decent weld with proper fusion and integrity.

Cheers

Edited by caduceus on Tuesday 3rd March 09:25

[caduceus]

Sardonicus said:

Seriously new steel welds beautifully it wont take you long to get the hang of things its not like your welding thin sheet where blowing holes is a worry, generally if the weld looks nice its right you have plenty to compare keep up the good work.

Thanks for the encouragement Sard

I've been doing a lot of research on various sites and building up my knowledge base. It's a learning curve for sure but I'm enjoying it. But I'm under no illusion it's going to take a lot of practice before I tackle the actual chassis work. Although I appreciate the positive sentiment, I'm not sure I agree with the 'if it looks nice, it's right' approach. I only say that because it's been mentioned quite a few times from different sources. Apparently you can achieve a neat/good looking weld that doesn't have any/enough fusion between the base metal and weld. But as with everything on the net, you can get all the input you think you need.. But the real learning is when you pick up the torch and give it a go. Then test your work.
But that being said, I'm happy to be 'advised constructively' otherwise

[caduceus]

J400GED said:

Looking good mate

Thanks buddy

[caduceus]

Barkychoc said:

Whatever you do I personally wouldn't buy an auto darkening mask from ebay or such like.

Couldn't agree more. I did see those auto darkening masks, but don't like the idea personally.

Thanks for the offer of your MIG, but I'm after a gas MIG as personal preference.
Do like the look of your red chassis by the way

[caduceus]

Sardonicus said:

getting a decent weld on the TVR tubing should be really easy even for a novice

Time will tell...

[caduceus]

Well, I hired a 'Parweld' 160 welder for a week to practice on, and today had my first proper go. Once I got a decent enough setting I did some lines (no Kate Moss in sight)


Then joined a few up. Also tried welding along the outer edges, but burnt through on some parts and was very messy.

Then got a bit cocky

Then tried my first fillet joint, and that didn't go so well


I know it looks pretty crap at the moment, but I'm enjoying the learning experience. Setting the machine up is definitely harder than the actual welding. Well, straight lines anyway.
Tube comes early next week. Ordered 12 meters of CDS, so have plenty to practice on.

[caduceus]

Cokes said:

I doff my cap to you sir.
I would love to do what you're doing. I'm to scared to do my own, going to leave it to the professionals.
I will read on with great interest.

Thanks Cokes. I will be a little apprehensive when making that first cut to the chassis so I know what you mean. But I want to push myself and learn how to do all of this stuff. Plus I enjoy doing it as much as I do driving the car.

EddyP said:

What's your budget for buying your own welder?

Anything up to £500 roughly. Have you heard any reports on Parweld MIGs?

[caduceus]

Sardonicus said:

This company have a deserved rep http://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/welding_equipment/M...

Seems Addyp likes them too. I have heard of them whilst researching all things welding. But hadn't come across 'Parweld' until I rented one last thursday...
Thanks for the recommendation Sard. You too Eddy.

[caduceus]

After a 4 month or so absence from working on the car due to a crushed disc, I am back at it.
The chassis is back from the screening & coating firm after finishing the welding.



I started priming it this afternoon and will finish tomorrow. Then top coat in silver and clear it after. Have made a start on the stress cracks in the fibreglass, but that is going to be an ongoing job well into next year, as the affected area is extensive. Have narrowed the colours down to either a pearl silver or black as far as the body goes. But no rush, so that'll probably change by the time it's ready to go to paint.

Just glad to back on the job again after such a long time off

[caduceus]

Primed yesterday. Ready to top coat today.

[caduceus]

I am putting them on later...

[caduceus]

It's been a while since I updated this build thread, but with the arrival of some bits today I thought I'd post a few pics.

Early Christmas present


From this


To this so far



I do have a shed load of pics but I just haven't got round to uploading them yet. Hopefully finishing the brake & fuel lines today/tomorrow. Then onto the task of rebuilding the engine and dialling the new cam. How hard can it be

[caduceus]

Squirrelofwoe said:

ClassiChimi said:

I'm getting to the point where seeing these chassis being worked on, it looks like the best fun a bloke can have.
Chassis on stands, a little stool on wheels to sit and wheel yourself around, building up your corners,, right good craic.

I'm glad it's not just me who thought that!

Although the nice clean garage environment is likely skewing my perception somewhat. For me the reality is a workshop based inside a barn dating from the mid-1700s, with the large concrete hard-standing area essentially now black from 40-odd years of Tractor/agricultural machinery maintenance and associated oil spillages...

Thanks chaps. It is nice shutting the garage door and tinkering away with a bit of background music and a cold beer. I'm actually looking forward to getting the engine stand and block back in the garage ready for rebuilding. I must admit to some aprehension as I've not done a bottom up rebuild before, only heads. But have done a lot of reading and watching online to get the gist of it. Dialling in the cam is going to be interesting. It's a steep learning curve but one I'm enjoying.

For me the only way to work is in a tidy environment. Can't stand clutter, especially in a garage the size of which I'm working in. I need a bigger garage! More like a triple garage