February
Well, not too much to report, I have drilled the seat fixing holes as per the recommended positioning, although I must admit the seats could be better designed, the outer wings on the 'head rest' touch the roll bar bracing strut, which means that you cannot get full back travel on the sliders (lucky I'm a short a#se, and the seats touch the centre consul, so all in all a bit tight!!!!! I've cut out the carpet for the front cockpit and I'll be sending that away for edge binding (in red) to finish it off. I shall lay the carpet and underlay under the seats when I'm ready to bolt the seats into position (i.e. not yet). My dashboard will be ready to pick up this week, which means I will be able to position the dials and some of the switches, I say some as I'm still looking around for switches that will compliment the interior. So far I have a rotary light switch incorporating rear fog lights, I have a starter button in the gear knob (more of that later) I'm hoping to get a module from the States, for auto cancelling indicators (lazy maybe but at least it's something I don't have to worry about) I will probably get the rest of the switches at the Stafford show in March, if I can wait that long!!
Fitted my foot rest, but I can't fix it down until the carpet is laid. I have been constructing a 'box' for the back of the heater over the motor, this will be part of a system to bring fresh air into the cockpit, as at the moment the heater just recirculates the cockpit air, which could get very stuffy in the summer, so I am taking forced air from the brake ducts via tubing into the heater via this box, this way the heater gets outside air to circulate, I just hope that it doesn't overpower the matrix when I need some warm air!!
Colin, my friend who is fitting the alarm and stereo should be over mid February, so that should be sorted I hope, still need to figure a way of fixing the radio inside the dash so it 'pops up' out of the top of the dash.............
Will post some pictures when I've actually finished something and it's fitted!!!!!!
Well, I collected my dash with the binnacle completed and a natty little 'glove box'. now I have to consider where I place the 4 aux dials, I also have a 'Bright 6' module to get in behind the speedo and tacho but I don't think there is enough room, so some modification is required to either the module or the binnacle!!
I have decided to place the aux dials in a group of four in the middle of the dash with space between them for a switch, probably a hazard switch as this really needs to be away from the main group of switches and in a prominent position. Just got to find one that looks good!! You can also see the special gear knob as well, this has a starter in the top, maybe not quite McLaren Mercedes but not their prices either, but it is top quality, just needed to make a few modifications to my lever, its not quite finished yet as I'm still finding the right height for it. If you're interested in this conversion then click here to go to the site.
I have also fitted four Kenwood speakers, two to the rear bulkhead and two under the dashboard. These two are mounted on alloy plates and the plates riveted to the chassis. The speakers and plates have been mounted on close cell foam, which should stop them from sounding 'tinny' and save them from any vibrations through the chassis. I intend to cover the underside of the cockpit with either thin carpet or acoustic matting to finish it off, and to help in the SVA test later.