On track or the”Road to Nowhere”?

With the rear suspension in the car it is time to think about what’s next on the ToDo list. While I was restoring my Mini Cooper last year this was never really a big topic. The order on how to put everything back together came pretty naturally for one reason or another. Most of the dependencies were clear after taking the Mini apart down to the last bolt. With tons of good Youtube channels on Mini projects I was also able to avoid some major pitfalls. (well – I also took a few….)

But the Morgan is different. Not only because it is a hand-made car with wooden frame. Due to the number of cars produced there are logically also fewer resources available to get some additional input when you ask yourself on the right steps. The basic idea is to get to a rolling chassis right now. Looking at the video from Morgan this is also the way the cars are build in the factory. They install the bulkhead and the inner wings before the wooden frame including the panels is married to the chassis.

For a couple of reasons this sequence would also something I prefer. Raising up the frame on same sawhorses would make attaching the alloy panels much easier. I already raised a question about the right fitting order in the TalkMorgan Forum last month. A really good answer from Arwyn Williams. It makes perfect sense to me but also means that that I should put the frame on first – followed by the inner wings.

So while the Talking Heads played “Road to Nowhere” I tried worked out a plan on my whiteboard to stay on track:

Attach the bulkhead on the toeboard like Arwyn suggested. I am going with stainless M6 bolts instead of 1/4″. The factory did not use any sealing between the chassis and bulkhead – I will use some permanent elastic stuff
Everything that needs to be attached to the bulkhead will follow (e.g. washer motor, heater unit etc)
Finish up everything that needs to be attached to the engine – including all hoses (up to the radiator)
Screw down the inner wings to the chassis with Terson sealing tape in between. I will omit the bolts to the bulkhead.
Fix the rear and side alloy panels to the frame while it is not on the chassis.
Bolt down the frame to the chassis and the bulkhead – then finish up the scuttle panel (and doors)

Yesterday I only had time to clean up the garage and some parts and prepare for the list above.