Post by Peter on Apr 23, 2017 14:26:48 GMT
A certain Gavin Jones has been sending me emails asking about this that and the other regarding his Eagle SS restoration, so I thought it about time we had a build diary for Humpty. even if I have to do it. so here goes with his latest rendition of HELP!
Anyone wanting to jump in with help, info and advise PLEASE DO.
Hi Peter,
Gavin again!
I'll try not to go on too much as I have no wish to upset the 'Eagle oracle'. However, with little feedback coming from clubs and forums, you are my only source of accurate info on the SS.
I hope work on Ukhozi is progressing well and the photos of it I keep finding on the net are providing me with a stratospheric benchmark to aim at. Thanks for that, I think!
In no particular order, I have a few more mysteries regarding parts needed for 'SS Humpty's' restoration. They are either missing altogether or too far gone to identify their origin. I've also pasted in a few shots of the work so far for your amusement. (Results don't always match the aspirations of the owner but it's what's drives me all the same)
First, the two Eagle SS shells I came across. The Mk1 is an 'unused' VW version. The second, the Mk2, is definitely intended for a front engine, going by the cockpit floor and rear floor where the air-cooled engine would have gone. It also has a nice chassis to go with it. One of the cars had possibly been registered as I found a reg plate mounted in a detached black fibreglass bumper come number plate. However I can't identify which it might have come from. It might even be a different car altogether possibly a Nova. Photo included.
Some research has revealed it is definitely off a Nova but which one I have no idea. Donor car in a supporting role here. Anyone want a Nova bumper? I’ll also have a Beetle shell and good 1300 engine to sell... just a thought.
Scavenging some of the parts from these two cars, yes, hands up, I turned vulture and got what I could as the opportunity to obtain spares and replacement parts for these beasts is rarer than hen's teeth. Having obtained some glass side windows (my own car had only holes) I now need hinges and catches/stays for them. What they once were is now unidentifiable through the rust. As I do not have access to scrap yards, hunting for 'something similar' is not an option. My only source for parts is the internet, for which I often need specific make, model and even year, to obtain replacement parts. Could you tell me what I need to look for, regarding the hinges and catches. I'll worry about how the hell they fit if I can get hold of some!
What is now rust I assume was once a pair of door handles, locks, and internal door handles/pulls. I have no idea what these were originally off or if there are better alternatives to source replacements. The door catch is also an archaeologists nightmare and now totally useless for purpose. I don't know what these were originally from but wondered if 'bearclaw' locks would work as an alternative.
I'm creating new bushes and pivots for the engine bay lid and hopefully, a ram strut to hold it open. Would it be advisable to vent the lid to aid cooling? I was also considering completing the ducting from the dummy intakes on the rear quarter and directing them into the engine bay, where I'm not sure yet.
Difficult to see in the photo but the rear end was completely cut away by previous ‘owners’ and the oversized light holes also needed filling in. I hope to use round recessed ones instead as per the Corvette.
At the other end of the crumpled shell I'm adapting a pair of Audi TT bonnet hinges to replace the basic Eagle pin pivots. These have integral gas ram assist and if I can get them to work, they should be ideal. I can send photos when complete, if you are interested. While on the subject of the front 'boot', I have almost rectified the lack of any water seal. To prevent the ‘boot storage area’ becoming a cold water tank, I have fabricated a fiberglass lip around the opening (see photo). When finished it will have an edge strip to finish it off and drain holes at the lowest point. I suspect something similar will be needed around the engine bay.
On the subject of engines, do air-cooled engine need all their tinware, specifically the tray sections. I doubt the Eagle engine bay would provide a seal around the edge anyway.
Any thoughts on how to stay warm and demisted in winter, also cool in summer. My set-up is likely to do away with the VW Beetle hot air system. Another instance where the headaches quickly return when trying to solve the problem.
The repaired and modified console is now a hybrid of a Mk1 and a later Mk2. (photo below) To avoid hacking into the underside of the dash I wondered if the angle of the steering column could be adjusted. Can the angle be lowered at all?
I have a donor vehicle with a nicely restored chassis, unknown gearbox and disposable body. I also have an alternative and reasonably sound 1641cc single port to fit to it. I would like to have the engine professionally up-rated to twin port, twin carb but am having trouble finding anyone in the Oswestry/Shropshire area to take it on. That particular search continues.
Back to doors. Do you think anyone still has doors that work using the original hinges? Mine have rusted so badly they have blown apart the fibreglass as well seizing solid. My hope is to fabricate a stainless replacement, then open up the head off the door to bond them in to replace the lumps of rust. Might there be an easier way? If not, I'll let you know how it goes. I still have no ram supports for the doors and no idea what they should be. Without specific specs I can't order replacements. Do you know what they came off originally or what size and strength they should be? If I can get some, the next thing will be how they are fitted and where they go. There is no sign of mounting brackets either. I’m still unable to obtain an original Eagle SS source list. I suspect the Holy Grail would be easier to find, if not as useful in fixing up the car.
Random thought... will you be visiting Stoneleigh for the kit car rally this year? I hope to go along, albeit without Humpty just in a tin Golf.
Amongst the scavenged items, I appear to have found a pair of original bucket seats, presumable available at the time of purchase as an optional extra. I’m hoping they are Eagle in origin and not another Nova extra but I have yet to decide. I'm considering having them recovered (if I can find someone interested in taking on the task) and can only hope the desire for originality is not too uncomfortable when complete. Although not reclining, they look to be a good fit. Also finding its way into my collection is a set of cockpit lining panels, trimmed with matching pooh-brown vinyl. Not a good look!
Assuming I haven’t bored the ‘floor pan’ off you or out-drivelled my welcome, I hope to hear from you soon and wish you well in your own endeavours.
How the hell did we get ourselves into all this!? My plans started with the idea of restoring an Embeesea Charger but the seller couldn’t come up with the paperwork. The eagle was ‘plan B’. I’m beginning to see what the B stands for now!?
Kind regards,
Gavin
Anyone wanting to jump in with help, info and advise PLEASE DO.
Hi Peter,
Gavin again!
I'll try not to go on too much as I have no wish to upset the 'Eagle oracle'. However, with little feedback coming from clubs and forums, you are my only source of accurate info on the SS.
I hope work on Ukhozi is progressing well and the photos of it I keep finding on the net are providing me with a stratospheric benchmark to aim at. Thanks for that, I think!
In no particular order, I have a few more mysteries regarding parts needed for 'SS Humpty's' restoration. They are either missing altogether or too far gone to identify their origin. I've also pasted in a few shots of the work so far for your amusement. (Results don't always match the aspirations of the owner but it's what's drives me all the same)
First, the two Eagle SS shells I came across. The Mk1 is an 'unused' VW version. The second, the Mk2, is definitely intended for a front engine, going by the cockpit floor and rear floor where the air-cooled engine would have gone. It also has a nice chassis to go with it. One of the cars had possibly been registered as I found a reg plate mounted in a detached black fibreglass bumper come number plate. However I can't identify which it might have come from. It might even be a different car altogether possibly a Nova. Photo included.
Some research has revealed it is definitely off a Nova but which one I have no idea. Donor car in a supporting role here. Anyone want a Nova bumper? I’ll also have a Beetle shell and good 1300 engine to sell... just a thought.
Scavenging some of the parts from these two cars, yes, hands up, I turned vulture and got what I could as the opportunity to obtain spares and replacement parts for these beasts is rarer than hen's teeth. Having obtained some glass side windows (my own car had only holes) I now need hinges and catches/stays for them. What they once were is now unidentifiable through the rust. As I do not have access to scrap yards, hunting for 'something similar' is not an option. My only source for parts is the internet, for which I often need specific make, model and even year, to obtain replacement parts. Could you tell me what I need to look for, regarding the hinges and catches. I'll worry about how the hell they fit if I can get hold of some!
What is now rust I assume was once a pair of door handles, locks, and internal door handles/pulls. I have no idea what these were originally off or if there are better alternatives to source replacements. The door catch is also an archaeologists nightmare and now totally useless for purpose. I don't know what these were originally from but wondered if 'bearclaw' locks would work as an alternative.
I'm creating new bushes and pivots for the engine bay lid and hopefully, a ram strut to hold it open. Would it be advisable to vent the lid to aid cooling? I was also considering completing the ducting from the dummy intakes on the rear quarter and directing them into the engine bay, where I'm not sure yet.
Difficult to see in the photo but the rear end was completely cut away by previous ‘owners’ and the oversized light holes also needed filling in. I hope to use round recessed ones instead as per the Corvette.
At the other end of the crumpled shell I'm adapting a pair of Audi TT bonnet hinges to replace the basic Eagle pin pivots. These have integral gas ram assist and if I can get them to work, they should be ideal. I can send photos when complete, if you are interested. While on the subject of the front 'boot', I have almost rectified the lack of any water seal. To prevent the ‘boot storage area’ becoming a cold water tank, I have fabricated a fiberglass lip around the opening (see photo). When finished it will have an edge strip to finish it off and drain holes at the lowest point. I suspect something similar will be needed around the engine bay.
On the subject of engines, do air-cooled engine need all their tinware, specifically the tray sections. I doubt the Eagle engine bay would provide a seal around the edge anyway.
Any thoughts on how to stay warm and demisted in winter, also cool in summer. My set-up is likely to do away with the VW Beetle hot air system. Another instance where the headaches quickly return when trying to solve the problem.
The repaired and modified console is now a hybrid of a Mk1 and a later Mk2. (photo below) To avoid hacking into the underside of the dash I wondered if the angle of the steering column could be adjusted. Can the angle be lowered at all?
I have a donor vehicle with a nicely restored chassis, unknown gearbox and disposable body. I also have an alternative and reasonably sound 1641cc single port to fit to it. I would like to have the engine professionally up-rated to twin port, twin carb but am having trouble finding anyone in the Oswestry/Shropshire area to take it on. That particular search continues.
Back to doors. Do you think anyone still has doors that work using the original hinges? Mine have rusted so badly they have blown apart the fibreglass as well seizing solid. My hope is to fabricate a stainless replacement, then open up the head off the door to bond them in to replace the lumps of rust. Might there be an easier way? If not, I'll let you know how it goes. I still have no ram supports for the doors and no idea what they should be. Without specific specs I can't order replacements. Do you know what they came off originally or what size and strength they should be? If I can get some, the next thing will be how they are fitted and where they go. There is no sign of mounting brackets either. I’m still unable to obtain an original Eagle SS source list. I suspect the Holy Grail would be easier to find, if not as useful in fixing up the car.
Random thought... will you be visiting Stoneleigh for the kit car rally this year? I hope to go along, albeit without Humpty just in a tin Golf.
Amongst the scavenged items, I appear to have found a pair of original bucket seats, presumable available at the time of purchase as an optional extra. I’m hoping they are Eagle in origin and not another Nova extra but I have yet to decide. I'm considering having them recovered (if I can find someone interested in taking on the task) and can only hope the desire for originality is not too uncomfortable when complete. Although not reclining, they look to be a good fit. Also finding its way into my collection is a set of cockpit lining panels, trimmed with matching pooh-brown vinyl. Not a good look!
Assuming I haven’t bored the ‘floor pan’ off you or out-drivelled my welcome, I hope to hear from you soon and wish you well in your own endeavours.
How the hell did we get ourselves into all this!? My plans started with the idea of restoring an Embeesea Charger but the seller couldn’t come up with the paperwork. The eagle was ‘plan B’. I’m beginning to see what the B stands for now!?
Kind regards,
Gavin