FranenStein near ready to go!

[mbouse]

Well, it has been a while since i gave an update on the resurrection project of ole Frank, the '69 Spit 6 i am bringing back from the dead.

I am so near to putting the car on the road, that i have applied for antique license plate. I have an authentic 1969 Michigan auto plate that i intend to use.

1969 was not a stellar year for Triumph in the brake department, at least for Spitfires. however, I do have my brakes functioning as the engineers intended. someday we will need to look at drastic upgrades here.

The boot (trunk) has been completely lined with carpet, and a spare tire has been added. i found a period correct scissor jack on Evil Bay.

The electricals were all messed up; but i now have head lights, turn signals, brakes lights, wipers, blower motor, gauges, running lights, horn, and backup lights all functioning on command. this was a major to-do that nearly stopped the project dead. every one of those items listed were not working when i bought the car....each had to be fixed separately .

I learned how to stretch vinyl, and built my own door panels, and completely reupholstered the crash pad (dash top) and dash boards.

The convertible top had to be discarded. i was able to salvage the tonneau cover, however. i now understand why some guys get all excited about tonneau covers. this cover looks real nice on this car. All carpeting has be reconditioned and reinstalled.

i just found out that Spider seats will not fit; so i will incur some large expense in reupholstery work. i had a cost cutting plan in mind that included some '74 Spider seats; but that did not prove successful. I am running over the low end of my budget, but don't see a major cause for alarm at this point.

A new wind screen was installed; which helped to push the budget to the stretching point. it was not originally planned for in the initial budget calculations. Nor were the extremely expensive seat covers. the seat vinyl is drastically expensive due to the fact that this particular seat was for two model years only.

Now that he (Frank) looks fairly decent inside, and out; we are ready for a real cruise away from home.

Wish me luck. My first true barn find is about to take its first official voyage. you know full well the cell phone will be in easy reach.

I promise bon-voyage pictures real soon.

[So Cal Mark]

to have all of the electrics working on an old English car at any one time is a real feat, congratulations and take lots of fuses with you on the maiden run

[racydave]

I was impressed by the lack of rust on Frank. Neat little car! You need a barn, 3 Fiats and a Frank.

[mbouse]

i need to have my head examined. At least that is what i am being told.

can you imagine that the Triumph has THREE, count that on your left hand only, THREE fuses for all that electrical work? three 30 amp fuses is all Lord Lucas allowed.

i guess turn signals, brakes and radio at the same time would be out of the question....so i opted not to replace the radio.

next week.....dismantling a parts car with Spider parts for sale. Stay tuned, sports fans.

[Spiderboyuk]

Hi Mike
Best of luck on your first run with the Spitfire - look forward to seeing the pics!
Regarding the fuses you might like to look here before you venture forth!!!

http://www.mez.co.uk/lucas.html

By the way over here Lucas was known as the Prince of Darkness - think you must be mixing them up with Lord LUCAN - he went missing as well.

And how about this Australian point of view?
Lucas Electrical Components
Lucas – inventor of the first intermittent wiper.
Lucas – inventor of the self-dimming headlamp.
The three position Lucas switch: Dim, Flicker, Off.
The alternative Lucas three position switch: Smoke, Smoulder, Ignite.
The original anti-theft system – Lucas products.
If Lucas made armaments, wars would not start either.
I’ve had a Lucas pacemaker for years, and never had any prob……..
Why do the English drink warm beer? Lucas made the refrigerators.
Lucas Quality Assurance phoned Engineering concerning a design problem with shorting out. So they designed the wires to be longer.
Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Thomas Edison invented the light bulb. Joseph Lucas invented the short circuit.

The Lucas motto: ‘Get home before dark’

Spiderboyuk.

[mbouse]

thanks for that. I had no idea Lucas was the patent holder for the short circuit.