Home to the latest updates and stories on the life of Brünhilda. Written in similar fashion to my modelling updates with the newest entry at the top, only this time I've also included a "recent post" section to quickly jump back in history in case you've missed one. Click on the "read more" button of any post you'd like to read in full and it'll jump to a new page with plenty of photos to complement the story. And in case you're all caught-up, simply scroll down for the latest entry. Happy reading!
Yes, I’ve managed it! I have provided you with 2 (!) updates in 6 months! I agree, one heck of an achievement, I’m proud of it myself, too. All joking aside though, it’s been way too long since the last update (I wonder if that date is wrong, probably not) and although the garage was colder than the fridge for most of the winter, I have since been able to do some work on the car. Especially with the help of my dad who was here for a week during my daughter’s birthday. Anyway, enough of the introduction pleasantries, you’re here to find out what’s been going on with the restoration. Let’s get on with it!
She’s back! I know, it’s been a long time coming and yes, I can finally say those three little words. She is back! Maybe not yet in her final colours, but at least in primer and ready for me to start working on again. I can’t believe what a moment this has been, the anticipation, the wait, the excitement. Let’s just say I’m very happy and eager to get started! The list of jobs is long before she has to go back for paint, so it’s best we get going. However, since it’s been almost 6 months since the last update, let’s have a quick recap before getting on with the latest updates – time to get comfy.
You’re absolutely right, it’s time we have a catch-up on what’s been going on with Brünhilda and the restoration. So, pull in a chair and get yourself comfortable, it’s going to be a lengthy one.
The long silence is something that wasn't planned for, yet somehow it seems that uploading a quick photo to Instagram goes a lot quicker than writing a full update in text format. Combine that with the new family life situation I find myself in and we’re slowly creeping towards that silence I just mentioned…
You’ll be pleased to know that this update is going to be shorter than the previous one, as the car is still being worked on in the body shop and in the meantime there’s not a whole lot I can do. New panels have been ordered to basically replace the entire front end, aside from the bumper and grill (and a few other bits). It’s a lengthy and costly process, but more than worth it when finished. Hopefully I’ll be able to provide you with a more detailed update on the progress not too far from now.
If it weren’t for my social media outputs and continued stream of new episodes of Project C.A.R.™, you’d probably be wondering if I’m still alive. And rightly so, as the previous blog entry dates well over 4 months ago! That in itself is a grotesque mistake on my part and it is about time I provide you with an update on the car and the restoration progress. You might have read most of it in the newsletters of the last couple of months, but if you haven’t subscribed to those yet (shame on you, just kidding, but seriously go hit that subscribe button) you’ll find a lot of new information in the large number of words that will now follow.
Wait, has it really been three months since I last wrote something here?! Has it really been three months of just newsletters to keep you updated on what’s going on?! My sincerest apologies, I’ve completely lost track of what I’m doing with my time. At least I can say all the work I’ve been putting into the house is almost finished, so that should mean more time in the garage soon! All I can offer you now, is one massive update on Brünhilda’s restoration progress. So, you better get you’re drink ready, clear your schedule for the next hour and grab a comfy seat and perhaps be like me wishing you knew how to “speed read” and be done with it in just a few minutes.
We ended last month with a bit of a cliff-hanger as I was waiting for the new tools to arrive. I’m happy to report they have been delivered and they’re the right size. The new 36mm socket allowed me to rotate the crankshaft from the front of the engine, which meant I now had access to the 4 bolts that keep the automatic transmission attached to the engine block. It’s a very small workspace and it’s actually recommended to remove these bolts while the engine and gearbox are still attached to the car, where you’ll have easier access to them. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, isn't it? Eventually I got the bolts removed and the gearbox was now free to be separated from the engine. I thought I drained all the fluid, but it turned out the torque converter (a big drum-shaped part that sits between the gearbox and engine) was still completely full. So, when I finally came to pull the two apart, the floor was covered in oil… Great, another 30 minutes and half a blue-roll well spent on cleaning up the mess.
In the previous update we started work in the engine bay. The original Zenith twin carburettors were removed along with the matching inlet manifolds. In this update, we’ll continue with the engine bay work and separate the engine from the body.
The first new part that arrived was the exhaust manifold by Schmiedmann in Denmark. I unpacked the beautifully crafted and shiny headers from their box and went straight to test fitting them. It took a few attempts, but eventually I got them to fit nicely. I had to remove the hoses between the gearbox and radiator but after that it was pretty much straight forward.
And we’re off! After many months of “supporting” work in and around the garage, I’ve finally started work on the actual car. What a milestone that is!
You may have already seen the very first episode of Project C.A.R.™ in which I introduce the project when I announced it in the previous blog update. If you haven’t already, you can find it on the video page of Brünhilda and YouTube or simply scroll down to the previous blog entry.
And we’re off! After many months of “supporting” work in and around the garage, I’ve finally started work on the actual car. What a milestone that is!
You may have already seen the very first episode of Project C.A.R.™ in which I introduce the project when I announced it in the previous blog update. If you haven’t already, you can find it on the video page of Brünhilda and YouTube or simply scroll down to the previous blog entry.
The biggest news you may have already seen on the various social media channels and the website, is that I’ve launched the teaser video of “Project C.A.R.”, which stands for “Classic Automobile Restoration” and will encompass all work related to the restoration of Brünhilda in many free-to-watch episodes over the coming months. If you haven’t seen it already, the teaser can be seen here.
Brünhilda is home. It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve finally been able to move her to the newly prepared garage. Over the last two years a lot has happened in the background, which all began with the original move to the UK a few years ago. On the 13th January 2018, mum & dad brought her across on a trailer from her long-term storage back in The Netherlands. Dad and I had been working on restoring her for quite some years earlier (back in 2007), but all came to a halt when I moved to the USA in 2011. She’s been gathering dust ever since. As I didn’t have a garage to store and work on her yet, a family member offered their garage for temporary use.
