Period accessories

A few years ago I made a dash-top gauge pod for the Herald. I was never very happy with it though, as it didn't sit properly and the vinyl cover didn't fit very well. Recently I found a period Smiths outside temperature gauge on eBay, and while fitting it, I took the opportunity to improve the gauge pod.

As you can see, I have a thing for period Smiths gauges! The only one you can't see here is the Jaeger Spitfire fuel gauge to the right of the tachometer. Can't think of any others it needs... except maybe a fuel pressure gauge, or maybe overdrive oil pressure, or...
This is the capillary bulb for the outside temperature gauge. The gauge is pretty accurate (amazing considering it's spent about forty years on a shelf), as long as the sun's not shining on it. It's right in front of the pod air filter so I have a good idea of the intake temperature.

I should have cleaned the bugs off the licence plate though!

The other thing I fitted this weekend is a Motorola 114 MW/LW radio from about 1970, which has an accessory input for an iPod. The conversion was done by a chap named Colin, who trades on eBay under the pseudonym "stretch289". The restoration and modification have been beautifully done, the sound quality is rich and static-free, and the radio looks almost brand new. The MW (AM radio to you and me) reception is also noise-free, but sadly the only LW stations broadcasting these days are airport beacons.

The cigarette lighter is a dummy, the socket is for accessories like GPS (if I want to go somewhere other than the nearest airfield, that is!)

In a Holding Pattern

The GT6 rebuild is being held up on three fronts.

Firstly, I'm waiting for some forged pistons before the engine can get rebuilt. A set of Hepolite .040" pistons is available as an alternative, but I want the forged ones I ordered back when the GT6 arrived. The latest word is that they'll be ready in September.

The bodywork is done, and the tub's waiting for its colour coats. Unfortunately the painter's assistant was one of four guys who decided to build a bomb and take it out to the country to see if it worked, Mythbusters style. It did, just a bit early: http://www.dailymercury.com.au/story/2011/08/09/charged-over-ute-explosion-in-court-after-mates/

He's alright, but has taken time off to recover... and so Joe's various restoration jobs have been put on hold.

Lastly, I haven't heard from the upholsterer for a few months, and as he's 800km away in Brisbane I haven't been able to drop around and check on progress. Time to start phoning methinks...