Late August, early September 2000

Late August, early September, 2000

Slow progress, but some work are done, though.. Hopefully; I am finished exploring new cracks on the body. The latest one was on the front, on the bottom part. I was just to remove a tiny bit of plastic padding, when suddenly the whole area fell out. I had to use tape to make the new fibreglass find its shape, and a lot of fibreglass padding and even more surfacing to make it OK.

When I thought I had finished finding new cracks, and was about to remove a tiny little bit of plastic padding at the bottom front part, the whole front suddenly fell out, leaving a big, ugly hole.. On he lower part of the grille opening, a steel list was melted in the plastic padding, to ensure the stiffness of the front!
So; I had to put on plastic tape on the outside to ensure correct shape of the bottom front plate, then put on several layers of fibreglass to rebuild the front area. The biggest problem was the grille, I am not sure if it has the correct shape yet - see a closer picture further down...

The top front plate is now finished, and it is strong as steel. Now I only need the last fibreglass tissue and wax/gelcoat, then it is ready for priming.

The front hubs became quite nice, I think.
The disk is the old one - this will be renewed before the first test drive - hopefully in the spring 2001...

Left side of engine compartement also had several serious cracks. I still need to fasten the 'chassis-to-body-thing', but at least all the cracks and holes are gone.

This picture shows the inside right rear side of the engine compartement. This is where the heaviest cracks - or should I say holes?? - were. Now I hope the area is as strong as it need to be.

The same area - from outside this time. I still need to get the correct shape of the wing, but that is a minor problem.

The front. Look at the lower list of the grille - do you think it has the correct shape??
Guess I'll have to but a new grille to test it.

The front part is at least one whole part, and it consists only of fibreglass. No steel list, no plastic padding, no screws, no whatever..

The left door arch had one big crack, from top to bottom. No wonder the door was sagging! This is hopefully healed, with fibreglass both on the inside and outside.

The bonnet is back on, just to test if it fits after all the fibreglass work. It need some small adjustments - minor problems compared to what I have been through.

The new engine.
I still haven't managed to identify it, apart from knowing it is a Gordini. The seller, who also has an Europa, planned to put the engine in his car, before he started racing Escorts in hillclimbing rallies instead.
It is supposed to be a Gordini 12 engine, with hemi pistons and top. The power is told to be some 180 BHP. If this is true... very fun!!!

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	When I thought I had finished finding new cracks, and was about to remove a tiny little bit of plastic padding at the bottom front part, the whole front suddenly fell out, leaving a big, ugly hole.. On he lower part of the grille opening, a steel list was melted in the plastic padding, to ensure the stiffness of the front! So; I had to put on plastic tape on the outside to ensure correct shape of the bottom front plate, then put on several layers of fibreglass to rebuild the front area. The biggest problem was the grille, I am not sure if it has the correct shape yet - see a closer picture further down...
	The top front plate is now finished, and it is strong as steel. Now I only need the last fibreglass tissue and wax/gelcoat, then it is ready for priming.
	The front hubs became quite nice, I think. The disk is the old one - this will be renewed before the first test drive - hopefully in the spring 2001...
	Left side of engine compartement also had several serious cracks. I still need to fasten the 'chassis-to-body-thing', but at least all the cracks and holes are gone.
	This picture shows the inside right rear side of the engine compartement. This is where the heaviest cracks - or should I say holes?? - were. Now I hope the area is as strong as it need to be.
	The same area - from outside this time. I still need to get the correct shape of the wing, but that is a minor problem.
	The front. Look at the lower list of the grille - do you think it has the correct shape?? Guess I'll have to but a new grille to test it.
	The front part is at least one whole part, and it consists only of fibreglass. No steel list, no plastic padding, no screws, no whatever..
	The left door arch had one big crack, from top to bottom. No wonder the door was sagging! This is hopefully healed, with fibreglass both on the inside and outside.
	The bonnet is back on, just to test if it fits after all the fibreglass work. It need some small adjustments - minor problems compared to what I have been through.
	The new engine. I still haven't managed to identify it, apart from knowing it is a Gordini. The seller, who also has an Europa, planned to put the engine in his car, before he started racing Escorts in hillclimbing rallies instead. It is supposed to be a Gordini 12 engine, with hemi pistons and top. The power is told to be some 180 BHP. If this is true... very fun!!!