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Dino's Coupe http://www.gtmdrivers.com/forum/dino-s-coupe-t22.html	Page 1 of 4

Author:	Dino [ Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:16 am ]
Post subject:	Dino's Coupe
Those of you from the old forum will know I bought a '71 Coupe about 5 months ago, here are a few pic's of the project to date: It was sort-of complete but obviously needing a complete stip down. So far I've taken it down to the chassis to see what's what A few bits of rust were apparent!! The front bulkhead/tunnel area seems quite different from the later cars. also the fuel tank position, just in front of the screen

Author:	Dino [ Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:38 am ]
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The first bit I attacked was the rear frame, possibly not the best place to start but it seemed less daunting replacing a few tubes than rebuilding what was left of the sheet sections! Then moving on to the front footwells. I'm trying not to cut away too much at any one time so hopefully it won't all fall apart. Apart from the floors which appear to be galvanised and are in very good condition, there's really very little solid metal anywhere. The rust has been made a lot worse by a previous attempt to repair the chassis by just sticking a 2nd layer of sheet steel over the rusty original. Around the master cylinders was predictably very rusty, there had clearly been a long standing leak removing all the paint! I've cut new bits of sheet for the bulkhead front, sides and master cylinder areas also braced the chassis so I hopefully don't loose the shape but that's about it so far.

Author:	pete [ Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:31 pm ]
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yes a marathon job you have there, good luck

Author:	the other Tim [ Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:02 pm ]
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Half your jigsaw is thin air I know you said it was going to be lightweight Looks good so far though Another nice twist on the rear light theme, Opel Manta A i believe.

Author:	Dino [ Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:09 am ]
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Thank's guys, yes it is very much a jigsaw with only 1/2 the pieces - but at least most of what's there is in roughly the right place! I'm sure a complete new chassis would have been more sensible but hey it's not really a sensible pastime anyway is it. The lights are nice aren't they - that's something that will remain as is I think.

Author:	West [ Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:31 am ]
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Awsome another coupe on the mend always interesting seeing another chassis variation, thats now the third/forth style of chassis i have seen, WEST

Author:	Tim Rowe (1130) [ Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:18 am ]
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I've never seen one with the tank in that position before. Seems to have quite a bit different to the other chassis I have seen. Hope the build goes well. Looks like you've got a fair bit of welding to go though!! What engine are you going to use in it? And what colour have you chosen for it? Red??? Are you missing the door glass? If you are I might have a spare set.

Author:	Dino [ Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:29 am ]
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Hi Tim, Sorry for the delay, missed your post for some reason. The tank position's interesting isn't it. The car came with a gf tank luckily so hopefully It'll be OK. It should give me a bit more space up front than the usual types, and I reckon it's reasonably safe being so far back. I think it must be quite an early Heerey chassis, the car was first registered in Dec '71, I have seen a pic of a similar chassis ( also '71) ........... ............ I'm building it to be eligible for Historic Rallies so I'll be A series, the regs say the only changes from std I can make must be in period. That's easy for say a Mini but of course what exactly IS standard and what mods were done 'in period' is an interesting question in this case! Thanks for the offer of the glass, I have got a set but I think I'll use perspex anyway. Do need a w'screen tho', don't suppose you've got a spare!! I think it'll stay red BTW

Author:	Dino [ Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:41 am ]
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Haven't managed to get much done in the last couple of weeks, but I have added some bracing to stop it getting too floppy! and done a bit more to the footwell/bulkhead. ........ ........ ........ ........

Author:	Tim Rowe (1130) [ Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:40 pm ]
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I've not got a spare screen. I've got a shiny new one tucked away ready for when I need to fit one in mine. (Probably one of the last jobs to be done!) You've probably got an advantage with the standard thing. They won't know what a standard Coupe looks like, so they will have no idea if what you have got is standard or not!

Author:	Dino [ Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:16 pm ]
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Quote: They won't know what a standard Coupe looks like, so they will have no idea if what you have got is standard or not! Indeed that had crossed my mind

Author:	Dino [ Tue Mar 18, 2008 1:00 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Dino's Coupe
A bit of an update, I've been working away at it and made some progress I think! Inner sill and cage mounting plates added. Outer sills and front bulkhead fitted, the sills were a bit of a s*d to bend but I'm pleased with the end result. The chassis is just about finished really so I thought I'd have a trial fit of the body - it almost fits! Looks about finished to me !!

Author:	alexh [ Tue Mar 18, 2008 10:56 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Dino's Coupe
That's come a hell of a long way. Your pictures nearly put me off getting a coupe- but its great to see what can be done.

Author:	Tim Rowe (1130) [ Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:23 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Dino's Coupe
Good work there. It's looking almost new!

Author:	West [ Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:51 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Dino's Coupe
Awesome work Just a couple more weeks work then Looking very good just noticed its a flat floor chassis as well. keep noticing small variations compared to the later chassis WEST

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