Week 9

I've filled the diff (since it's easier without the brake lines and hose in the way). So, with that done, all the hydraulics are now on the axle. The pipes were exactly the right length, which made life easier. I started putting the steering column back together too, but getting that lock washer back onto the top end of the column was a pain. Ended up putting a pair of ring-end spanners on it with an old socket on top, then bashing it senseless with a hammer. Which did the trick. The hammer gets you out of any trouble. My favourite tool.... :-)

Unfortunately, I later discovered that it also encouraged the collapsible column to do the collapsing thing. And it's a rather tough thing to get it out. Went back to it the next day, with it held in the vice, and a hammer and old screwdriver and on the collar for the steering lock. It eventually came back out, and slotted back into place. (See, the hammer rules....) With that done, tried putting the steering components on, and with a bit of persuasion and having got the paint off the splines on the rack it went together and feels good.

Finally, made a start on the handbrake cables. The mechanism on the Six has a cable going from the handbrake lever to a bar which in turn pulls on two cables which go to the wheels. The cables are not designed this way, so it involves chopping off various rubber and plastic bits which aren't required. Also have to cut the end off the cables, since you need bare ends to go through the balance bar (scared myself silly with a grinder going through these - streams of sparks across the garage!). All went well until I went to put the centre cable through the separate protective outer. And it's so stiff it just won't work. Dunno what I need to do to sort it, I'll have another stare next time.....

Not a bad weekend. Got the pedals cut to size, and fitted with the master cylinder. Chopped about ½inch off the master cylinder pushrod to allow some adjustment of pedal height. The front right-hand suspension went on, and everything fitted perfectly. Wound the track-rod end on as far as it would go, but the wheel still seems to track out by quite a lot. That's going to need some checking later on. I would have done the left-hand suspension too, but the second camber bolt set from the VW dealer had two camber bolts and no nuts.

Week 10

Got into the week by fitting the handbrake lever and painting some of what's left to do (well, the diff backplate, half the fuel tank and touching up the odd scrapes and scratches I've spotted on the chassis). I still haven't figured out the best way to go about getting the handbrake centre cable working properly. In preparation for the body tub going on, I cut a hole in the tunnel top panel for the grommet on the loom to go through (no hole saw, so drilled lots of smaller holes in a circle then cut between them and filed out to the right size - 45mm). That's fitted, along with the battery tray and the loom's been run out to the right areas but not fixed yet.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to get the tub on the weekend. It needs the holes around the front suspension brackets enlarging to allow the wishbones enough movement. The rest of it seems pretty sound, and I'm glad that the holes came pre-cut (or pre-started.....) I've got a coping saw to do the job which should allow me to cut round corners, otherwise the horizontal cut around those wishbone mounts would be rather tricky. Then all it'll need is a good filing to finish it off and with some long 4mm rivets and washers it should be fixed on!

Well, after another alcohol-soaked weekend (yep, another BBQ) I did at least manage to get one side of the tub fitted perfectly. The coping saw with a wood/plastics blade was spot on, don't know how I would have done it without. The GRP is pretty tough stuff though, and took the teeth off one blade in the process (maybe a metal cutting blade would have been stronger?) Used a boggo 2nd-cut half-round file to gently ease the holes into the right shape. Dust masks definitely required, 'cos glass fibre doesn't do lungs any favours..... I'm looking into fuel tank/pump etc at the moment, as it doesn't look like I'll be able to get the tank in once the tub is fitted, and it's easier to get the drill in to mount the pump too.

Week 11

Busy week, but not for the car. The holes in the tub are now complete, and it fits fine. I've thought about the fuel system while I can get in the back easily, and decided on the following: tank -> disposible paper filter -> Facet Red Top (gives me plenty of room for improvements to engine - can supply over 200bhp) -> main fuel line -> Malpassi Filter King filter and pressure regulator (to get the pressure down to 2.5 or 3 psi for the carbs and do a better job of filtering) -> carbs. The bits should be with me in a couple of days then I can fit the bits at the back of the car (filter, pump and tank) and get the tub on.

In the meantime, I've cleaned up the calipers (which need painting) and made some decisions on what's going to be painted, and what colour. You'll see..... Oh, been sorting out a helmet for the Abingdon track day/autotest on Thursday, for which Neil's very kindly agreed to let me have a go of his purring Six. Very tasteful design, I'll take a piccy for you when I pick it up....

Week 12

Erm, week 12 didn't happen. Lots of work, organising stuff, house things, days of free beer from the company etc. Promise I'll try harder in future. Did go to the Tiger autotest at Abingdon on Thursday though, which was the most fun I've had in years (fully clothed). Neil Wain lent me his 1600 Pinto'd Six for the autotest (more info!) when he wasn't tearing around the circuit laid out on the airfield. It was a wonderful introduction to the sheer fun of driving a Tiger, and despite it being my first drive in a Tiger I managed to come third! Who'd have thought it, eh?