Just chop it in half!

No photos right now. The V8's front suspension arms were checked by a Certifier, who decided that the car should be built to 'heavy-weight ladder-chassis sports car' specifications, rather than medium-weight as Andrew, the suspension designer, had done. (Bollocks of course, the Rover V8 weighs less than a Triumph 6). What this means is that the arms will have to be re-manufactured with 4mm-thickness tube rather than 3.2mm... and then crack-tested again, as per the current arms. This also affects other cars Andrew's working on, so none of us are happy. By the time the V8 Herald is certified road-worthy in New Zealand it will be able to crush tanks!

The GT6's engine has been stripped down for measuring. The bearing sizes are all standard, so it had probably never been taken apart before. Some bearings are showing traces of copper, but overall are pretty good. I have a full set of .010 VP2s to fit after a crank grind. A set of cam bearings are on their way from Canley Classics, and I've ordered forged pistons and valves from Gareth Thomas. He tells me that there's a prize for the first GT6 to exceed 40mpg on 95 octane fuel, and another for the first to reach 150mph normally aspirated. Bloody 'ell!

I'd like to give a big round of thanks to Canley Classics. I ordered a new right hand floor pan to replace the lace-like original (the left is better). A floor pan costs £100, but Clare, the sales person, emailed to advise that postage would be another £170 due not to weight but length. I wrote back asking if chopping it in half would reduce the postal charge (I only need the front and rear wells), and to my surprise they did, and it did cost less! There aren't many places that even warn of huge postage charges, and few who are hands on and practical enough to do it. Thank you very much, Dave Pearson and the rest at CC!