Rebuilding Sofia - 1971 Spider in Oz

[fiathead]

That is really amazing looking. Seeing this makes me want to go work on my '68 now more than ever. Thanks for letting us follow the progress.

[Sambo42]

Just a quick update. Sofia is now in etch primer - still some holes to plug up if you look closely, but the bodywork is now getting finished off. A few holes in the front chassis rails and under the front quarters but hopefully they won't take too long to sort out....







Suspension bits have gone off for powdercoating as well...

[Sambo42]

Hi all - just a quick opinion poll for you all. I'm thinking ahead to getting steering, suspension, wiring back together and wanted a couple of quick opinions.

1) Has anyone put in the stainless steel braided hoses from IAP? (http://www.international-auto.com/brake ... -hoses.cfm) - the website suggests they firm up the feel of the brakes but am I going to be finding myself stamping on them with all my weight to get them to perform?

2) Thinking of upgrading shock absorbers since all of the bushings etc will be new. The aftermarket versions that seem to be easiest to find are koni yellows, Kybs (both via IAP), Sachs or koni reds (from spider-point in germany). What are people's opinions? I'm looking for a useable everyday driving car with firmness and tightness (I have a delta integrale - am used to a fairly tight/bumpy ride but don't want to shake out the dentures of any OAPs I give a ride to...)

cheers brains trust

[djape1977]

get teflon/steel braided hoses and a breake booster and master cyl from 132
go for KYB

tried both combos on my cars and it worked well. brake booster and master cil from 132 will make pedal feel very light and soft but stopping power will be increased.

KYB is just right IMHO. not too hard but works far better than original oil filled shocks.

[Sambo42]

Another brief update - back from the panel shop with some photos....

Right front inner wing repair


Right strut tower repair


More of the right front inner wing (finishing off in front of the A pillar)


And now the left front inner wing. This is the chassis rail repair complete with new threads


Getting there....slowly....once the front is finished off the stone guard goes on and then I put her back on her wheels (all the suspension bits getting powder coated as we speak, with most of the new rubber bits either arrived or on order from spider-point in Germany)

[weekend warrior]

2) Thinking of upgrading shock absorbers since all of the bushings etc will be new. The aftermarket versions that seem to be easiest to find are koni yellows, Kybs (both via IAP), Sachs or koni reds (from spider-point in germany). What are people's opinions? I'm looking for a useable everyday driving car with firmness and tightness (I have a delta integrale - am used to a fairly tight/bumpy ride but don't want to shake out the dentures of any OAPs I give a ride to...)

Hi Sambo, i have yellow konis, 35mm lower springs and 15" volumex rims. Very happy with the way it rides and handles.
Noticed in one of your photos you still have the steering column support bracket on the left, you would do well to move it over before spraying.

[Sambo42]

2) Thinking of upgrading shock absorbers since all of the bushings etc will be new. The aftermarket versions that seem to be easiest to find are koni yellows, Kybs (both via IAP), Sachs or koni reds (from spider-point in germany). What are people's opinions? I'm looking for a useable everyday driving car with firmness and tightness (I have a delta integrale - am used to a fairly tight/bumpy ride but don't want to shake out the dentures of any OAPs I give a ride to...)

Hi Sambo, i have yellow konis, 35mm lower springs and 15" volumex rims. Very happy with the way it rides and handles.
Noticed in one of your photos you still have the steering column support bracket on the left, you would do well to move it over before spraying.

Thanks weekend warrior - do you find the yellow konis a harsh ride? I'm leaving the standard springs.

I didn't think I had to move the steering column support bracket over as well as everything else - if extra support is needed I was going to just duplicate it on the RHS. Do I need to remove it on the left as well?


cheers

[perthling]

Steering support bracket will be in the way of the glovebox, won't it?

[Curly]

Steering support bracket will be in the way of the glovebox, won't it?

Yep, you'll have to remove it if you want to fit a glove box

[giuliot60]

Wow! Pretty amazing. Keep it up. Can't wait to see it done. Good luck!

[weekend warrior]

The yellow konis are great, still have them on factory setting though I will firm up the front a turn eventually.
I presume your springs are the lower ride height ones, being an early model?
The steering support bracket needs moving for 2 reasons, not only to leave space for the glove box but to firm up that rectangular tube that the column bolts to.

[Sambo42]

This is exactly why I have the brains trust - I've completely lost track of the number of mistakes I would have made on this build without you guys.

Might invest in yellow konis then - not sure about the ride height but I presume you're right about the springs ('71 model). More pics to come when I get the suspension back together....

[weekend warrior]

IAP have a 3 day sale on Konis, 25% off

[Sambo42]

Just got some bits back from powder coating - just about ready to put the suspension back together....

[Martin124]

verrry nice.