Author Topic: Dent's crazy custom project - 1952 Austin A40 Somerset 'Special' (Read 16076 times)

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #60 on:** February 28, 2022, 01:49:02 pm »

Frame, axle, etc will all be cleaned up as well. I am waiting for winter to be over to separate the chassis from the body (MX-5 is on the other side of the garage for now).

Bubba · « **Reply #61 on:** February 28, 2022, 05:07:47 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on February 28, 2022, 12:55:57 am

Springs cleaned up and painted.

How to move and manipulate the heavy axle by yourself? How about a sketchy setup?

Lines up on one side but I am going to need new perches just half an inch over.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #62 on:** March 17, 2022, 11:03:27 am »

Cut off the stock spring perches and tack welded my new spring perches on. I then ordered some shocks that I think should work based on mounts, travel, etc. Hyundai Excel / Dodge Colt Vista wagon.

These engine mounts are going to find new life being chopped up and becoming shock mounts.

Blueprint · « **Reply #63 on:** March 17, 2022, 11:21:01 am »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on March 17, 2022, 11:03:27 am

Cut off the stock spring perches and tack welded my new spring perches on. I then ordered some shocks that I think should work based on mounts, travel, etc. Hyundai Excel / Dodge Colt Vista wagon.

These engine mounts are going to find new life being chopped up and becoming shock mounts.

You're doing with metal what others are doing in scale with plastic.

Of course, nobody would do the one below in 1:1

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #64 on:** May 03, 2022, 04:44:09 pm »

Body is off the frame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7eX6PFJYtM

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #65 on:** May 04, 2022, 02:00:56 pm »

Stock engine gone. Gave it to a local guy who like rare stuff.

Annoyingly my shop vac died yesterday and my jack puked its oil.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #66 on:** May 04, 2022, 02:05:27 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on May 04, 2022, 02:00:56 pm

Stock engine gone. Gave it to a local guy who like rare stuff.

Annoyingly my shop vac died yesterday and my jack puked its oil.

Are you planning on sand blasting that and then painting it? Looks pretty solid.

Blueprint · « **Reply #67 on:** May 04, 2022, 02:07:16 pm »

In the next installment, we'll be heading for Step 1:

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #68 on:** May 04, 2022, 02:12:58 pm »

I'll probably wire brush and paint it. I don't have a sand blaster or access to one. Frame is super solid. There are a few rust trap areas and they are all solid.

Would love a crate engine but likely no room or budget.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #69 on:** May 04, 2022, 02:23:36 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on May 04, 2022, 02:12:58 pm

I'll probably wire brush and paint it. I don't have a sand blaster or access to one. Frame is super solid. There are a few rust trap areas and they are all solid.

Would love a crate engine but likely no room or budget.

Is there any product that can just be sprayed on and remove the rust? I know there are a bunch of products that you just soak it in but kind of hard to do on a full frame.

I think your plan for an engine will be great. Nothing like a low cost classic runner to put a smile on your and everyone else's face.

Something I just thought of, how difficult will it be to get insured and register/inspected, for the road?

Blueprint · « **Reply #70 on:** May 04, 2022, 02:38:35 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on May 04, 2022, 02:12:58 pm

I'll probably wire brush and paint it. I don't have a sand blaster or access to one. Frame is super solid. There are a few rust trap areas and they are all solid.

Would love a crate engine but likely no room or budget.

Had to rewind to refresh my memory for your engine plans - that Celica engine should provide plenty of pep and not too much weight up front!

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #71 on:** May 04, 2022, 03:47:08 pm »

Insurance is easy.

Registration probably less so. It has a VIN so that is fine. Will just need an out of province inspection. We'll see how that goes. Probably horrible and expensive.

Blueprint · « **Reply #72 on:** May 04, 2022, 04:36:15 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on May 04, 2022, 03:47:08 pm

Insurance is easy.

Registration probably less so. It has a VIN so that is fine. Will just need an out of province inspection. We'll see how that goes. Probably horrible and expensive.

Here's how this would go in Quebec: this vehicle was originally sold with rear doors. Rear doors don't operate. Rear doors must operate. Failed inspection, you have 12 months to correct.

(heading there with the TR6 this summer)

PJungnitsch · « **Reply #73 on:** May 04, 2022, 04:42:19 pm »

Going to POR that bad boy?

Bubba · « **Reply #74 on:** May 04, 2022, 06:05:57 pm »

Quote from: Blueprint on May 04, 2022, 02:07:16 pm

In the next installment, we'll be heading for Step 1:

It's gotta be a vintage 392.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #75 on:** May 08, 2022, 09:09:07 pm »

Rear suspension mostly done. I need a few nuts for the u-bolts, shorter upper shock bolt and spring bushings pressed out, pushed in.

Arthur Dent · « **Reply #76 on:** October 06, 2022, 11:51:19 am »

Slowly finishing off the base bodywork. Lots of dents to hammer out and smooth over. Slowly getting there.

Bubba · « **Reply #77 on:** October 06, 2022, 06:34:46 pm »

Quote from: Arthur Dent on October 06, 2022, 11:51:19 am

Slowly finishing off the base bodywork. Lots of dents to hammer out and smooth over. Slowly getting there.

Thanks for the update. This is going to be awesome.

Firm · « **Reply #78 on:** October 06, 2022, 11:16:45 pm »

I am impressed at how clean the garage is given the work that's going on. Nice job!!

rrocket · « **Reply #79 on:** October 06, 2022, 11:44:38 pm »

I think I'd like to just sit in Dent''s garage and smoke a cigar and watch him work.....