THE GENTRY MOTOR CAR COMPANY

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