Day one of many.............

Day one, thought it was best that I cleared the parts away and make the garage a little more accessible. Boring task but it was good to work out all the parts and start thinking about the build.

Also managed to make a start on the actual build, got the differential 2/3 fitted. I think with a little more time I should have the 2 remaining bolt secured. Thank you to Lydia for helping push the bolts in as I was supporting the diff, had forgotten quite how heavy that it was!

Only trouble I have now is working out what I need to do next....................

Collection Day!

Collection day has finally arrived and to say I was a little bit excited was an understatement! The day started early, 6am for a trip up to Stafford to drop off my brother new house bits then across to Newark. On arrival I had a quick look round the workshop, nice to see so many cars in progress but one caught my eye.

If mine looks at tidy as this then I'll be very happy. After the quick workshop tour we had a check that all the parts were there and then got round to loading.  Hadn't realised there were quite so many parts and we filled the van.

Wasn't too sure how to fit it all in the garage, the first attempt was a mess! Anyway it was too late in the day and to be fair I just wanted it all out the van!

Thank you to Jordan for all the help with collecting the kit, you might have earned a ride in the car once its finished!

First job of the build, tidy the garage.

Goodbye Sierra

Only a short post...............
The Sierra has gone, death by crusher apparently.  Auto Wheelers Recovery came to collect the chassis and off it went.

Next step is a mass cleaning project - if anyone wants to help! I've got painting to do after that, all volunteers are welcome.

My brother has built me some great stands for the new zero chassis, if they break I guess he'll owe me a new chassis! Just got to make sure the garage is ready to take the chassis and the cleaning operation doesn't get in the way.

Hopefully only 2-3 weeks until collection :)

I've bought my Zero!!

So, on Saturday 23rd July, GBS hosted an open day at their base in Newark. Mike & I drove up to take a look round, armed with my list of questions and a small shopping list! I managed to get all the answers I needed to make up my mind on which options to go with and then placed my order - roll on 6 weeks.

It was good to see the workshop, we managed to have a good look round some of the part built cars which gave us a few ideas on the build plan. It also helped me make up my mind on a few options, like the dash, the rear diffuser and really just a feel for the car. After getting some good advice from the guys at GBS, I will be ditching my EFI injection unit and opting for a standard Sierra carb. Once its on the road I can then upgrade it as I wish.

After ordering the kit, Keith took both of out on a test drive. All I can say is that I cannot wait until my car it built, the drive was amazing!

I've continued with the Sierra destruction, the rear diff is now free and the handbrake is almost out. I've been making slow progress but I want to make sure I manage to get hold of everything for the kit, for eBay and then rest to free is go to scrap.

Further demise of the Sierra

Work has continued on the Sierra since the weekend, despite the continuous rain. Following the successful removal of the engine and gear box the 3 of us have been working on removing the rest of the front end. This week we have seen the removal of the lower steering column/control, roll bar, front shocks and hub control arms. The only real issue encountered is that the wheels are still secured to the hubs by some horrible locking wheel nuts!

Over the initial weekend my brother had managed to remove the bolts securing the differential however it had not dropped out from the car as expected, on further investigation is seems to be secured by the tow bar which is still attached to the car. The job to remove this has been parked until another time; instead we managed to begin removing the rear sub frame and shocks. Again the wheels are held on by the locking wheel nuts, I don't have the keys! As soon as the tow bar is removed the rear end should drop out for removal.

 

Other jobs left, remove the ECU, engine wiring loom and handbrake. Oh and maybe mop up some of the oil I've leaked onto the drive. The removal of the tow bar will be made easier by the donation of a workshop mechanics trolley.

 

This weekend I'm off to GBS with Mike, the aim is to get answers to my long list of questions and make a final decision on the kit options. Ultimate aim is to make an order but I want to make sure my kit package is right for me.

Death to the Sierra

So I've taken the plunge and decided to build my first kit car, a GBS Zero. I've got my Sierra donor, not exactly pretty to look at but should be ideal for the build; 2 litre pinto and no obvious leaks.

I've enlisted the help of my mate Mike and my brother Jordan to help strip the car. The initial plan was to get all major components out in one day; however after a slow start due to the need to build some rain proof gazebos we finally got stuck in.








Progress was hampered by the constant back and forth to the dry garage for tools but soon we had the steering column removed and engine disconnected. After removing the gear box mount we went for the 1st lift attempt - no joy. It was all stuck, over the next few hours we would try loosening up the rear diff, attempting to move the prop shaft, but nothing would help. In the end we had to unattach the gear box. Finally the engine came out, quickly followed by the gearbox.







Final few tasks of the day included removing the remainder of the steering column and various other components from the front axle. Still a fair chunk to go but a good day (despite the rain!).