Three new arrivals....

[Matt No VAT]

So there have been three new arrivals in my house lately, the first and most important arrival was little Katie who arrived on 21st November weighing in at 6lb 11.5oz (thats 3.050Kg) and has filled our house with happiness, and nappies, and baby related stuff and sleepless nights.... but you know, its all worth it. :D

The second new arrival was the wifes BMW Touring that had to replace the Saloon car she was driving around in, just because there seems to be so much more "stuff" we have to transport around with us.

And finally, as my Stradale is now sold and heading off to foreign climes in early January (it's heading for its ancestral home) I've nothing to tinker with. (car wise) ;)

So, basically I can't have not have a project to keep me from getting under the wifes feet, so I am embarking on a new project.

See attached photo. :D :rolleyes: :D

[catswhiskers]

Congrats on all the new arrivals Matt. Nice to see santa came early. Now what are you going to open on Christmas morning. :p

Mick

[Matt No VAT]

Either Pro-Plus or a bottle of Chateau Neuf du Pape ! ;) :)

[Swamprat33]

Congrats on the safe arrival of Katie, Matt.
Pleased to see you have your priorities right tho mate - pix of the car rather than your 1st child :D

It looks like you need to renew your membership again Matt, now that you have another Stratos to play with.

You know where we are mate.

Cheers

Tim

[Steve Poole]

Congratulations to you both. What a Christmas :D

Regards, Steve

[mudhut]

Well done Matt. I suppose your first choice for opening on Xmas morning won't be the baby's nappy. But then again there may be no choice at all...

[rutthenut]

Congratulations Matt.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your recently-enlarged family.

:-)

[DaveAk]

Congratulations Matt and Mrs. Matt -

Firstly - :) lets have a picture of little Katie

then tell us about your plans for the new stratos project.

[guy mayers]

Seconded! Congrats Matt!

[Matt No VAT]

Well the car is going to be another Stradale with Alfa V6 power. Not decided on colour yet but at the moment I'm leaning toward yellow or blue, probably yellow. (Subject to change)

I have probably 90-95% of what's needed to complete the car, I've held off buying a screen for it as it'd be sat around for a while and I don't want to risk damaging that.

I need seats recovered but I'll decide on interior colours later on, but all I've done so far is cut out the old engine mounts and prepare it for welding the V6 mounts in, I will officially start the build soon as my completed red Stradale is collected by the transporter company, as that one is occupying garage space at the moment.

First job is to convert the hubs to 5 stud 98 PCD and fit the brakes and the Gold coloured 5 spoke 15" Zender wheels I have, then not exactly sure of the exact sequence of events but engine, ignition, electrics, dash dials and gauges, lights etc but I'll work that lot out later. (as I go)

Exhaust wise, I have Gerry's link pipes which I'll be marrying up to a Ferrari 328GTB back box. Just need to do some minor mods to get that lot to fit together.

This should be easier than the last car as its being built as a V6 from day one plus I've been through this once before so have the benefit of knowledge and experience this time around.

I fully expect that the swear box will be bursting at the seams from time to time though!

The only "new experience" for me that I'm a wee bit concerned about is.... wiring up the electrics using Gerry's loom - I hear theres no wiring diagram ... is that true? I'd be interested in other peoples first hand experience of plumbing one in.

Anyway, pic of my little Katie as requested..

[strat6v]

Nice one Matt :cool: :)

Seems you've already taught her how to wave 'for the camera' :D

[John]

Matt,
congratulations.
That's a bright kid! Waving to the camera at one month is good going!!

[strat6v]

How spooky is that!!

Both typing the same post at the same time :D

[strat6v]

I don't think the wiring and colour codes will have changed a lot but i put higher powered feeds out to the various loads. these are switched by new relays, actuated by the original wiring. Mainly things like the headlamps, headlamp motors, horns, front fogs etc.

[rutthenut]

The only "new experience" for me that I'm a wee bit concerned about is.... wiring up the electrics using Gerry's loom - I hear theres no wiring diagram ... is that true? I'd be interested in other peoples first hand experience of plumbing one in.

I may have a wiring diagram of the older Hawk loom, although I believe that more recent looms have a bit more in them (including relays for lighting, perhaps?).
Anyway, I didn't find this so difficult or worrying when I did mine. Made it a bit more difficult when the rabbit decided to help by chewing on some of the wires though! Also recall that a few of the wires weren't 100% correct in the loom, but easily changed - once you find the problem, that is.

Could always give you a hand if I'm around when you are doing leccy stuff.

Just remember to use a fuse in the main feed when first connecting up a battery to the loom in the car.

Anyway, pic of my little Katie as requested..
Ahhh. Nice pic.

[BAS]

Well done Matt, I hope you are all getting enough sleep.

I didn't think you would be stratless for long! As for the wiring, my loom is from 1989 & I haven't see diagram. I still have this job to do, so if anyone does have one I wouldn't mind a copy.

All the best.

[Matt No VAT]

Brent & John,

I have my old build manual from 1989 too with a "basic" wiring diagram (hahahahaha)

But I'll ask Gerry and see if he has anything more up-to-date.

John, I may take you up on your offer of assistance once I've reached the point of a nervous breakdown over the wiring. Between the three of us we must be able to get something a little more definitive sorted out.

Likewise Brent, if you need a hand or a fresh set of eyes then you just have to ask, I'm only up the road from you.

[BAS]

Thanks Matt, I'm sure I'll take you up on the offer. I may bring my loom over & and see if they match up.