part 14

Right: the underside of the trailing arm ,may need some trimming at the forward end to prevent it rubbing the chassis. When bad weather made it necessary to work indoors, the front hub units were fitted with new brake discs (£26.4O). my brake calipers were cleaned and silver Hammerite was used, making them contrast conspicuously with the black wishbones. New pads were also fitted (£10.79), and front bearings were replaced for good measure (£17.80). , Just before the calipers are finally attached to the hub assembly, it is wise to install the front mudguard supports because these use the same bolts as the brakes. Using new upper and lower ball jointS on the end of each wishbone (£14.70 and £16.84 respectively), the hub assemblies were temporarily installed in order to fit the wheels. You thus have a rolling chassis, but because the front drive shafts have to be added when the engine is dropped into place, you should leave everything loosely assembled. Likewise the steering rack was fitted temporarily, in order to allow the chassis to be moved around and be garaged. but this to has to be removed later in order to fit the engine and gearbox. Progress Report Thus far, everything had progressed remarkably quickly. Units bolted to the pre- drilled chassis with instant alignments and no holes needing enlargement with my best bastard file. However, just because the chassis is rolling, you mustn't fall into the trap of thinking that a road ready car is a couple of weekends away. It's always the completion jobs that take time - which is why some kit c& builders loose heart and fail to finish, In truth, that's less likely to happen with a Hudson because it doesn't have doors to adjust, rattling windows to silence or windscreen wipers to sort out. So hang on for a moment we Fpick up the spanners again next month. FACT FILE For information on the Free Spirit and Kindred Spirit; Hudson Component Cars, 83 Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1HP. 'Tel: 0603 764230 (Works), 0603 347662 ~Home. 0831 557048 (Mobile)~ Fax: 0603418150 Kindred Spirit two seater £145Q ex Vat~. The kit includes approximately 40 parts and price includes the factory modification of the steering column, brake pedal, and nearside rear suspension arm Body panels Supplied in grey. Colours £35 extra (ex VAt). Chassis supplied in bare metal. Primed £15 extra, painted £45 extra, powder coated by arrangement. ~Prices ex VAT) Parts not included in the kit: Mini handbrake for Kindred Spirit only) -Breaker's yard. Seats Originals can be heavily modified, but Speedograph Richteld make special front seats Front grille (ingenuity using anything from the breakers yard). Battery (original can be used, but compact Exide Torque start highly recommended). Front shockers - Gordini type from Renault dealer Exhaust - Mini single box system but with Hudson down pipe. Optional parts from Hudson: Down pipe - £17, Racing Mirrors - £16 each. Mountfield 10inch steering wheel -£17. Mountfield steering wheel boss- £7. Headlight bowls - £9 each Heila square headlights - £17 eacri. An Owner's Club is currently being launched. Contact Philip Loughlin, 142 New Road1 Hethersett, Norwich, NR9 3HQ. Kits supplied in UK to date (as at September 1991)-over 50. Over 20 kits currently being supplied to Germany. Kit Prices: Free Spirit single seater £1,200 (ex works; ex VAT). seats with indents for Kncred Spirit rear passenger comfort; Speeoograpn Richfield will also upholster the rear seat GrP bucket seat which Comes with the kit. The new front seat re-uses the Original sliding gear). Brackets to support radiator and expansion bottle make from scrap Expansion bottle - Marina fits the space well. Bulb holders for rear lights ~Lucas Supplier). New brake pipe and brackets (kit cat Front indicators - £10 pair (or Yamaha motorcycle dealer). Free Sprit transfers - £3.60 each. Kindred Sprit transfers ' £4.50 each. Price~ quoted exclude VAT. Special Hudson services: Donor cars can usually be supplied and delivered by arrangement - typical cost £50 to £103 plus transport, Chassis alone can be supplied in advance for would £950 -