PROJECT PLAN CHANGE
The last week has been one of change; in fact change for the better. On Monday 24th August I was going over the build details and what needs to be done towards shipping to Auckland. The shipping schedule was a Monday departure from Picton, Christchurch arriving Friday in Onehunga, Auckland. This was not a problem at all other than my limited time in New Zealand and incredible impatience on my part to have the car on the road.
The car was completed on schedule by McGregor’s as a rolling chassis with body panels painted and attached – we were left with assorted wiring, interior fittings, final additions towards registration and compliance. This could not be done before I was due back in Japan so a decision was required.
I phoned the McGregor team and asked if they would like;
To completely finish the car
To complete the compliance testing
To register the car
To get a roadworthy check
I would then fly down to Christchurch on Monday 7th September to take delivery and drive the car home. The answer was a very big YES and within one hour I had air tickets, hotel bookings and a ferry crossing reservation. Phoning back the team had organized a Monday evening BBQ and viewing of the car that was combined with the local 7 club members evening blat! This was incredible and I could not think of a better way to begin owning a Mach7.
The drive home should be equally amazing….all 800 plus kilometers!!
Category: MACHsr7 BUILD 2009 – 2016
Thursday 21 August 2009
BACK IN NEW ZEALAND
The schedule we discussed back in March came right down to the wire today as I spoke to Mark and Robert with a background McGregor Mach7 idling happily….my car is alive! The project has been successful due to very clear communication coupled to a couple of passionate professionals working their magic in Christchurch. I cannot praise them enough as when they said in March this year “welcome to the family” it did not fully sink in but five months later I do indeed feel very much a part of a very special family.
I sensed a reluctance to let go their latest Mach7, this has been a very special project. I welcomed all innovative changes to ensure that not only will I get a great product but the McGregor team gets the freedom to refine and improve upon their Mach7 kit cars. The rolling chassis original build has become an almost complete turnkey for a variety of reasons.
Japan is a long way away which would make this a time consuming kit-car build. While I do not mind amassing endless fly miles I am sure my University would notice me missing for weeks on end. The Japanese Yen has been killing the New Zealand Dollar so the price of fabrication and assembly is very reasonable; I can see many Japanese friends looking very seriously at such a project!
So what is next?
The car is bundled into a shipping container next week and I will get to see the painted car and all the newly developed options for the first time! This will certainly be on the BLOG pretty quickly!
Well done the McGregor team!
Monday 10 August 2009
IT DRIVES
This week the build is making major progress with the car actually a running bare chassis. After being at the dyna-tune the car arrived back ready for a body-less test drive up the road!
Finally the painted body parts are being attached!
Monday 27 July 2009
AESTHETICS
There has been a lot of discussion about the dashboard and I have always wanted a carbon fiber unit that was custom made off a mold. This was greeted enthusiastically by Mark and Robert and once again this build incorporates new designs and upgraded components.
Thursday 23 July 2009
FABRICATION
Within a few days of sending parts out they quickly were coming back to the workshop and Mark and Robert began the install for the rolling chassis that I requested.
The Belly Pan installed the chassis could be flipped over and the installation of suspension, brakes and drive components began. It is remarkable sitting here in Japan and seeing the photographs and talking to Mark and Robert about the progress. I cannot say enough how impressed I am with the total dedication and professionalism that continues through this progress – simply a passion for these remarkable cars.
Tuesday 21 July 2009
PAINTING AND POWDER COATING
With the chassis and components all completed, fitted for any tweaking all the bits and pieces were soon outside the workshop ready to be sent off to the powder coaters and painters respectively.
July has been a process of emails arriving with a simply instruction from the McGregor Team, “decision time – please call.” My latest high tech toy, the iPhone G3s being wireless compatible allows SKYPE to be my instant communicator. From paint colors, dash configurations, tire selection all requests were answered in numerous locations through out Japan.
Friday 26 June 2009
QUESTIONS
A rhetorical question is asked for its persuasive effect without the expectation of a reply. Two weeks ago Robert from McGregor MotorSport asked, “Would you mind a two week delay on the chassis as we would like to incorporate the latest updated design features?” Obviously I would not say no but this again shows the professionalism of the team at McGregor MotorSport to ensure the customer is fully informed during the build process.
The module descriptions that McGregor MotorSport is now using are really informative for first time kit car builders. The detail is well appreciated and certainly allows a clear picture of the entire build process. This has certainly changed the image of inviting a few mates over armed with beers and hammers to knock out a car before the rugby starts on the TV!
Driving in Japan is something that you may be interested in. I have a daily roundtrip commute of 100kms on local and paid highways. In the past five years I have lost count of the number of accidents I have seen and certainly could not count all those accidents in waiting I see daily. It is as if there is this intense desire to bend thin metal panels, explode glass and shatter plastic. Even in my most cynical moments there is an underlying belly of truth for the causes.
Japan has a driver’s license system that expects all people to attend authorized driving schools which meticulously instructs students. In fact I would say without hesitation that Japan has the most skilled parkers in the world. Reversing into a space the size of a matchbox using only mirrors is done effortlessly – well done all those white gloved diligent drivers and stoic instructors. Sadly the driving skills like awareness, following distances, driving conditions, car control, decision making, and high speed versus immovable objects are sadly lacking.
Now the above driving education program costs about $5,000 NZ dollars and for that investment serious questions need to be asked about the 2005 Japan 933,828 accidents, 6,871 deaths and 1,156,633 injuries. On that note I will now go out for a drive!
Saturday 9 May 2009
BRAKES
While the chassis is away being prepared for powder coating the build focus shifted towards brakes. My brother Grant was concerned about the braking capacity and my reply was from a comment on driving a Lotus 7 Kit Car during a club day event. One of the new members complained that he was experiencing brake fade after 4-5 laps. An experienced fellow Lotus & driver when consulted gave a succinct reply; “don’t use your brakes then”.
During my learning laps at Ruapuna I asked Mark for a braking point at the end of the main straight. Mark look puzzled and said you do not really need to brake…then smiled. Last week Mark emailed me with some pretty exciting news in regard to brakes. Currently McGregor MotorSport use the cast iron set up clearly detailed by Mark in the photo below.
I was asked if I would like to be the first customer for McGregor MotorSport’s Designed Hi Performance Brake Calipers. The design details further reinforce McGregor MotorSport’s continued quest for improvements;
Aluminum Calipers
Aluminum Uprights
Aluminum Hubs
Rotors – slotted and drilled
Fully Certified
The expectations are that the new design will be 60% lighter and 70% more efficient! Of course I have accepted the offer and look forward to seeing the finished Anodized Aluminum Units with the McGregor MotorSport name and logo machined into them.
Well done team!
Tuesday 5 May 2009
MAY IN JAPAN
Japan is now settling down after the euphoric cherry blossom season which after 12 years I have accepted as;
A time to lay out a large blue tarpaulin under a flowering cherry tree
Encourage friends, families and even strangers to sit with you
Drink copious amounts of intoxicating beverages and pretend to BBQ
Try and make your face match the color of the falling red blossoms
See who can full up a 4GB SD card first of cherry blossom moments
Engage in any form of intoxicated behavior knowing all will be forgiven
But…I love it too!
So as this very merry cherry season fades away I am focusing on the Mach 7 build. The distance from New Zealand has been further bridged by the Lotus Forums in New Zealand which can be seen at http://www.lotus7.co.nz/forum
This has been fantastic and allowed for such positive sharing and discussions within and about the world of Lotus 7 folks. I applaud the organizers and of course all those who contribute.
Wednesday 29 April 2009
APRIL UPDATE
It is important to keep everyone on the same page during a project. In my Mach 7 build it is even more critical given that I am in Japan and the car is in Christchurch. Mark and Robert quickly established themselves as excellent communicators from day one and this has been a vital part of this initial build.
Today was a recap of progress and the next steps that will be taken. I was very fortunate to work within the MRP [Manufacturing Resource Planning] world initially in Marketing and Management then Seminar Training. Learning about the BOM [bill of material] alongside the theories of assembly to manufacturing has been so valuable in this Mach 7 Kit Car project to date.
The update today from the factory was;
The Chassis is ready to be cleaned, prepared for powder coating after a final install check of all the components for a basic rolling chassis.
The engine is pristine and attached to the transmission awaiting a standard or aftermarket complete air intake. I am going to source that here in Japan given I am in the land of Mazda!
I again confirmed that I want this as a rolling chassis build. This means that the car can start and drive onto a transport vehicle. Now I am using the term car very liberally as it will have no body parts, they may need to sit on a milk crate but it will go forward, backwards and turn. The temptation for Mark and Robert to take the milk crate mounted chassis around the block may be hard to resist! I am sure that sanity will prevail!
Another very valuable conversation – SKYPE is going to be such a valuable part of the build in Auckland with live viewing of any, which there will be many, puzzling moments.