Kiwi Elf (Was known as Thranduil)

I know this isn't going to appeal to the purist but this is my progress so far:





Innocenti windows - I thought they'd be easier to fit than it turned out, but all good now:


This shows how I had to scallop the larger left tank to fit because of the hinges. I was told the right tank is a speedwell one - don't know about that though. I had to modify the necks of both tanks to fit the Elf:




The plumbing took me almost a whole day to get connected up:






Finally got my m/cylinder polished stainless rings sorted (I'm using silicone brake fluid):



And in a moment of extravagance (actually it took about 8 months)I got these wheel centres made in pewter, chrome plated and enamelled:

Wow!! She's gorgeous - what a serious eye for detail!!! I love the tyre value caps (probably not the correct technical term)

Thanks Elfgirl. Yes tyre valve caps is the right term. I bought them from a UK ebay trader. I can't remember his name but he seemed like a good guy to deal with. I could probably dig out the details if you wanted to contact him.

This car is more than just a car to me - I can't draw or paint a picture to save myself so this is my creative outlet.

looking very good indeed - you'll make discoman jealous of those centre caps!

keep up the good work and i'll keep the vague hope alive that one day rusty will look that good!

The valve caps probably came from the same folks that supplied Discoman with Rupert's Riley hub cap centers. They're doing a set for me too. They are at: www.classiccapsule.co.uk Real nice people.
Amazing car, Grant! Will you be driving it when it's finished? What engine are you putting in? Not a purist myself either, as my 68 Elf is getting a Honda VTEC transplant at the moment, to make it more drivable on the US highways. I don't have the skills myself, so I'm having it done for me.

WOW!

who cares if its not standard....
its one more elf/hornet that is not heading to the scrappy in the sky!!!!!

very very nice .

Just wondering, since you went to the effort to have those awesome Riley hub caps designed and produced, did the maker save the tooling so they could make more? Might be interested in having a set made up for my Superlites.

Red Riley wrote:Just wondering, since you went to the effort to have those awesome Riley hub caps designed and produced, did the maker save the tooling so they could make more? Might be interested in having a set made up for my Superlites.

Hmmm, those and the value caps might just be added as a PS to my very long list to Santa. I can dream, but as a daily runner, with no garage, there's too many basic ingredientsd to be worrying about without out the icing on the cake!!

Thanks for all of the compliments. I do still own the tooling for the centre caps and so can get more made. I never added up the price - I had to get artwork done, then the tooling, then the caps themselves. I got a spare set made for myself and did originally order a couple of more sets and had an idea of selling them on ebay to recover some costs, but I thought they would probably work out too expensive for anyone to be interested then, I'm stuck even more out of pocket. But if there is interest I can get a price for another batch of them.

Last weekend I was all set to put a supercharged 1275 in with a few extra goodies like MEDs 1.5 roller rockers, SW5 cam, etc, but just days out I found out that my "recently reconditioned" 5 speed that I bought in from the UK was quite worn out, so I will get parts specially machined up here in NZ to make it stronger than before. But that delays the 1275 motor by about 6 months while I save up some more to have the gearbox repaired.

Ultimately the engine will be a 1480. I have already started collecting parts for this big engine including a MED 84.3mm stroked crank, S con rods, etc. I'm going to use Triumph 2.5 pistons because they are actually an easier solution than mini pistons. They have a shorter compression height and so give me a lot more leeway to get the compression ratio right for the supercharger.

But that engine is still about 3-4 years away. I want to completely redo the interior first (in retro 60's style) using cobra classics and my reinterpretation of the dash. I bought some NOS Burr elm Rokee door caps with maple inlay so I'll key the wood work off that and have leather upholstery using the primula/ cream theme.

Oh, and yes absolutely. It will be driven. This ain't no trailer queen. I will take it to work on sunny days, club runs, etc. I did think about a few track days too, but I've done all the work myself, panel beating, painting, etc. So if I dinged it, it would break my heart.
I can handle a few stone chips, just rub it down and re-spray, but not a major wreck.
This car is in my will and my 7 yr old daughter has claimed it as hers!

Red Riley, It's just dawned on me that you said you are going to use Superlights. My wheels are Superlights from a well known northern England mini specialist. I've had quite a problem with them growing what looks like a fungus under the clear lacquer. The clear lacquer is now flaking off and the wheels are oxidising and so I'm going to have to get them re-surfaced. Because they are over one year old the people in Hudders.... I mean the supplier, won't contribute. It would have been a lot cheaper in the long run to buy genuine Aussie Superlights or another wheel from another supplier.

I love it!!!!! And as you can see by Rupert's wheels i'm no purist!!!!

Ah yes, that old problem with that northern wheel supplier..... same thing happened to two sets I bought for my old minis!

As for the valve caps.... I love 'em but there is absolutely no point in putting anything like that on round my neck of the woods... the kids nick 'em for their bikes!!!!

Grant wrote: It would have been a lot cheaper in the long run to buy genuine Aussie Superlights or another wheel from another supplier.

I bought mine from MiniMania here in the US, but they are the Aussie made wheels.

stunning looking car