Extreme Owners Club
Extreme Forums => Build Threads => Topic started by: AIG1355 on January 30, 2011, 03:39:51 PM
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Its time I started on my improvements which I have been planning for a few years and gathering various items for the process. I have no idea how long this is going to take as I get very little spare time however, today I managed to get an hour to do some investigative work in the garage before I start butchering my pride-n-joy.
Ist job is to fit a genuine F355 rear grill. At first I thought I would have to cut this down as it is wider than the Extreme engine cover. But on investigation, the genuine car has the rear grill fixed to the top of the rear light grill/Panel unlike the Extreme where this black area is part of the rear engine cover so I wll not have to trim the OEM part put re-work the engine cover and rear end of the car slightly. I discovered today that the tailgate has split between the inner and outer skins so I've got to fix that in anycase.
The next job is to fit the replica interior. I've had an Extreme replica interior for a few years gathering dust in the garage while I sourced gauges etc.
I have a feeling my car will miss out on the 2011 season this time.
HeyHo.
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Nice... get the pics up when you make progress.... I'm especially interested in the rear grill... I think my interior will have to wait until next winter....lol ;D
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Well work has commenced (eventually).
Starting with a cambelt change. Engine out for that one! and the clutch as now not working as has been sat for 12 months in the garage gone nowhere this year.
Then its sort out the front wheels rubbing on full lock and investigate the possibility of hanging the rear exhaust box in the boot section.
If the guys are brave enough, then its the Extreme 355 interior and OEM gauges that I have had sat around for donkeys.
Rich
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Engine out for cam belt change - blimey!
Are there any pics of a finished Extreme replica interior anywhere?
Good luck with recomissioning - I've got nowhere so far!
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Hi,
I've never seen any. I've only ever seen 1 extreme 355 (the only MR2 replica I've seen too) with a replica interior and that was his own made from scratch and looks fab. Nick 355 on this site. he also used OEM gauges (clever sod).
Rich
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Well, engines back in after a full service and a new cambelt and also a new clutch fitted while everything was out even if it was just the master cylinder. It all runs sweet now.
Work has started on the front wheel clearance issue on full lock. Knocking the inner bulkhead area back is not an option as it will harm the integrity of the car in an accident, I was also told that it could weaken the inner arch area so much that a bad pothole could end up with collapsed suspension?
So, the inner arch bulkhead area is being cut out and moved backward and then welded up. The seam between the inner wing and bulkhead had been knocked back, this has been reinstated, again (I am told) because of potential structural rigidity issues in a collision.
The Interior kit and OEM gauges have been delivered to the workshop and the OEM rear grill which will be fixed in the correct area above the rear light panel and the rear deck lid cut back to accommodate.
I will take some pics when there is something worth while to look at.
Rich
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Fitting the OEM rear grill worth doing. Are you going to fix the grill to thebootlid. or the rear light panel ?
I ask because I found it works out neater by fixing it to a non moving panel.
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Fitting the OEM rear grill worth doing. Are you going to fix the grill to thebootlid. or the rear light panel ?
I ask because I found it works out neater by fixing it to a non moving panel.
Hi Nick,
The grill will be fitted to the light panel. It needs a slight mod as its a couple of inches wider than the opening so will be bent at right angles at each end I guess which will give extra fixing points. The boot lid will be reworked to accommodate the grill when closed by chopping out the black area with the badge on.
Cheers
Rich
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Not much progress upon my last visit to the workshop as the guys are busy and mine is just fitted in as and when they are quiet. Took a few shots where they have started to clean away the underseal in readiness for cutting out the inner arch area on one side. The dash has to come out before any restructuring and welding up is done.
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Hey Rich any progress on your pride and joy, we need some pics lol cheers jd
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Hi,
There is progess but I've been unable to take any pics. The car has now moved from the workshop seen in the pics to their bodyshop and I don't get down there. Its had the roof painted as the paint started crazing and there was a small crack where the roof joint is on the offside at the top edge of the rear quarter window. The crack has been ground back a fair way and re-bonded and filled.
They are only now tackling the front inner arches as the workshop got too busy. They are fitting it in around oher jobs. I'll try to get down there next month wih the camera. Its in High Wycombe and I'm in Huddersfield but I travel there each month on business. Hopefully, when it leaves the bodyshop it will be heading right back to the workshop for them to carry on with the other bits providing they have the time. They're doing it all as a favour so I'm not pressing for timescales.
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Well...............its been a while and I still have no pics as yet but the front wheels now clear the inner arches. Next Job, the Extreme 355 dash and OEM gauges.
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Wow rich, nice to see you are getting there you must get some pics off them to show us when you do the dash cheers jd
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Can't believe I started this topic in 2011 :o
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lol 2011, that's nothing :-) mine was 2008. Although, by the time you have finished tarting it up it will be time to start again. hehe.
Love the pics, keep em coming.
Steve
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Hi Folks,
Been down to the car and taken a few pics of current progress. Can't take any pics of the front inner arch modifications as the wheels are straight and the steering wheel has been removed so can't get a shot.
The metalwork housing the stereo/hvac unit will have to be relocated as its currently stopping the dash going forward to the windscreen. The doorcards aren't exactly contoured to the door inners and they've slightly warped during their years in storage so there will be plenty of fettling ahead.
Rich
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Wow looks great Rich what a difference ,great to see some progress well worth the wait ,cheers jd
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Hi Folks,
Small update. The guys are tracing all the wires. Little difficult as they have no wiring diagram for my Japanese import N/A, just a UK and part of a US diagram but they are getting there. They have made some modifications to the metalwork behind the dash to allow the top part of the dash to sit up to the windscreen. They have also figured out most of the Ferrari gauge wiring. The gearstick has to be cut and re-welded in a different position too. Slow progress but the guys are not phased. Progress is progress.
Rich
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Wow like I said last time it looks amazing what a transformation from the mr2 dash and door cards, I hope it gets done for next summer would be great to see it at some shows , jd
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Dito that ;)
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Hi Folks,
Another small update, we have a working rev counter, guys struggling with speedo at the moment but we'll get there.
Rich
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Looking good fella :-) I've got a wiring manual I can upload for you if it will help? Not sure if it covers the NA import but it's helped me loads identify how I'm going wire everything up :-)
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Hey Rich good news on getting the Rev counter working ,it will look fab with the Oem clocks in , I recently got a 355 off Steve which iv now sold to a friend and we hav just fitted an Oem dash into that the clocks are our next job ,and then the air vents ,we are hopeing we can maybe get the vents 3 d printed ,jd
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Rich, from all my reading there are two types of speedo's. You can either have a cable running from the gearbox into the back of the original dash clocks or a electrical pulse from the gear box. If it's the cable version then the clocks themselves generate a speed pulse from the cable, this is then fed back to the ECU, mines this type. If it's the pulse type you should be able to pick this up from the wires behind the clocks. If you do have the cable version you can swap out the sensor in the gear box to an electrical pulse version. Might need to write a microprocessor to convert the pulse to the correct type for your clocks. I might be able to assist in this. I'm using the pulse at the back of my clocks to control my bat wings / spolier on my murci.
Let me know if I can help ;-)
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Thanks guys, mine is electric rather than mechanical, I have contacted Nick355 who has oem gauges working in his but it is a Turbo, he will try to find his documentation for me, if he can find it then hopefully we'll be there, he did need to convert the signal for the 355 gauges.
Cheers
Rich
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Looks like your getting there and I'm sure all this head f**k will all be worth it in the end :)
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Hi Folks,
No pictures yet but there has been some progress.
We now have a working speedo, the guys are now waiting on some plumbing for the oil pressure gauge.
The wiring has been in their words a "total nightmare" but the end is in sight. Soooo glad I did not attempt this myself.
She was running on lowering springs with OEM shocks and was sitting too high for me. New coilovers have now been fitted and she is as low as she will go, just waiting on some braided brake hoses to finish off.
Has anyone had any issues regarding setting up the steering Geometery? The guys are asking if I have any details re the setup (which of course I don't).
The guys reckon there is now only 20-30 hours left to complete the fitting of the dash and doorcards before everything is removed and sent off to the trimmer.
As soon as I can get to the workshop I'll take some shots.
Rich
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Great news rich ,looking forward to the pics, jd
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Great news rich can't wait to see it all done not long now I haven't done my speedo yet it's my job this week mine was cable so I need to fit a transducer to the box nd run wiring in also I bought them little boxes for the fuel & speedo the fuel one works a treat I hope the speedo one does too the temp guage I just bought an oem sensor nd that works a treat too ????
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The guys sent me a couple of pics of the new front and rear shiny bits :P
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Very nice mate must be getting close now to getting her back ,jd
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Yes I hope so JD, have to say I am getting a little excited at the prospect. The kids have been nagging for ages. Looking forward to taking her to shows again, its been a while and for every time she has been before she was the only Extreme presence apart from Extreme themselves who were indoors. It will be different next time. Cheers Rich
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Looking forward to seeing her Rich, we will hav to hav a meet up when you get her back I'm sure Lee will hav a ride over with me cheers jd
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That would be great. Should be getting MOT this week then off to trimmers when we figure out where to put the hvac unit. Off to the workshop tomorrow so will update with pics.
Rich
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Visited the workshop today. The decision has been made about the HVAC unit. This will sit in the hole for the stereo, It looked surprisingly OK. The stereo will sit in a cradle off the bottom of the dash on the passenger side.
Everything is loosely fitted, all the major wiring is done and grafted onto the F355 wiring loom I got with the gauges.
One of my front fog lights has dropped out and vanished, anyone know the best place to source replacements?
The pic of the engine is of a Subaru part with an additional sender unit to get the oil pressure gauge working.
Here's the pics
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Beverly very nice :)
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Coming together nicely bud ,can't wait to see her ,jd
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Very nice job, bet you are proud of her
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That looks the dogs danglers mate can't wait to see it buddy????
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Hi All,
Small update, no pics though unfortunately.
Wiring..........Done
MOT tomorrow morning then off to the trimmers.
Hopefully she'll be back by the end of the year and ready for some shows in 2017.
Cheers
Rich
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Another nice example for the shows ;)
Mick
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That's great news rich ,I bet you can't wait to get her back now :) looking forward to seeing it at the shows ,jd
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Too right JD. Its been a very long journey but the end is in sight.
Cheers
Rich
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Cant wait to see her done!! Love your build!
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Nice 1 buddy
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Did it pass the MOT¿
Have you got a finish date from the trimmers?
Looking forward to seeing it on the road!
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Excellent work, that's going to look amazing, bet you can't wait !
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Hi Steve, not sure. I got the info by email and they have been on hols since. He did say that it will pass the MOT but with a bunch of advisories one being...loose dash. But its just to get it to the trim shop.The trim shop will be trimmania in Wokingham. Now furiously saving as I am sure it wont be a cheap trim.
Hi Nick thanks, I am looking forward to getting it back, its so close now after 3 years and thanks for your help. The signal converters did the job. Have you made any further decision on yours?
Cheers
Rich
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Hi Steve, not sure. I got the info by email and they have been on hols since. He did say that it will pass the MOT but with a bunch of advisories one being...loose dash. But its just to get it to the trim shop.The trim shop will be trimmania in Wokingham. Now furiously saving as I am sure it wont be a cheap trim.
Hi Nick thanks, I am looking forward to getting it back, its so close now after 3 years and thanks for your help. The signal converters did the job. Have you made any further decision on yours?
Cheers
Rich
Rich, glad the converters did the trick. I hardly ever use mine, but when I do I just think there's no way I can sell this ! So going to keep it for the moment. :)
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Rich, glad the converters did the trick. I hardly ever use mine, but when I do I just think there's no way I can sell this ! So going to keep it for the moment. :)
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Glad to hear it. Would you consider doing a show next year? Thats my plan now there is a good chance of a decent turnout. I hardly used mine too, but to be honest I didn't get it to go posing round the streets on a weekend, it was the odd country blast but mainly shows. I guess when it comes back it will be used a bit more to take the kids out, the 8 year old talks about it all the time.
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Rich, glad the converters did the trick. I hardly ever use mine, but when I do I just think there's no way I can sell this ! So going to keep it for the moment. :)
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Glad to hear it. Would you consider doing a show next year? Thats my plan now there is a good chance of a decent turnout. I hardly used mine too, but to be honest I didn't get it to go posing round the streets on a weekend, it was the odd country blast but mainly shows. I guess when it comes back it will be used a bit more to take the kids out, the 8 year old talks about it all the time.
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Hey rich, that sounds like a good idea. ???????? Yes I can imagine it makes it quite an event for the kids.
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Hi all,
I have a bit of an update on progress, or lack of.
Things have not gone exactly to plan so time has dragged on.
Following having the front inner bulkhead adjusted I asked for coilovers to be fitted. When the car was MOT'd the coilovers being fitted meant that the wheels were now hitting the bulkhead again so both have had to be re-done which has now been completed.
The trimmers decided they didn't want to tackle the interior as it was and no other trimmer was interested. So, the guys are having to fabricate mounts for the dash and the doorcards, this included adjustments to the dash support bar so the binnacle would fit better. The interior kit from Extreme is pretty poor in fit to say the least. They are now getting on well but its a time consuming job. When done, the trimmers have agreed to remove and trim the stuff (thankfully).
Looks like I may miss another season :(
A few pics.
Cheers
Rich
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Nice to see some progress Rich , it's looking good :) jd
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Hi Folks,
Small update. Door cards coming along. These need to get sorted before the dash can be aligned. Some brackets had to be fabricated to fix the OEM door grab handles. The wiring has been re-routed inside the door and window switches have been sourced.
Just spent an absolute fortune on the OEM door openers to finish off the grab handles, hope the wife doesn't see the cost of those :o, just got to get them dipped or similar as they are suffering from the Ferrari Sticky surface.
A few pics.
Cheers
Rich.
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Hi Folks,
Here’s an update, you can see why she wasn’t at Stoneleigh but is looking like she could be there next year.
The door cards are done had all the mods done to allow them to fit.
The centre console has basically been totally remodelled and profiled (only approx. 10% of the original left) so it fits, the gear linkage has had considerable reworking to allow it to use the gate.
The console is now in a position to be fixed in (had no fixings at all)
The dash now has fixings (as before it had none) and will just require some tweaking when the rest fits.
The radio is going where the airbag would be with a hinged lid. The HVAC control is going where the head unit would normally sit.
Heater duct mounts and the pipes to connect all have to be made from scratch but progressing.
Cheers
Rich
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Hi Rich
Great to see updates, we were talking about your car at Stoneleigh this year, and I have kept an eye for updates
That centre console looks great, will all the switches be working switches
Keep the pics coming
Mick
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Hi Mick, cheers, its all looking a better fit than I thought possible when it first started out. The guys have done so much work to sort the console out, if you look back at earlier shots of it, its unrecognisable. There will only be one working button as far as I can recall. I hope I never have a need to use it....the hazard lights. :P
Rich
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Hi Folks,
Almost There!!!
Trimmer visiting the car at the weekend to assess the work required to complete in black leather.
Here are some dusty pics.
Cheers
Rich
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Looking fab rich :). I'm hopeing to come back over to England for stoneliegh so would be great to catch up , jd
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Cheers JD. Hopefully I will be there. I just missed you this year as you were rushing off after dropping off those alloys.
Rich
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Looking good rich nearly there mate ????
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Thanks Lee, yeah almost there. The kids are really pestering me now, desparate for a ride.
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Yes. Doesn't look like too much more. Another for Stoneleigh ;)
Keep the updates coming
Mick
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Here is a small, but somewhat significant update.
Cheers
Rich.
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Rich, nice job !!! Those look very nicely trimmed.
Nick.
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They look the nuts :D
Mick
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Thanks guys. There's the reality now that it will be back well before the kids are old enough to drive it . 2013 it went in originally for a new clutch. :o
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Hi,
I've received a few teaser pictures attached.
Cheers
Rich
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Very Nice,
Who is doing the trimming?
Cheers
Tone
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Hi Tone,
It has been done by Trimmania in Wokingham.
https://www.trimmania.com
Cheers
Rich
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Cheers Rich.
I'll take a look.
Tone
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Hi Guys,
Got a few more pics when I popped down.
Cheers
Rich
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Bravo! fabulous work. Would love to see this in the flesh
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Probably the best example I have seen of a 355 replica. Well done, it's the sire's cobblers!
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Stunning, simply stunning
Stoneleigh next year ????
Mick
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Thanks guys.
She will definately be off to some shows next year Mick, Stoneleigh is a distinct possibility.
Cheers Richard
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Road trip tomorrow, bringing her home :)
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Wow she looks stunning mate so pleased you have her finished ????????????
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Hi folks, can anyone suggest the best trim for around the rear quarter glass on a F355 replica? My car is having a repaint and some repairs for various bumps it received while getting a new interior and requires new exterior rubber trim for the rear quarter glass. Any suggestions appreciated. I will try to upload some pics shortly ( there are many ). The car is being sorted by Ray at Ray's Motorbodies in Barnsley.
Cheers.
Rich.
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Hi Rich, that interior looks amazing !
For the rear quarter, I found the key was to use various rubber profiles including a double piece for the horizontal section.
For the diagonal I used a shallow half moon piece.
Then the lower section I made from using a section of thin flat wide section (approx 1 inch wide ), then bonded on some quarter quadrant using loctite glue for rubber. This was the tricky piece since I couldn't find any off the shelf shape which did the trick.
I got some sections from https://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/ and just accumulating bits from car shows !
Nick.
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Thanks Nick I'll take a look at their stuff. I have ordered a couple of different bits from elsewhere, it's quite difficult when you don't have it in your hand to judge if it will do the job.
Cheers
Rich
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Hi folks,
Here is the damage that initiated the repairs and restoration to the bodywork which is being done at Rays Motor Bodies in Barnsley. Rather than just do a repair, I decided to go for a full makeover. Plenty of surprises cropped up along the way. I've owned the car for many years, it was built around 15 or 16 years ago, I guess standards have improved significantly since then.
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Some of the latest pics. Main body in primer.
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Hi rich , the interior looks fantastic, and the repaint will make her look brand new again, I still love the 355 shape,
All the best mate ,JD
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I think I’ve got a front grille for one of them.
If you have and you are wanting rid, I'd have it if the price was right.
Cheers
Rich
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Hi rich , the interior looks fantastic, and the repaint will make her look brand new again, I still love the 355 shape,
All the best mate ,JD
Thanks mate, I think it was due for a refresh, the damage has just brought it forward.
Cheers
Rich
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Here are some pics with a bit of colour on.
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looks to be a bit of top quality work, nice one
D
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I think I’ve got a front grille for one of them.
where abouts are you?
Hi, I am in Huddersfield.
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Hi Rich
Car looking real good now, I'd like to see the pictures when its all finished :)
I bottled it in the end and bought an Aston V8 Vantage 2 years ago as I just couldn't find a near enough 355 replica that I totally liked and could live with.
Smashing car yours mate! :D(http://)
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Hi folks
Just thought I would post some pics of the doors that Ray sent through. He has done a cracking job improving the finish on the panels.
Check out his Facebook page for more pics of before and during. Some gruesome images of what the car was like when it came apart, from looking at it in one piece before, you would never had guessed.
https://m.facebook.com/Raysmotorbodies/
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Looking forward to seeing this all come together again ; :D
Mick
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Hi folks,
Here are a few more pics.
Cheers
Rich
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Looking really good fella :-) IT will be soon build-up time ready for all the sunshine coming!!
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Starting to come together again.
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Some more build up pics.
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Hi,
Nearly there folks. Gone off today for the black accents to be done, these will be done in vinyl.
Some recent shots below prior to vinyling.
Cheers
Rich
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Hi Folks,
Well, she's all done and back home.
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Looks amazing mate pleased to see you finally got her redone , time to enjoy her now 😎Jd
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So thats what an interior looks like... Superb job fella, I wish mine looked like that :-)
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Well worth the wait
She looks stunning
Mick