Possibly the last "build" thread ........

..... the Thames, our "Bad Brit" is nearing completion and has been entered in the Shriner's Custom and Hot Rod show in Greensboro, NC on January 21-22 ......... so this is possibly the last set of pictures before debuting the completed item

..... the painted body shell had been mounted back on the frame and wiring is being run

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames01.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames03.jpg

..... the body shell has been sanded and polished

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames02.jpg

..... carpet was being laid today

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames04.jpg

most of the ancillary items have been painted

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames06.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames11.jpg

..... the nose and doors are being sanded and polished

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames10.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames05.jpg

..... the interior panels are waiting to be installed ......... the pleated leather will go below the "window line" and the black above the pleats ........ the pleated headliner can be seen behind the rear door panel ......... the "black" rectangles on the side panels are actually pockets to hold registration, insurance cards, cigarettes, etc.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames07.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames08.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...11thames09.jpg

......... after nearly five years of construction, I can hardly believe we are finally bringing this project to a close .......... I'll post completed pictures as soon as I can

Well--John--My wife says she is suffering from hotel withdrawal so I just might see if I can talk her into coming with me to see the show----

Jerry

John, that is really going to be great when all together. On your door pockets did you form an enclosure inside the door with an opening in the panel? I'm interested in how you made the functional pocket - been working on a similar need for my '33 panels.

So.................John............................excited yet??






:LOL:

You've certainly had some bumps in the road along the way with this one, but WOW!!!!! It is looking great. Well worth all the effort. :):)

Don

That little old "Bad Brit" is looking good at long last. You will have to take some photos of her set up at the show for us stuck down on the other side of earth please.

Coyote,that is looking awesome..Will look the part when all the bits are holdin hands...:cool::cool:

Now thats really starting to come together, Nice job.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rspears

John, that is really going to be great when all together. On your door pockets did you form an enclosure inside the door with an opening in the panel? I'm interested in how you made the functional pocket - been working on a similar need for my '33 panels.

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I don't know if you would be able to use our technique, as the pockets on the Thames are not in the doors but in the side panels just behind the doors. The pockets are hand fabricated sheet metal "boxes" (4"x6"x2") which have been upholstered and attached to the rear of the side panel .......... I doubt if you'll have enough depth in your door panels to do this style :(:(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

Well--John--My wife says she is suffering from hotel withdrawal so I just might see if I can talk her into coming with me to see the show----

Jerry

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Would love to meet you Jerry .......... let me know if you do decide to come down

John

Good luck at the show it defiantly looks like a show winner. you have something to be proud of and it does have the WOW factor.
Congratulations!!!!!

Have always been a fan of the Thames and Anglias. Yours is one badddd MF and reminds me of the old days watching the gassers........GREAT JOB!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Old Coyote

I don't know if you would be able to use our technique, as the pockets on the Thames are not in the doors but in the side panels just behind the doors. The pockets are hand fabricated sheet metal "boxes" (4"x6"x2") which have been upholstered and attached to the rear of the side panel .......... I doubt if you'll have enough depth in your door panels to do this style :(:(

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John,
Do you know how they attached the "boxes" to the rear of the panel? I'm assuming that they covered the panel, including rolling material through the slot to finish the hole, then attached the upholstered boxes to the back side. I've got about 1.5" of depth to work with on the doors, but I'm struggling with mounting methods.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rspears

John,
Do you know how they attached the "boxes" to the rear of the panel? I'm assuming that they covered the panel, including rolling material through the slot to finish the hole, then attached the upholstered boxes to the back side. I've got about 1.5" of depth to work with on the doors, but I'm struggling with mounting methods.

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Morning Roger .......... as I said, I don't know if you'll be able to use our method .......... but here's what we did ....

The side panels were cut from 1/2" plywood, thus allowing for anchoring depth .......... the "boxes" were fabricated with a 3/8" lip on them to facilitate attachment ......... screw holes were then drilled through the lip ........... then the boxes were covered (lip and all) and the position of the screw holes was marked on the upholstery .......... velcro was used to make the first attachment and to hold the "boxes" in place while 7/16" long screws were driven through the holes into the 1/2" plywood ........ the depth of the attachment was controlled with washers

We were lucky to have such a large amount of space to work with ........ the pics will show you the depth of the bulkhead behind the doors and how tall we were able to make our attachment brackets .......... don't know if you'll have that luxury

John

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...thames01-1.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...thames03-1.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...thames02-1.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...thames01-1.jpg

John

Are you getting any sleep as you are getting ready for the show??? only one week away and I know how that goes---shows are worse than races

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Old Coyote

Morning Roger .......... as I said, I don't know if you'll be able to use our method .......... but here's what we did ....

The side panels were cut from 1/2" plywood, thus allowing for anchoring depth .......... the "boxes" were fabricated with a 3/8" lip on them to facilitate attachment ......... screw holes were then drilled through the lip ........... then the boxes were covered (lip and all) and the position of the screw holes was marked on the upholstery .......... velcro was used to make the first attachment and to hold the "boxes" in place while 7/16" long screws were driven through the holes into the 1/2" plywood ........ the depth of the attachment was controlled with washers

We were lucky to have such a large amount of space to work with ........ the pics will show you the depth of the bulkhead behind the doors and how tall we were able to make our attachment brackets .......... don't know if you'll have that luxury. John

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John,
I appreciate the great explanation. I don't have the depth you did, but you've given me an idea - I may be able to cut a ~3/8" thick ring the size of my box, glue that to the luan plywood, then upholster that as you describe using screws to mount the box from behind. Headed out to the shop to play a little. Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

John

Are you getting any sleep as you are getting ready for the show??? only one week away and I know how that goes---shows are worse than races

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Morning Jerry ........... very little sleep for the "wicked" ........ running into problem after problem ......... door fit continues to plague us ........ many other little fit problems .......... still hoping we'll be ready :rolleyes::rolleyes:

you need to display it with a door open so THEY can see the interior----glad I could help!!!!

Door fit problems-----they aren't working on it setting on jack stands????if the vehicle isn't going to be setting on the tires/wheels/suspension on a ppretty well FLAT floor---just have it on 3 stands/points as that way there won't be any twist/binding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jerry clayton

you need to display it with a door open so THEY can see the interior----glad I could help!!!!

Door fit problems-----they aren't working on it setting on jack stands????if the vehicle isn't going to be setting on the tires/wheels/suspension on a ppretty well FLAT floor---just have it on 3 stands/points as that way there won't be any twist/binding.

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This door fit problem is becoming a nightmare ......... he had the doors aligned beautifully with the body attached to the chassis ........... then the body was taken off so both it and the chassis could be finished & painted ........... after the firewall was corrected with the body on stands, Josh noticed the doors no longer fit .......... so he re-aligned them (I questioned the logic behind that move but it had already been done) ............ now that everything is painted and the body has been re-attached to the chassis, the doors no longer line up correctly ........... go figure :rolleyes::rolleyes:

In fairness to Josh, this has been the only mistake during the entire build ......... just hope it doesn't keep us from making the show :HMMM::confused::HMMM:

Suggestion---make up some nice door props to hold the doors open exposing the interior

show the car and then correct the problem
(after the firewall was corrected with the body on stands)