THE GENTRY MOTOR CAR COMPANY

Update Monday 13th September

2010-09-13T07:34:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks,
Nearly managed the update during the weekend so I must be getting better!

Not a great deal I can give any update on at the moment. We are busy and trying to catch up with where I wanted to be before my surgery but every one step forward seems to force two backwards!
Still trying to sort the castings for the screen feet. The patterns are good but it just seems as if everyone is cutting back and things that have always been in stock now aren't and quality also seems to have suffered.

Anyway, we did the Coventry festival run a week last Sunday and the Gorilla went down very well on the car. After the run the families with children hunted out the Register stand just to find the car with the Gorilla. Just have to see what else we can come up with next year!
Final show of the year for us is the Kettering Steam show at the end of September, then it really will start to feel like the year is over. Not going to make any comments about 2011, as when I do things never go according to the plan.
See you in a fortnight.
Geoff

Update for August .... Just!

2010-08-28T11:31:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
I can't believe that I haven't done an update during August! Both computers are now synchronised and remind me when it's due, all I have to do is 'Do it' but somehow I manage to kill the reminders and then forget to do it.
Anyway what can I say? I have just collected the first items from BG Penny in Coventry. They are blasters and powder coaters. I have to say, and I have told them the same, they are great! Good friendly service, good work and good price. What more could you ask for. Their suspension parts after blasting and coating look first class and you can be sure that I will be using them a lot in the future.
If you want anything coating then give them a call. The can be reached via www.bgpenny.co.uk or by telephoning 02476367636
I'll post a photo later to show you why I am going on about it. For those that have never tried it. The process is quick and I think very reasonably priced. So if you have some bits that need a bit of clean and a recoat then put away the wire brush and paint and get them off to BG Penny's in Coventry!!!!

We are getting two cars ready for the Coventry run next weekend and also hoping to take a new friend 'a giant gorilla' with us seated on the luggage rack. If we manage to get him securely seated will try to get some photos of him during the run and post them after the event.

Enjoy the remainder of the summer. Get out an enjoy your cars. See you soon.
Geoff

Update 30th July 2010

2010-07-30T17:59:00.003+01:00

Hi Folks
Got my act together? Well for tonight maybe, but don't get used to it 'cause it can't last long!!

We continue to produce various parts for customers with kits clearly being at the top of the list.
We are now full with orders until the end of the year and so any new orders taken now are for work that will start at the end of January 2011!

We were supposed to be heading off to France in the very near future but that has been stopped by the NHS who now want both of us in for surgery during September. So those plans have been shelved for another few months. This is the second time that we have tried to get to France in the cars and the second time that we have failed. You know what they say about third time lucky.

The next show we are at is Shugborough. Never been there before so hopefully it will be a good day. We are also booked into the Triumph Sports Six show at Stafford in August, the Coventry run in September and then finally Kettering steam fair to end the year.

I am hoping to do all the ground work before Stafford so whilst the car is on the stand I can do a quick video of the car and the business and get it onto UTube. Anyone wanting to lend a hand with any ideas pleas give me a call, all offers of help are welcome!!!

See you soon,

Geoff

Update for the 3rd July

2010-07-03T10:03:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Since last speaking we have attended Newark and are planning on visiting Hollowell steam fair tomorrow.
Work is continuing with our current orders which is keeping me very busy and with each kit I build I can incorporate some fine 'tweaks' so soon I will be happy that I'm where I want to be.

We were looking forward to our break in France but it would appear that the national health service has put paid to that idea! They have decided in their wisdom that September would be a good time for me to have some more surgery and if they can't manage to get me in then they will have Ellen in instead to sort her arm. so one way or anther it looks like September is a non starter for a break and so we are back to the drawing board to work out what to do next.

I received an email from Elwyn in Sweden and a photo of him and is Gentry with the 'Best in Show' trophy. I was going to put the photo here but I think I'll put it onto the website instead.

Can anyone help with my next invention please? I want a mechanical finger, probably on an arm, attached to the top of my computer. Then when I switch it on, if there is anything I haven't yet done, the finger pokes me in the left shoulder area to remind me that there is an outstanding issue.
Anyway, enough from me. The plasterer is here dealing with the garden walls. Soon I will have a nice relaxing place to chill after a long hard days work so I'm off to supervise for a change!
See you in a fortnight.

Geoff

Newark update

2010-06-19T07:53:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Work on re-building and re-arranging the workshop space has now finished and so it is heads down and get some work done!
Very happy with the way it has worked out as I can now leave the jig tables up all the time and we have finally managed to get the best use out of the space available. At long last the days of taking down the tables and moving them out into the trailer have gone!!!!

We are off for a leisurely drive to Newark show today. For the first time since we started we haven't got a stand inside the show and will be attending as Gentry Register members and parking our car on the club stand like all other members. This was partly because we didn't think we would be able to attend the show and so booking a stand would have been a waste and partly because I have my own views on the value of shows from our point of view.
It will be interesting to time to have a walk round and and check things out without worrying about people on the stand.
Anyway North East Secretary, Peter, has planned a BBQ for this evening and so hopefully the weather will hold out so we can eat in the dry!

Not much I can say about any future development at this stage as we are too busy with orders to consider and new directions. I have floated the idea of a TD version of the car with 'open' wings etc and would dearly love to develop a 3 wheeler Gentry but Ellen gives me some very stern looks whenever I mention it!!!!

See you all soon, get out and enjoy your cars while the weather lasts.

Geoff

Update Thursday 27th May

2010-05-27T22:53:00.004+01:00

Sorry, much too late I know but I have been too busy to sit down at the computer!

Work has started on the alterations to the workshop and so for a few days it was total chaos.

Photo shows how small the alterations are but doesn't show how major the effect is on everything else that is happening.

With the 'extra' space it really does have a significant effect on work and space available. Once it is sorted and running normally pop in a have a look. We always look forward to visitors popping in, it gives us a chance to rest and grab a quick cuppa!

Not much more to report at present. Still working flat out trying to keep ahead of the game!

See you soon

Geoff

At last an Update!!!!!!

2010-05-09T18:32:00.002+01:00

Yes I know I have been very remiss and missed most of April and in no time at all the weeks have flown by and no updates to read.
The simple fact is that firstly I was very busy and secondly I dropped the laptop and managed to smash the hard drive thus losing all the info etc etc. After the repair it was Stoneleigh kit car show time and I still couldn't find enough time to write even a few lines on the blog.

Anyway, the show has come and gone, the computer is repaired and work continues at a fast pace.
We have a roof on the house, the windows are now stained and protected, the walls have been rendered and painted and the scaffolding was removed on Bank holiday Monday whilst we were at the show so everything is slowly getting back to normal. Very soon I will have the wall removed from the workshop and can settle everything back down to normality.

Anyway back to Gentry news, the show was again very busy with lots of interest and enquiries we are booked up till October November time and with luck I could manage to do some more to the Police car over the winter. Trouble is that as we get closer someone else places an order and work on my car gets postponed! What a terrible position to be in!

For those that don't know I had another minor op and managed to burst open my stitches within a week or two of the op and so it has taken a while longer than expected to heal. it appears that I may need yet another procedure in an attempt to solve the issues. Great, just what you need when you are self employed and work is stacking up.

I'll try to be back in a couple of weeks, but you never know!!!!

Geoff

Seat photo update

2010-04-02T11:37:00.003+01:00

A couple of photos of the 'new' seats. We think they are very comfortable which is always good but also suit the car well for looks.

These are covered in leather to match the rest of the cars interior but could easily be covered in vinyl.

Geoff

Delayed update!!!

2010-04-02T11:25:00.003+01:00

Well there's a surprise I hear you all say!!

We were away last week on the Southern Area rally. All was going great, meeting some of the Southern area members we had never met before and then the drive shaft broke! It can be very annoying at times. There are people that took their old ones out of their donor and dropped them into the Gentry. They have never had any issues from them at all!

We buy a reconditioned pair that are uprated with thicker shafts for racing purposes so that they are more than man enough for the job. 350 miles later and then fall apart!!!

Recovery courtesy of the AA and a quick strip out and examination and we find that ours has a faulty casting. The good news is that they are being replaced as clearly they are faulty, the bad news is the car has to be off the road whilst the new one arrives and then I have to find a few hours to refit and bleed the brakes.

Above right is a photo of the shaft for you to see what it looks like when the casting is faulty and it gives up on you.

Anyway onto better things. I have just collected the red Gentry from the trimmers and so we can get a first glimpse of the 'new' seats in situ. The ones in the photo's (photos will follow in the next update straight after this one) are not yet bolted into place but you get a very good idea of what they are going to look like.

They are designed to look similar to the bench seat arrangement but are actually 2 individual seats one runners so that each one will move on its own giving you the freedom to move the seat position to suit more than one driver.

We love them and if I can find the time will be changing the demonstrator seat, which is a fixed bench seat, for a pair of these.

See you all next week

Geoff

Update Sunday 14th March

2010-03-14T22:44:00.002Z

If there are any spelling mistakes at the end of this I blame the fact that I am trying to type with a broken left index finger!! Yes I know, should take more care when using the pillar drill but we have all done it. Just a small hole no need to engage brain then suddenly it's too late and you've got to make a splint out of a paint stirring stick and electrical insulation tape!
It is a straight forward break and should bring about any complications so it is just making things a little difficult but not impossible.

I have re styled the bonnet and scuttle and the new panels are in the glass fibre factory having molds made as I type (well probably not as it is 10.45pm!) They look great, are an improvement over the last ones and I can't wait to build another car and use them!

Out trip to France in September this year is gathering momentum and there are now 3 cars and 5 of us going, if anyone else wants to join in then they would be most welcome. As I've previously said it is not going to be anything strenuous as I'm looking for a break of a different kind. It will be a gentle meander around, hopefully meeting up with some of the Gentry owners that are lucky enough to reside in France all year round!
Had no takers to make a film for U Tube so I can only assume that we have no budding film makers reading the blog. Something else I'll have to get round to eventually.

I have had to hand my car over to our senior engineer Cliff to get it ready fore the Dartmoor trip as I am too busy to sort it myself!!

Anyway must go, have got to finish the bottle of red (pain killer for the finger is my excuse)
See you all in a fortnight.

Geoff

Update Sunday 28th February

2010-02-28T20:57:00.003Z

Hi Folks

Keeping busy as usual and looking forward to the coming season. I t is about that time of year when the car gets a service and you start looking forward to the sun coming out! then you get an email from Elwyn in Sweden showing me what they had over the weekend.

So whilst Canada were worrying about having enough for the Olympics it all arrived in Sweden!

Good job it didn't arrive here, it would have closed the country until about May or June.

Elwyn did send me some more photos during last summer of his car at a British car meet and if I can ever find the time I will get them put onto a gallery page on our website, if only to prove that it is not only snow in Sweden.

For some unknown reason there a a large number of Gentry's being bought and moved to France. I accept that their weather probably lends itself to driving a Gentry more than the weather in the UK but it's not ex-pats that are taking them. In the main it appears to be French residents who can appreciate the class and style of the car. Well we can all agree with that.

I also managed to speak with Roger Blockley the other day. Hopefully he will be able to get to one of our monthly meetings at the Hinckley Island and I can report back once I've caught up with him. I know I have a lot of questions I would like to ask.

Got to sign off now, Canada are playing the USA in the final of the ice hockey and I don't want to miss anything!

See you next time.

Geoff

Update... Late as usual

2010-02-17T08:18:00.002Z

Hi Folks,
Yes I know back to my old ways!! Only just into the New Year and have already slipped into forgetting to do the update. I don't know what happened over the last few weeks, apart from lots of work, but somehow I completely forgot that an update was due. I had set the reminder on the calendar on the laptop so it should be almost impossible to forget. Then the wireless card broke and so I've been mainly using the desk top. Of course I hadn't set the reminder on the desk top and the two computers do not talk to each other!!!

Work remains exceptionally busy, which is good, we have made some very nice changes to the latest car and kit which we believe makes for a much better build and final look. If I could find the time I would build another demonstrator so that we could show them off. Only problem remains time to do it!
I will be back on the correct date with the full update.

Geoff

Update Sunday 24th 'January

2010-01-24T20:47:00.002Z

Hi All
I've recovered from my rantings on the last 'official' update and then dropping in the French video update nearly upset everything as I came close to forgetting to update this weekend!
Many thanks to all those who emailed me regarding the issues raised in the rant. it appears as thought I am not alone in either issue.

The house build is now making good progress, work is busy and the slight alterations we are making to the kit are coming on well. Then you are brought back to reality when an old colleague phones to inform you that another ex-colleague and friend has just died. At 55 yrs and after only 1 years retirement it makes it very clear to you were the priorities should lie. My thoughts go to Sandra and family at this difficult time. Bob was a friend from way back and will be missed by all those who knew him.

Did you enjoy the French video? I did, even though my French is very poor. Elwyn, to answer your question, I believe that most of the photographs used in the video clip were taken at Stoneleigh, probably at the kit car show. At the time, we were using Digby as our car and would have put it on the club stand.

See you in a fortnight.

Geoff

French Video on U Tube

2010-01-21T09:42:00.003Z

Hi Folks

Just a quick note for a video on U Tube in French!!!!
Follow the below link to see for yourselves.

http://triumph.cambien.net/Home/resturation/gentry

How come there's one in French but no-one has ever added one in English?
Do we have any amateur film makers that would wish to try? If so, give us a call and we'll see if it can be arranged.

Geoff

Update Saturday 16th January

2010-01-16T16:45:00.002Z

Hi All

Didn't want to get you too excited by doing the update exactly when I said I would!!! Thought I'd break you in to a more structured and reliable me by being just a day late. At least that way I'm making the transition at a more maintainable rate.

Anyway, thanks to all those of who who have emailed, phoned or just sent locks etc through the post. We are looking through many options now and should be able to come up with a solution from the vast array of ideas put forwards.
We have also received a huge envelope of Gentry photos from Frank, who was once the club secretary. We will be scanning them all and then using the new information to update our database on all those cars known to have been completed. It is a long slow process and some numbers, especially the more valuable dateless ones have probably been sold off over the years but at least is is a starting point. We then intend going through all the old Journals and again extracting all the reg numbers from the photographs to add more details to the list.

We are currently looking at the design for a new seat that looks like a bench seat so offers the maximum amount of seating room, but is actually two individual seats and so each one can slide forwards or backwards independently of the other making them more useful if more than one person drives the car. To be fair the seat design itself is quite straight forward, the skill is in the upholstery side of things and the trimmer getting to them to look like I imagine them to look!

On a personal note the council have now accepted that once our build had started and we discovered a few 'issues' we had no option but to deviate from the approved plans and have now granted us the official approval we required to finish the build. That means that the work can get be finished off giving us the bathroom etc upstairs thus freeing up just enough space in the workshop to allow the jig tables to be fixed in place permanently and still leave me some space to work on a car etc alongside any new builds. I know that this will be the last thing to happen in the grand scheme of things but at least now it is a reality and I know it will happen!!

Got to go, need to spend all available 'free' time on the house project so I can get it finished asap.
See you in a fortnight. Just think the evenings will start getting brighter soon and it will be time for the car to come out again!!!!

As a final comment,, the Stilton cheese run is planned for Sunday 25th April. Last year is was good fun and very popular. This year is apparently filling up quickly so if you want to do it, and help to raise some cash for the air ambo at the same time, then you need to act quickly. For details see the club events page ( I can't find them at present and so have to log off and find them!!!) We have already entered car number 053 and I know they are looking to restrict the number of entries so that the start and finish venues can cope.

Geoff

Wednesday 6th January 2010!!!!!

2010-01-06T17:32:00.002Z

Hi All

first of all an apology, then a rant and finally the update.

As you are all probably aware we are having major building work done at home. Somehow, someone managed to remove our Internet link/telephone wire!! As it was heading towards Christmas no-one wanted to be bothered to solve the problem and so we had to wait until after the holidays to get it sorted. Well now it is sorted and we are back able to speak with the world, so I hope you all had a very good Christmas and that 2010 brings you all that you would wish.
We are currently working away under quarantine. Ellen in on the Tamiflu having been diagnosed with swine flu. I have broken out in itchy spots and may have succumbed to a bout of measles!! Now what a good start to the year that is.

Now for the rant. I know that this is not a political blog nor will it ever be one however, there are times when you just have to speak out. I'm all for free speech etc and that is what makes our Country as good as it is. However, if this government or the local police allow a demonstration to take place in Wootton Bassett protesting against our solders in various war arenas around the world then I hope the remainder of the sane world turn up in their thousands to show that we the British people will not allow such an occasion to take place. No matter how busy I am at the time, if they decide they are going to demonstrate, then I for one will be attending to fill the centre of Wootton Bassett with normal sensible everyday people. If we fill the town then they can have their demonstration about 10 miles away where they cannot be heard or seen.
Second more minor rant, is my memory failing that badly that or have I become confused? When I was a lad and it snowed we walked to school, throwing snowballs and sliding around, perhaps even, heaven forbid, falling over! If it was still too bad to go outside at break then we were kept inside. At 4pm we charged out of the school hoping that the snow hadn't melted so that the same fun could be had on the way home. Now apparantly at the first sign of a snow flake we must close the schools. According to one deputy head on the news today this was to 'look after the welfare of the students and teachers' What a load of bunkum. This country has lost the plot over health and safety and what we can and can't do. Don't go out unless absolutely necessary. For most of us who have to earn a living surely going to work is absolutely necessary. For those of us that drive a 4 x 4, most of the year we are treated like lepers, now suddenly the emergency services can't cope and would like us all to rally round and help reach difficult cut off areas as without our vehicles people will freeze or starve. Well make your minds up, Do you like 4 x 4's or not?

Okay, all the ranting is now over and I'm feeling calm again, apart form the itchey little spots that are driving me mad!!!!!!!

The most recent Gentry built went through the new IVA test before Christmas and passed with flying colours so that is good news for us and our customers that are busily building their cars. the normal little querky bits are still there but at least f you know about them you know how to deal with them.

A big thank you to everyone that has emailed or phoned with a solution to the lock problem. There are now several lines being followed and hopefully we will identify a long term solution that meets the requirements and also looks good.

My New Years resolution is to try to provide an update every 2 weeks. I know you've heard it all before and I do try my best. 2010 will show that I a making a very special effort to acheive that one simple goal. Updates will revert back to the normal Friday evening, so the next one will now be on Friday 15th January and then every fornight thereafter!!!!!!!!
See you all soon Sorry of there any mistakes the spell checker has stopped working, must be the snow!!!!

Geoff

Friday 13th November

2009-11-13T22:16:00.002Z

Hi Folks

Things are really busy here at the moment. We are starting the body tub for the next kit and trying to work around the builders as they systematically destroy our house before building it back up again!

Thanks to everyone that emailed me about Ellen' injury. She is still in pain with her arm up in a sling most of the time. It couldn't have happened at a more difficult time. Unless we make the effort to do some tidying up at the end of each day then it really does feel like we are in the middle of a building site.

We are still working on the door locks for the audible alarms required by IVA and so if anyone has any ideas by all means drop me an email as all suggestions are welcome.

We have found a local firm that can powder coat small parts at a very reasonable price and a firm in Coventry that can powder coat our chassis as well. We have also had some steering columns made to the correct length for the Gentry to save the need to add extra bits.

Need to get some sleep now so I'll sign off for a couple of weeks when hopefully we wil have a roof back on!!

Geoff

3rd November 2009

2009-11-03T08:54:00.003Z

Things often don't go according to plan!!
The immobiliser stopped the IVA from being completed and Ellen slipped and fell whilst loading the car for the final part of the test and so we missed the appointment!!!!
Car is ready and will be tested asap and the report will appear in due course.

We have received a copy of the Swedish Triumph magazine from Elwyn with a great article about 'Digby' with 3 full pages of write up and 23 photos!!! Well done Elwyn you get this years award for the most magazine coverage.
I will be loading the pages onto the computer so that I can put an extract onto the website.

I was asked by Steve form TotalKitCar magazine if I could sort out the 'imaginary' garage for him. He gave me an imaginary £10 million and a few rules on what class of vehicle I would buy. I didn't realise how difficult it could be to spend money! Ellen would claim that I have never had any problems spending it, but when it actually came to making decisions about so many classic cars out there it gave me a real headache trying to reduce the numbers of those I have said I would own if I had the money to the ones that I would actually go out and buy.
My choice will be int he next TKC magazine. If you don't get to see it once it is out I will put the choice on the Blog page in a few weeks.

Back to work, lots to do. See you all in a fortnight.

Geoff

Saturday 17th October 2009

2009-10-17T08:38:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Two updates nearly on time! Things are getting better.

We have a car ready for the IVA test next week so if all goes according to plan by the next update I will be able to report on the latest rules etc and how the Gentry has done.

I have looked at the holiday issue for next year and the build of the police car (I was hoping to use the police car for the holiday) and decided that the holiday is on but having the car ready to use isn't. Simply not enough hours in the day to build kits for customers and also build me a car. Not to worry, we can always use the demonstrator instead.
The holiday will be a bit of a bus mans holiday as we take a tour round France in the car. We are planning on going the first two weeks of September and will hopefully be meeting up with some of the growing number of French Gentry owners. At present it looks like there will be two other Gentry's coming with us, so if you are interested in coming along then drop me an email. the plans are very fluid and likely to remain so throughout the whole trip. It is going to be a leisurely enjoyable saunter through France with enough time to enjoy the sites, food, wine and company.

I thought about adding a 'Fact or Fiction' part to our website as we hear so many rumours, myths etc I will see how many more I receive before adding a few of them to either entertain or advise you. You may be surprised by a few.

Must rush, work to do. See you all in a fortnight.

Geoff

3rd October 2009

2009-10-03T09:21:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Nearly made an update on time! It'll never catch on!
Well at long last it feels like we are making some progress. The new heated screen glass has arrived and the first new frame is due back from the chrome platers any day now. To add to that we now have received the latest version of the grill and it looks superb.
I will be adding some photos of both to the main web site soon.

Thanks to all those who came along to the show at Stafford, it is always nice to meet other Gentry folk in person.
Our order books are now full until the end of August next year and so any new orders coming in will be for work commencing September. I'm told that this year (I think that's next year) I have to plan on taking a holiday and need to schedule that into the build dates.

The police car is sitting in my sisters garage as once again we have run out of time. It has a chassis, engine and gearbox. Very shortly I may get round to putting the front and rear suspensions. Then it will feel like I am making progress.

See you all in a fortnight, must leave as I have some work to do!

Missed a few Updates!

2009-09-17T21:23:00.002+01:00

I have to say in my defence that things have been very very busy!!
The system works well by putting the blog update onto the computer calender, only trouble is that when it pops up to remind you to do the update you need to do it there and then. If you delete it and think I'll do it later it somehow gets missed.

The complete build we were doing is finished apart from the IVA test. We had a little enforced delay whilst we waited for the new heated glass to arrive for the windscreen. The delay meant that we were forced into missing the inspection date and so now have to wait for another.
The new screen glass is excellent and although it caused a delay now it is here is is well worth the wait.

We have produced some new seats with detachable headrests for the IVA test. They look great and appear to be very comfortable as well.
All in all the few modifications we have made to the current build will make things a lot better for any new kit buyers as several changes have brought some significant improvements.
As and when we see these changes develop I will be altering the website to provide all the information.
Off to Stafford showground tomorrow for the kit car show and so expecting a busy weekend.
See you all very soon
Geoff

Hey Getting Better! Only 1 day late!!!!

2009-07-25T08:41:00.002+01:00

The time is fast approaching for our latest car to be submitted to the new IVA test. If you have followed the development of the IVA test you will know that there are a few subtle changes and some not so subtle ones.
The subtle ones include items like a warning on or near the brake master cylinder only to use the correct fluid, the horn now comes into the test for the first time, a reversing light and a second mirror on the nearside.
The not so subtle ones relate to the new requirement for head rests. If anyone has any design ideas as to how to incorporate a fairly large and high headrest into a 1950's replica sports tourer then please feel free to email me, call me, send me photos or sketches etc as I am struggling to see how to do it and still retain the good looks of the car.
I can fabricate a new seat with the headrests attached, that is quite a simple job, but trying to get it to look in keeping with the rest of the car is quite frankly a nightmare. Anyone wishing to help then please get in touch.

That aside we remain busy with order now taking us into the middle of next year so things are going very well with kits and cars being ordered after every show we attend.

We have been invited to attend the Asda charity day at Bruntingthorpe proving ground on Sunday 2nd August so if you want to attend then let me know as you need an entry form. These will cost you a £5 donation per car but I am told the day is well worth it with plenty to do and of course all the money raised goes to charity so it is well worth supporting.

I read somewhere the other day that we should 'Plan for the worst, hope for the best and then accept whatever comes along and get on with it' Sounds a bit like building a kit car to me. Must have been written by someone who built their own car.

See you all in a fortnight.

Geoff

An Update!!!!!!!

2009-07-09T08:42:00.003+01:00

Have I ever told you that when at school my teachers all used to say 'Geoff has the ability but only uses it when he wants to!'

It's not that I'm lazy, far from it, it is just a matter of available time and having to prioritise.

Any way enough babble about why I haven't given you any updates.

Things are very very busy at the moment. We are nearing the end of a complete build, working on a kit and now taking orders that will be started on in January 2010!

We are having a mad time with spares being posted off all over the world. France in particular are enjoying the exchange rates and making the most of the current financial climate.

'Digby' our old car that we completed the London to Brighton in during 2007 and the Silverstone Classic during 2008 is now enjoying life with its new owner 'Elwyn' in Sweden.

I have attached a photo of a British car meet in Hjo last weekend where Elwyn and good lady wife, Christina spent the entire day explaining what it was, where it had come from and how to get one!

For those of you that just check out the website and Blog and don't receive the Gentry Journal (From the Gentry Register) we have tried to identify a slightly larger premises to work from and have drawn a blank. We are planning to make a few small changes were we are and the 'extra' space I will gain in the workshop will make a significant difference to how we set up the table jigs for chassis and bodies and so our lives should become a little easier!!!

Anyway, I have sorted the calender on my outlook and placed some reminders on it so that from now one we may get some more regular updates.

Geoff

Update for May?

2009-05-12T11:51:00.002+01:00

What can I say?
One update during April and already we are into May. For those of you who visit on a regular basis and have missed any updates I can only apologise. The computer did crash and put me out of action for a while and I have been exceptionally busy but that is still no excuse as to where the updates have been.

I am building a complete car and kit and so far the progress on both has been good. The two have nicely intertwined and when I have been waiting for parts on one I have been able to work on the other.

Just to add an extra element into the picture we are also looking to move!!!
Having clearly run out of room the time has come to look for more suitable accomodation and hopefully build a purpose built workspace.
Finding somewhere is proving to be a nightmare without the issue of selling in this economic climate.

Anyway, I will be abck on a more regular basis to provide you with an update of builds, moves and anything else that is happening.

Geoff

Update Saturday 14th March

2009-03-14T21:59:00.002Z

Hi Folks

Sorry for the delay, not much to report at the moment. I had surgery on my throat a few weeks ago, then some small issues arose. Taken back into hospital for them to be sorted and now recuperating. Not being able to eat or drink for a few weeks is an excellent diet so I'm now a few pounds lighter!!!

Work recommences in earnest on Monday morning in order to make up for lost ground.

More details in a fortnight when there is something to say!

Geoff

Update Sat 21st February

2009-02-21T11:42:00.002Z

Hi All

I have just had to endure a week of waiting, trying to fill my time with all the various little jobs that go with a complete build, whilst waiting for some new panels to arrive.
I have altered the bulkhead design to add more strength to the top, slightly more length to help those who are taller and hopefully an inch or two in the width to help with foot room around the pedals
At the same time we have sent the louvred side panels to the fibreglass guru to see if we can have them molded so that in future they could also be a fibreglass panel instead of aluminium.
The trouble is all these things take time and when you need the completed article to continue with the build it can delay things, anyway a slight delay now is always better if it helps to improve the buildability and quality of the car in the long run!
The current build is going to be red when finished and as soon as we have settled on the exact colour and had the engine bay painted I will post a photo or two. Finding a red that looks right for the car is not as easy as it sounds. To those of you that I have emailed about your cars colour, Thank You, it always helps to use a known colour rather than randomly picking a colour that may or may not be suitable.
Anyway, must get back to the tiling in the kitchen! I've already pushed my luck as far as I dare with the kitchen (that still isn't quite finished) and so have to make a special effort over the weekend to keep everyone happy.

see you in a fortnight

Geoff

Update Wednesday 11th February 2009

2009-02-11T21:58:00.002Z

Okay, my mistake. I have been so busy that I forgot to come and look at the blog to see when the update was due. I have resolved the issue now by putting the dates into my outlook calendar so in future there should be not more missed updates as the calendar will remind me.

The current build is going very well. The windscreens are being made in China! it is the only place that will make them at a reasonable cost and waive the 'set up' costs.
We are making some slight alterations during this build so that all the little bits that we feel could be improved upon are sorted. Nothing great or probably noticeable but I feel that they will improve the car further.
The current build will be having a 1500 spitfire engine and Ford type 9 gearbox so it will be very interesting to compare the difference in gearbox performance once it is built. I feel that not having to 'extend' the gearbox remote will be a big advantage. The Ford type 9 places the gear lever exactly where you would want it without the need for any alterations whatsoever.

We are looking at seat designs as the new 'IVA' which replaces the SVA test in April requires headrests to be fitted. We have developed a good design which should make a good strong comfortable seat, be easier for the trimmer to trim and comply with the new regulations.

Still picking up a few pieces here and there for the 'police' replica but the build is not being progressed as work is just too busy.

Next update Friday 20th February and thereafter every 2 weeks!!

Geoff

Saturday 17th January 2009

2009-01-17T18:12:00.002Z

Hi Folks
Sorry for the recent lapse in regular updates but due to work and health things seemed to have slipped slightly.
Anyway the health is now sorted and the work is as busy as usual so it should be normal service being resumed.
After recovering from the traditional winter bug over Christmas and New Year and dealing with the 'extra' long shutdown of businesses over the Christmas period we are now back in full swing.
I am currently building a customers car and so work has commenced on his chassis (nearly finished) and very soon we will commence the build of the body tub and then turn it into a car.
That means of course that my 'Police Replica' is pushed to one side whilst we build for a customer.
Many thanks to those of you who have spotted various parts I may require for my car and emailed me with the details. I do try to keep an eye out for them but always manage to miss some of them!
Anyway, as soon as I have cleared it with the customer I will publish some photos of the build as we go and you will be able to follow the progress in the normal way.
Have a good 2009, keep building/restoring your Gentry's and if you know where there are any for sale then let me know as we have received several inquiries in recent weeks for completed 'older' cars.
Geoff

Late Update

2008-12-13T16:10:00.002Z

To all those of you who return to the Blog for regular updates then I can only apologise for my lack of update last Friday. I have been trying to keep the wife happy.....by finishing her long awaited kitchen. I felt that as she had been very patient it was only fair that I made the extra effort and pushed on with it before Christmas. We have made quite some progress but have to now return to the workshop to finish off some orders before Christmas and then prepare for a full build from the first week of January 2009.

Our order books are looking good considering the issues that many are facing. The build we are about to commence is for a customer and hopefully as it develops we will provide the normal fortnightly updates with some photos thrown in for good measure.
The intention with this one is for a Triumph 1500 engine with Ford type 9 gearbox. Interior will have 2 separate seats, in cream leather, dash like the demonstrator and a few other 'extras' as we go along.
This of course means that the replica police TF will have to sit and wait for any significant developments, but as and when we get the usual hold ups I'm sure we'll be able to wheel it into the workshop for some work.

If I forget to provide an update before Christmas then all have a good one and I'll be back in the new year.
Geoff

Update Saturday 22nd November 2008

2008-11-22T07:30:00.002Z

Hi Folks
Things are very busy around here after Exeter. We were once again mobbed on the stand by people who loved the car. I think it would be fair to say that we were one of the busiest stands.
Our best compliment came from two brothers who have just finished rebuilding their MG TD. It has taken them 8 years to do and both agreed that after all that time and effort it nearly looked as good as our Gentry!
Anyway, a good show with plenty of work as a result.
We are due to start fabricating the next round of chassis just before Christmas and then the next body tub will commence very early into the new year.
That does mean that our replica police car will have to wait for some gaps in the work and so progress gets slowed again! Still always a good option to put work before play.

For everyone who continues to read, Thank you for your continued support and remember that Christmas is only just around the corner.

See you in a fortnight
Geoff

Late Update Monday 10th November

2008-11-10T20:54:00.002Z

Sorry for the delay. The reminder popped up and I deleted it fully intending to do the update that day. Then something else happened and I forgot!!
Anyway, we have been very busy finishing off an order and preparing for Exeter.
I have also been looking at radiator caps, grilles and seats for the rear of the Gentry. I did speak to someone about a third seat in the Gentry and have received the information I required from VOSA, BUT, in the move of my office to its new location I have mislaid the contact sheet. So if you are that person who I spoke to about a third seat then please give me another call or drop me an email and I'll give you the update.
Hope to see you all at Exeter.

Geoff

Update 25th October 2008

2008-10-25T22:59:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Okay having some time off is a good idea but the trouble is that the work just piles up whilst you are away and then there's more to do once you get back!
We are busy fabricating chassis and various body panels to keep our customers happy with our service and delivery times, and given the current climate that has to be good news for us.
As well as keeping the orders flowing we are also busy ensuring that the car is ready for the last show of the year at Exeter in November. There are some changes I would like to make but they will have to wait until after the show.
When we get a few spare moments we are also stripping out a body etc in order to prepare the next car for us, but that has to keep taking second place in the pecking order and so progress is slow.
Back in a fortnight to give another update
Geoff

Update Fri 10th October

2008-10-10T22:06:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks

Not much of an update available tonight as we have seized the opportunity to take some time off. We were advised by almost everyone we know that if we found time we should make sure that we took some time out fore ourselves and so we did.
We have just both completed our beginners archery course and so now when we gt a moment of spare time we can go to our local club and enjoy some relaxing time away from cars!!
We have therefore been away from our base and although able to read emails have not been able to act on many of them. For anyone who is awaiting a reply I will get back to you asap, probably Sunday or Monday morning.

Geoff

Update Monday 29th September

2008-09-29T23:03:00.002+01:00

Thought I'd better sneak the update in before the end of September.
Things are just a little hectic at the moment, not as bad as when we were building the demonstrator, but more than enough to keep us very busy, thus the reason for forgetting about the Blog update!

Not a great deal of exciting news I can ad this week about developments and progress in a general sense. Digby has been delivered to Sweden and Elwyn, the new owner, is having fun before the winter sets in. He has just discovered that owning and driving a Gentry makes you new friends every time you take the car out.

Managing to pick up a few little bits and pieces for the 'police' car special and when we do get a few hours spare I have started the task of stripping the donor that will be used for it.

Now all I need is a little bit more space, a few more hours each day and a few extra days in the week and I could get done everything I need to.

See you in just under a fortnight

Geoff

Update Sunday 14th September

2008-09-14T12:11:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Sorry I missed Friday I hope you've all come back again to see if there has been an update.
We have been busy over the last few weeks trying to prepare one of our 'older' cars for export to Sweden. It's amazing how the time flies when you have several jobs on the go at the same time!

We have a steady order of events between now and Christmas, which is good for business, but not so good for my next Gentry, the replica police car.
We have several ideas for further development and are currently looking at an adaptor plate for the type 9 gearbox to a Triumph engine. This avoids the need for the remote gearbox extension and provides a five speed box that has always been considered to be a better option than the Triumph box. Although these are already made by some firms we are looking at several options to see who can provide the best service for us.

So development continues, when we get the chance, and things are moving along very nicely. I'll be back in a fortnight to see if we can maintain this momentum towards Christmas!

Geoff

Update Saturday 30th August

2008-08-30T08:58:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks

We have just finished preparing a car that is shortly off to Sweden. We already know of just one out there so we have increased the Swedish collection by 100%!

We have received yet another email from France regarding registration of an 'older' Gentry.
France seems to be the growth area for 'older' Gentrys at the moment and we are looking forward to getting over there soon to meet up with them all.

Here at the works were are busy stripping out 2 donors for customers. Normally we would leave this part of the 'build' to the customer but as we already had the cars it made sense for us to remove all the vital parts.
At this rate we will very soon be busy on chassis fabrication again, so if anyone wants a chassis please give us a ring at the earliest opportunity.
Still collecting pits and pieces for our 'Police' special, so if you have any parts that you think we may like/need please email me.

See you all in a fortnight.
Geoff

Friday 15th August 2008

2008-08-15T22:10:00.003+01:00

Hi All

Before I forget again I meant to mention that we completed the Silverstone Retro Run at the end of July, and went to the classic met on both the Saturday and Sunday. We had a great time, especially on the Sunday, when those who had taken part in the Retro run were allowed 2 laps of the circuit! The cars as usual gained many admirers and I feel they quite easily held their own amongst the expensive 'classics'

We also attended the Peterborough kit car show last weekend and had a very busy time as yet again the car was received very well.
The order books are filling very nicely and we are managing to keep the Gentry flag flying high.

I managed to grab a sneak pre-view of the article that is due to go into the next edition of Totalkitcar magazine, which is due out very shortly, we are very happy with the way the article has been written up. We were open and honest with Steve and Carol and they have responded by delivering a good article. If you don't normally buy totalkitcar magazine but enjoy the Gentry then please make a special effort for the next one!

Does anyone have any photographs of 'old' garages that we could use as a backdrop on our stand? We can find many firms that will print it onto the backdrop, just need a good quality photograph of a 'good old fashioned garage'

See you in a fortnight.
Geoff

Update 5th August 2008

2008-08-05T10:21:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks
Sorry about the late update, it flashed up on my computer and like a fool I deleted it before I'd done the update, then forgot about it until today!

Busy removing engine out of our car from last years London to Brighton run. It was getting a little tired and needed a new lease of life. Managed to find another one so its a simple swap job.
Also planning for the Peterborough show which is at the end of the week.

Very busy with various orders, as soon as the engine swap is completed we should be fabricating a chassis or two, so if you want one now is the time to get the order in. With space being at a premium once we set up for body tub builds there's no going back to fabricating chassis and so any orders placed after the end of August could mean waiting until around Christmas time before we are able to go back to chassis production!

Still on the look out for items for my 'police' special, so if you know where I might find any bits please let me know.

back in just under a fortnight.

Geoff

Friday 18th July 2008

2008-07-18T17:07:00.002+01:00

I can't believe that it's been a fortnight since the last update!
We attended Hollowell steam show one weekend and then Birdingbury the next and the time in between has flown by.
We have tried to grab a few moments to strip out and refurbish on of the 'pre-registered' Gentry's we have in storage, but every time I try to make some progress someone calls and orders something!! Well I suppose that is why we are here.

We have a very early Gentry that is going to need quite an amount of work, probably a new chassis etc etc and as Ellen has set her sights on a Black coloured car I thought that perhaps we should build a Gentry complete with Police bell, sign and radio!
Well after all Lancashire did use the TF as a police car in the 50's and with my previous career it would fit nicely together and so whenever we get a moment we will be building a 50's styled, black coloured police car.

We have already started looking out for the necessary 'extras' that will be required and once again will keep the Blog updated as to any progress we make. Obviously as this is more of a 'play' car for us we will only make progress as our other commitments allow, so don't expect any miracles.

Right off to do some more research now.
Thank you for your comments that still arrive on a regular basis, but can we have some more contribution to the Blog pages please?

See you in a fortnight

Geoff

Work, Work and more Work

2008-07-04T21:28:00.002+01:00

Hey, I'm not knocking it. I enjoy my new lifestyle and am very happy that work is coming in. I have also been working on a single seat frame so that those who don't want a bench seat have another option.

We also had a visit from the team at TotalKitCar magazine on Wednesday who just 'popped' their heads in to see what was happening!
After a few hours of boring them with my life till now and how we came to be in this position I think they had taken pity on Ellen and were going to look for a nice rehabilitation clinic for me. They went away smiling and said we would get a feature in their next mag, due out in August
(available at all Sainsburys as well as the normal retail outlets) but their other feature for 'The Lancet' will probably get them greater recognition!!!!

We are taking the weekend off, by going to Hollowell Steam show for 2 days and then it's back to the grind stone for me.
What's happened to all the 'additional' comments from you fellow Bloggers? Are any of you doing anything interesting that you want to tell us?

See you in a fortnight

Geoff

After Newark

2008-06-25T07:53:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks,
Just recovering after a very busy Newark kit car show. As with Stoneleigh, very many people coming onto the stand to see the car and many many positive comments. My main concern now is that quite a few of the potential 'new' builders are planning on waiting until the 'darker' nights to build their cars. I can see that around September/October time we will have a sudden rush and a few customers will be disappointed to learn that their kit won't be ready until next Spring!

I keep trying to tell them that they need to order straight away so that the work load can be spread out evenly and therefore be in with a chance of having something to work on over the winter, but there are still those who don't believe me.

We could have sold the 'Demonstrator' several times again at the show but then the stand would look a little empty for Peterborough and Exeter.

Some of our customers from far and wide came to Newark and it's always nice to meet people you've only previously spoken to on the phone. I don't know why it seems 'better' to be able to put a face to a voice but that's the way I've always felt. It seems somehow more personal.

Anyway, just finishing off some seats, hood frames and various parts for another slightly 'bumped' Gentry so off to the workshop for me.

See you again at the end of next week.

Geoff

Brought to Task!

2008-06-13T08:27:00.002+01:00

Hi all, if anyone is still reading!
At a social function last weekend I was brought to task over the lack of entries on the blog since completion.
With that in mind I will return to the Blog, if not every week, then every fortnight to provide further info on what we are doing etc. However, unless we just repeat build issues every time I may be needing your help. To make it more interesting it would be better if everyone reading who had a story, comments, advice etc joined in the blog and published those comments it would make the pages much more interesting.
Previously to avoid false links etc I had restricted the blog so that any comments made had to come through me to be approved first. In that way I could filter out the 'bad links' placed by non-Gentry interested folk. For a short while to see how it goes I'll open the page up again for your comments to be placed directly.
Geoff

Update Tuesday 21st May 2008

2008-05-20T17:30:00.002+01:00

We returned today from the VOSA site in Birmingham with our 'Minister's Approval Certificate' having successfully passed the outstanding parts of our SVA test!!

It has taken a few weeks to get back in for a test after it wasn't possible to complete the test in April but all the outstanding matters have now been tested and much to our delight the tester was very happy with his short drive around and quickly developed what we all know as 'the Gentry smile'
He made comment that how nice it was to have a car that looked so good and also drove so well.
Apparently all to often a car is presented to him that looks good, but when it comes to the driving experience it all falls flat. Not in our case.
He thought it handled very well, was responsive and he liked the driving position.
So it's all steam ahead as the orders start coming in.

Geoff

2nd post of the day!

2008-05-11T10:42:00.003+01:00

Above are two pictures of the 'alternative' Gentry as modelled by Gentry Register members Andrew and Sue's daughter Catherine. The magnificent top for our launch cake was made from pictures of an incomplete car! The attention to detail is just like the 'real' one and given the fact that when it was made some of the detail was not available the finished car can only be described as outstanding.

Thank you to Catherine. This car will be with us for ever as a momento of the launch day and all the hard work that led up to it.

New Midlands secretary Jurek took this photo of the car on the stand. It was one of the few occasions throughout the weekend when you could see the car!

Geoff

Update Sunday 11th May 2008

2008-05-11T09:38:00.002+01:00

Well to have got this far you have probably come via the website and so you will have seen that I've changed things around a little and also provided the pictures of the demonstrator directly onto the website.

I have also had to change the post comments section of the blog, so please continue to leave messages. They are then emailed to me before appearing on the Blog. I then get to decide whether they are published or not. I haven't done this to keep any criticism off the Blog as we will always take on board constructive comments. Unfortunately some of the spammers and advertisers had found that they could put links onto the page via their comments and so before you knew what was happening you were whisked off to some other site/advert just by trying to read a comment apparently placed on the Blog by some Gentry fan!

We have been taking a well earned rest since the show last Sunday/Monday. It has given us a chance to catch up on all those little jobs that have been put to one side for a few months.
On Monday we start again as we re-organise the workshop back to a production area for fabricating chassis' and bodies.

Still searching around various manufacturers and suppliers for various bits and pieces so we can continue to develop the car in one or two small areas like door locks etc.

Many thanks to all those who came to the show and spoke to us about the build and the Blog. From your comments it has all been worth while.

See you later,
Geoff

Saturday 26th April

2008-04-26T07:33:00.002+01:00

After our great news at the beginning of the week the car has returned to the trim shop for the final trimming and the hood and sidescreens to be made.
All the small detail is now being fitted ready for the launch on the 4th May at Stoneleigh and barring any great disasters we will be there on time with the car looking how I had always hoped she would look.

I always knew the car could be made to look right and still obtain the SVA approval but it was just the time scale of making sure that we were ready for the show that was always going to be the issue.
We have achieved it because so many people have stepped up to the mark when it was necessary and have delivered on time. To those people I say a huge 'Thank You' without your help we could not have managed it.
Although previously mentioned on the Blog, the biggest Thank You has to go to Cliff Wakelin.
Cliff has been there from the very start and even when his knee surgery forced him to rest he was still very keen to hear how things were going and got back into the swing of things well before his consultant would have liked. His knowledge, guidance, skill and friendship have been overwhelming. Without his help I would still be sitting on the garage floor scratching my head and wondering which way to go. I believe the Register is very lucky to have Cliff as its Chair and we are very lucky to have Cliff and Gill as friends.

Geoff

Excellent SVA News for the Gentry

2008-04-21T23:13:00.002+01:00

We took our 'nearly' complete Demonstrator across to Garretts Green testing station today so that the SVA Inspector could check on our hard work so far and get the okay on certain 'period' fittings like the 'Desmo' type external mirror, bonnet escutcheons, dash layout etc and came away very pleased with ourselves.

The car was considered to be of the highest quality, well engineered, built to a very high standard and presented in excellent condition. As the car is still incomplete it was not possible to complete a full SVA test but the news from the tester that once complete a successful SVA approval was 'just around the corner' was exactly the words we were waiting to hear.
With the Stoneleigh kit car show being only a few weeks away we just needed confirmation from the 'official' quarters that we were still able to produce a car that looked the part and would pass the test.
I am now happy that all our hard work has been rewarded accordingly and so once we hit the show on the 4th May the car will once again be available on the market in self build form!!!!!!!!

What more can you say? Except a very big thank you to everyone who has helped get us this far. The list of contributors grows each day and all I can say to them all is 'Without you, your help and support, we would not have made this progress. I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped and look forward to your continued support throughout the coming months and years as we see the 'Gentry' back out there on sale.

Right now I'm not sure whether to look for the nearest pub to celebrate or just head off to bed to sleep for a few days!!

Geoff

Photo Update

2008-04-19T19:23:00.002+01:00

For those of you who visit the site more than once a week just in case, here is your bonus photo!

Paul and Pete, from C.A.T Development Ltd, looking mighty pleased at their work so far and why shouldn't they.

We agree that their work so far has been spectacular and really sets the car off to its best advantage.

Well done boys, we think the interior looks a million dollars and can't wait to see if finished completely.

Geoff

Friday 18th April

2008-04-18T21:19:00.002+01:00

We have just completed a most manic week pushing as hard as we can to finish the car on time.

Last Sunday, the 13th, the engine was started for the first time. At exactly 5pm, much to the joy of everyone in the workshop at the time, the engine was cranked over, the oil pushed all around the engine. Out went the oil and brake warning lights and the engine sprang into life. Now for anyone who hasn't spent many hours building a car I suppose they wouldn't get excited about such a small matter, but it does seem to bring the whole project together and give an immense amount of satisfaction.

With that achieved we switched her off and all had a small drink to celebrate!

First thing on Monday morning we headed off to Jigsaw for the wheel alignment check, then returned to finish off more small jobs before dropping the car off at the trim shop.
The car has been backwards and forwards through the remainder of the week and has now settled until last thing tomorrow with the trimmers.

Once we collect her tomorrow it really is heads down and finish all the little jobs that will make her a very special car, ready for the launch at the Stoneleigh kit car show on the 4th May!!!

See you next week when I hope we will be either finished or so very close to finishing.

Geoff

Friday 11th April

2008-04-11T21:43:00.002+01:00

Just stopped briefly to provide a very quick update.
As seen from earlier photos the car is back from the paintshop. The push is now on to build the car and finish all the little bits prior to the SVA.
There currently aren't enough hours in the day as so much has to be done in such a short space of time.
Our day starts at about 8am and finished at anywhere around 11pm and I will quite readily admit that I am feeling the strain!
The car should go ff to the trimmers next week so my working day will be reduced. Then I can focus on trying to finish the build manual, prepare all the literature for the show stand, ensure that our stand is going to come together as we would hope and then have a rest.

I hope that by next week the car will be very close to being finished, if not it could be me that is very close to being finished.

See you next week

Geoff

Update Monday 7th April

2008-04-07T16:39:00.003+01:00

Above are the last photos you you will see before the 'official' launch on the 3rd May

I will be providing the weekly updates as the 're-build' continues and until the launch, but once we move past the present state i.e. tomorrow, no-one will see the car until finished and launched.

The car is actually still in the paintshop as Ian was still polishing and finishing off. We will collect it tomorrow and then it's all hands to the pump to get it finished.

See you Friday, Geoff

Friday 4th April

2008-04-04T19:20:00.004+01:00

I've been keeping busy since the car went to the paint shop cleaning up the workshop and repainting the floor. It's not very often you get the chance to have the workshop completely empty and so we've tried to make best use of the time.

Our dash returned today from Chapman and Cliff and I have to say that their service has been fantastic. A good job, good price and returned within the timescales they stated. I would recommend them and their work to anyone.

I visited the paintshop and took a few photos of the car awaiting its first colour coat. We are expecting it back early next week so with luck I will provide an 'additional' update on Monday or Tuesday.

In the meantime it's a case of checking through all the relevant items, making sure we have everything we need to complete the build within a very short time scale next week.

See you next week, hopefully at the beginning with some colour on the car.

Geoff

Update Friday 28th March

2008-03-28T21:04:00.003Z

No photo of the car being delivered to the painters, but that's another story.

Had the exhaust made on Tuesday, everything going according to plan. Tried to think of all the jobs that needed doing before the car could be sprayed and the list on the workshop wall just seemed to keep growing, no matter how hard we worked there were more jobs being added to the bottom of the list than being rubbed off the top!

The final straw came late on Wednesday night. Just when it looked like we were nearly there ....
the 'additional' safety bolts required for the SVA because of having suicide doors failed. They were due to be set inside the door and the receiving part with the switch in it tucked into the door aperture. That was at 11pm. Time to make a coffee and examine the options.
Nothing for it but they had got to be removed and the holes/damage made good. Then whilst the car was being painted we could work on a surface mounted option that at least we could adjust without major work on the doors and aperture. By the time I had nearly finished it was 02.30am!! Still at least the car could be delivered as promised for painting.
I got up early to finish off the few little jobs that needed sorting, loaded the car and drove to the paint shop. A final check with Ian as to what, where, how etc and push the car into the paint shop. Go to get the camera to record this momentous occasion only to find the camera is still sat on the work bench!!! Well at least I got the car there.

I spent today cleaning and tidy the workshop so that when the car returns we are as prepared as we can be for the rebuild.

The dash hasn't yet returned so I can't provide any update there. Spoke with the trimmers who are looking forward to getting the car into their workshop to give the car the final touches.

I am still enjoying every minute of the build, but, the time had definitely arrived when it was time to take a break. I needed to give the car to someone else to keep the momentum going as I was running out of steam and needed a break.

Once the batteries are recharged we will commence the rebuild. In the meantime Cliff is locked away with a safety bolt, micro switch, buzzer, 12 volt battery and a head full of ideas.

See you next week

Geoff

Update Friday 21st March 2008

2008-03-21T22:13:00.002Z

Another busy week for us both finishing off all the little jobs as well as fitting the doors and bonnet.
Ian, our painter came to check the progress and wants the car next Thursday to get the car painted.
The exhaust people, Custom Chrome, want the car Tuesday for the exhaust so it's all systems go to get everything finished ready for them to do their bit.

It feels like we are running out of time to get everything finished, but we just keep putting in long hours in an attempt to keep things moving in the right direction. It now depends upon how long it takes Ian to get it painted and the trimmers to get it upholstered.

I spoke with Chapman and Cliff a few days ago and we can expect the dash to be returned at the end of next week.

The plan remains that when it returns from painting we will build the car back up, make the sidescreens and hood frame, take the car to the trimmers to finish off the doors, carpet etc and then take it for its SVA.

I will give a brief update next week, but by then the car will be in the paint shop so there won't be a great deal to tell, but I may try to get a photo of it arriving at the painters!

See you next week

Geoff

Update Friday14th March

2008-03-14T21:37:00.001Z

Well now it would appear is the hardest part of the lot! Working your way around the car finishing all the little jobs that make the car a car.
All the lights have been fitted, wiring loom connected where necessary, extra supports made for under the running boards and front wings and then fitted.
The last remaining 'big' jobs are fitting the doors, bonnet and windscreen and wipers.
Work commences and finishes on them next week.
Then all the 'extras' need to be taken off again and the car prepared for painting. We are hoping to get the car into the paint shop during the week commencing Monday 24th ( No-one here has heard about Bank Holidays!)
Once it returns it is rebuild everything, finish the trim and take the car for the SVA!!!!
Will not add any extra photos now to the blog until it returns from the paint shop.

See you next week when most jobs should have been finished.

Geoff

Update Friday 7th March

2008-03-07T18:09:00.000Z

An early update this week so that I can go back into the workshop and not worry about anything except building the car for a few hours.
My right hand man Cliff has just left. He returned this week to provide yet more support, guidance and general engineering ability despite having had both knees operated on only a couple of weeks ago. He took the briefest of time off to allow them to almost recover and then came back to the 'mill' probably earlier than his specialist would have liked.

The days are ticking by and there is still alot to do before the SVA test.
The plan is to build the car completely, ensure that everything works, the car runs etc etc and then strip off all the 'extras' and send it away to be painted.
Once it returns from being painted, rebuild it all again, check everything for a third time, then check it all again and take it for an SVA test.
After that has been completed, hopefully successfully, take some photographs in Somersham and head off to the kit car show in Stoneleigh.

Well that's simple enough then!

Might just as well get back to work and make a start on the remaining work. The back end is completed, now moving forwards to doors etc.

Will be back next week to let you know how the progress is going.
See you next week

Geoff

Some photos on the 1st March!!!

2008-03-01T11:38:00.000Z

Some 'extra' photo's as I felt good when the screen was temporarily attached this morning to check fit etc.
The first picture shows the beginnings of the 'new' two piece bonnet. It's now ready for the final shaping and preparing then it's back off to the fibreglass firm for the mould and the panel to be made.

The second shows the new feet, fitted to screen and body, if only temporarily.

The final picture shows the 'Desmo' type mirror fitted to the screen foot, wrapped in its plastic edging for SVA. Hopefully this will keep you all going for a while!!
I know it helps me to keep hitting these targets. It proves to me that we are making the right progress as well as the car looking like it is coming together.

Geoff

Friday 29th February

2008-02-29T22:10:00.000Z

I returned to Jigsaw racing services on Monday where Alan provided some considerable knowledge in fitting the Spitfire Mk3 wiring loom. Although there are several lengths slightly out for our car at this moment in time it seems to be the best option available to us.
I have made contact with a local firm who will look at our schematic and see about producing a loom especially for the Gentry.
The new panels have arrived for the bonnet and are now being worked on in order to produce the final bonnet from which the master mould will be made.
The petrol tank cover has also arrived and will be fitted in the next few days. We have also received the doors and they will also be fitted next week.
The famous screen feet have come back from the foundry and have been chromed by Attleborough Metal Polishing of Oaston Road, Nuneaton. They took them in on Wednesday and I got them back today! Excellent service and certainly helps when you are fighting a deadline.

My right hand man Cliff is currently doing an excellent impression of Douglas Bader after having both knees operated on. He managed to get as far as the workshop today and claims to be coming back in next week to ensure that we are ready for the SVA test and then the launch.

See you all next week.

Geoff

Update Friday 22nd February 2008

2008-02-22T21:11:00.000Z

Well this week it seems like I have been making progress but I can't see any changes to the car!

We continue to progress the build, working from the back forwards. I am awaiting delivery of the last few panels so that various parts can be finalised.
Today we have been looking a the Rapid fit wiring loom to see if this is a suitable way forward for our future customers but at the moment that is looking like a big 'No'
Both the front and rear looms proved to be too short for our car and although I will make contact with the manufacturer I believe that we may have to look to an alternative supplier.

The famous feet are back at the foundry to have another pattern cast, then they'll be off to the chromer.

A few days spent on the engine should see everything fitted and if the electrics go in next week hopefully the car will be started for the first time.
The it's a case of doors fitted, prepared for painting and off to be sprayed.
Once that has been completed the interior can be fitted, hood frame etc made and final check over before its SVA test.
Sounds simple doesn't it? Well fingers crossed we continue the progress at this rate and then we'll certainly make the launch.

See you next week.

Geoff

Update Friday 15th February 2008

2008-02-15T22:42:00.000Z

A busy week this week that has thrown up one or two little issues that need quick solutions.
We have now moved into the area of fitting various components like fuel tank, running boards, wing piping etc and starting to move our way forwards finishing off all necessary outstanding jobs.
The dash is nearly ready to be sent off for veneering just one or two minor ammendments to be made first.
Having spent tonight working through the various outstanding issues and comparing the time available I feel that we are still about there and should make the launch as planned. It is going to mean a few late nights (again) and working 6 or 7 days a week but at least having a launch date to work to keeps you focused!
I have ammended the timeline several times this week and have to keep re-contacting various people who are due to help with the new times/dates but so far their support has been great and with their continued help we should be okay.

This is a very brief update for this week and I look forward to being able to bring more detailed develpments next week.

See you all next week.

Geoff

Photos for Friday 8th Feb 2008

2008-02-08T18:02:00.000Z

As you can see the body is swung across on the engine hoist and slowly lowered onto the waiting chassis.
Nearly settled down into its resting place. Just a few careful checks around to ensure that everything is in the right place and nothing is going to catch.
The body now sat on the chassis and the hoist removed.

The colour of the car can be seen on top of the bulkhead. (It isn't the colour of the wings, thats the colour they came out of the moulds)

In actual fact the colour has slightly darkened under the artifical lights and when finished and put outside will look more cream and less tan. (Hopefully)
A quick shot of the rear of the car, waiting to be completed with fuel tank, lights etc.

As you can see from the above pictures, a good week this last week.

The body is now on the chassis aand is heading towards the final build.

The windscreen feet have been returned from the foundry and shaped. Now they head off to the chromers. Dash board will be leaving within the next day or so for veneering, its all going too well at present.

I still believe we are on schedule or there abouts, and could make the launch at the beginning of May. Still keeping everything crossed just in case though!

Would like to say 'Hello' to all our readers in Somersham, Cambridgeshire. If the progress continues in this manner we could actually see the car being brought down for its photo shoot before the launch, which is what I was hoping for.

Will sign off now as there are 'extra' bits I would like to get done and it's always better to strike while the iron is hot, so while things are going smoothly I'll get back to it.

See you next week, hopefully with the same silly big grin on my face that I have now.

Geoff

Update Friday 1st February 2008

2008-02-01T20:44:00.000Z

Well I can't quite believe we are into Feb already!

The Isuzu is still away being fixed! (Well that's fixed when they've worked out what's wrong with it) but even without it we have managed to get the body back to the workshop for the final build.
The engine bay has been painted. It is now classified by us as 'Baileys Cream' coloured or alternatively 'old Irish cream'.
The chassis is finished and has been turned into a fully completed chassis, engine, gearbox, prop shaft, diff, drive shafts, brakes etc etc.
All that remains is to fibreglass the rear wings to the body, finish all fibreglassing underneath and then attach the body to the chassis and complete the build.
Once the body is back up the right way I will drop a photo onto the blog to show what colour it actually is. That should be later in the week if everything goes according to plan.
The dash will shortly be sent away for veneering and the speedo for calibration. The new windscreen feet have been polished and returned to the foundry to have a pair cast in brass. Once they return they will be polished and sent away for chroming.
I still remain optimistic that we are there or thereabouts as far as the completion date is concerned and still hope that the car will be launched at the kit car show at Stoneleigh on May 4th.

Will be back next week to provide the next instalment. Thanks to all of you who have emailed us with comments of enthusiasm. It really does help to know that there are others out there who would like to see the car back in production and are wishing us well.

Geoff

Friday 25th January 2008

2008-01-25T19:31:00.000Z

A good week this week. The screen feet have been returned from the foundry. They survived the process and now need cleaning and polishing in order that they can be recast in brass. 1 - 0

The doors, gearbox cover and tunnel have been completed to our satisfaction and sent back to the fibreglass firm for new molds to be made. 2 - 0

My towing vehicle breaks down just as I need it to take the body to the painters for the engine bay to be painted 2 - 1

One of the members comes to our assistance and the car is still delivered to the paint shop 3 - 1

The front and rear suspensions are fitted, as is the engine 4 - 1

The isuzu is still broken and no-one seems able to fix it. 4 - 2

Have visited the paint shop and the colour looks good, the painting is excellent and so we look forward to its early return next week by which time the chassis will be completed so the body can be attached and the build continue.

What more can I say, we are close to the planned timeline for the build and things are still going better than I could have expected.

See you next week.
Geoff

Update for Friday 18th January 2008

2008-01-18T22:18:00.000Z

It's back to that familiar feeling of 3 steps forwards and 2 back at the moment.
Firstly the web site hosts crashed earlier in the week so the site was not accessible. That appears to have been sorted out now.
The patterns for the windscreen feet did not survive the process and so have been remade and returned to the foundry. We will find out on Tuesday whether they have made it this time.
We have had the wings delivered and we are very happy about the quality and so are looking at other parts of the car that could also be fibreglassed in the future.
The steering column has been fitted so that I can finish the design of the dash and ensure we are complying with the SVA requirements.
I was not happy with some of the door issues and so they have been remade and returned for new molds to be taken.
The paint shop was full and so the car won't be heading off for an engine bay colouring until next week.
The gearbox cover and prop shaft tunnel have been fabricated and are waiting to head off to the fibreglass shop for molds and so real progress has been made in several areas.

With luck next week we will finalise all panels, molds etc and work will then continue on completing the chassis to a fully rolling chassis with engine gearbox etc all fitted so that when the body returns form the paintshop it can be fitted straight onto the chassis and then the remainder of the car can be built.

I suspect some late evenings next week to keep on track but what else could you be doing on these long dark cold winter evenings?

See you next week

Geoff

Friday 11th January 2008

2008-01-11T18:27:00.000Z

Hi folks
A good week this week. We have resolved numerous issues and made good progress on the build.
Our thanks this week go to PHX castings in Dudley who are sorting out the windscreen feet for us as I type! Mick from PHX has taken up the challenge well and hopefully by the end of next week we will have our new feet ready for chroming.
As far as the build goes we have finished the back of the car with the tank cover , spare wheel carrier and spare wheel hub all having been fitted.
At the front end the bonnet is finished and fitted and looks a million dollars!!

We have made arrangements to collect the remaining fibreglass panels on Monday and the body will be off to the paint shop to have the colour put into the engine bay next week.
Whilst it's away we will be building up the chassis so that on its return the chassis will be ready to take the body and then its a push to complete the car in time for the SVA!!!!

See you all next week, take care till then.

Geoff

Update for Friday 4th January 2008

2008-01-04T18:02:00.001Z

A good week this week with lots of progress being made. The split bonnet is made, the seat frames have been delivered to the trimmers ready for us to choose the leather tomorrow at the suppliers.

I have made progress on the new feet for the windscreen and hopefully by the end of next week they will be off to the foundry for casting.

I have ordered the glass for the windscreens and the template will be collected next week.

The application for the SVA test has been completed and posted and so we continue to make progress towards completion.

See you next week when hopefully the progress will be maintained.

Geoff

A couple of pictures

2007-12-31T18:52:00.000Z

Hi Pete

Thanks for your comments. I do try to update on a Friday so that those visiting the site have an idea of when something new will appear. I know it doesn't always work out that way so perhaps from now on I will take your advice and try to provide the updates on the same Friday evening but not be specific every week about it and then I won't need to apologise when I miss it.

I would like to provide more photos as the build develops but prior to today I was obsessed with moving all the tools etc out of the shot so you could see just the car. Having had a discussion about it with a friend we have decided that from now on the photos will be just a snap shot of what was happening on the day. That means they are not staged and I don't have to spent hours moving everything out of the way only to move it all back afterwards to continue working.

Just to keep you all happy have included a couple of photos from today.

Update for Friday 28th December

2007-12-29T01:32:00.000Z

Well it feels like Friday to me. Okay so I know that it's really 01.33 and so we are now into Saturday but I haven't been to bed yet so I'm claiming it to be Friday!!!!

Some progress has been made in the last week with a start having been made on turning the chassis into a rolling chassis.
I have made some progress on the new feet for the windscreen and have collected the wheels, hubs and spinners. The tyres have been fitted so that next week we can finish the back of the car, the bonnet and the side panels then as soon as the remaining fibreglass panels arrive we can finish the body.

Will definitely have more progress to report upon next Friday so see you then.

Geoff

Update Saturday 22nd December

2007-12-22T08:32:00.000Z

Sorry folks, no excuses for missing yesterdays update, I was here and could have done it but somehow forgot that it was due!

We are now waiting on rear wings, front wings and doors and then the body is finished. The new moulds will be made over the Christmas period and so very early into the new year we should have them and they can be attached.

In the meantime it looks like I will be spending the holiday period building up the chassis. Have collected the wheels, all electrical items and the engine so probably 95% of the parts are here in case I make exceptional progress and need them to keep building.

As I build I have to take the necessary photos and write the build manual so we are still very busy and now just about hanging onto the planned time schedule.

My thanks this week go to Steve at SVC in Tamworth for his help, and also to Mark and Jo at Jigsaw racing at Desborough for their continued support.

To those who have emailed me direct regarding the progress I will attempt to reply with a photo or two and once I can clear some space in the workshop so you can actually see the car I will photograph it and put them on the blog.

To everyone who has provided help in any way, from all of us here at the works, have a very good Christmas. To all those of you who are following the blog also have a very good Christmas and if you get a chance to bring a little joy into someones Christmas who is less fortunate than yourself then please try.

See you on the 28th!

Geoff

Update Saturday 15th December 2007

2007-12-15T08:23:00.000Z

Hi there all, Sorry for the delayed update but we have been away on the works outing to Dublin and have only just returned!!

Well progress has been very slow this week, mainly due to the above works outing and us not being here to do any work!!!

The body was almost finished before we went away, just the bonnet to be fabricated and then we can commence building the rolling chassis, fit the engine etc and write the build manual.

Plenty of ordering of various fixtures and fittings so that they arrive before Christmas so we are able to continue working through the festive break without being stuck for parts.

We remain somewhere near where I hoped we'd be (I think) and so far no real show stoppers so I suppose its waiting somewhere round the corner.

Hopefully more to tell you next week when we've had the chance to put in a few days work!!!

Geoff

Friday 7th December update (Just)

2007-12-07T23:20:00.000Z

Hi,
Just made it on Friday. Have made some progress this week, but not as much as we were hoping. I also thought that I may be able to add another photo, but will now probably add that on Sunday night after another 2 days work.

The louvred panels are now made but not yet attached. We have collected the scuttle tonight and I will fit that before taking the photo. Once the scuttle is fitted we can start to shape the bonnet.

I have to spend a few days next week visiting some of our suppliers and so progress next week will not be as good as I would have hoped for and of course that will then start on the run into Christmas.
It is starting to look like a very short Christmas break in order to claim back some of the lost time in order to stay on course.

Every day remains a challenge but there's still nothing I would rather be doing.

Will be back next Friday with a further progress report, see you all next week

Geoff

Update Friday 30th November 2007

2007-11-30T21:59:00.000Z

Hi everyone,

What a week! Good progress has been made with the rear of the car being skinned out in aluminium, the scuttle finalised, (again) and sent off for another mould to be made, the doors also finally moulded so that they fit the body and the rear wheel arches amended so as to conform to current rules and them also taken back to the fibreglass man for remoulding.

We start next week on the louvred side panels and bonnet as well as continuing to look at the windscreen foot design.

Whilst some things have slipped we have made progress in other areas and so we remain on target.

Can I thank everyone who made contact after last weeks blog regarding the screen and feet issues, your help has been much appreciated.

I know you read the blog to keep updated on the progress being made and this is not my ranting a raving page, however, if you will just allow me a little leeway this week so I can make a small but important comment.

To those firms out there who have web sites with contact details, Why bother with the contact page if you are never going to respond?
I have sent several emails now to several firms (they know who they are) looking to order items from them or employ them to manufacture parts for us. I've used their email address, supplied by them, or gone direct from their web site 'contact page', but no response. I wish we were that busy and big that we could afford to turn down work!!
If you don't want to deal with us...fine...just have the decency to send an email back saying that and we'll look to put our business elsewhere.

Our policy at the Gentry Works is to answer all emails within 48 hours, even if it's only to say we need more time for a full response. I don't expect everyone to try this hard, but not to answer at all is not only poor customer care it's down right ignorant.

Enough said.

Be back next week with the very latest in our progress.

Geoff

A few photo's as promised

2007-11-24T10:39:00.001Z

Update for Friday 23rd November

2007-11-24T09:59:00.000Z

Yes I know it's Saturday! The problem with bragging about doing the update 3 times in a row on a Friday is that when you fail the following week theres nowhere to hide.

We have made more progress this week and now when entering the workshop you can more easily see a Gentry developing in front of you rather than requiring a huge amount of imagination.

Have discovered one or two little issues, probably brought about as the result of tweaking something early in the build! The problem is that a little tweak here and there goes almost un-noticed at the time but then manifests itself later as a larger tweak required to something else and so on throughout the build.

I have spent most of the week trying to get the doors to fit and line up with the scuttle beofre sending the doors away to be remoulded so that in future everyones doors will fit the curve of the body.

However, the tweaking hasn't put me off and I would now like to redesign the feet for the windscreen, so if there is anyone out there reading this that can offer any help with a new casting then please feel free to make contact as soon as possible.

The old casting is slightly too small and needs modifying to make it more sleek and curved and comply with SVA regs and as it's currently aluminium causes problems when it comes to being chromed. A new one shaped differently and cast from a strong but easily chromed metal would be much better so please help if you can.

Will add some photos that we took the other day. Will post the original 'untouched' copies here on the blog as I've been promising to do so for a few weeks now.

Hopefully will hear from some of you very soon. If not, I'll try to be back next Friday.

Geoff

Update Friday 16th November 2007

2007-11-16T21:09:00.000Z

An update on a Friday for the third week in a row!!!!!

Now if the build went as well as the Blog.......... we would nearly have a car by now!!!
Still cannot complain too much. This has been another interesting week with progress eventually being made with the body tub. We now know exactly how long it takes to redesign a body part, have a mould made and then make a panel from the new mould. Anyway having gone through that process we have finally fitted the rear of the body tub into place and the last thing we did this week was laminate everything into place.
We believe that we have resolved all the issues over the seatbelt mountings and a visit to the kit car show at Exeter on Sunday should confirm our thoughts so that we can move swiftly ahead next week.

Some of the week was spent working out how to move some of the heavier equipment from one location to another. After much consideration it was decided that our louvre press would need to be moved and so Wednesday was pretty much spent achieving that goal. Initially that seemed like an easy objective but when it weighs about half a ton it takes some working out.
Then of course after moving it you have to change round the entire configuration of the workshop in order to give it a home from where you can actually use it. Most of that work was completed late into Wednesday night but at least allowed us to continue working on Thursday.

I will provide some photos of the progress next week without fail and will be back to tell you all about how the week goes. see you soon.

Geoff

Update for Friday 9th November 2007

2007-11-09T22:19:00.000Z

Hi everyone

Another week and I've managed to do the update on the Friday as promised!!

This week has been an interesting week with progress again being made, but once again not where it was expected.
We were hoping that the body frame would have been finished and the rear part of the body tub laminated into place. However the changes we've made to the seat belt anchorage points affected the fitting of the rear of the tub and so a few changes were required.
Having collected the rear of the tub from the fibreglass specialist we then set about redesigning it. So you collect a single piece and within a few hours it has become 4 separate parts that then require reshaping and then returning to the specialist for another mould to be made.
At that point you have to find 'other' things to be getting on with or grind to a stand still.

So we looked at all manner of issues that resulted in us modifying the scuttle, which in turn meant taking it back to George the fibreglass man for a new mould!
I've spent quite a bit if time this week visiting and talking to George, but I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.

Next week we will press on with the body build and look at making the louvred side panels and the split bonnet so there should be plenty to update on.

All in all I would say a good week with some major issues having been resolved. At this moment we remain on target and will be back next week to provide another update.

See you all soon

Geoff

Update for Friday, Yes Friday 2nd November

2007-11-02T22:19:00.000Z

Hi,

Made it on a Friday!!!! Now your asking is that because he's had nothing else to do or is he so excited about the progress that he couldn't wait to tell the Blog?
Well I've had plenty to do, finishing quite late into the evening and there are some things that I wouldn't want to tell the Blog. For example, last week I said, 'By next week I'll have certainly finished the body frame' Well what a difference a week makes.
Monday started badly when it became clear that something wasn't quite right. Much head scratching, measuring, discussing and remeasuring. (Somehow remember being here before!) No chance of moving ahead until the answers had been found and in order to do that we were going to need parts we were waiting for. A phone call later and it was clear that the parts would not be available until towards the end of the week.

So a few other issues to be carrying on with, a few more tools to be made so progress was being made but not where I had thought.

By Thursday things were looking better. The problems had been resolved, the missing parts delivered and we worked well into the night to make up for some of the lost time.
Today went well with more progress being made. I am happy that we remain on target, although we have now found some more panels that will need new moulds making.

The photo will be slightly delayed, may appear during the week, but may have to wait until I am satisfied that everything is just as I want it. Hey after all this is my baby and I'm not going to let you see her until I'm sure she's ready!!

Be back next week. Not going to make any predictions as to what will have been done this time.
Once bitten, twice shy and all that. See you later.

Geoff

Update for Friday 26th October

2007-10-27T14:09:00.000+01:00

Okay, Okay so I said last week I'd try harder and I've still managed to do the update a day late!
The slap on the wrist obviously didn't work last week but after the week we've just endured I'm giving myself an excuse this week.

Eventually we made good progress but the beginning and middle of the week didn't go as expected as we uncovered one issue after another. By the end of the week we had made up lost time and ended on a high.

The body frame is very nearly completed but I didn't want to include a photo of it until after it has been painted and so you'll just have to wait until the next update!

We made several adjustments during the week so that I could include a purpose made radiator and fuel tank into the kit. At least that should ensure that the engine is correctly cooled and the fuel tank survives for the life of the vehicle. If the fuel tank proves to be successful we will be able to offer both a mild steel and alloy version.

Overall I am happy with what we have achieved so far and according to the planned time line remain on course for our launch.

By the next update we will certainly have the body frame finished, and perhaps even some of the body panels attached. I feel sure that a photo will be available!!

If you're going to the restoration show tomorrow see you there, don't forget the clocks go back tonight.
If not going to the show then see you all next FRIDAY for the next update

Geoff

Week ending 19th October Update

2007-10-20T09:33:00.000+01:00

Yes I know it's a day late! I've given myself a slap on the wrist for being so behind and will try to do better next week.
We have spent an interesting week jigging up for the body frame and dealing with other non business related issues.
We have made good progress and would hope that by the next update I will have a photo of the frame sitting on top of the chassis!!

Keep identifying little issues that we think we can overcome, but not sure how many of these 'little' issues will eventually come back to bite us!

Will have to go now. Come back next week for the latest pictures and some more developments.

Geoff

13th October Update, but a day late!!

2007-10-14T21:33:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone,
Have now got back from our short break away and have found enough time to provide the latest update.
Much planning, considering, thinking, drawing, working out then starting all over again has been going on over the last few weeks whilst we took a break from the actual 'hands on' of building.
It has provided some clarity in which way to move next and also raised a few questions that need to have solutions found to them.
Work will recommence tomorrow with the build of the body frame and frame jigs and so things remain on target. I would hope by Friday that we would have made some significant progress and I am looking forward to reporting on it accordingly.

Will now go back to the Friday updates and these will continue right up to the completion of the car.

Back on the 19th. Geoff

Friday 28th September

2007-09-28T19:37:00.000+01:00

Hi all

The last week has been a strange week. We don't appear to have had a minute to spare but I can't really see what we have done!
The most important part of the week was our meeting with David from VOSA who spent some time with us going over the changes we are proposing and talking us through some of the finer points. We really do appreciate his input and it has helped reinforce our view that the SVA is achievable on the Gentry, whilst still being able to maintain the stylish good looks the car has always had. So once again I would like to say a really big 'thank you ' to David and hope that the final car we send to Birmingham for the test meets his expectations.

We are going to be taking a quick break so nothing will be happening for a couple of weeks, so there will be little point updating the blog unless something that just can't wait occurs. Therefore the next scheduled blog update will take place on Saturday 13th October and thereafter we'll revert back to the normal Friday updates.

For those who are interested don't forget the Restoration show at Stoneleigh on Sunday 28th October (apparently that's the same weekend the clocks go backwards) and according to the adverts there are no advance tickets this time either.

We are still planning on having the launch of the car at the kit car show at Stoneleigh on the 4th/5th May. Nothing has happened so far to change that plan so we are pushing ahead with that date and hopefully will be able to achieve it.

Only a brief update this week but shortly work will commence on the body and then we should see the car starting to take shape.

Please keep returning to monitor the progress and if there is anything else you would like to see or know then drop me an email and I'll see if I can get it into the blog.

Geoff

Update Friday 21st September

2007-09-21T19:43:00.000+01:00

Doesn't time fly when your having fun and being kept busy?
Another week has flown by. All the relevant parts have gone off to be refurbished, exchanged or replaced. My special thanks go to Mark at Jigsaw who is sorting all of the above.

The painting of the workshop floor continues. Wouldn't it be easy if these things could be done before everything is placed in the workshop! Still that would have meant that the chassis hadn't been built and so you just have to accept that painting is more like a life sized Rubik's cube and just keep moving everything round until the entire floor has been painted. Twice!

Next week will see the workshop completely finished, a visit from the SVA Inspector who is coming to consider the changes we wish to pursue and the final moulds off to the fibreglass man.

During the last week we have received an enquiry from Russia regarding the availability of the car for export. I have replied at this time by saying that we are receiving sufficient enquiries from within the UK to deal with at the moment, but should we consider expansion we would contact them in the future.

The works will be taking a short break in the very near future so I'll provide an update next week on Friday as normal and then provide you with the break details.

See you next week.

Geoff

Friday Update. 14th September 2007

2007-09-14T18:40:00.000+01:00

The Donor Arrives

The Shell gets put out for 'Recycling'

The Chassis remains inside for the front and rear suspension to be removed.

Work has continued this week stripping out the donor to liberate the parts we require for the rebuild.

I have attached 3 photo's. The car on arrival and then the body shell left outside to be 'recycled' and the remains of the chassis inside with the front and rear suspensions still in situ.

This gives us an opportunity to photograph various important parts required from the donor whilst still in their original dirty greasy state and helps anyone undergoing a strip of the donor to see the parts in situ to help with identification.

All this relevant material will appear in the 'new' build manual.

I expect by the beginning of next week that all relevant parts will be lodged at Jigsaw racing ready for refurbishment whislt I continue to redesign the mould for the 'new' bulkhead. By the end of next week we should have all the various parts with relevant firms who are assisting and that should give us enough time to put the final touches to the new workshop before we set up the body jigs etc for a consultation visit from the SVA inspector and then take a break!

Off to Donnington kitcar show tomorrow, so if you are heading in the same direction we may see you, if not, I'm sure we'll be back at work on Monday to ensure that we continue to make progress.

Take care till next week.

Geoff

Fridays Update. 7th September 2007

2007-09-07T21:57:00.000+01:00

Well great progress this week. Our first chassis is finished!! well apart from a couple of blanking plates to be welded on to the end of the main rails.

This is the chassis that will be used on the demonstrator.

I have attached a photo just to prove that it is completed, in case you suspicious people out there doubt our progress.

We are working closely with Jisaw racing from Desborough in Northants as they will be suppling the reconditioned engine, gearbox etc and as soon as Mark gets back from his well earned rest work will begin at their end on the reconditioning.

At some point next week the donor mark 4 Sptifire will be rolled in and the stripping commenced.

We are planning a short break in a few weeks time and so it is important that the relevant parts are removed and conveyed to Jigsaw before we finish.

What more can I say. Very happy with our progress this week. Hopefully this momentum can be maintained so that we continue to make progress as we race towards Christmas!!!!

Geoff

Friday 31st August 2007

2007-08-31T20:22:00.000+01:00

Doesn't time fly when you are having fun!
We are now totally 'jigged' out and were hoping that the chassis would have been welded up today, but other aspects of the business kept getting in the way like collecting another 13/60 Herald that could end up as a donor.
I will take the weekend to ensure that everything is ready and correct and then first thing next week will weld up the chassis.
This keeps us on target and within our planned timescales.
The development of the body tub is continuing and some changes have been made resulting in new moulds having to be made. This work was expected and so won't cause any unexpected delays.
For the second week running things have gone according to plan and we remain on course for the 3rd May launch. When will something happen to cause a delay? Who knows? Something is sure to. Our only hope is to keep pressing forwards whilst we can and hope we have planned enough 'catch up' time into the plan for when it happens.
See you all next Friday and hopefully by then I will have a photo of the first chassis from the new works.

Geoff

Friday 24th August update

2007-08-24T20:01:00.000+01:00

Okay so it's Friday! I know I said I'd update on a Friday and so here I am. Not a great deal more I can say about progress as the last update was given on Tuesday.
We have spent the last few days measuring and checking dimensions for the new chassis. It is now all marked out and some jigs made. Next week will see the final preparations completed and the new chassis will then be produced.
We are looking ahead at the body tub specifications working with the SVA inspector and the fibreglass specialist to ensure that the tub will meet everyones requirements. Hopefully the new bulkhead area can be fireproofed (not that anyone has ever caught fire!) and strengthened using the latest available technology. If the SVA inspector is happy with our proposals for the tub and seat belt anchorages we will move swiftly into the tub production so that we maintain our current momentum.
See you next Friday,

Geoff

The Build Commences

2007-08-21T08:53:00.000+01:00

To all those of you who have been regularly visiting the Blog page to keep up to date with the progress then I apologise for the lack of up to date information. However, I can now report that the necessary building work has been completed and we have made a start.
Fairly basic stuff initially, making trestles and work tables.
We are now about to make the 'additional' jigs we need for the chassis and body tub. By next week we should be in a position to commence welding our first chassis and the one to be used on the demonstrator.

My intention now we have moved on is to ensure that at the end of every week our progress is reported so you can all monitor the developments as they occur. I will look to provide the update either last thing on a Friday night, or first thing Saturday morning.

Speak to you all soon

Geoff

On the Works front

2007-06-12T13:21:00.000+01:00

We are currently trying to work out how to put 2 blog sites onto the web page. This one will be used for the developments to the build as they take place. The 'other' new one, when I can sort it, will be used to show pictures and prices of all the second hand parts we have available.

The start of the London to Brighton 2007

2007-06-12T13:13:00.000+01:00

Hampton Court Palace

Cliff takes a quick look at the route for the run as we wait for our start time

Sometimes you just have to have fun!

2007-06-12T13:01:00.000+01:00

Yes I know I should be busy working on the new car, but, well occasionally you have to take some time off.
Together with Register chairman Cliff and his wife Gill we travelled down to Weybridge on Saturday evening so we were close to Hampton Court Palace for the start of the London to Brighton run on Sunday morning. Glorious weather all the way down, not a cloud in sight.
Early start Sunday leave the hotel and arrive at Hampton Court Palace in time for our start at 09.07am.
Wonderful journey through some outstanding places/views although occasionally it was a little like taking part in one of the mountain sections of the Tour of France with cyclists charging down hill using all the road!
Quick break at Standen Hall and off again on the final push to Brighton. Weather clouded over a little at one point and it looked like we may get wet, but in the end it did hold off and the lid stayed down all day.
Stayed close to Brighton Sunday night and took a scenic route home on Monday.
Journey down was about 150 miles, the run itself was just over 91, route back nearer 200 miles. All completed with the roof down.
An excellent weekend break, highly recommended to anyone who wants to try it next year.

May Update

2007-05-08T19:05:00.000+01:00

Hi Everyone
It seems ages since I last provided any update on this page. We have just finished a weekend at the Kit car show at Stoneleigh and we came away very happy having won the Vince French trophy for our car and Ellen and I have won members of the year as well, so it was a very special weekend for us. Thanks to all those who voted for us. Photos of us and the trophies may appear here in the next few days if the weather clears up for long enough for us to take a photo.

We had the opportunity to chat with many 'new' owners and hopefully we have filled them full of renewed enthusiasm to carry on building!
As I told many of you over the weekend, I check emails in the morning and then again during the evening. If you need to speak to me via the phone the best time is between 5.30pm and 7pm.
By then I have come out of the workshop and can very often be found at the desk checking emails. Don't woryy about it being too late, dinner is normally at 7'ish. After that time I won't answer the works phone until 9am the next morning!

I promised Ellen I would finish the kitchen before any major car building takes place and so that is what I shall be doing for the next few weeks.

Whilst at Stoneleigh I made contact with a supplier of various Gentry parts from bumpers to torpedo lights etc and have emailed them today to see if they can forward me a full list of items available and a price list. Once I have the list I will put it on the Blog page.

Thats about all I have this time. Will be back as soon as there are more developments.

Geoff

Business Making Progress

2007-03-19T08:30:00.000Z

I don't have any photos of our progress yet as we are still trying to sort everything behind the scenes to ensure that once we start building it all goes smoothly!
The premises hunt continues as the last chain collapsed leaving us stuck where we are at present. There is a fall back plan, but that will require some building alterations, which if we don't find suitable premises very soon, will have to start.
We anticipate that work on the chassis is very imminent and so hopefully we will have some photos to show you exactly what's happening.
Be back soon
Geoff

Competion Winner

2007-03-19T08:23:00.000Z

Hi Everyone

Just a quick update on the last competion as the result didn't make it into the Journal. The picture was on the right hand side of the Gentry Register Grille badge. Some of you have already entered the next competion. This time the winner will receive a £20 voucher for Threshers etc so you can chose your own tipple rather than us dictating what you should drink!

Geoff & Ellen

Meeting with the SVA man (A very nice man)

2007-02-05T18:53:00.000Z

I have had a very productive meeting with the man at Birmingham who actually does the SVA tests. He was very helpful, informative and put paid to several myths that exist in the kit car world.
The first thing we clarified was in relation to what does and what does not require an SVA? His answer was simple, If you change or modify the chassis it will require an SVA, if it is merely a body change and the chassis is not modified or a new 'different' chassis isn't used then it does not require a test.
We went all through the issues we believed may cause concern at test stage and some of the solutions we had considered and then went out to look at a 'pre' SVA car. He indicated some areas that we hadn't considered that would now require modification for the test, but generally he was of the opinion that we would be able to retain the majority of the features we wanted and still pass the test.
It proved to be a very valuable meeting that has given me a clearer insight into the mystical world of SVA and I am very grateful to David for spending the time going through my concerns with me.

I have just completed a weekends course on mould making and resin casting with Steve at Articole Studios. A very interesting course that has suggested one or two different ideas for the future and I look forward to putting ito practice some of the new skills learnt over the weekend and would want to thank both Steve and Sam for their effort over the weekend.

A Guide to understanding the Price List

2007-01-23T18:17:00.000Z

The below price list didn't transfer very well from the 'prepared' page to the one you actually see.
Basically of the two prices you see, the first more expensive one is our general price. The second cheaper one is the one applicable to 'Gentry Register' members.
Hope that makes it easier to understand. If not, give us a call.

Geoff

SPARE PARTS PRICE LIST

2007-01-23T18:04:00.000Z

I have been asked if I can produce a list of spares that are available with an idea of cost.
Below I have listed those spares that we know will fit the Gentry. Others are available and we will do everything we can to help you locate parts you need.
Gentry register members qualify for the discounts.
We can check for the current price before any orders are placed.
Unfortunately we have not been able to sort out credit card payments yet and so all transactions have to be by way of cash or cheque with the normal conditions.
We do try to only use good quality goods made to original spec. Some of the prices reflect this.
We are not really a 'spares' supplier and prefer to focus on producing Gentry's in self build form so as to keep the car 'alive', therefore our profit margin is considerably less on these items than some of our competitors.

Geoff

PRICE LIST

Non Register
Members Members
Original quality
external locking door
door handle £35.78 £32.20
Ø Cardboard seal
external handle £1.20 £1.08
Ø Alternative cheaper
Door handle £14.50 £14.00
Ø Chrome Tread
strip set £102.68 £92.41
Ø Fixing kit for
above £12.50 £11.25
Ø Stainless Steel strip
kit for side screens £106.07 £95.46
Ø Fixing kit for
above £12.85 £11.56
Ø Wing Nut
2 eared to windscreen £9.88 £8.89
Ø Hex Sidescreen
socket £8.14 £7.32
Ø ‘TF’ Badge Bar £57.75 £51.98
Ø ‘Desmo’ Clamp £7.66 £6.89
Ø Front bumper
with starting handle
hole £92.87 £83.58
Ø Rear bumper
with six holes £92.87 £83.58
Ø Over rider £37.06 £33.35
Ø Grab Handle
with MG crest £23.26 £20.94
Ø Interior Mirror £40.13 £36.12

Ø Plain grab
Handle £9.99 £9.50
Ø Mounting pad
rear view mirror £1.98 £1.77
Ø Rubber seal
bonnet front £6.25 £5.62
Ø Rubber seal
bonnet rear £12.49 £11.24
Ø Rubber Pad
wing to Running
board £4.65 £4.18
Ø Mounting Pad
rear light plinth £2.12 £1.91
Ø Plinth tail lamp
mounting £22.69 £20.39
Ø End capping
bonnet hinge inner and outer
£16.53Pr £14.88Pr
Ø Bonnet centre Strip
£49.85 £44.87
Ø Bonnet Side Strips
£61.29 Pr £55.16 Pr
Ø Wing mirror Flat
£38.90 Pr £37.32Pr
Ø Wing mirror convex
£41.04Pr £37.32Pr

Prices exclude postage and packaging costs.

We reserve the right to increase costs in line with manufacturer’s price increases.

If in doubt, please contact us for advice

ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACKWARDS

2007-01-23T17:18:00.000Z

Okay, so things are progressing well and then we find the 'new' premises we have been searching for. Ideal for everything 'Gentry' related, not quite so hot on the house front. Still if we can sell our current house we can move asap and set too in a new workshop.
The scuttle has gone off for a mould to be made and then I will be speaking with a firm who can hopefully produce a splendid, well chromed screen that should add the perfect finish to the car.
Have an appointment next week with the SVA expert to discuss the changes needed to gain SVA approval. Will report back after the meeting on how much 'extra' work is needed.
Be back next week, hopefully with good news.
Geoff

BLOG GOES LIVE!!! AT LAST

2007-01-06T19:16:00.000Z

Hi, to everyone out there that has been patiently waiting for anything to happen to the blog page. No doubt some have become bored and stopped looking. Well I can confirm that it probably takes longer to design a web site than it does a car!!!!

At long last the page is working and hopefully now every week I will be able to update the site to keep everyone interested informed on how we are doing.

Those who have spoken to us directly will be aware that we have been dashing around the country making contact with suppliers.

We may have located a suitable property and will shortly be negotiating a purcahse price etc etc.
Just what you want in the middle of a build, put your house up for sale and try to move!!!!!

Anyway, as far as the car build goes, I am about to start work on the chassis. Once this work is underway I will hopefully post some pictures on this site. The demonstator and the car we will be taking for the SVA will be Triumph based.
The body panel moulds are being cleaned up and so within a week or two we should have some new panels. Then I will be making a start on the body tub.

We continued to be excited about the progress so far and are looking forward to 2007 generally.

Once we have any more news I'll update the blog again. In the meantime I hope you are all enjoying the New Year and that 2007 brings you everything you would have wanted.

Remember if you need any spares then please give us a call, we have made contact with some very good suppliers and even if we don't have here in stock what you need we'll do our best to find it for you.

Geoff and Ellen

Our 'Blog'

2007-01-06T15:55:00.000Z

We will be updating this page as we make progress with our current project, producing a ‘chassis up' Gentry. Please check back for updates.