Projects Belly Tank Build, NZ.

Sat in it last night after i put the lower body on and strapped myself in.... now that gave this thing a whole new feel. So what's to do before the show, bleed the brakes ,fit the upper body pieces so they don't fall off and drag it on the trailer then wrap it up because the weather isn't looking good for the trip over and much worse for the trip home on Sunday. JW

 

Anyone interested in the Show? JW

 

Yes, I saw a few photos of the show on FaceBook and your Belly Tank was there. Looked good.

Glen.

 

If you have pictures, put them up! Pictures are good!

 

Hi Glen, Dave, it was a long weekend as we went to the Fielding swap meet on the way and were going to come home after set up Saturday afternoon then go back and pick it up Sunday afternoon ( two hours each way)but chose to stay the night in Levin as we both had a bug. The motel cost much the same as the return trip for gas.
The show was fun and i lost my voice talking to people at the swap and lost it again at the show as there many talks about it. When we unloaded and placed on display i stood back and thought it really didn't look like much but that changed as the day went on. JW

 

yes they are JW

 

At the end of the day. JW

 

And on the way home, we only encountered a small amount of rain both ways. JW

 

Well it's been a bit but after the October show i realized i had a bit of burn out getting it ready and having our local annual show four weeks later i needed a break which has given me some time to look at what's next, that will be hinging the front section. I have started making the four arms at work, will also make some solid mounts for engine and box and i may look at starting the engine as is over the Xmas break just to check how it all works.
This was 2/3 rd's of our display, Tank and my T RPU, Mrs W's 64 1/2 Mustang is out of shot to the right. There was lot of interest and mostly sensible questions.....was a good day out. JW

 

Tank's looking real good, lots of progress, wont be long you'll be blasting around in it.

 

Thanks, Jamie and how's yours going? JW

 

That's a nice old van parked next to your rpu.

 

Looking good.

 

I like them too, CA Bedford. JW

 

Where i have cut out for the roll cage will be built back up to be level with the top of the body, (or close to it) this will flow into the windshield i have for it. A friend has offered to wheel up some ali for the job. This will make the cage look a lot lower and cleaner lines. JW

 

I'm still here and have made good progress on the hinges for the nose section, they work real good!
I can't load photos at the moment (computer thing) but will do so as soon as i get it sorted. I had a four month break after the shows at the end of last year and i attended Land Speed NZ in March (25)so i could see what is required to run there and generally check it out and meet the team... way cool event and i have a new focus of running the Tank there next March. It is achievable and i will do my best to make it happen.
I will update any good progress and hopefully some photos soon. JW

 

Where is that held?

 

Looking forward to seeing the new bodywork. Looking good!

 

It is held in the North Island near Reporoa which is half way between Taupo and Rotorua. They use a very flat, straight road that is 7km long with a 1/4 mile timed section in the middle. It's held one day a year. JW

 

Thanks - I'll look it up. Is it common for South Islanders to transport their cars up to run there? What about Aussies and others? Do many of your countrymen run over at Lake Gairdner, Australia?

 

Yes, Some do go to Lake Gairdner, they would be the serious ones that would be looking at record attempts like Bonneville but Land Speed NZ is more of a casual thing where you get bragging rights but that's about it. Times are recorded but not officially recognized here. Getting a car to Bonneville from here is now very expensive and that's why my Tank is staying here for now, it was never going to be a record chaser and running it on Salt for shipping it outside NZ is no longer in my budget. That was a nostalgia thing for me but as i have said running it here is OK. JW

 

Got a couple of pics of the nose section stuff. JW

 

I was thinking i may need to adjust the stops but it worked out perfect with a good amount of room to get in and out with ease. JW

 

well--should certainly be strong enough!!

 

Very nice.

 

Thanks, i have a small gas strut to put on the hinges to give it a lift. At present making brackets to hold my leg guards firm. JW

 

Missed this post. It’s another one that makes me think “aircraft” just from the design style. Very neat job.

cheers,
Harv

 

Thanks, Harv. Been thinking about the fuel tap cable routing from the on off lever to where it comes through the fire wall. I put a arm guard panel in the way so i went though it. JW