MX5 Fisher Fury build diary

Got to Oakhanger about 2.00pm. First job was to jack the car up and trim the bonnet return that was catching on the fan housing after the bonnet was repositioned. Nev's big jack would not fit under the car, the hoist was broken and so I used his older small jack. I got the car up OK and axle stands under the frame. Then I chalked out a line to cut, used an angle grinder with a sanding disc and cut it to shape. Letting the jack down I failed to spot the worn ratchet drive on the hydraulics and when it did catch the release the car came down with an almighty bang. I am concerned that the sump bottomed on the steel channel between the hoist posts but hope it is more my pride rather than metal that is bruised.

Then I started on the headlights. As usual, working out which hole needs to be drilled where, which screw needs undoing and which not, took up a a lot of time. Once the first one was done the second took no time and my only puzzle is how the spring clip fits for the headlight rims. I'll call SVC tomorrow. Anyway here we are>

After the headlights I fitted the indicators, which can be seen above in the headlight recess, then the side repeaters. Now I was firing on all cylinders and decided to mark up the rear light positions and fit the indicators and brake / tail lights. With extraordinary care, and using tape, steel rules, spirit level, dividers, compasses etc., measure twice, mask with tape, check four times and drill, I got the offside holes perfectly aligned, then the inner nearside. The nearside outer, for the indicator light, despite being beautifully measured, and I say that with passion, coincided with the nearside boot floor wall. First thoughts were my error, but it's not. The boot floor sides are different, port to starboard. Hey ho, and as Dylan Thomas said, "Llareggyb" to be done about it. So I drilled the wall out too and started on the hole. Of course I had been unable to find the 80mm hole saw, (it appeared when I was tidying up at the end, exchanged "Hellos" with me and proceeded quietly on its way to the storage box) so I was drilling within a scribed circle prior to filing down. And the coarse rasp file too was also lurking elsewhere until later when I tidied up so I slogged away with fine file and so on. Eventually the nearside indicator seemed to fit, nearly, so I packed up and headed home. It may sound frustrating but actually the 12 hours or so I've fitted in this weekend have been great. We're getting there.