December 2006

 

This may be the final month of the build. The 37 is at the trimmers and I am biding my time. Hopefully, this page will be filled with progress pictures of the trimming. I am holding off publicising the trimmer until I have the 37 back and I am happy with his work and time frame. This is the most expensive aspect of the whole build, apart from the initial purchase, so my expectations are fairly high. I am making my first visit to the trimmers soon to fix the brakes and radiator hose, and I will see if there is any progress. I will take some pics if he hasn't already taken any.

 

Well, here is what it's like last Saturday. Basically, the temporary interior has been taken out and the rear seat covering removed. There also appears to be a false panel being made behind the seat.  I did expect a bit more progress, but I am assured it will be ready before Christmas. I guess trimmers need to drag it out so they can justify their labour rates;-). I did adjust the brakes while I was there and replaced the top radiator hoses, so it was a worthwhile trip. I will be going there next week as well, just to see how things are going and to adjust the driver's door latch slightly, as it was a bit to loose.
Well here are the front seats nearly finished. He said he needs to heat and stretch the leather a bit more.  Seems I can't get away from that colour though;-). He has done exactly what I asked for, that is, rolled section in the main seating area but a cushioned area around the perimeter. I like how  he has avoided seam joins, this way is a lot cleaner. It uses a bit more hide, but well worth the result.  He also reshaped the swabs to be a bit more rounded. The side cover plates were originally chromed. They were rusting up a bit, so I asked him to cover them in leather as well. That looks classier IMHO.
Rear of the seats is simple, just two rolls. He  is also making the rear side panel. He is using the original speaker grill, cut down, so it will fit flush behind the panel so it doesn't encroach into the seating area. That uncovered section is where the arm rest will fit.
The area right behind the back seat has been a point of pondering for both of us. He is going to make the leather fold over the rear and be attached with an aluminium strip that will be secured by the hood clips. The aluminium will not be visible. He has put a fair bet of thought in how he was going to attach this area. You can see the wood bows he created in readiness for the next phase. He also needed to make allowances for the seat belts. Next pic is the speaker now moved higher up. He didn't have a lot of room to work with.
Front door panel fitted. He just needs to fit the speaker somewhere. Last pic is the rear seat now stripped and ready for rebuilding. He will round the swabs up a bit in the process.
Back seat has just been covered. Still needs the wrinkles ironed out. Note he has made the seat mould into the rear frame. No visible join and the seat belt exits are incorporated into the swab.

Side panel and speaker fitted. Also seat belt fitted back in. Note the weather strip and arm rests as well..
Bottom swab of rear seat being sculptured with foam. I can't see this all being finished before Christmas...but I'd like to be proven wrong;-)
 
I didn't believe it was possible, but he finished the trim on time and I think he has done a fantastic job. Even Marg, who is fairly critical, couldn't fault it. It is hard to believe that they were the seats I gave him. The carpet and trimming blends in perfectly. I am glad he ( and Marg ) talked me out of my original colour scheme. The convertible top looks great and puts my mind at ease. I had trouble trying to visualise how it would look. The roadster tops can look weird if they are trimmed badly. Mark ( the trimmer ) got it right. He even put the small window for the rear passengers, which is unique to roadsters and makes it clear its not a cabriolet. The shape was Mark's design.
Rear seat oozes class. I'm still undecided what to do about the speaker grill. I was contemplating dying/painting it the same colour as the leather, but the consensus is to leave it..so I will for the time time being.

Next pic is I acquired some Harley blinkers off Ebay. I was told they are off a 2002 Daytona. I made offsets out of old studs and slipped some chrome tube over them. They are really bright and blend in rather well IMHO.
The boot is really nice as well. Not having the original  floor made it clean, flat and simple. Mark made a false panel and created an access door for the amplifier.
I took these pictures in the shade so you can get a better idea of the colour. The door trim looks simple and classy.  The stitching gives it an old timely feel.  The arm rest is perfectly positioned. Mark died the door handle cover plate black instead of the bone colour it had before.
A rear shot to show how well the top fits. No visible studs to detract from the lines.

The next picture shows the side curtain installed. I think it should be rather water tight as it fits under the lip.
I promised to tell who the trimmer was if I was happy with his work and time frame. I have no hesitation in telling the world about Mark and his business. If you would like to see some more of Mark's handy work, well visit his web site here.

 

                    HOME               That is the end of the build.....only small tinkering to do.

                                       Be sure to read my last entry of the build, where I will

                                       give my thought on the whole journey.