new body in the works

[ColinB]

I don't know why they sent it via the EU Mike as we all know about the massive red tape they have put in place since the UK left their club. There have been stories of loads being held up because the forms were filled out with the wrong colour ink, and you may also have an issue with VAT on what inexperienced Belgian customs officials may class as an import to the EU. You must be very frustrated.

[mikeyr]

Colin you are scaring me with all those possibilities. I already am thinking the worst and now have more worst to think about.

At this point I assume no news until Monday when the sender is open and can answer questions

[jeans_old_man]

Relax, Mike. If you remember my car took 16 weeks to get here from L.A. That included several weeks waiting for the ship to get into Long Beach and a week in Barcelona whilst the container got transfered to a ship to England. I believe the delays at Long Beach have not improved.

The good news is that the car was packed with plenty of bags of dessicant and there was no mould. All in all the car arrived in the same condition as when it set off.

So you should have plenty of time to sort out that chassis although you will have to get a move on judging by the present rate of progress.

[mikeyr]

now now, that is not fair. In only 30 years, I sand blasted the chassis and painted it, how much more do you expect in only 30 years

spending the weekend moving things around in garage, son-in-law's mini is going onto the lift where the 1.5 Liter stayed for 15 years. Mini is waiting on son-in-law to save up some cash for some final work, my part of the work is done though, body work finished and painted, every thing welded up, good sound solid body now. By the time the LM body arrives if it ever leaves Belgium, chassis WILL BE ready. It kind of is already, just have to bolt brackets on and they are ready to go on. More garage organizing than anything right now...

[jeans_old_man]

On the matter of your steering. Are you sure that steering column is correct? It seems very long. It should have a stud half way down the drop shaft for the metal strap that connects to the bottom of the chassis - see picture.

You are correct. There should be a right angle bracket that connects the large cross bolt to the top of the chassis. It is the forces on these brackets that cause the chassis to crack. Turning the steering wheel whilst stationary (a modern habit) puts a lot of lateral force on the chassis rail. Whilst it is dismantled I would weld a discrete strengthening plate on the inside of the chassis where shown. Make sure the chassis is straight when you re-weld the crack.

The cross member was originally hot-riveted to the chassis but the the rivets tend to work loose. If you are replacing them with high tensile bolts it might be worth welding the cross member to prevent any movement.

[mikeyr]

No, I am not sure my steering column is correct, I only know it came with the car and looks right to me but never seen another. It has a bolt hole (maybe stud was removed) for the strap.

Darn good idea to weld that spot, I may do that. Unfortunately, already welded up the cracks (and yes made sure frame is straight) and already painted the frame. I had planned on re-using a plate previous owner had bolted to the frame to prevent the crack from growing, you can see the 2 bolts directly above your reinforcing plate picture. A weld would be much better and I am feeling stupid for not having thought of that before painting. I guess its a good time to grind the paint off and weld and re-paint.

and as a detail note...after 2 1/2 days, body has left Belgium it is now "in transit" again, don't know what happened, I assume they talked to shipper this morning (Monday) and got it straightened out, too bad shipper was closed over weekend.

[ColinB]

That is good news on the shipping Mike!

[mikeyr]

Shhhh don’t tell anyone

Santa Barbara is is major drought and we are not supposed to wash cars. In my defense I did not wash a car, only a chassis.

All ready if fedex ever finds and delivers the body. How do you lose a car body in its crate ? I don’t know but they did. Someone did not scan it when they put it on a plane. I am told it may be in Santa Barbara or in Memphis Tennessee. They are checking

[mikeyr]

Well it was in Santa Barbara, but not scanned...



in my driveway now . I was pretty worried when I saw the damage to the shipping crate, but it was external superficial damage only, no damage to the body or even inside the crate.

It is a work of art...belongs in the Louvre or someplace like that.

[Peter McKercher]

Congratulations Mike. Now the fun begins.

[mikeyr]

Last set of pics

Time to start working on the car

[Peter McKercher]

Is that all you got done last night?

[mikeyr]

yes, I am sorry to have let you down on the lack of progress

[telco.2]

Exciting times!! Great to see both major bits together

[ColinB]

Wow that looks really good.