The Festive C1 Re-Shell
Discussion
A bit of background to this one; back in 2017 a mate and I decided to build a C1 racer for the C1 endurance series. Sadly life and a new job got in the way and the car sat half finished outside my house until last summer when I set about finishing it whilst I was locked in at work. Despite some strange looks I completed the build in the work car park and by October had the car ready for it’s first MOT in 4 years.
Happily it passed and I used the car as a daily driver for the winter. During this time sadly the car was flooded after I parked it in a boatyard near the Spring high tide mark and a mixture of heavy rain and the Thames Barrier closing increased the tide in the Medway. When I reached the car the water was at the level of the bottom of the pedals but the C1’s high air intake enabled me to drive it clear and assess the damage.
Amazingly the car didn’t seem affected by it’s dip in the river and I took it to a local car wash and stripped to my boxers to attempt to spray the worst of the salt water of the shell. I’m not sure what those queueing for the petrol station thought of me rolling around in a puddle in the late November chill but it seemed to do the trick. The car was soon pressed back into action for a trip back home for Christmas re-proving it’s worth as a good daily as long as I could pack around the cage.
I was away with work from Jan-April but the mighty C1 was ready for action on my return and it was great fun generally lowering the tone wherever it went.
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|https://thumbsnap.com/gUxapX4N[/url]
June and July brought a tour of Sussex for a quick break away as well as a highly enjoyable track day at Bedford in the drizzle with the C1 surprising some quicker machinery and plans were made to race the car in 2022. The car also proved it worth as the ultimate pizza delivery car for an office party.
By August I was away with work again and the MOT expired. On my return in December an inspection revealed that the car had suffered badly from its river dip and both cills were corroded beyond repair. Unwilling to give up on the car before it had even raced I have found a donor shell on Ebay and have a deadline of 3/1/22 to complete the reshell. After collecting the car on Tuesday the race is on!
Happily it passed and I used the car as a daily driver for the winter. During this time sadly the car was flooded after I parked it in a boatyard near the Spring high tide mark and a mixture of heavy rain and the Thames Barrier closing increased the tide in the Medway. When I reached the car the water was at the level of the bottom of the pedals but the C1’s high air intake enabled me to drive it clear and assess the damage.
Amazingly the car didn’t seem affected by it’s dip in the river and I took it to a local car wash and stripped to my boxers to attempt to spray the worst of the salt water of the shell. I’m not sure what those queueing for the petrol station thought of me rolling around in a puddle in the late November chill but it seemed to do the trick. The car was soon pressed back into action for a trip back home for Christmas re-proving it’s worth as a good daily as long as I could pack around the cage.
I was away with work from Jan-April but the mighty C1 was ready for action on my return and it was great fun generally lowering the tone wherever it went.
[url]|https://thumbsnap.com/gUxapX4N[/url]June and July brought a tour of Sussex for a quick break away as well as a highly enjoyable track day at Bedford in the drizzle with the C1 surprising some quicker machinery and plans were made to race the car in 2022. The car also proved it worth as the ultimate pizza delivery car for an office party.
By August I was away with work again and the MOT expired. On my return in December an inspection revealed that the car had suffered badly from its river dip and both cills were corroded beyond repair. Unwilling to give up on the car before it had even raced I have found a donor shell on Ebay and have a deadline of 3/1/22 to complete the reshell. After collecting the car on Tuesday the race is on!
For the re-shell I have borrowed my sister’s garage and used a work trailer to deliver the cars ready for the work to begin. It all got off to a bad start after my GT6 which usually resides there did not appreciate a rude awakening from it’s winter slumber and refused to start despite the combined efforts of a fresh battery and a booster.
However the new car was deposited inside with the deceased C1 waiting outside. Wednesday was mainly filled with preparation of the interior of the car with a full strip and removal of the dashboard and sound deadening material ready for the cut and prepared dash from the old car. By the end of the day the car looked like this:
Today has been spent preparing the current 148000 mile engine and front suspension for removal.
I forgot to take any photos tonight of progress but will update in the morning with pics!
However the new car was deposited inside with the deceased C1 waiting outside. Wednesday was mainly filled with preparation of the interior of the car with a full strip and removal of the dashboard and sound deadening material ready for the cut and prepared dash from the old car. By the end of the day the car looked like this:
Today has been spent preparing the current 148000 mile engine and front suspension for removal.
I forgot to take any photos tonight of progress but will update in the morning with pics!
The cold light of day reveals the progress of yesterday. The engine wiring loom and it’s fiddly easy to break clips is removed and the engine is almost ready to lift.
The first job today is to remove the back wheels of the old car which have seized to the brake drums. Then prepare the incoming engine for transplant.
I will check the cage legs for any sign of corrosion but they sit high on the cills so weren’t too immersed in the flood.
The first job today is to remove the back wheels of the old car which have seized to the brake drums. Then prepare the incoming engine for transplant.
I will check the cage legs for any sign of corrosion but they sit high on the cills so weren’t too immersed in the flood.
Little update to this for anyone following. Been in the garage working on the cars for about 4 hours each day over the weekend. Both front and rear subframes are off and the engine swap has taken place with a new clutch fitted ready to go.
Also found time to remove the cups on the rear turrets ready for the cage to fit.
Going to take a day off tomorrow but will be back on it from Wednesday. Still pretty much on track to complete the re-shell by the time I need to be back at work on the 4th.
Also found time to remove the cups on the rear turrets ready for the cage to fit.
Going to take a day off tomorrow but will be back on it from Wednesday. Still pretty much on track to complete the re-shell by the time I need to be back at work on the 4th.
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