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May 25, 2004
Hi Rob
could you please pass on any information on fitting
fibreglass front , rear and doors as i'am thinking of converting my
1968 mk 4 sprite .
Regards Bob
Hi Bob
My first recomendation is dont!
Unless you are a masochist with unlimited time buckets of money and
infinite patience don't do it.
Now if you are stupid enough to still be reading this the front end
is a doodle just take off the wings move the wiper motor (it hangs
over the edge of the bulkhead and will foul the bonnet when it is
lifted) move the radiator as it will be to high, forward and down in
front of the steering rack requiring an electric fan, or use a mk1 or
mk11 radiator.
Now if you want mk 1 /mk11 doors (non wined/up windows) stick your
head in the toilet and flush. You've done that? Good now do you still
want mk1/ mk11 doors? Back to the toilet then. Ok if you really want
horrible drafty side screens remove the top of the dashboard (the
piece the windscreen rests on) and replace, fabricate pressings to go
between dash-top and A post they are not available and are a bugger
to make they support the door seal and dashboard. Remove B post (the
mk 1/ mk11 B post is more angled) remove rear wings boot surround and
trim back inner weal arch remove +- 2" from back edge of boot floor
trim down numerous other pieces of metal which will be impossible to
see and will prevent the rear clip from sitting remotely in the right
place. Still with me? If not let me know and I won't bother righting
the rest.
Now spend 3 or 4 months trying to get this all to line up remotely
decently depending on your patience and standards and you can start
to glass them on and working down the joins and door clearances
another 3 to 6 months!!!
Now you can start flatting priming and painting the car then purchase
suitable seats lights, dash board, switches, wind screen, tonneu-
cover, soft top, bumpers, carpets, door panels trim rails, wheels,
grill etc. add to this all the work required to get the tub up to
standard refurbish all the mechanicals (DON'T CON YOURSELF THEY ARE
NOT OK).
I am a competent engineer having worked on cars almost 30 years(I
started young) with a well equipped workshop averaging 10 hours per
week and am now nearing the end (1to 2 months to go) after 3 years
work this month.
Now tell me punk do you feel lucky?
One last time don't do it.
Regards
Rob Batley
"rob batley" < robbatley@... > 32298
Posted on May 25, 2004 08:33 AM
Posted to category(s) Body | Cooling System | Cylinder Head | Drive Train | Electrical System | Engine (external) | Exterior | Interior | Lubrication System | Miscellaneous | Restoration | Suspension & Steering | Technical Info | Transmission | Wheels
