(July 2003) - The Problem: You would not believe our crash after seeing this photo, the car looks hardly scathed. I wont go into too many details but lets just say the landing was cushioned by a thick hedge, minimalising the damage. Nobody was hurt at all.

(July 2003) - Sod's Law: Car was advertised before I took it away for one last weekend, I stood to double my money. Inundated with phonecalls when I got back . . . ah well, what doesnt kill you makes you stronger!

(December 2006) - Geometry check: We attached the wings and front panel with grub screws and then rivets to ensure it all lined up perfectly before welding. This is far easier than messing about with 15 clamps.

(December 2006) - Panels welded on: Here the panels have been welded on in the right position, and the bonnet shut line is superb.

(December 2006) - Undercoating: Finished prepping for first undercoat, masked engine bay and remainder of car, paint gun exploded within 5 minutes. All paint missed the car. Despite advice from our paint supplier, the paint was too thick for the HVLP system we use, and trying to squeeze it through simply causes it to explode in your face. Thinned the paint down for the next attempt and it went on easily. Topcoat applied to protect it whilst in storage over the winter, while the egnine is rebuilt. Not the weather for spraying!

(April 2007) - Priming the aluminium: Aluminium parts fully washed and primed using Hammerite special metals primer to ensure the topcoat will stick. In the background can be seen the new pistons on the conrods.

(April 2007) - Topcoating the aluminium: Topcoat applied using Hammerite smooth silver to give an excellent clean finish that is durable. 3 coats were applied.

(April 2007) - Painting the block and head: Engine and cylinder head coated with high temperature engine enamel, unfortunately only gloss red could be found. Longbridge used some outstanding matt red paint that is incredibly durable. 5 coats were applied.

(April 2007) - Built Engine: Engine almost fully built, this is a night photo. All that remains is for the rocker cover to go on, and for the starter motor, dizzy, alternator etc to be tested and fitted.

(July 2007) - Spray Booth!: Many thanks to my good friends Mother, who has allowed me exclusive use of her garage on the proviso I cleared all of the rubbish out of it. Well I took it to the extreme! All walls, floor and ceiling fully cleaned, walls whitewashed, ceiling sealed with damp proof membrane, fluorescent tubes installed, floor sealed with white garage floor paint, all edges and cracks filled with silicon, garage door draft proofed! Hey presto! One spray booth!

(July 2007) - Orange Peel!: Garage has been cleaned, sealed, whitewashed and is now a spray booth. Rubbed the roof down and sprayed it but the orange peel was horrendous, paint was too thick. Roof has been rubbed down again, now just waiting for the damp weather to go so we can spray again!

(July 2007) - Roof Finished: Rubbed down and resprayed properly, the roof now gives a lovely shine, even before polishing. Just look at that reflection!