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Post by nitram on Jun 30, 2014 13:18:29 GMT
The flyscreen. The problem is, there is a greater angle on the driver's side of the bonnet moulding (42 deg)  than on the passenger's side (33 deg).  Stuart recommends packing on the 33 deg side and this I have done by manufacturing a balsa wood wedge-shaped packing piece.  With both sides now reasonably symmetrical, a few hundred iterations allow a cardboard template to be cut from which the flyscreen can be cut. I'm trying 1mm polycarbonate sheet which can be cut with scissors. This is reasonably stiff (imaging the safety screen on a full-face mask) but trials may make me go up a size or two.  A painted black band on the lower part of the screen masks the packing. I have temporarily removed the screen as I want to experience the drive screen-less first. But still not road legal as no registration yet. |
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Post by nitram on Jun 30, 2014 13:24:59 GMT
While waiting, I've added a bit of bling to the exo. First, the name for the short-sighted observer:  and then the two "horns" on the nose cone to run-through the lines of the chassis:  |
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Post by pincherrn on Jun 30, 2014 19:58:54 GMT
Hi Nitram,
Lovely looking car. Nice to see a yellow one finished. Some nice touches I may use on mine. Thanks for the info on the IVA issue with the seats. Looks like I don't need to worry as I'm fitting the MEV fibreglass seats and full harnesses.
Cheers
Colin
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Post by scooby1929 on Jun 30, 2014 20:34:26 GMT
Looks fab love the graphics up the side. When you turbo / supercharging?
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Post by jgilbert on Jun 30, 2014 21:05:20 GMT
Like the 'horns'
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Post by nitram on Jul 9, 2014 15:35:17 GMT
More frustration.
My application to register little exo has been rejected. A letter written on the 3 July and posted on the 5 July, arrived on 7 July. [why do we put email addresses and phone numbers on the application?]
The letter said: "In order for me to process the application you will need to supply evidence that the MEV Exocet Kit including chassis was brand new and unused. The evidence must quote the chassis number. The invoices you provided from Mills Extreme Vehicle (sic) Ltd does (sic) not include the information requested above. If you are not able to obtain evidence for the kit then the vehicle may be allocated a 'Q' plate."
The receipted invoices I had provided were the build slot invoice, the deposit invoice and the final invoice. Attached to the latter was the "Picking Sheet" which included the chassis number.
So, I phoned DVLA. I was told the chassis number on the Picking List was not evidence as this was hand written on non-headed paper and "anyone could have written it". I pointed out that the writing and signature were identical to those on the 3 letter-headed invoices. This was not accepted as evidence and in any case "it did not say that the chassis was brand new and unused". I tried to reason that it is impossible to manufacture anything that is second hand and that unused is just another way of saying brand new. I was told that there have had occasions where the kit has been sold on before first registration. In such cases, if the original receipt is not in the new owner's name, the chassis is treated as “second hand” and they will only issue a Q plate.
I emailed MEV and, within a couple of hours, Stuart sent DVLA a copy of the receipt required including my name, chassis number and 'brand new and unused'. I phoned DVLA and was told they now had all the evidence to issue an age related plate. Still waiting.
The staff at DVLA were very polite and very patient but I formed the impression, rightly or wrongly, that this was the current hot topic in kit and rebuild registration. Remember when full circumference welding of VIN plates hit the streets?
I have no gripe with the good people at DVLA and write this post purely to warn other builders to check the wording on their receipts before sending off the application.
Now if the good people at DVLA would like to expedite my age related plate and tax disk........
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Post by nitram on Jul 12, 2014 6:38:31 GMT
Success!
The V5C (log book) for little exo arrived in the post. The age related registration mark is totally unmemorable but allowed me to get the insurance and number plates sorted out in a couple of hours. I phoned my new-found friends at the DVLA and was told the tax disk was in the post. Good enough for me - get it started.
Because this very amateur, non-mechanic builder had put little exo together in the amateur garage, I was determined to take it easy and just do a couple of laps of the block before returning to the pits for extensive inspections. Good intentions but I was so mesmerised by the drive that I did 25 miles before returning home. By this time, the neighbours had formed an orderly queue for a ride and little exo did over 40 miles before its first inspection. Nothing untoward found.
The drive is fantastic. Handling is excellent as nothing much has changed from the MX5 days. But the acceleration is mind blowing; it just wants to go faster and faster but I had to restrict the speed as I have not got the fly screen fitted yet. Wearing sun glasses, the wind is comfortable up to 40 mph. At 50mph, the sun glasses are threatening to fly off (one hand on the wheel and one on the glasses) and my eyes are streaming. So, fly screen will be fitted today and, when the rain stops, more testing. I wasn't aware of suffering from "Jeremy Clarkson jowls".
What a great car. All the frustrations of the build, test and registration are now distant memories. I am so happy!
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Post by bauer on Jul 12, 2014 8:17:08 GMT
well done and congrats to you
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Post by gwnwar on Jul 12, 2014 20:31:24 GMT
That tight opening grill might add to a hot running condition.. More so if you turbo or s/charge it.
Need some rap around tight fitting glasses.. Good looking build.. Enjoy..
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Post by nitram on Jul 12, 2014 20:56:40 GMT
The grill came with the kit. So it should be OK, shouldn't it? I'll keep an eye on it.
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Post by gwnwar on Jul 13, 2014 3:29:49 GMT
I would not use it..Not good air flow.. But that is me..
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Post by Toed64 on Jul 13, 2014 18:04:05 GMT
I would not use it..Not good air flow.. But that is me.. I removed the MEV-supplied expanded metal grille. The material is seriously flow restrictive, just blowing through it at my hand demonstrated a massively disrupted air flow. My warming up problem seems to have been resolved... at least it didn't indicate an overheat during a subsequent blast around the garden test track! |
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Post by nitram on Jul 13, 2014 19:35:50 GMT
There is more metal than hole in the grill. I'm coming round to the ideal of re-grilling. Trouble is, original is PU bonded.
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Post by PardonWhat on Jul 13, 2014 19:45:26 GMT
BRILLIANT NEWS. Well done on getting it on the road finally. You must be really chuffed and it looks amazing too. You are definitely not going to slip by unnoticed in that!!! A real head turner. Had anyone shouting "what is it?" out of car windows yet?... You will...
Ta
P//
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Post by scooby1929 on Jul 13, 2014 21:08:13 GMT
Glad I did not bond my grill in then. Delighted to hear you are loving your exocet and the performance. They do accelerate well I just found planting the boot at 70 etc they run out of puff. On the track that is cant wait to get mine on the road
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