25th.

Not much to report, I've spent the last week working out the wiring and making it fit the chassis. I'm nearly there now just need a battery and work out where to put it.
I want to keep the scuttle shelf clean so the battery will probably end up in the passenger footwell.
I've cut and notched the inner trim panels as well today and took loads of pictures. However all the pictures are pretty crap so I'll take some again during the day next week.


I've ordered some tubing for the wiring so when that comes I'll be riveting the wiring in and will be ready to fit the one piece body.
Before I do that I want to sort the pedals out and as such need to attach the clutch cable. I'll be dropping into MNR Tuesday to pick the clutch connector up and some other bits and pieces.
Saturday saw me down to Jude Performance Newcastle as they have a track day MNR and another customers in there to finish off. Gave me a good insight into how things look when together. I've looked at loads in the past but until who actually have your own you tend to miss the little things.
Due to work commitments ther won't much progress this week, I'm going to the plant in Genk to see the last current Mondoe's coming off the line that will end my relationship with Ford.

17th.

Plodding on today, laid out the fuel pipe and finding the p clips were too big, 12mm against 9mm for the pipe. Needed some foam for the tank as well so off I went to Maplin.
1 roll of sticky foam and a bag of 9.5mm P clips along with some spiral wrap that might come in handy for the wiring.
I ordered some rivnuts off ebay last night to fasten the fuel sender into the tank. Waiting for them to come I've cut the hole in the top of the tank for the sender.


Nothing much else today as I now need to get on with the wiring which I'm not looking forward to!
So, the tanks in, a fuel pump off a ZXR900 is now tucked under the diff and all plumbed in.

Day 1, 11th.

How cold was it?

Started at the front of the build manual and uncoiled the brake pipes. Laid them out along the car, attached the unions to both ends then clipped the brake lines in place.
Bugger, didn't read enough of the manual! Rear line in the wrong way round to screw the unions in! The pipe was a little long anyway and I'd left a biggish loop at the back and there was over 150mm too much at the front.


So I cut the ends off, swapped the fittings over and reflared the ends, taking the opportunity to cut the length back at the front.
Installed the master cylinders and balance bar/pedal assy.
Next step, fuel lines. No fuel pump so off to ebay and I bought one for next weekend.
Draped my Sierra wiring harness all over the car and started the head scratching, no problem, it may take about 9 months to sort it out but I don't mind. Its the challenge (I'm skint) thats important!

Pick Up.

10th February saw me on my way to MNR to pick up my kit. It had been snowing quite badly the couple of days before but the Saturday dawned wet and a little bit milder. I set off in my hired LDV Convoy and it was clear all the way down the A1 but, just before Harrogate the white stuff appeared.
The snow got thicker the closer I got and I was quite worried about the lane up to the farm but Chris had been out with the quad powered snow plough and it was a little slippy but no dramas ensued.

The parts were loaded onto the van and home I went.
Everything was in the garage and the van back by 14.30 and I spent the next few hours checking all the bits out and figuring it all out.
The chassis is on two wooden 'horses' about 2 feet of the floor! Might need a few hands later on to get it down.

Ordering.

Money burning holes in pockets, put it in the bank she says!

December 2006 I visited MNR to put the depsosit down and configure what I was going to get. I must say that Chris and Marc very friendly, helpful and the whole setup gave me a warm feeling.
I came away with a beginning of Feb type time for pick up.
Previuos to this I had obtained my donor, a 1993 Sierra Azure off ebay in really rather good condition. Not really being inspired by the 1.6 pinto installed i looked around for another motive force. I had considered a bike engine but reading other peoples thoughts I decided a zetec engine was the way forward with the 1.8 being the easy install.
Back to ebay and I soon had a 1.8 engine in a very clean condition.
It took around 2 days to dismantle the Sierra, another 3 days and the body was sold. Yes, sold, I got most of my money back from the bare shell!
The components were treated to the electrolysis bath and some Hammerite, new bearings and looking as good as new. Just the wait for the day to pick it up...

History.

Having previously built a Sylva Striker and not used it much in the 10 years I had it I thought my days with big boys toys were over.
I sold the Striker to help fund a house extension and the need to demolish my old garage meant the car had to go. As the house progressed I obtained a motorcycle to use for work and to help save the enviroment. One sunny day in the middle of town a chav in a blinged up 206 overtook the car in front of him. Unfortuantly I was coming the other way and I hit him head on. One written off bike, one written off car and nearly a very dead Steve. I was unconciuos for a while and suffered broken ribs, shoulder injuries and some nasty chemical burns to my lower 'cough' body when my petrol tank burst.
The wive forbid me another bike so the thoughts turned to a seven with a bike engine....
I looked around all the usual suspects and to be honest the decision was very difficult. I wanted a car that was mainly a nut and bolt job.
I made my choice after seeing how popular the MNR is, how close I live to them and that superb round tube chassis. I see it as a work of art, shame to cover it up!
So that was it, mind made up, car chosen, just a year to wait for the compensation.....