the life of rolie

[dave]

Looks like chrome that's bounced back black in the flash; after all, PomB pulled it from some 1965 Japanese newspaper!!!!

[Pombellett]

Not Dellortos, we were going to run Webbers until we saw the size of the Japanese copy SUs on the original engine and so we'll give them a go first.
Got the brakes on now, the original GT calipers are Dunlop and are only single pot, but more importantly very difficult to rebuild, and by sheer luck we found some twin pot jobs with the same PCD as the Dunlops (which we will still rebuild at a later date, to get the FIA papers) The brakes are free at Goodwood incidently......I do like good brakes and I think these bad boys will stop Rolie PDQ.

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Sorry these pics have come out a little dark.

The shocks, by the way, are duel adjustables fron an old Alfa race car

[Pombellett]

Oh yes and Dave's right the grille is a chrome one.

[69bellettGT]

I am impressed this is one amazing restoration and rebuild, I have the same motor with twin SU carbs as well. Looking to get it running as soon as possible. I am in the process of tearing down for body work and paint soon. Cant wait to see more progress of your amazing Bellett!

[oz_toffa]

You guys are doing an amazing job in such a short amount of time and there are some real interesting Mods and additions.
love all the pics that are being posted. keep them coming


OZ

[yellowperil]

Yep Pom B

Oz Toffa is right. Love the piccies - and the work of course.

I'm not sure how the purists would take to the Bellett being cheapened by the addition of Alpha parts.

It would be a bit like replacing a critical Riley part with one from...err....umm.....
... a Morris Marina???

[Pombellett]

Trouble is YP I love my Alfas and I always like to get a bit of that old 'heart and soul' into all my cars, even though I'm sure Rolie's got it in spades anyway.
As for your continued broadside of our proud nation's favourite coupe, I've decided my next build WILL be one of the "tapered like a t*rd" classic pieces of British Leyland machinary, and I WILL post every minute detail of the build on the forum..........no I won't I'll PM to you and old Sticky
Anyway back to Belletts, I've managed to get one of the programmes from 1965 when Rolie's mentor was entered.....look at the opposition!

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Although I'm expecting the same (more variety though) in Sept, but I'm hoping Rolie will make a better account of himself than his predessor.

[oz_toffa]

After all the work you and your mates have done, Pom, i am sure Rolie will do you proud.
Hope you get everything done in time


OZ

[Pombellett]

The exhaust manifold is now looking very racey.

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And the cooling system is up and running. And believe it or not......good brake pedal at the first time of asking.

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The cabin's coming along too.

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You can see the battery and the brake bias bar on the other side of the handbrake and also the original binnacle, yet to be fitted, with a new rev counter but original speedo. The colour looks a little weird because of the flash on my toy camera

[mrflibbles]

great work! thats a sexy exhaust there!

[gazzweld]

Hi all,Just joined the forum,and am very excited with the progress of rolie ,and feel very proud as well, because rolie used to belong to me.
I bought rolie in 1975 from a caryard in Canberra, and was the second owner, and the car has been in my family right up untill I sold it last year at the Bellett National at Coonabarabran. Great to see it`s progress.

[Pombellett]

Welcome to the forum Gary. Here's a pic, of the first time your old car has touched down on British soil in his new guise.........believe or not this was a thrilling time for us all here.

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It may not be obvious from the photo, but we were all pretty pleased to see how he sat, although we do think he may be a little over springed at the front....we'll see at Goodwood on the 10th.

[gazzweld]

Looks great ! Good luck on the 10th.

[mrflibbles]

looks great make sure you get lots of shots when at goodwood! love to see old cars giving all they got! your progress on rollie is nothing short of amazing, and you do realise we will want to here the engine when you fire him up the first time...

[pearcesnr]

Driver B Mc Laren, could it be !!!! we know Isuzu played around with sports cars not much longer after this.Though the capacity should be 1479cc.
Pearcesnr.

[oz_toffa]

plenty of pics before and at the race please guys, and a short video in full song around a long left or right hander would be just the spot.
We are all rooting for you and sure hope you show them boys how Isuzu builds cars.

Cheers


OZ

[cdtpf60]

are you going to be at the festival of speed in july? as i will be there

[Pombellett]

Don't forget Oz, that the 10th is only a sort of 'selection review', where the invited get to show off their cars . And although the track will be open most of the important action will be taking place in the paddock, where the selctors will be prodding and poking all the hopefuls and generally playing God with automotive history.
Some people will be given a 'bye' into the Revival and don't need to show up at all. These are usually seasoned regulars who have a top end Goodwood car, like Jimmy Clark's original Lotus Cortina, or the very same Falcon that Jack Sears won the blah blah blah in.
All the rest of us plebs have to 'line up on the school wall' and hope that we're not the wheezy fat lad that's the last to be picked.

Sadly, apparently, we don't know the result for a few weeks, but you guys will be among the first to know.

We're quietly confident.......we've done a lot of homework.
Then, if we get through, the event proper is on the 16th, 17th and 18th Sept.............here's a good little film of the paddock in a year that the St Mary's cars (Roli's lot) were from the 50's. (Obviously Rolie will be racing in the 60s grid) These are at the end of the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzKc8E1Xlbc

I probably will be at the Festival pf50, but not with the car. Maybe get in touch when I know for sure

[PR95]

Love the the old MM Morris Minor at the end, Good luck PB, How many do they accept?

[Pombellett]

Back in the early 60s a group of young spanner swingers finally got their project car running and "el va" (she goes) was their cry. And henceforth Elva cars was born.
Well, the other day, at Rolie Towers, the cry was "il va"...he goes!

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And, boy does he sound good.