AP2289 build log

[spl310]

I lofe the shift lever. Is it available from David Kee?

[xb-60]

I like it too.
No, didn't get it from David Kee's agent, but no doubt it could be sourced that way.
Mine came from a friend who obtained it from the Kirkham 'garage sale' a while back.
The lever has the correct working 'T' mechanism but as you can see, my shifter is a Hurst Comp Plus and the reverse lockout isn't a feature of this shifter.
Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Another milestone....chassis construction is completed.







Cheers,
Glen

[tkb289]

Glen,

This is a significant step in the build, the guys at PACE are making great progress. The chassis looks very stout indeed, the fitment of the panels and quality of the welds is impressive. Does the fuel tank sit up behind the rear bulk head? Where does the roll bar attach to the frame?

- Tim

[guye]

Looking good Glen.

Tim,

The fuel tank is custom and mounts below that "outrig" at the rear.

The roll bar attaches on that ledge behind the driver and into the boot as usual. There are steel shear plates you attach behind each point, and you drill the holes once everything is lined up. The mount points and rollbar are separate, so can be dismantle if required.

They do it this way now I think mainly because you can also get the optional passengers side roll bars, and it will make a LHD chassis simpler too. And it is easier to line everything up this way.

Cheers!

[tkb289]

Originally Posted by guye

Looking good Glen.

Tim,

The fuel tank is custom and mounts below that "outrig" at the rear.

The roll bar attaches on that ledge behind the driver and into the boot as usual. There are steel shear plates you attach behind each point, and you drill the holes once everything is lined up. The mount points and rollbar are separate, so can be dismantle if required.

They do it this way now I think mainly because you can also get the optional passengers side roll bars, and it will make a LHD chassis simpler too. And it is easier to line everything up this way.

Cheers!

Guy,

Very interesting. With the fuel tank mounted in the floor of the trunk/boot, as in the 427 cars, I would assume though that PACE would still locate the fuel filler behind the driver (RHD) for cosmetic purposes, rather than in the right rear fender (427) location?

I would also assume that they will use the forward brace (FIA/289 setup) for the roll bar, correct?

- Tim

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by tkb289

Guy,

Very interesting. With the fuel tank mounted in the floor of the trunk/boot, as in the 427 cars, I would assume though that PACE would still locate the fuel filler behind the driver (RHD) for cosmetic purposes, rather than in the right rear fender (427) location?

I would also assume that they will use the forward brace (FIA/289 setup) for the roll bar, correct?

- Tim

You're correct, Tim.

Here is a shot of the fuel tank installed in a 427...



....so in my car, being an FIA replica, not a 427 - the fuel filler will be located behind the driver. FIA-bodied cars, LHD or RHD, all have the fuel filler located on the RHS.

Here's COB6008 for a graphic of the filler location:





And yes, AP2289 will have the 289FIA-correct forward braced roll bar. The mount for the forward brace is on the left side of the transmission tunnel, a little forward of the gear shifter location.

Here's a shot of the roll bar bracing in....COB6008:




Cheers,
Glen

*Craig or Warren - please jump in and comment if there's anything I've missed*

[xb-60]

It's been several weeks since an update, so here's the latest....

Chassis fabrication was complete at last update, so now attention turns to the body prep and mods.
There are a number of steps that the body will go through before it is married up with the chassis. At the moment it's in two halves, front and back, and it has been prepared for painting.
Here it is at the painter's after filling and sanding by AP to achieve their required quality standard....




Here it is post-painting....




Those with sharp eyes will notice that it still has the standard roadster guards / fenders, and also there is no FIA oil scoop under the nose opening. Yes, OK, can't quite see the no-scoop in this picture.
What happens now is while still in its current "roadster" (front section) configuration, AP will take a splash of the current shape to create a mould before they change the roadster front section to suit my FIA requirements,
and that way they will have options available for future clients who want a 289 roadster.

After the splash, AP will modify this front section to the 289FIA configuration (FIA-typical front flares and oil cooler scoop, similar to what you can see here on CSX2323....



(One of your's Tim. Thanks, nice shot)

More soon.

Cheers,
Glen

[Dimis]

Brilliant. I keep hanging out for you to update us.
I can't wait to see this finished and in your garage.
Best wishes and keep it coming!

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Dimis

Brilliant. I keep hanging out for you to update us.
I can't wait to see this finished and in your garage.
Best wishes and keep it coming!

Thanks Anth. These guys are professionals; it's steady progress and doing it right first time.

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

....more:

The rear section is already correct FIA config. with FIA guards/fenders and cut-back door apertures, so nothing apart from a bit more prep. work so that a splash can be taken to create an FIA rear hips mould.



So what will happen then?
We will have a complete 289FIA body in two halves. The two halves will be bolted together and the whole inner surface of the body will be reinforced with kevlar/carbon fibre.
Further reinforcing will be added using kevlar/carbon fibre reinforcing strips at strategic locations.
If you have an AP427, look at the underside of the body and that's what the underside of an AP 289FIA body will look like.
Oh, and finally, the interface between the front and rear sections on the outside surfaces will be flushed.

The body then will be custom fitted to AP2289's chassis (different fuel filler location etc.), then removed. At that stage, the chassis will be painted


Cheers,
Glen

[albanycobra]

Great to see Pace progressing with the build, I'm sure the new body will be perfect out of the mould going by the 427....can Pace do a Wimbledon White gelcoat.....lol.

Please tell more about the chassis painting? Why not powder coating? what colour?

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

....Please tell more about the chassis painting? Why not powder coating? what colour?

Hi Dave. Paint / powder coat? I've had professional experience with both, and there's very little between the two processes (in my opinion).
Powder coat is slightly porous compared to wet spray (but not worth taking into account); paint is repairable while powder coat repair is 'difficult'; powder coating (in volume) is cheaper.
Given the choice, I'd go with wet spray (ie paint), but really...whatever is cheapest is good!

What colour? Satin black.

Here's what could be done....





Here’s one already done….





Cheers,
Glen

[albanycobra]

Yeah I have seen those pics of that black chassis....tempting me to go the same way

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

Yeah I have seen those pics of that black chassis....tempting me to go the same way

The way I see it is that at least it's a nod towards the originals.
Still leaves plenty of cool, shiny bits in the suspension to stand out

Cheers,
Glen

[albanycobra]

I am thinking satin black powder coat chassis and Im thinking about anodising the suspension as well, maybe clear or even black.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by albanycobra

I am thinking satin black powder coat chassis and Im thinking about anodising the suspension as well, maybe clear or even black.

I like the way you're thinking Dave.

[xb-60]

A couple more update pictures from AP....

The body halves are temporarily mated to check door fit. Bonnet (hood) fit is being checked as well. A splash of both halves is soon to be done in the body's current config., hence the smooth bonnet.


Checking door fit:




Cheers,
Glen

[prp289]

That is just wicked..... Definitely a top end build....

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by prp289

That is just wicked..... Definitely a top end build....

My sentiments too!