Officially 5 weeks to go!

Its Rich writing this blog - about time I did one! Basically I'd like to say we are on schedule - but we're not! Our over optimistic plan meant we should have a rolling chassis with running engine by now but we just have the pieces!

Not that we haven't been doing things. Firstly big thanks to Mr Rob Swanell who has popped over twice now and painted up the axles with Stu. Also 3 of the wheels have been painted on the inside - very important! I've gone mad with the angle grinder and attacked our very rusty replacement chassis. I've grafted on the front engine mount crossmember from the original 1960 chassis and cut the top and bottom plate back to check the insides which are good. So a few more hours welding and it will be done and super strong.

Massive thanks go to my Dad, Nigel; he has been slaving away behind the scenes taking the seized rusty 1960 engine (that was full of water!) and completely rebuilding it - just need a small £3 spring but we can only get it from Germany so might have to order that. Speaking of ordering parts - got various early brake parts coming from 'Mehari Evasion' in France (as I can't get them in England!) - despite me being fluent in French (joke) they fortunately speak English and have been very helpful and have some good prices.

Finally I popped over to Hereford to be welcomed by 2CV Racing Legend Pete Sparrow and his son Ollie. Basically he is Mr Charity and donated original NOS Citroen panels that were original sent to the Slough factory and 50 yrs later ended up in Pete's hands. So thats the lower bulkhead and passenger floor taken care of. He also he gave us a box of random engine bits some of which we will hopefully use - thanks again Pete.

So basically big shift planned for this week - Finish welding chassis, fit original spring cans, paint axles and re-fit them, connect up suspension, clean up gearbox and fit and maybe fit engine - then start on the body - no problem?

And remember all this is to promote MNDA charity and the work they do to help fight Motor Neurone Disease.

2 New Videos

Evening all,

I have just today uploaded two new videos. The first to be frank not to exciting a video where we move the chassis from the 'secret location' to Hollis Motorsport HQ.

The second sees the debut of Robin Swannell as he assists us with a bit of sanding and ultimately a coat of primer!!

With there now only being a few weeks left we would really appreciate any support to help raise awareness of our chosen charity Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) (http://www.mndassociation.org/) and by donating to JustGiving (http://www.justgiving.com/2CVedgeofworld/).

In March 2011, Rich sadly lost his Mum to MND a cruel disease after 3 and half years of suffering.  Your donations will help other people like Rich's Mum who are living with MND, and maybe one day, a cure will be discovered.

Finally, remember you can follow us on Twitter @Citroen2CV2012 and Facebook.

Many thanks for your support.

Stuart.

It's been a while...

Hi guys,

Just before we do our next video update we wanted to show you some recent pictures taken by Richard.

As you can see we are still someway from road ready!!!

New video to be posted on youtube very soon.

Stuart.

Update: 26/05/2012

Hi guys,

Just wanted to show you a video highlighting what we have been working on this evening.

We removed from the chassis the fuel tank, springs, and steering column. All in just over an hours work!

Video: Week 7 Video

Thanks

Stuart.

Two new videos

Hi guys,

New video updates for everyone. Two videos, one is of me and Richard not really doing too much, the second, is of the 2CV being professionally extracted from the garage.

Video 1

Video 2

Enjoy!

Stuart.

Week 2 Video - Engine Removal

Hi guys,

I have just spent a few hours sorting out our video footage from the past few weeks and our video from our second meeting will be online in the next few hours (just needs to upload). The video in simple terms allows the audience to see the true extent of the damage to the vehicle in daylight and not as in the previous video in literal black and white. The purpose of our meeting was to achieve two things; firstly, to remove the gear box, secondly, to remove the engine. Richard claimed that this would be a simple job. After watching this video I'm sure you will all beg to differ!

WATCH IT HERE!!

As you may have noticed from our various twitter (@citroen2cv2012), Facebook (search: Journey to the Edge of the Known World (by 2CV), and perhaps even on this blog myself and Richard had been extremely busy for a fortnight and had been unable to meet up to do any work on the car! Yes slightly concerning considering we are literally weeks away before we are to be driving this vehicle to Gibraltar and back!!

However, some good news, we managed to meet up last Friday 11th May and met up last Wednesday to eventually manage to move the vehicle away from the garage to our specialist Hollis Motor Sport Centre (aka. Richards garden!) so that further work can commence.

I will be working on editing these videos over the next few days and will have them on youtube (http://www.youtube.com/user/stuemac) in the very near future.

All the best.

Stuart. 

Update - 5th May: Cause for concern?

Hi all,

Just a quick update of the progress so far...

Over the past two weeks we have been making slow progress on our scheduled trip. Basically, we haven't met up in the past two weeks!! Primarily because I have been extremely busy with birthdays, weddings, moving house etc. etc.

Anyway me and Richard simply agree that this makes it more of a challenge!!

We are scheduling to meet up in the near future but in the mean time. Find attached a few photos from our second meeting (a video will be with everyone shortly!).

As you can see the car is looking as good as new!!

Cheers.

Stuart.