'66 Sunbeam Minx Project - F20C/6sp/4-link/Discs...

[watahyahknow]

maibe you can brush all the brightwork

[mcbassin]

Blue paint looks great. Looking forward to the exterior getting painted too.

[ERASER5]

Man! That looks good! Not to muddy the waters, but I saw my first Sunbeam Alpine on Saturday. All I could think of is That guy's Hillman will take it!

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by BRUISER

Why stop now? I've read this build twice now and thought I was subbed for updates but missed this one. Beautiful vision and execution. I like the blue you picked out, can't wait to see it on the car.

Thanks brotha

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

maibe you can brush all the brightwork

Interesting idea. Might have to look into this.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

Blue paint looks great. Looking forward to the exterior getting painted too.

Me too!

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Man! That looks good! Not to muddy the waters, but I saw my first Sunbeam Alpine on Saturday. All I could think of is That guy's Hillman will take it!

Haha ya. Even the V8 Tiger only had 164hp with the 260 or a handful with the 225hp 289.

So the common tiger has a pounds/hp ratio of 16. Driftbeam will have 9. That Alpine you saw left the factory with 26.5.

[Frizzle Fry]

Think about that lb/hp when you read this ->http://www.windingroad.com/articles/...nder-40000/#10

[CG]

Im so glad you went with those wheels ... they look great!

[Frizzle Fry]

I love how they look on it too. But if I'm honest, it was pure dumb-luck that they worked out so well. They were hand-me-downs from the burb! I got them from a friend who had them on a 2003 Mustang. More dumb luck: Ford 5x4.5 = Honda 5x114.3

[Frizzle Fry]

Speaking of wheels, I'd like to find some 17" steelies to use during the body/paint work (must be 17" to clear the brakes). Ideally something decent enough that later I can adapt the original hub caps and run them when I'm feeling the OG vibe.

So far it seems Crown Vic steelies might be the best option at 17x7.5. Anything with a 5x4.5" or 5x114.3mm you guys can suggest I'm all ears.

[jkeating1]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Speaking of wheels, I'd like to find some 17" steelies to use during the body/paint work (must be 17" to clear the brakes). Ideally something decent enough that later I can adapt the original hub caps and run them when I'm feeling the OG vibe.

So far it seems Crown Vic steelies might be the best option at 17x7.5. Anything with a 5x4.5" or 5x114.3mm you guys can suggest I'm all ears.

If you want new, these Pacer steel wheels for an Explorer might work http://www.carid.com/pacer-wheels/83...k-9928171.html
They're supposed to be available in 17"

[mcmlxix]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Speaking of wheels, I'd like to find some 17" steelies to use during the body/paint work (must be 17" to clear the brakes). Ideally something decent enough that later I can adapt the original hub caps and run them when I'm feeling the OG vibe.

So far it seems Crown Vic steelies might be the best option at 17x7.5. Anything with a 5x4.5" or 5x114.3mm you guys can suggest I'm all ears.

http://www.wheelvintiques.com/index....14-series.html

17x7 with 4 5/8 back space.

[Frizzle Fry]

double post removed

[1Bad 37]

Can't wait to see it all done!

[BlueJeep]

What is the black you sprayed on the interior?

[Frizzle Fry]

Interior is black SPI epoxy. Dash and trans tunnel will be blue. Just did the interior seam sealer in black over the black epoxy. Turned out really clean.

[Frizzle Fry]

Testing out the cast coat aluminum on the oil pan. Will satin clear in 7 days.

[2themax]

I am blown away by this project, and your dedication to finishing it after all the time involved, so many times we see "projects" for sale because the builders lost the drive to finish. I am another Rootes group devotee, in my case a 1969 Hillman Hunter that I have owned for nearly 30 years, the current rebuild started in 2001, I swear I will finish it this year!


Max

[mcbassin]

Testing out the cast coat aluminum on the oil pan. Will satin clear in 7 days.

That paint looks really good. Why is there such a long wait after paint before clear?

[knomadd]

I'm not certain if this is his reason, but I've seen a few different paint manufacturers say the window for putting on another coat of color, or clear, is pretty small (could be from 15 minutes to a few hours). If you miss that window, you have to wait 7-10 days before the entire coat(s) cures. Otherwise, there is a high possibility of wrinkled paint. I've had it happen to me with spray paint by waiting an hour.... not fun sanding it all back off to recoat.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by 2themax

I am blown away by this project, and your dedication to finishing it after all the time involved, so many times we see "projects" for sale because the builders lost the drive to finish. I am another Rootes group devotee, in my case a 1969 Hillman Hunter that I have owned for nearly 30 years, the current rebuild started in 2001, I swear I will finish it this year!
Right on! Thanks for posting!! Keep at it. I have to finish this one or I might as well give up the hobby all together

Max

Originally Posted by mcbassin

That paint looks really good. Why is there such a long wait after paint before clear?

Originally Posted by knomadd

I'm not certain if this is his reason, but I've seen a few different paint manufacturers say the window for putting on another coat of color, or clear, is pretty small (could be from 15 minutes to a few hours). If you miss that window, you have to wait 7-10 days before the entire coat(s) cures. Otherwise, there is a high possibility of wrinkled paint. I've had it happen to me with spray paint by waiting an hour.... not fun sanding it all back off to recoat.

That's exactly right. Recoat within small window (like 30min I think), or after 7 days. I too have made wrinkles ...no cool.

[slimbailess]

anything happening with this? it's been a while...

['68 Newtricks]

Just went through the 82 pages last night. My neck is sore from shaking my head. Unbelievable. I think even the purists, who might completely flip out at the idea of cutting up such a pristine car, would have to appreciate the work you have put into this. Not only making it a fun car you can daily drive, not just hacking it up, but one that retains it's original look and should last another half century with it's new paint etc. Kudos sir. Drive it, enjoy it, don't store it.

[fine69]

I love this build. I have met Mike. And his work is beyond top notch. Glad he took a so/so car and made it badazz.

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by slimbailess

anything happening with this? it's been a while...

Hey guys!

It has been a while. Slow going at "paint prison" as they say.

This is primarily my fault because I asked the painter to let me do most of the work with him and I have be having a hard time getting over there..!

Originally Posted by '68 Newtricks

Just went through the 82 pages last night. My neck is sore from shaking my head. Unbelievable. I think even the purists, who might completely flip out at the idea of cutting up such a pristine car, would have to appreciate the work you have put into this. Not only making it a fun car you can daily drive, not just hacking it up, but one that retains it's original look and should last another half century with it's new paint etc. Kudos sir. Drive it, enjoy it, don't store it.

Funny thing I've found about these cars; there aren't really any "purists" You will find traditional purists when it comes to Alpines and Tigers, but those guys use these cars for parts and generally couldn't care less about them...

There's a very small group who keep these on the road, even fewer fully restored and most of those are earlier models.

The biggest online gathering is a Hillman Yahoo group where I've encountered nothing but support for the project (and/or counter opinions kept to themselves ).

Originally Posted by fine69

I love this build. I have met Mike. And his work is beyond top notch. Glad he took a so/so car and made it badazz.

Thanks Mike! I'll never forget you guys coming out west to pick up that wagon and road-trip it home in the dead of winter

Here's the latest.

My front fender repair required some massaging. It's arrow straight now:


Right doors are on. Still working on alignment:




Once all the doors are on and aligned I've asked Bruce the bodyman to knock out the bodywork with or without me, so progress should accelerate.

[Twisted78SS]

Looking Great Mike!

Can't wait to see you rippin it up out at PIR in 2015!

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Hey guys!

It has been a while. Slow going at "paint prison" as they say.

This is primarily my fault because I asked the painter to let me do most of the work with him and I have be having a hard time getting over there..!

Here's the latest.


Right doors are on. Still working on alignment:


Once all the doors are on and aligned I've asked Bruce the bodyman to knock out the bodywork with or without me, so progress should accelerate.

i heared about a guy once that had serious door fitment issues , he welded on gasweldingrod to the doors edge and filed that down untill her had propper doorgaps allround , takes a bit of time but if the doors are to small to fit the gap its a good solution