1946 Morris 8 Series E - off to storage

Thanks for the input guys.

So, based on feedback it needs:

A more subtle transition into the front wing
Slightly narrower that the body to wing spacing
A slight taper front to back
Potentially a variety of curvature along its length
Make it thinner.


I'll give it some thought before I get chance to work on it again.

I likely have flexibility on everything except the thickness. I need that in order to house an exhaust under it. Thinning it would then mean the exhaust is visible and I'd rather its hidden.

I'll not lie, the prospect of making a compound curvature rolled edge does trouble me somewhat.

The other thing Jono... You're the artisan who's gonna be doing it, looking at it, and most importantly driving it, so if you like it, ignore us motley crew.

Handbrake, I'm guessing you want a drift style handbrake, if not, another alternative is to fit it right hand side of the drivers seat, much like a lot of Hillmans and my A35,

I got an hour on the car today so was playing about with some more side step profiling.

I footered round trying to taper the side step in at the rear a bit.

P1020056 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I brought it in about 50mm, but kept the front end where it was.

P1020057 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I quite like the look it gives.

I messed about with putting a radius on the front but it just didnt look right to me. I think the fairly sharp transition is needed, plus it'll have a trim strip on the front edge so it wont look blended.

I then cut a lot of holes as.... well... you know.... flat metal panels are dull

P1020058 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

And i wanted to see what it looked like

P1020059 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I think i need to space the hole a bit more, and do something at the front end where it tapers out. Something will be needed though as the side with the exhaust under it will act like a radiator if it hasnt got a decent amount of air flowing through it.

P1020060 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Then, following on from the comment earlier about the extension strips may be skewing the visuals a bit i very quickly threw on some black to even it up.

P1020061 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020062 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020063 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020064 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020065 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020066 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020067 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020068 by jono_misfit, on Flickr


I might throw some more black on it to even it up when I put it on the floor, give a better impression of what it looks like in single colour rather than the current patch look.

I think its got some potential. I think the thickness of the side step is in keeping with the look. I want to drop it down onto the floor rather than on the skates so I can see better.

Looks really good, the taper to the rear works very well.

I've seen a few builds where people have come up with a fake but possible back story for the car, I can't find it at the moment, but there was a blue muscle car on Lambo miura wheels that had a really convincing fake history that explained all of the modifications. Could this be a barn find experimental Le mans car from the 40s? maybe some D type style wheels and spinners, old aston martin green with roundels

So, decided to throw some more black paint around and see if it helped me understand the look a bit more.

Dropped the car down onto the floor as well so it is at the right ride height.

P1020069 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020071 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020072 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020073 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020074 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020075 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020076 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and a door open shot

P1020077 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

P1020078 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I think the sills match the look. I just need to decide what i'm doing with the holes for the actual sills.

I quite like the overall look its heading towards.... which is just as well considering how many freaking years have gone into it so far.....

Next, back to the handbrake.

handbrake needs to go about here

P1020090 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

I then messed about look for where the master cylinder can go and be out of the way

P1020091 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

Time to make a mock up, and once I have that i can make the proper one.

made a mock up mount point

P1020092 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and a second tab so its in double shear

P1020093 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

mock lever and pivot

P1020094 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

tacked the mount in

P1020095 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

handbrake sits about here

P1020096 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

adjustable stop so I can better set the position

P1020097 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

nicely to hand for me

P1020098 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and pull back without interfering with anything

P1020099 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

tack some more bits of scrap together to make a master cylinder mount

P1020100 by jono_misfit, on Flickr

and thats a far as I got today

I thought I'd take some pics of me in the passenger seat, but with the seat of foot position, the handbrake falls into the gap next to your raised knee's so nicely out of the way. Just needs a guide round the top so you don't rest your leg on it.

It looks pretty messy so far, but once i'm happy with where it fits etc. I'll take it all back out and make it properly. It'll also get reduced in material to only having whats needed, be beefed up where it needs it, and i'm sure i'll find somewhere to get some swaged holes in on it.

The steering wheel is on a quick release hub.

Wheel off and slide in the gap. Many cage based hand holds available.

Yes, along with shoulders and hips and the whole car is very tight round the occupants.

In terms of leg against handbrake there's a chance of it, but the leg guide can have padding on it.

Hotrod are like 7 Esq kit cars. There's not much survival space available. Best not to crash I feel.

It's not too bad for them. I'll take pic next time in out there. Due to the seat position it ends up in the void under your legs.

The tunnel doesn't have enough space in it in the right place to mount the handbrake. If it could have gone 500mm back there would be space. If I did that now it wouldn't be in a position that could be used.