Hi all. Sorry for the lack of updates but I have been plugging away as and when time allowed.

Since my last post Chad has very kindly made a new full wiring harness for the Predator. This is an awesome product that will make my buggy so much better. It was great to meet him and look over Doons No1 & No2.


I got a bit fed up with the bodywork so I dug the engine out the shed and decided to give it a freshen up ready for install.

The heads were removed and stripped. I decoked them both and lapped the valves back in.



The barrels and pistons had minimal wear so I decided to leave these undisturbed as the engine was a good runner when I collected it.
With the heads rebuilt and bolted back in place I fitted a new crank seal and flywheel. A bit of shim juggling and I got the desired 0.1mm endfloat.







I wanted to add IDF's to the engine. I bought a pair of original Italian Webers from a friend who had them in storage for years.
A full rebuild followed with new gaskets and seals etc. I re-jeted them to the same setting I had on a previous 1600TP.





I also bought a CSP carb and linkage kit for the carb install. I also managed to get hold of a baja style header, a mock build with a new Alernator conversion and fan housing checked all looked okay.



Finally for a bit of bling I managed to get hold of a 'Yoshimura' race can to go across the rear. I hope it will sound good.



Back to the body and I wanted to make a panel to fill the hole betwen the tank and scuttle. I mocked up a pattern form cardboard then transferred this to a sheet of 1.5mm alloy sheet. This was folded and trimmed to suit. This will be a good place to mount the fuse boxes etc and stop drafts making my knees cold when driving.






I have rebuilt and painted the steering column and this is ready for install.

Back to the bodyshell now to prepare it ready for painting.
I think the end is slowly creeping into sight. 

Cheers
Steve.

Nice work the patriot exhaust will be good with a bike can on, we have a header up at unique plating for chroming at the moment as the 12 year old
chrome original has rusted.

Looks good fella  are you fitting a rear cage  ?? The old hands on here know where I'm coming from😎

Looks good fella  are you fitting a rear cage  ?? The old hands on here know where I'm coming from

Hi.
The jury is still out regarding a front bumper and rear cage, I cant make up my mind.
I understand the nudge protection you get with a rear cage but I am not sure I like the aesthetics of one fitted, to be decided...

Cheers
Steve

When another vehicle tries to mount you from the rear   all that money and hard work 
Write off
love the patriot would like on but I have a supercharger in the way😉

Hi All,

It has been over a year (15 months ) since my last post so I thought I had better update on the "lack of" buggy progress.
The reason for a lack of output has been my daughter, she bought a 2 bed bungalow with her partner in spring 2024, a doer-upper, long story short, this last year I have been there rebuilding it into a 4 bed house, we have converted the attic to add 2 beds and a bathroom.
This has taken up pretty much all my spare time over the last year which has meant the Predator had to be sidelined.
Thankfully they are now living in the house so my free time has returned

So, the Predator, I have been getting on with the body, I finished with all the repairs and after a few rounds or filling, sanding and priming I have the shell, bonnet and scuttle panel all etch primed.



Once I was happy with the outside I painted all the underside in Satin black, two coats applied with a brush and 4" gloss roller.





I have also started on making a dashboard for the Predator, as there was nothing there I decided to make one from a skateboard deck, Here is a shot from a test fit to see how it looks, what do you think ?



Also in between sanding and priming I tackled the fuel tank, a thorough degrease and a coat of etc primer and its looking a lot better, I have stone chipped the underside and will probably do the same on the top to protect it for years to come.



So, back to the shell and it was ready for top coats, I had many a family discussion to decide on the colour, the two options are keep it orange or go for bright green.
A couple of tests and we chose Green.
I dont have access to a spray booth so are hand painting it with Rustoleum Combi-Colour Multi Surface Gloss enamel paint.
I apply this using a 4" gloss roller and a fine brush for areas the roller does not get into.
I have had good success with this on previous cars, (Most recently a VW 1302s) and as long as you are patient, flat each coat between application it comes out really good, all for £50 of paint.

Here is the shell with 2 coats applied.



Here are the bonnet and scuttle panel after just one coat.





This is as far as I have got up to the bank holiday weekend, I have managed to wet sand with 600 all the shell, bonnet and scuttle ready for another coat hopefully before the end of this week.

I am hoping 4 coats should be sufficient, this will take me another 2-3 weeks to complete and then I can get on with the reassembly.
I was hoping to get it done for this summer, you never know, maybe late summer, we shall see.

Cheers
Steve

Life takes over from buggy builds at times but you are now making progress and the roller applied paint looks good, the weather going damp and cool will not help the cause.

Thanks Snoopy.

You are right about the weather, the last few weeks have been great for applying the paint, the damp air this week is not helping,  hopefully it warms up a bit by the weekend and I can get another coat on.
I am not after a show finish, presentable with a good shine would be good.

Cheers
Steve

I like the skateboard deck for a dash, nice original idea that will look cool 

That paint is looking great. Proves you don't need to spend a fortune.

In 1970 I painted a 105e with Johnstons brushing gloss,, don't remember if it was acrylic or cellulose.
All done in the street outside parents east end terraced house.
I was well chuffed with the result

Another memory jogger..... I had forgotten about J`s brushing gloss. I marvelled at this paints ability to flow without running and the brush marks disappeared as tho` by magic

Coach enamel was great for brush painting but the slow drying meant things could land on it or if it went cold overnight before curing it would bloom white.

Especially as its registered as a VW Convertible.
Probably over thinking it.

VW CONVERTIBLE IS PERFECT        

Especially as its registered as a VW Convertible.
Probably over thinking it.

VW CONVERTIBLE IS PERFECT       

Absolutely the best, correct yet vague in equal measures   

Hi all,

Managed to get the third coat on over the weekend, bit of a shock as the paint in the new tin is a "Slightly" different shade of green. 
Same paint supplier, same paint manufacturer, same paint code.....

As you can see in the pictures below its a lot lighter. I have left a portion on the rear where the seat will go unpainted (Will paint black as its under the seats) see the difference.

2nd coat


3rd coat, new tin...


I dont mind the lighter colour, the more vibrant green has gone on well, I am happy with it.
Just goes to show though, never assume the paint will always be the same.

Hope to wet flat with 600 this weekend and get a 4th coat on next week.

Cheers
Steve