AP2289 Build log 'stage 2'

[Alfa02]

Looking good Glen, as always Everything at ground zero (Seattle. area) is well, but we member's thank our "Lucky Stars" that it stays that way. Funny thing is, it's brought our Club member's closer, everyone is worried about each other, so we stay in contact more often, a small bright light in all of this. Stay Safe My Friend, Cheers Tom.

[xb-60]

Thanks Tom. Things are changing daily here. All pubs, clubs, cafes etc. have shut. Some state borders have been closed.
Well, if nothing else, I can spend more time out in the garage!

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Seems (to me) like I've been doing a lot of work....but not accomplishing that much. Sound familiar to other builders (maybe )?

Here goes....fitted the trunk number plate light. Unpacked it, and it's supplied without the plastic lens, so ordered a new one. How can a number plate light be shipped without a lens??

Also shown...mid-tapping the holes for the trunk handle and latch...

Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Here it is with the handle fitted.
Why post one picture when you can post two?

[xb-60]

....or three?

[cobrakiwi]

Nice looking work, looks great.

I have never had a number plater light ship without the glass, thinking you may have been screwed on that deal.

[xb-60]

Thanks Craig.
Number plate light was expected to be supplied as NIB. New acronym…. NIBW, ML ….as in “new, in bubble wrap, minus lens”

Working on the latch for the trunk.
Supplied latch plate has no adjustability for left/right alignment or most importantly, vertical position....so working on a new one that has the required adjustability.

Here's the old one. It mounts onto the body; new one will mount more securely onto the chassis:

[xb-60]

New latch design. Has adequate adjustability in X and Z directions. Y direction was easy to lock in. Latch works perfectly.

Cheers,
Glen

[tkb289]

Hi Glen,

It’s been a while since I have checked in and you have been making great progress! As noted by others, your attention to detail and reengineering of various bits and pieces is quite impressive. Your custom latch should work well to keep the boot from popping open. Will you be adding the bungee cord around the latch handle? In this case, more cosmetic than functional I would suspect.

This is one excellent build thread that is informative as it is entertaining and will be a great resource for those that follow, whether it’s another PACE build or some other replica. Many of your modifications apply to other ‘kits’ or they will serve to inspire others to come up with their own creative solutions, to solve challenges that they will no doubt face. There are many ways to build these cars and there is ample opportunity to tweak & customize as the builder sees fit.

I would suspect that pretty soon here, it will be time to fit the motor and transmission. No doubt there will be a whole new set of challenges … and clever solutions will follow.

Can’t wait to see what you come up with next, keep up the good work!

- Tim

[xb-60]

Thanks for the comments Tim. Sometimes I think I need to pull the finger out and move a little faster….but then I think that I do really need to be happy with it. It will work out well in the end, but sometimes in frustration I think I should have pursued Peter P. a little more enthusiastically all those years ago Would have been a long, hard slog to get an ERA 289FIA here though!

Just checked pictures of COB6008 and he does use a bungee cord on his butt. I’ll have to leave the jury out on that one.

Motor and gearbox? Yeah, may have to start planning for that soon. Will need some help there. Any plans to come over this way after things settle?


Stay safe, all.
Cheers,
Glen

[xb-60]

Working on the tail light assemblies.

First pic shows the as-supplied L542 assembly; has the brake/tail-light incandescent bulb assembly

Second pic shows almost everything stripped out of the light assemblies, and the new ABS mouldings that will accept the LED bulb holders for the brake/tail light bulbs and the indicators

Third pic shows the bulb holders fitted to one of the ABS mouldings, ready for the bulbs to be fitted...

Cheers!
Glen

[xb-60]

Nice to finally have something looking like progress!

Tail lights finally fitted out, working, and fitted to car....

Cheers!
Glen

[1795]

Looking nice Glen, you are almost there. Did you abduct Ellie? Is the ransom that Patrick must repaint his cobra?

Jim

[xb-60]

Jim...that's Alfie, my workshop manager.

Patrick repaint his Cobra?? No, I think he's colour blind

[patrickt]

Dang, that mutt looks like a bigger, meaner version of Ellie on steroids.

[xb-60]

...and Alfie says that nasty story about the steroids was very exaggerated....

[1795]

The question is, would he pass the urine test for the olympics? Alfie never competed for the east Germans did he?

[tkb289]

Well Glen … I am glad to see that Alfie is on the job keeping an eye on things, proper supervision is important.

From what little I know about the registration process you have to work with in Australia, it is a lot more complicated and involved than it is in California. It varies a bit in the US from state to state and I suspect it may be the same as well in South Australia versus the other five states. So in the long run, you are probably better off with an Australian built car, but you are a better judge of that than I am.

I do have plans to come to Australia once things settle down, it would be my first trip and I am looking forward to it. I suspect however, that by the time I get there, the motor & gearbox will have long since been installed and you will be out and about enjoying the open road

The lights look great! You better get back to work, Alfie is watching.

[xb-60]

Yeah Tim, his unofficial title is my "workshop manager", and he's always outside when I'm in the garage, sticking his head in regularly checking on me.

Registration for our Cobras here in South Australia is a lot more involved than in CA. However, Victorian (Aus.) registration for Cobra replicas does sound more like your SB-100 system, but even that (Vic. reg) is changing, so I hear.

Cost of reg. here in SA for historic vehicles like my Alfa is great though, with reg. costing around AUD265 (USD170?) for 3 years, 90 days per year on a log book system. Would be nice if we can negotiate that for our Cobras with the SA government. Our club is working on it!

Tim, when you visit us here, you have a priority on the list for a ride in the Cobra!

Please stay safe!
Cheers,
Glen

[tkb289]

Glen,

Best of luck with the historic vehicle program for the Cobras, seems like a sensible way to go. Would absolutely love a ride in your FIA and if you make it to California, would be delighted to return the favor.

Stay safe as well ... one and all.

- Tim