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Apr 30, 2022 18:11:36 GMT
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Ideally wildrover I would like to have a "proper" used one, but we'll see. I might be able to find one in the states later this year. Delaware is only a small state, so that probably confirms why there aren't that many available on the open market. My next 2 turned up today. First was the North Dakota plate, which, continuing with the animal theme started by Alaska, has a Bison on it, and then the Nebraska Plate. Now I am not 100% certain that this is a used plate - it may have been made as a mock-up or example. However, I love it. It's a Nebraska "Purple Heart" Combat Wounded plate. North Dakota - complete with added wildlife. It also happens to have my Uncle's initials on it. And the Nebraska Purple Heart plate. If it's real, as the Americans say, "Thank you for your service". It tells a story.
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Apr 29, 2022 16:02:07 GMT
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As I was on the way to getting my dash top ready for fitting, I figured that it might be a good idea to start looking at a way to actually mount the thing. I reckoned that the easiest way to do this would be rivnuts and bolts from the top or something similar. However, the edge of the dashboard only had a small ledge at the sides which was about 1/2" wide. Not big enough! So I grabbed some more Jaffa Cake box and parcel tape, and cut it to size so I could make an additional rectangular "edge". I slathered this in resin then proceeded to add additional chopped strand mat cut to fit. Whilst this was drying off, I grabbed the Dremel and the cut-off wheel as it was time to trim the dash top before I removed it from the mold. I almost forgot how much cutting fibreglass stinks... Once trimmed, I grabbed the plastic trim tools and set about releasing the final version from it's place of creation. It only needed minor persuasion before I got the satisfying "crack!" as it separated. Once out, I simply HAD to pop it in place to check approximate fit. I still have to cut holes for the Windscreen vents, but before I do that, there were certain areas that were a bit thin. It was still pretty strong, but I felt it could do with a bit extra so out came the resin again. There's now additional layers drying off, which should ensure a bit of additional solidity. By the time it dried, I was able to pull the parcel tape-covered card bit off the dash to reveal the additional rectangular "mounting faces". They need a bit (a lot) of tidying up, but look to be very tough. It should make mounting the dash top a LOT easier than what was previously there... Tape covered cardboard - works wonders for make flat surfaces as it just peels of when done... Cutting the excess off All trimmed and almost ready for removal Popping out of the mold - came out really easily with a very satisfying noise when it let go. Chucked in place for a brief look - happy with that! More fibreglass layers needed though on the bits I could virtually see through. And tape covered card removed from the dash ends. Some tidying to do...
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Apr 29, 2022 15:35:07 GMT
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Is the rubber thing one of those items that you can slide off once you've given it a bit of warmth from a heat gun? I'm sure I've done something similar in the past - I can vouch for Ford parts but it might be worth a shot?
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Apr 26, 2022 20:15:27 GMT
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Delaware Idaho Maryland Massachussetts Minnesota NebraskaNew Jersey North DakotaOregon South Carolina Vermont West Virginia Wisconsin I am trying to get all my collection as pressed plates (I know this might be difficult with Delaware as all I have seen are printed ones) and they have to be car plates rather than motorcycle plates as I am not a bike guy I like unusual ones, and am looking at a couple of unusual ones right now - will keep you all posted Edit: Scratch that - 11 to go. Nebraska and North Dakota ordered.
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Last Edit: Apr 26, 2022 20:26:25 GMT by mrbounce
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Apr 26, 2022 19:21:27 GMT
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Found a Kansas Plate from 1970 which looks like it's been outside a while. The "CL" part of the plate refers to Cowley County apparently. It will go up in the garage next time I move the Midas. 13 states left to go...
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Apr 23, 2022 16:25:22 GMT
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I can see this becoming the latest trend / must have accessory *Goes into garage, looks under Midas and can't quite figure out where to put it. Starts plotting...*
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Apr 21, 2022 20:21:06 GMT
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Often found fitted to lower trim level Chrysler Sunbeams if I remember correctly
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Last Edit: Apr 21, 2022 20:21:19 GMT by mrbounce
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Apr 17, 2022 18:47:03 GMT
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I popped into the garage this morning because I was intrigued to see how the 2nd stage of the fibreglassing had gone. It had dried nicely and investigation got the better of me as I got the plastic trim tools out and cracked it off the buck. I trimmed off the excess at the bottom, and actually gave it a trial fit on the top of the dashboard. It fits really nicely and is nicely shaped without being an over-complicated design. The only downside is the due to the angle of the windscreen there's not enough room for me to do an AC Cobra style dash-mounted mirror, so a screen-mounted one will have to do. I will also figure out where to put the windscreen vents in due course. I got the parcel tape out again, and having wiped down the inside of the mold (full of dust following my Dremel-enforced trimming), I taped it all up again, making sure that as many of the creases as possible were removed. Having found an extra bonus packet of hardener (hiding under the workbench) I figured out I had enough resin to do one full pass of fibreglassing. I have more coming - but unfortunately I thought that as it was Amazon Prime, it would automatically be next day delivery. Fat chance - due next Thursday... I mixed up all the remaining resin, squirted in the hardener, and carefully covered the whole of the mold in fresh chopped strand matt. Once the new stuff arrives I will make sure to give it a couple of further layers. Although the mold held its shape well, it was a bit too flimsy to be anything but that. I was then cruelly interrupted by having to do family visits... I lost the "as removed from buck" picture (I forgot to put the memory card back in the camera...) so here's a cheat shot, which is the underside of the next picture... And here's the underside of the mold with a fresh layer of fibreglass on (in?) it. More layers to follow, when I eventually get my new resin...
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Last Edit: Apr 17, 2022 18:50:02 GMT by mrbounce
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Apr 16, 2022 14:38:12 GMT
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Thanks teaboy and grizz It is nice to be back and doing stuff. Another small update. I set about the MDF and hardboard with various power tools and sanding blocks in order to get it into the sort of shape I was after. Although in this thread it looks like it took a couple of minutes I can assure you it was anything but that!! I even had to break the filler out to fill in some imperfections I'd made when being a bit over enthusiastic with the Power File... Once I had the shape I needed I gave it a wipe down and cover the underside in Gaffer Tape. "Why?" I hear you shout. The underside was the fibrous bottom of the hardboard that was once the back of a kitchen dresser. If you try to attach parcel tape to this, it just falls off. So, to avoid further irritation, swearing and embarrassment, I used Gaffer Tape which sticks like the proverbial to a blanket. To pretty much everything. I was then able to coat the top in parcel tape, which is a lot smoother and enables the fibreglass layer to be released once dry. This will become my mold for the new dash top, and I will repeat the process in reverse. So, I used up the very last of my hardener to go with the fibreglass resin and have created a layer on top which is currently going off. Once it's dry, I will trim it, crack it off the wood/MDF bit and see what we have got. This is roughly the shape I need. The original on the car looks nothing like this, and doesn't fit anywhere as nicely. And the first bit of fibreglass going off. Looking forward to seeing what delights await.
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Apr 14, 2022 21:54:35 GMT
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Thank you everyone Following further work to make storage space for a lot of Dad's stuff (I bought 2 large trunks), I turned my attention once more to the top of the dashboard. I have been thinking about this for quite a while now, and have decided to make a better hash of making my own. My initial effort was a bit rubbish, so I needed to have a think and also acquire appropriate materials to actually start doing what I need to do. The plan is to hand make a wood/MDF dash top, and then make a fibreglass copy for added lightness. I will also be incorporating a place for the mirror (AC Cobra style) and will also look to include the vents for clearing the windscreen. I also have plans for mounting it so it can be easily removed to get at the wiring and the wipers and washer plumbing underneath. However, first I needed to build the first draft. Getting the curvature right will be a challenge, but I like a challenge (said the man who believed he could complete this project in about 3 years...). The original dash top fits about as well as me trying to get into a teenage nightclub. I would get in, but I just would not sit right with the whole situation! Did I have a piece of wood wide enough? Actually no, but what I did have was the back of an old kitchen cabinet - a large piece of hardboard. I spent ages cutting this to size and making sure it fitted in the right places. The next step was adding 2 pieces of MDF to the top of the hardboard. MDF is easy to work with and although heavy, is very easy to shape and to sand. So what I have done is to get the wood glue out and clamp said MDF to the hardboard. I've done this - now it's time to wait for 24 hours before I can start the shaping and sanding experience... Doubtless I will be fitting, removing,refitting, shaping and sanding for several days yet... I need to fill this here hole... A bit of old kitchen cabinet is always a good start... And now a couple of bits of MDF are glued to it. Hours of fun and games with the electric sander to follow...
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Apr 14, 2022 21:09:29 GMT
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Well dear Helga has been giving me lovely service once again, even if it's not the most practical or economical. Today I thought I would take a slightly longer lunch break and drive the 3 miles to the local Subway which is located in a petrol station. So I popped down there, parked in one of the allocated bays and got my foot long. On exiting the shop a stranger came over and told me that a guy in a BMW had tried to park next to me, hit my rear bumper, and then driven off. This is what he left behind: Luckily, the chap had taken down the BMW's number plate, so he's been reported both to my Insurance Company and the Police. So thank you to the guy who took the driver's number - also to the boss of the Petrol Station who suggested that the Insurance Company get in touch with them to get copies of the CCTV. Still, it is a hassle I really don't need or want. Utterly reprehensible behaviour from that utter bar steward. I hope his bank holiday goes from bad to worse. Typically I had left 2 spaces between me and the next car.... I am starting to think that this car is cursed and attracts people who can't drive, causing them to smack into it. That's 3 incidents in the past 8 months...
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Last Edit: Apr 14, 2022 21:11:00 GMT by mrbounce
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Apr 10, 2022 20:26:08 GMT
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But it is very much a style over substance car. There’s a lot of things that will be subjective and down to personal tastes and opinions, but that statement is complete nonsense. Let me clarify that statement then If you need a 4 seater small hatchback with a usable boot, I'd suggest that you look elsewhere. However, if you want something that looks cool and is a fashionable car, it's great. It's an opinion I have,based on having had a number of friends and work colleagues who've owned them. BMW themselves market it as following the Mini Brand, and every advert I see for it shows young people enjoying themselves with it. If that isn't all about style then I don't know what is. It isn't meant to be a criticism - there are cars that do a better job of being a boring hatchback. However said hatchbacks can't do the style thing that the Minis do.
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Apr 10, 2022 19:38:39 GMT
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I can't say that I have had the pleasure or displeasure of owning one, but a very good friend had a fairly early one (2002?) which ate its own engine, so as with most cars, service history is an absolute must.
Personally I don't like them, I'd be buying a Suzuki Swift instead (nothing to do with car itself - it's all about BMW and their treatment of the Classic Mini fraternity when they were introduced, which hardly matters to most buyers!).,However they're plentiful and cheap. And not all will be dogs. But it is very much a style over substance car. If you're happy with that, fill your boots!
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Last Edit: Apr 10, 2022 19:39:55 GMT by mrbounce
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Apr 10, 2022 14:04:11 GMT
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That Mach 1 is making me dribble...
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Subaru Legacy spares car presumably helping the other one stay on the road. and a Transit ice-cream van!!! Not been on the road for some time so I would imagine that any Cornettos, 99 Soft Mix and Funny Feet might be past their best...
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And I was going to put this in the "Abandoned" section, but a quick check shows it to be currently road legal and fully MOT'd. Merc 500 SEC with added tinworm and Monoblocks.
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A few spots on my wanderings today: Mk2 MX5 Nice low-mileage 911 An AX still working on the road! Saab 95, in lovely condition It would appear that a Bandit wannabe is in town Nice little Boxster Mk2 Jaaaaaggggg - must have been a bank job nearby... And a 190E 1.8. Needs @mercdan68 to give it a going over...
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Ouch. That was a hell of a whack. Glad that George was able to walk away from that one. As you say, it was a good job he was driving a Merc. If that had happened in a Fiesta or Corsa it could have been very nasty.
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Lots of Mk1 Audi TT owners don't realise that there's a third sun visor just above the rear view mirror. It's intended to fill the gap between the other two visors in low sun, and almost works. I found that one of nicest little additions in my Bora Highline. So many times I'd been troubled by the sun being in the "middle" and half blinding me, and considering that the journey home often meant looking directly into the sun, it was an absolute Godsend. Someone had sat down and thought about that. Surprised we don't see it more often. Think I may have to create one in the Midas project.
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Mar 31, 2022 12:45:05 GMT
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Roof! Great idea by Dozer. And it looks like it won't take forever to make it work either.
Bounce likes this!!
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