Idle thoughts

[jlaird]

Now that Miss Agatha is almost complete I have a few misgivings about the whole experence.

The main one is that I did not in all cases do as good a job as I could have. There are about a half a dozen areas that I would like to do over. And this may happen over the next few years.

Body work, not as nice as it should be, it needs to go back to the body shop and clean up a few areas that excaped the first time.

Engine, I should have put a new cam it her with just a bit more emph.

However that said I think upon reflection she turned out better than I expected, and a lot better than the neighbors expected, hehe.

There are really about six areas that I need to work on a bit to get them to my satisfaction although they are as good as new and work just fine. These will get some effort as I proceed slowly at this point to refine my job.

I guess the whole point is do it right the first time, although that is difficult to measure untill you get em on the road a bit and live with them in your driveway.

Downstream some place I would expect some additionl engine parts to kick up the HP a bit but prob not a 1275. Head, cam, carbs, exhaust, and lightened flywheel. Not because I need the power down here in flat Florida but just because I want to. Kind of braging rights I guess.

When I next pull the engine I know I need to work on the second gear detent slug a bit as it still sticks some from time to time, maybe it will smooth out with use.

But all in all it has been a fun project, and a lot of it goes to you guys and Basil who provided this forum and whome have helped me through a few rough spots and kept me focused and pushing forward.

Thanks guys

Jack

 

[10musketeer]

The "thinking" part is what makes these things fun. You should try building a house with your father-in-law if you want to experience misgivings! She's a beautiful car and you will enjoy it. This is probably the best she's ever been cared for in her life, and you should be very proud.

Plus if you didn't have a few of the "I shoulda's" then you'd be bored! We'd all still be in Model T's if Henry would'nt have said "I wish I would have..........."

 

[JPSmit]

The main one is that I did not in all cases do as good a job as I could have.

Isn't that true for all of life, at least any life worth living. That being said, don't loose sight of the big picture, namely that

1. It is already in better shape than it came from the factory.

2. You are creating something to be loved and used - it has already started to wear out.

3. SWMBO is already making next car noises that will allow you to use the experience to improve.

4. If none of these are a comfort, come to my house and make your improvements on Ms Triss. or better yet we'll go even trade /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

remember the rules:

1. Don't sweat the small stuff
2. It's all small stuff.

You're still our hero!
JP

 

[John Moore]

I haven't been on this forum very long, but I have been around British cars for awhile. I think you're just suffering from "Post Restoration Depression"! It's similar to PostPartum Depression that new mothers face. After all that time busting your a$$ and knuckles to get it done, and you finally put away your tools it's like you don't know what to do with your hands! You need something to fiddle with, so you start needling your own work. Believe me it happened to me when I "finished" my nut and bolt resto last summer on my B. The only real cure (kinda like a cigarette after good sex) is to get out and DRIVE! Go to shows, win awards, get all those compliments when you fill it up at the gas pump! Enjoy it baby!

But really, the same think happened to me. I had to do a TON of metal replacement on my B. And the door gaps on the RH side aren't very good. They drive me crazy. Every time I walk into the garage, my eyes fixate on it. But the reality is, nobody else sees it! If I point it out to buddies, they think I'm crazy. I forget to see the forest for the trees. The first show I went to, I wouldn't close the doors because I was so embarrassed! LOL! It was a national show, MG2006, and I ended up winning third place in my class out of 86 cars!

Yeah, yeah, I've pulled my engine now three times since last summer and rebuilt it again. But that's just me, I like to work on things. So bottom line, drive that Beautiful Bugeye this summer and enjoy it! Next winter you can fiddle again. Keep your hands busy by keeping them on the wheel and polish cloth.

If your like me, the only thing that will stop you from fiddling is another project... and hey look! I think my new bugeye, is gonna finally keep my hands off my B.