Gilbert the Gilbern - The Ongoing Story

[Peter Mallett]

Is the gearbox located further forward than in the GT? I recall reaching almost behind me for the gearstick in Gilbert.

[Gerard C]

Is the cage fitting the same hasle as for any Lotus or Alpine Renault? Quite a challenge to have it safely connected to the "chassis" it seems.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Is the gearbox located further forward than in the GT? I recall reaching almost behind me for the gearstick in Gilbert.

Yes you are right, the stick is further forward compared with the standard GT, this is a Jag box. Also the handbrake lever is further forward. Ironically my seat is going to be slightly further back as I could only really find one position for it and that required some persuasion.

[Peter Mallett]

Certainly looking forward to seeing it in the metal.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Is the cage fitting the same hasle as for any Lotus or Alpine Renault? Quite a challenge to have it safely connected to the "chassis" it seems.

The cage on the Chevy GT has had to be a bit of a design compromise to mate with the half cage fitted by the previous owner and, as unlike my other GT, it had to be fitted with body on.

These pics are of my other GT, as a naked chassis a whole lot easier proposition. Note too various chassis mods such as seat and belt fixing points I had put in at the same time.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Certainly looking forward to seeing it in the metal.

When and where will Gilbert be out and about this year? Like the Hutchison car, we are yet to meet on track! My first outing this year is Brands on 1st/2nd with Equipe GTS.

[Peter Mallett]

I only drive Gilbert when invited to sit in for Mary Bell. I will be out with HRDC end April at Donington in my MGB. Will be playing at Goodwood on Monday with HRDC.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I only drive Gilbert when invited to sit in for Mary Bell. I will be out with HRDC end April at Donington in my MGB. Will be playing at Goodwood on Monday with HRDC.

I will have my GT at the Donny meeting end of April, HRDC All Stars. I had planned to give it a shakedown at Goodwood on Monday next week but had a date clash. I'm looking forward to the GTS races at Brands, I have not been out with them before and apparently it will be a healthy grid. I will also do the GTS rounds 10th/11th June at Silverstone GP.

[MGDavid]

Originally Posted by MikeL

When and where will Gilbert be out and about this year? Like the Hutchison car, we are yet to meet on track! My first outing this year is Brands on 1st/2nd with Equipe GTS.

The Hutches and Team Delta are both running in the Autosport 3 hours on 23rd April; Mary & I are doing a few CSCC Classic K rounds as well, starting with Thruxton on 6th May; Silverstone, Brands and Castle Combe are all possibles at this stage. Lastly Iain & I intend to do Spa 6hrs again.

[MikeL]

The Chevy GT off to the GRP specialist for body repairs and removal on the blistered hand-rolled/brushed paint applied by a previous owner.

[Gerard C]

Hand brushed?? I guess the water/oil hoses have been made by a plumber! No doubt, you gonna bring it to its former glory.

[MikeL]

Not a successful weekend, Brands 1st/2nd April, the fresh 3 synchro box installed for this year kept jumping out of gear, I will be putting the 4 synchro back in before the next outing.

[MikeL]

Work on the Chevy GT continues.

[delta]

Gilbern team entered Autosport 3 hour . The Smith .Bell . Rowley car had dizzy come loose in qualy “ blooming engine builders “. Alll
Sorted for the race and MG David went off and did two hours in awful conditions . We lost 30 min when rotor arm fell off but got recovered back to pits and replaced so David could finish his stint . I did last 45 mins which was more than enough for me in the pooring rain . Mary did not race as she fell of ladder and broke her wrist . We still had lovely weekend and Mikes two sisters took the opertunity to scatter Mikes ashes at the circuit . Such a shame about the weather but hey Ho . The Hutchingson’s Gilbern was running well but John Junior retired the car with poor visibility and made very wise decision . Dr Bob also retired for same reason with the Elite . Team Delta have had better weekends but it was the first time the full team have been together and I had lovely time with many memories brought back with Mike .

[Gerard C]

Good and speedy recovery, Mary Bell.

[Lancsbreaker]

Well done for persisting in bad conditions.......and commiseration to Mary, with good wishes for a quick recovery.

[midgetman]

This may be available to UK viewers tonight. In case the resolution is lousy, a programme on the history and present of Gilbert. ITV1 8:00 but as it's under a title if Vanished Wales maybe it's only a regional thing.

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[Malcolm Smith]

Max, many thanks for advising about Gilbern programme which I have just enjoyed watching. Link:

https://www.itv.com/walesprogrammes/...es-2-episode-5

[midgetman]

Just settled down to watch it on the TV only to find it won't "cast" to the big set. That's a shame.

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[Cliff Ryan]

I just watched it by clicking on Malcolm's link - thanks both for sharing

[John Elwin]

Not this side of the Channel, it seems, sadly.

[MikeL]

Body finished, I now need to figure out how to get this lump positioned.

[Gerard C]

Do the manifolds interact with the suspension elements or "only" the firewall)(? We had this to fix on our '67 big block 'Vette. Hence the fact we could not "push" the upper wishbones inside the bay as wished to obtain the wanted neg camber. Great job.

[MikeL]

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Do the manifolds interact with the suspension elements or "only" the firewall)(? We had this to fix on our '67 big block 'Vette. Hence the fact we could not "push" the upper wishbones inside the bay as wished to obtain the wanted neg camber. Great job.

Suspension wise it looks fine, the challenge for the manifolds is clearance to the body and the chassis. The previous owner made new engine mounts but the engine was sitting so far back that there was no room to get the manifolds on. I need to pull the block forward, and perhaps lower, and somehow avoid a clash between the pump/bottom hose and the column. I have a pair of rams-horn manifolds and a tubular pair, I'm not sure either will fit and I expect I will need to get something custom made.

[delta]

Always difficult . Our early Galaxie car we had to fit the headers on loosely as we lowered the engine into the bay . Good luck . All looking good . Well done and thanks for the updates