Rushingphil
Club Member
So, having posted a quick intro in the New Members section, I thought I would start a proper build thread here.
For those that may not have seen my intro, this is what I have acquired:
https://forums.hybridz.org/topic/127627-in-progress-rb26-1972-240z/
As this has come completely out of the blue, I really don't have any fixed plans on how I want to proceed and what I eventually want to achieve. Obviously my first job is to read as many of the threads on here (already read quite a few) and get my head around what is really involved and what my different options are.
Clearly, I am tied to what I have. The shell has been extensively modified with the stitch welding, roll cage, engine and transmission supports etc., so it has lost its value as a potential concours example.
With all the work and expense that has gone into fitting the engine and drive-line, I'm pretty much committed to that as well. Just what I do with the engine though will be subject to a lot of thought and considerations. I'm presently not considering going for any 'BIG' power, and therefore don't want to go down the Fully Forged route due to the costs involved. However, I don't believe the engine has been turned over for at least 10 years, so heaven knows what the state of the inside is. If I need to fully strip down and rebuild the engine, then maybe forging it will be a worthwhile cost. I just don't know at the moment......
Then there's the RHD/LHD option. I would obviously prefer a RHD car, but I'm not sure if I want to go through the work and expense of sourcing all the hardware and doing the modification. This is a decision I've obviously need to make sooner than later. I was given lots of good advice and opinions at the JPS and am presently mulling them over!
What to do with the shell itself with regard to stripping it down and respraying? Its original colour was copper/bronze but it has been over-sprayed green. I don't like either of those colours and am thinking either a similar blue to Jays. or even a metallic gunmetal grey - plenty of time to decide on that though!
Fortunately, the shell does look to be in very good condition, although I haven't stripped any paint off to investigate fully. I'm hoping not to have to do a full 'bare metal' respray if I can help it - the original seller stated that it was fully bead blasted after the stitch welding, but obviously that was only the underside and interior (cabin and engine bay), but we'll see.........
So, my initial plans? Bring it down to my house asap (it's still in my late father's garage!); probably strip the engine and drive-train out; build a rotisserie to put it on; remove the suspension etc. and go from there!
Wish me luck!
NB. Am about to try and download some photos I have, but I'm not too sure which hosting platform I want to use. I used to use Photobucket with my mx5 thread, but lost 12 pages worth when they tried to bend everyone over backwards :-( so please forgive me if my next few posts don't make sense
For those that may not have seen my intro, this is what I have acquired:
https://forums.hybridz.org/topic/127627-in-progress-rb26-1972-240z/
As this has come completely out of the blue, I really don't have any fixed plans on how I want to proceed and what I eventually want to achieve. Obviously my first job is to read as many of the threads on here (already read quite a few) and get my head around what is really involved and what my different options are.
Clearly, I am tied to what I have. The shell has been extensively modified with the stitch welding, roll cage, engine and transmission supports etc., so it has lost its value as a potential concours example.
With all the work and expense that has gone into fitting the engine and drive-line, I'm pretty much committed to that as well. Just what I do with the engine though will be subject to a lot of thought and considerations. I'm presently not considering going for any 'BIG' power, and therefore don't want to go down the Fully Forged route due to the costs involved. However, I don't believe the engine has been turned over for at least 10 years, so heaven knows what the state of the inside is. If I need to fully strip down and rebuild the engine, then maybe forging it will be a worthwhile cost. I just don't know at the moment......
Then there's the RHD/LHD option. I would obviously prefer a RHD car, but I'm not sure if I want to go through the work and expense of sourcing all the hardware and doing the modification. This is a decision I've obviously need to make sooner than later. I was given lots of good advice and opinions at the JPS and am presently mulling them over!
What to do with the shell itself with regard to stripping it down and respraying? Its original colour was copper/bronze but it has been over-sprayed green. I don't like either of those colours and am thinking either a similar blue to Jays. or even a metallic gunmetal grey - plenty of time to decide on that though!
Fortunately, the shell does look to be in very good condition, although I haven't stripped any paint off to investigate fully. I'm hoping not to have to do a full 'bare metal' respray if I can help it - the original seller stated that it was fully bead blasted after the stitch welding, but obviously that was only the underside and interior (cabin and engine bay), but we'll see.........
So, my initial plans? Bring it down to my house asap (it's still in my late father's garage!); probably strip the engine and drive-train out; build a rotisserie to put it on; remove the suspension etc. and go from there!
Wish me luck!
NB. Am about to try and download some photos I have, but I'm not too sure which hosting platform I want to use. I used to use Photobucket with my mx5 thread, but lost 12 pages worth when they tried to bend everyone over backwards :-( so please forgive me if my next few posts don't make sense
