Any Gordon Keeble Owners Out There?
Discussion
Hello Keeblers!
I am restoring Ch64 at present, and have hit a snag I need some help / advice with:
I have removed the steering column and instrument panel, and disconnected all the hydraulic pipes from the master cylinders. The lid is off and the 4 mounting bolts are out of the pedal box, which is movable, but I cannot see how to get the pedal box out of the car to restore it.
Is there a known 'good way' to remove the pedal box, or is it only possible with the body off? I'm really hoping there's a trick to it, since I hadn't planned to take the body off - but the box is very rusty and definitely needs restoring!
If anyone can help me with this, or point me towards someone who has done it, I'd be most grateful - I'm tearing my hair out at the moment.
VMT,
Nick
I am restoring Ch64 at present, and have hit a snag I need some help / advice with:
I have removed the steering column and instrument panel, and disconnected all the hydraulic pipes from the master cylinders. The lid is off and the 4 mounting bolts are out of the pedal box, which is movable, but I cannot see how to get the pedal box out of the car to restore it.
Is there a known 'good way' to remove the pedal box, or is it only possible with the body off? I'm really hoping there's a trick to it, since I hadn't planned to take the body off - but the box is very rusty and definitely needs restoring!
If anyone can help me with this, or point me towards someone who has done it, I'd be most grateful - I'm tearing my hair out at the moment.
VMT,
Nick
Hi
According to Ernie and Charles' book "it was quite a fight to remove the pedal box from the car as it was fitted before the body was mounted. However it is possible" Alas the book provides no further clues as to how. But I think you would need to remove everything you can including the pedals and the long bolt they mount on. And as to what angle you need to get it at to remove I cant assist as I did mine with the body off.
It is certainly easier with the body off but even then it will still fight you as you need to remove the two footwell mouldings and you cant do the drivers side with the pedal box in place... Most people cut the footwell so it can be withdrawn and glass this cut out back in place once its gone back together. There are unfortunately no short cuts in restoring a Keeble.
If I can address the elephant in the room - if the pedal box definately needs restoring why do you think the chassis under the alluminium is OK? Its the bits you cant see that are most prone to rot.
According to Ernie and Charles' book "it was quite a fight to remove the pedal box from the car as it was fitted before the body was mounted. However it is possible" Alas the book provides no further clues as to how. But I think you would need to remove everything you can including the pedals and the long bolt they mount on. And as to what angle you need to get it at to remove I cant assist as I did mine with the body off.
It is certainly easier with the body off but even then it will still fight you as you need to remove the two footwell mouldings and you cant do the drivers side with the pedal box in place... Most people cut the footwell so it can be withdrawn and glass this cut out back in place once its gone back together. There are unfortunately no short cuts in restoring a Keeble.
If I can address the elephant in the room - if the pedal box definately needs restoring why do you think the chassis under the alluminium is OK? Its the bits you cant see that are most prone to rot.
Hi All,
Thanks for the replies - I got some info from David Y as well, indicating that the pedal shaft can be withdrawn into the wing cavity, allowing the pedals to be removed and the pedal box pulled into the car. It sounds feasible but a real fiddle since access is pretty poor, as you will know...
Fair point about the hidden chassis tubes; all the ones I have uncovered so far are sound, albeit some with a bit of surface rust, but I will explore thoroughly before I decide all is well.
Different tack - does anyone happen to have a spare headlight surround? One of mine is cracked through at a narrow section, and a sound replacement would be better than a repair...
Cheers,
Nick
Thanks for the replies - I got some info from David Y as well, indicating that the pedal shaft can be withdrawn into the wing cavity, allowing the pedals to be removed and the pedal box pulled into the car. It sounds feasible but a real fiddle since access is pretty poor, as you will know...
Fair point about the hidden chassis tubes; all the ones I have uncovered so far are sound, albeit some with a bit of surface rust, but I will explore thoroughly before I decide all is well.
Different tack - does anyone happen to have a spare headlight surround? One of mine is cracked through at a narrow section, and a sound replacement would be better than a repair...
Cheers,
Nick
Hi All,
Thanks for the replies - I got some info from David Y as well, indicating that the pedal shaft can be withdrawn into the wing cavity, allowing the pedals to be removed and the pedal box pulled into the car. It sounds feasible but a real fiddle since access is pretty poor, as you will know...
Fair point about the hidden chassis tubes; all the ones I have uncovered so far are sound, albeit some with a bit of surface rust, but I will explore thoroughly before I decide all is well.
Different tack - does anyone happen to have a spare headlight surround? One of mine is cracked through at a narrow section, and a sound replacement would be better than a repair...
Cheers,
Nick
Thanks for the replies - I got some info from David Y as well, indicating that the pedal shaft can be withdrawn into the wing cavity, allowing the pedals to be removed and the pedal box pulled into the car. It sounds feasible but a real fiddle since access is pretty poor, as you will know...
Fair point about the hidden chassis tubes; all the ones I have uncovered so far are sound, albeit some with a bit of surface rust, but I will explore thoroughly before I decide all is well.
Different tack - does anyone happen to have a spare headlight surround? One of mine is cracked through at a narrow section, and a sound replacement would be better than a repair...
Cheers,
Nick
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HUMBER-SCEPTRE-MK1-1963-...
A pair of new old stock headlamp bezels. Very pricey, however, look to be in really nice order.
A pair of new old stock headlamp bezels. Very pricey, however, look to be in really nice order.
Hi everyone,
any pics of the Concorde Classic show & GK64 still need headlamp trim? I am still Keeble less at the moment - hope that changes soon.On the subject of amazing cars with SBC power there's a beauty of a Grifo for sale on Classic Cars for Sale - 450,000 Euro in Sweden I think.Only car that pips the GK for me.
any pics of the Concorde Classic show & GK64 still need headlamp trim? I am still Keeble less at the moment - hope that changes soon.On the subject of amazing cars with SBC power there's a beauty of a Grifo for sale on Classic Cars for Sale - 450,000 Euro in Sweden I think.Only car that pips the GK for me.
sussexkeebler said:
I see Chassis 34 is back at Bonhams for their Goodwood Revival auction. Estimated at £80-90K.
There was a nice couple at Eastleigh on Saturday who were looking for a Keeble, apparently they had a what sounded like a very good offer for it turned down, owner keen to see what it'll make at auction. 
sussexkeebler said:
Certainly an expensive GK. I made it £104250 including premium or £106600 once you add VAT to the premium. Looks like Quentin Willson was right when he tipped GKs to break £100k a couple of years back. Whether that's a one off price or not remains to be seen.
Listed as £105,100 inc premium (but not VAT), a good return given the vendor bought it at the same auction for £79,900 inc buyers premium two years ago.Hi Mellow,
Thanks for the pedal box info; I got mine out ok in the end - the clutch and brake pivot pin comes out into the engine bay, but the throttle pin was harder as it goes the other way. There is enough space to reverse it so that it comes out into the interior of the pedal box, so I did that when I repaired the box. It will now be pretty straightforward to reinstall the box and also to remove if it ever needs to come out again.
Incidentally, which gearbox did you fit to Ch76? I've been toying with the idea of fitting a box with an overdrive top gear, if I can find one that's both strong and small enough.
keeble kid, yes, I'm still looking for a bezel. The ones in Venezuela look nice, but they are quite pricey and it's a very long way - I'd be much happier if they were in Europe.
Thanks for the pedal box info; I got mine out ok in the end - the clutch and brake pivot pin comes out into the engine bay, but the throttle pin was harder as it goes the other way. There is enough space to reverse it so that it comes out into the interior of the pedal box, so I did that when I repaired the box. It will now be pretty straightforward to reinstall the box and also to remove if it ever needs to come out again.
Incidentally, which gearbox did you fit to Ch76? I've been toying with the idea of fitting a box with an overdrive top gear, if I can find one that's both strong and small enough.
keeble kid, yes, I'm still looking for a bezel. The ones in Venezuela look nice, but they are quite pricey and it's a very long way - I'd be much happier if they were in Europe.
When I got the car I fancied a five speed, I toyed with Borg-Warner T5 (too big) and LT77 (had one before and didn't like the feel of it), ended up going back to the T10 and, TBH, I'm glad I did. Just keeps it a bit more original. Apparently, there's a 5 speed Toyota box which is both small enough and strong enough but I've no idea what it is, GK52 may be able to help, I think he mentioned that one of his was accompanied by a Toyota box.
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