John Bonnett

The two rear wing sub-panels are now formed and Clecoed in place.

Right, let the shrinking begin. Here are the sequence of pictures. The final one is not quite there but getting on.

The two return section are now drilled to accept the wing mounting screws and today I have TIG welded them together to make one complete section.

Steve that's really kind of you, thank you. It's amazing what a boost a bit of encouragement gives on a long term project like this one particularly when one sails into the doldrums and headway is lost. I'm glad you like my changes to the bodywork but whether it looks better than the original is a matter of personal taste. I really hope that I haven't upset any purists among us but this shell was built entirely from sections obtained from a breaker. I took the licence with the design for one reason only; to make it easier for me to make. I've designed out all the straight creases because they need to be perfectly executed otherwise they would stand out like a sore thumb. The same applies to the rounded rear end and the wings. I spent quite a bit of time looking at cars that i found attractive from the rear including an E Type, 911 and Rochdale Olympic. They all share similar lines which I find attractive. And at Spa, I spotted a Morgan SLR which bears an uncanny resemblanceto the rear end on my car. One of the things that never cease to amaze me is how fluid metal is; almost like plasticine. The following pictures show the rear wing return section clamped in place and how much shrinking is going to be needed to bring it to the correct curvature. I'll write up the process and post a few pictures showing how it can be done over the next few days.

I've made some good progress since the last offering. The bonnet scuttle end has been re-worked to match the curve of the windscreen frame and the two halves clamped together and the whole thing offered up. At the rear, I'm now ell on the way with the right hand rear wing. The final picture is the second return section formed and waiting for drilling to accept the mounting bolts.

I've made a start on the last panel; the right hand rear wing. This is made up of five separate sub-panels that are welded together. The return contains the mounting bolts which attach the wing to the body. The return which i showed bring formed in an earlier post is welded on. Now, great excitement. The bonnet. We clamped the two halves together and laid it in position and I have to say that I am absolutely delighted with how it looks. It will have headlights recessed behind perspex covers and a hand made widened Triumph grille. Here are a few pictures. Sorry I have posted two of the same and cannot delete the unwanted one.