Manky Monkey Motors

A friend of mine has a place in France where he spends more and more time. He asked me if it would be possible to convert his Gentry kit car to left hand drive, then he would leave it down in France. Ezzie Peezie I reply. So he dropped it around with a brand spanking new left hand drive rack. Then he gave me a run down of how he wanted it on the dash etc. Many new brackets and swear words later, I found it ain't so easy. The left side has the starter, the alternator, the wiper motor and fuse box. Plus it also has the exhaust manifold and pipe work. All weekend I slaved away, tacking, trial fitting, re-tacking, moving the pedal box, rebuilding the pedal box. More brackets, re-hash the exhaust pipe, more tacks. Finally think its all there, well the pedals work and the steering work. Now I have to start a new dash board, find a space for the wiper motor, spend a few hours re-glassing over holes on the right hand side, plus longer brake pipe and throttle cables are required, oops, forgot the choke cable. Ezzie peezie my ar*e. Unfortunately he wont appreciate the skinned knuckles and the sleepless nights or the grindings in the eye, he has no idea, let him loose with a screwdriver and he would have an eye out, he is an accountant, no mechanical savvy full stop. However I must say this Gentry is very well screwed together and has nice lines, I could easily see a rod coming out of one, bit like a 34, if you squint a bit and give it some artistic licence.

There's no such thing as an easy peasy job!  ;D ;D

maybe it might lead to the odd weekend in france as reward so could be worth it in the end

Does he have it registered in France or is it on Brit plates still?

still on brit plates, an old "K" plate. Seems it has to be a certain age to qualify in France, but he does intend to get French plates.

From my understanding he hasn't a hope in hell of getting it registered, hence why I asked  :-( Usual trick is leaving it on Brit plates and bring it back , or at least out of France, every 6 months.

Bloke I know moved out there with the bike he built and couldn't get it registered.

Hey, whats with the negative vibes ???
                  This guy is a whizz with paper work and I believe the French love their paper work, seems the car has to be 30 years old or at least have evidence of being 30 years old. A kit car forum has supplied all the details, he is in France at this moment talking to the powers that be, seems that's the Mayor? I'll keep you informed of whats happening.

fingers crossed for your mate coppersmith. hope he gets it sorted and is wizzing round the countryside soon.

good luck is all I can say mate, the French love their paperwork and hate kit car's and modifieds.. I know of several chap's who have tried and failed to get kit car's registered in France, even harder in Spain... I know if a vehicle is over 30 years old it doesn't need a certificate of conformity which is how the frenchies get round problems with their hotrods.... so maybe that is possible... as I say good luck to him as it can be a minefield, but at least he is talking to the most important man in his area, the Mayor :)

forgot to add I hope he proves me wrong as I hope to move over oneday and want to take my old/modified junk with me  ::)

Just forewarned is forearmed . As part of ACE ( www.the-ace.org.uk) I deal with this sort of stuff all the time. I know of a Mini that couldn't get registered because it had a 1000 instead on an 850 , that was 40 years old. Most don't realise how GREAT we have it in the UK.

Braving the monsoon, today the left hooker Gentry went for a MOT. IT PASSED !! no advisory's, the MOT man said good job, chuffed am I ;D ;D. Now, about getting it into France?? (not my concern really, slope shoulders, grab the money and say goodbye ;))

all sorted, ready for the Ferry trip. Drives really nice.

That looks nice.

next project, need a few pointers

another one done ! ( hopefully the last hooker for a while) Ferry on Sunday

That's tidy. So is this your business Steve or a hobby? Are you the Go-To Guy for this particular marque?

Its a hobby Andy but due to ill health it has become a bit of a business. When I'm good, I'm good but when I'm bad, I'm very very bad, so to make ends meet I've been offering my expertise to fellow kit car owners in the South West and have been surprised by the uptake, it keeps the wolf from the door and keeps my brain/mind alert. The left hookers have been a bit of a pain, there is more to it then swapping the rack over, however the paperwork has been taken over by a French speaking Gent, so no hassle for me. I want to build a rod, but at this present time I may just hanker after a trike ( see the post else where). 

Well if you can build a kitcar to that standard, a trike should be no problem. I've often wondered just how many kits there are on the roads cos I don't seem to see many. Maybe I'm just going to the wrong events, or they're so convincing I mistake them for "real" cars!

top job sir, hope the registration goes well as I will be pleased to hear it's possible....
If you can build a trike sir, a basic speedster or modified style hotrod would be hardly that much more work, in fact may prove to be easier than all that tube bending  ;D

another one finished, this one put up a fight, lots of welding and remakes

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Have been busy left hooking again.

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beautiful ,, not into those usually, but that one is clean, simple and lovely...

That's Purdy.

Can't be its to butch. It must be Steed.

 ;D

I'm still admiring Joanna, she got a bit older, but hey so have I  ;D

That is one good looking car.

I like that. Very "zen"

just done a quick turn around for a customer

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That' quiat naice. Like the peaked bonnet.

Another quick turn around, must be the good weather. Last one for awhile, camper all loaded, surf boards all ready, Portugal here we come, I hope  :D

Send us a postcard  :)

Send us a ticket ;D

Another one finished, this one is off to Germany, all paperwork done (by Others), I may deliver it myself, I fancy a jolly  ;D

Nice.

Just read this thread..seems you've got a production line going on there ? Reminds me of when I lived up in London ..glad I'm not doing it now..some interesting stuff going on there sir..well done

and another one for the German kit car club just finished;

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GIVE US A JOB  ;) ;)

Lovely little Midge arrived today, fair bit of work to do, so I better get on. 1500 spitfire engine with overdrive box. Runs a treat.

first one this year, forgot what a bother they can be, still, all done and pay day awaits ;D ;D

'tis a little Moss, spitfire power, handles lovely despite the swing rear axle.

After the success of the last black one, i got a red one to convert. Lots of stainless to TIG weld around the bulkhead but its done and I'm pleased with it. Drives a dream. The black one:

The red one before I attacked it: note the tea cup ;D

Attacked:

Oh dear:

getting there:

That straight 6 Triumph was a nice motor! and you may do even better business soon, when all those ex-pats start returning home, and will need their conversions...well, re-converted!! ;D..Morrag

Good idea Morrag. Luckily I have kept some of the racks etc. ;)

this may be the last one, tightening up on laws, Brexit takes a hold ?

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Brexit? Are you one of these peddlers of doom and despair before the party has  occurred?
 We are still in, any issues are down to peoples fears. Not suprising, I suppose, but dissapointing I would say.
Comment on brexit when it happens..,

Well the guy has been and collected it, and its on its way to Ibiza ! I have a fist full of Euro's and the sun is coming out  ;D
             Doom and gloom?? I've lost a contract and 60 other guy's are sat on their hands who were working on a European contract, which now has to be "renegotiated". Not me being a rumour monger, fact of life.  :(

The bit I didn't understand was the tightening up on laws you quoted - nothing has changed yet, so why would these laws change?

I'm sorry for people in that position, but on the other hand there are companies who've said they now want to move to Britain, and countries who will be glad to be able to negotiate their own deals with Britain - I think it'll be a bit swings and roundabouts.

Doesn't help those who are currently affected I know.

Just had broken English  Email from a German friend who wants a LHD Westfield urgent. He is buying today, will I take it on. Well OK then, pay for my holiday.

I am interested to see when you get the first one to convert back to RHD! ;D,Glad to see that Brexit has got its wish to "regain control of our borders", problem is that border could be Dover side of the Channel, it appears, mmmm...careful what you wish for perhaps? ???.. ;).Morrag

What a load of tosh Morrag

Gentlemen -fluffy forum, remember.  ;)

So you don't watch the news then? sorry Mr M, I shall b....er off now!! Morrag

No need for anyone to leave, just leave the politics at the door eh.  ;)

the 24th. one. Bit of a milestone. 22 went OK, one went strange in the French paperwork, sent it to a Belgianese gent and he loved it, seems its easier to get them registered in Belgium. Back on track with this one, number 24.