{"id":2551,"date":"2012-02-16T09:11:18","date_gmt":"2012-02-16T14:11:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.monocoque-metalworks.com\/main\/?p=2551"},"modified":"2012-02-16T09:11:53","modified_gmt":"2012-02-16T14:11:53","slug":"plan-b","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monocoque-metalworks.com\/main\/2012\/02\/plan-b\/","title":{"rendered":"Rebuilding an E-Type OTS Rear Bulkhead"},"content":{"rendered":"

This project started as the construction of a 1967 Series 1 spec OTS shell from scratch… The plan was to use chunks of dead E-Type shells, but mostly all new pieces that we fabricated here to build a complete shell. This project started out several years ago, and was the driving force behind getting many of the E-Type panels patterned and prototyped here…<\/p>\n

Once the ball got rolling on that, though, business picked up and the next thing you know we were buried in shell restorations, and this project just got pushed aside for a while. The customer was busy as well, and so there wasn’t any push on either end to keep things moving…<\/p>\n

Then an opportunity came along that will speed this project up greatly, and reduce costs. One of my suppliers called me about finishing up a Series 2 OTS shell they had acquired from a customer. Their customer had worked on the shell for quite some time and had replaced a MASSIVE amount of panels before finally throwing in the towel. My supplier just wanted me to finish up the shell so they could sell it as a complete shell, but when I looked at how much work there was left to complete, I suggested another idea: “Just sell it to me for a fair price as-is – I have the perfect home for this…” And so here we have our start for the project, and that is going to fast-forward this project – ALOT!<\/p>\n

Now – for the purists, let’s just get this out of the way now… Based on the condition of things when we started, we are saving this shell from certain death, so anything we do with it is better than the scrap heap. That being said, this Series 2 OTS shell is going to be restored, converted to Series 1 specs in the rear, and… is being fitted with a modern, lightweight, 405HP V-8 with a 6-speed transmission. The shell is going to be the new framework for a project that the customer has had since they were in college – a small-block Chevy powered, Series 2, 2+2.<\/p>\n

Here’s the story on that: This customer is about my age and someone I have known since I was a kid at the Jag shop. Their father was a regular customer who was restoring a Series 2 OTS over a period of several years, and would often stop by for parts. There was something wrong with his engine – like he didn’t have one or it had a cracked block or something, and so he picked up a Series 2, 2+2 project that had been abandoned, but had a freshly rebuilt engine. He finished his OTS restoration with this engine, and had a complete, tired, engine-less 2+2 left over.<\/p>\n

That’s where my customer comes in, who was 20 at the time, and was his son. His father GAVE him the whole 2+2 to do whatever he wanted with it, and that was to rebuild the chassis, and install a 350 Chevy with a T-5 5-speed, since there was no drivetrain now. He had a blast in this car all through college, and like many E-Types, it eventually just languished in his garage after marriage, kids, etc.<\/p>\n

A few years ago he contacted me about building him an OTS shell to use instead of the now VERY RUSTY 2+2 shell. And while he’s at it, instead of rebuilding the original small-block, he has picked up an LS-7 Chevrolet V-8 from a wrecked CTS-V Cadillac – which is basically a C-5 Corvette engine. It also has Tremec 6-speed trans.<\/p>\n

SO – this is what we are building this shell for. We will rebuild the shell, remove the MR floors already partially installed, and build a custom floor to fit the Tremec 6-speed and also build a complete sub-frame to add strength to the entire monocoque and beef up the IRS radius arm mounts. This should be a fun project where we’ll be able to use our fabrication skills to build the basis for a really hot, modern E-Type speedster!<\/p>\n

This blog entry shows what we started with, and the reconstruction of the rear bulkhead. Enjoy!<\/p>\n