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Post by Phil on May 12, 2015 14:28:41 GMT
Hi, I am new to blog so just feeling my way in. Have read some very good build threads and am impressed with level of engineering, quality and attention to detail of folks projects. Some really cool looking vehicles and custom tweaks out there. i am about 4 months in and would guess 20% complete (borrowed neighbours garage and told his wife it would be done in 6 months !). Ill upload a few catch up pics if I can get hang of uploader (I have not been very rigorous with documentation thus far) cheers phil ![Pre-build]()  |
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Post by Phil on May 14, 2015 3:39:54 GMT
OK, worked out the image upload issues (seems very cumbersome / old tech approach to embedding photos....) Story started in 1987 when I bought a pre-built Dutton Phaeton in the UK (similar to caterham with Triumph straight-6 twin carb mechanicals). Plenty of fun as a teenager with leaking petrol tank, blown head gasket and rather schitzophrenic handling tendencies. Other motoring exotica since then includes many motorbikes, a kombi, MkII ford capri and a series of other expletive deleted cars (career / family building phase), then through to Lotus Elise, WRX STI and now a dose of mid-life crisis in the form of Exocet. Would love a phsycotic Caterham 620R ( link) but Australian registration issues are prohibitively troublesome. So, persuaded my wonderful wife that Exo was a good compromise, called Matt at Exocet Australia and the rest of the journey is set out below... First image is carcass he had in his workshop. I offered to buy the stripped donor ('99 NB) and frame to fast track things ...  |
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Post by Phil on May 14, 2015 3:45:50 GMT
....DEC 2014... thought a lairy colour scheme was appropriate so am heading towards orange frame and dark matt colour bodywork.... Before powdercoating in Newcastle Workshop...  and after....  |
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Post by Phil on May 14, 2015 3:52:20 GMT
....JAN 2015 ....reassembly to rolling chassis and delivery to neighbours garage in Sydney..  ...Note welded floor pans..  ....and here is home for the next 6 months...(well, year+ ?). Note beer fridge, surfboards and bike to alleviate frustration...  |
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Post by Phil on May 14, 2015 4:03:44 GMT
...Feb / Mar 2015 ....didn't really strip or re-build subframe elements like swing arms / bushes, etc as these were all in pretty good nick. Just gave everything a de-grease and a undercarriage a touch of paint where needed (I am amazed how good and comprehensive the strip down is on many other posts). Matt @ exocet had kindly pre-installed brake lines. Then pedals, master cylinders, steering, aluminium panels, all fluids done, fuel lines, calipers off-rebuilt-sprayed-pads-reassembled. New upper/lower gear boots and nifty custom leather outer boot + knob....  |
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Post by Phil on May 14, 2015 4:08:52 GMT
...April 2015....starting to get into mechanicals, rocker off and resprayed, plugs and leads, timing belt replaced. Note orange calipers at bottom of photo - you can see how good the subframe is - previously owned by a Grandma and Grandpa in the blue mountains apparently !  |
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Post by Phil on May 14, 2015 4:18:06 GMT
...April 2015 .. Seats positioned but waiting for rails (due soon). since received bodywork, radiator and have been mucking around with some finishes (next post)  |
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Post by Phil on May 26, 2015 22:32:49 GMT
OK - been a bit distracted but progress continues..... Had an exhaust issue...the stainless exhaust was modelled on a NB8B and does not seem to fit NB8A - too long by about 6 inches...considering truncation or manifold swap-out. Note pic below shows spacers below tank made of wheels from an old skateboard (won't tell Henry ..!)  |
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Post by Phil on May 26, 2015 22:34:14 GMT
another angle showing issue..  |
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Post by Phil on May 26, 2015 22:39:52 GMT
As usual, I am working on many fronts simultaneously and doing too many tasks incompletely ! Re: exterior, this Exo has orange frame and Henry and I thought dark matt bodywork would be the go. So, was considering professional wrap but too $$, so went for gun-metal plasti-dip spray. Turned out looking too much like primer, so last weekend re-sprayed with plasti-dip matt black. very much like it and will be sticking with this. Great thing is you can spray whole job for about A$100 and peel it off and try something new later.  |
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Post by adelaideexocet on May 26, 2015 22:43:11 GMT
Hey Phil looking good. I saw this one at the workshop when I took exo-001 for a drive last year and Matt mentioned he had done the brake lines. Mine is being bent and welded at the moment but I'm also getting the welded in floors, my donor is an Nb8b so the exhaust should hopefully go straight on. Do you have black panels on yours? I already have the VIN for mine as the SA govt is weird that way!
Looking forwards to seeing the build progress
Cheers
Evan
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Post by adelaideexocet on May 26, 2015 22:45:11 GMT
Was typing while you were posting! Looks awesome. Plastidipl black for me too then!
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Post by Phil on May 26, 2015 22:55:53 GMT
Also starting to think about dash and body panels. Never been a huge fan of the full length lower side panels that come with kit (will be mainly fair weather driving anyway), so am thinking of front infills similar to John and Lukes most excellent UK build. I am heading towards carbon (look) dash and mesh / alloy triangular panel infills as shown in cardboard mockup below. For dash, I am amazed at John and Lukes carbon layup from first principles, however not sure I have time or balls to attempt, so have idea of 12mm marine ply with 3mm foam layer (for padding feel/effect) , then 1mm aluminum sheet and carbon wrap (A$75 for about 1.5sqm). shot below is fist pass at panels / dash. Looks like instrument cluster needs chopping back to integrate better with dash and dash itself needs trimming to look sleeker and allow more leg room. ...also on IT matters, does anyone know how to create a new page (I am just hitting "reply" to my own post...does blog create new pages automatically?). This one is getting very long ! I know pictures are too big but I don't have time / inclination to manually / individually re-size photos .. sorry !  |
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Post by Phil on May 26, 2015 23:10:09 GMT
Hey Phil looking good. I saw this one at the workshop when I took exo-001 for a drive last year and Matt mentioned he had done the brake lines. Mine is being bent and welded at the moment but I'm also getting the welded in floors, my donor is an Nb8b so the exhaust should hopefully go straight on. Do you have black panels on yours? I already have the VIN for mine as the SA govt is weird that way! Looking forwards to seeing the build progress Cheers Evan Was typing while you were posting! Looks awesome. Plastidipl black for me too then! Thanks Evan - well done on VIN already. Yep - good to compare notes as stories unfold.... |
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Post by adelaideexocet on May 26, 2015 23:42:17 GMT
Gear shift boot looks the business. Where did you get that done if I may ask
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