Elio Type Vehicle Resurection --- AKA the BEX

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

I will have to buy some front panels and start the nose bodywork, as the CAD is suggesting that the radiator/condenser are too tall where they are located.

[markiver54]

Per Mark BEX ....

I will have to buy some front panels and start the nose bodywork, as the CAD is suggesting that the radiator/condenser are too tall where they are located.

Not really surprised, after seeing the initial picture of that radiator. i know Mark will make it right though.

[Cofisher]

Just add a scoop

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

I am ordering new front panels, just have to wait until they find them, price them, then get them ...

I can not do much until I get them into my hands as they are required for numbers of very important clearance checks, radiator, chassis, suspension, steering ....​

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

I was asked how I mod the panels, I take a section out of the bonnet (hood) and front bar roughly like this (picture 1).

Note it leaves the grille in a somewhat familiar shape (picture 2)....

[JEBar]

In Response to this comment :

"I can see removing and then reconnecting the outer parts can be a time consuming process ..... once you get into production and need a growing number of them, do you foresee finding a company who will produce them for you ?"


Mark BEX stated :

I'm only doing it once, twice if if i have to make changes, then it's a pattern to make fiberglass molds from.

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Parts are ordered and paid for, mentioned they would be sent tomorrow, and hopefully that will be overnight, so maybe Thursday.

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Parts arrived, lets see:

1 x hood, check.
1 x front bumper bar, check.
Left and right inner fender liners, check.​

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

I ordered left and right fenders, and they sent me left and right plastic inner fender liners.

Fenders are now on their way.​

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

That's a bit better, real steel fenders ...
​
But, I have to order the headlights now, as a quick look tells me I might have clearance issues behind where the headlights will sit. Clearly there is a couple of other clearance issues, none of them a big problem.

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Of the parts I got a few days ago, the front bumper bar was wrong, and it took some effort to find a matching bar to the fenders, but now has arrived, along with headlights.

(It's even a better shape for a 'Superman' logo!)

I'm certainly glad I got the headlights, I was a bit surprised, they are very large, and heavy as well, and need some changes to the front of the frame to clear them, not terribly difficult, just annoying.​

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

This week I have to move factory. seems this month I keep getting caught up with things that are relevant to the car, but stop me from actually working on it. I'm only moving 100 yards away, in the same compound.

So today started the tiresome process of cleaning up my old area all the things you gather over the years, that you have to grit your teeth and throw out.

I pushed the terrible twins over to the new area, which is the corner of the factory there behind them, bordered by the steel poles, walls later.​

[JEBar]

when shown the first picture as a possible look of the rear of the BEX

Mark responded with the second picture saying "more like this"

the third picture shows it as it sits today

[JEBar]

to me, its very similar to one of the generations of Elio

[markiver54]

It's looking really good!

[JEBar]

agree .... in the picture showing both BEX trikes, the one on the right is his first hand build .... its function is to take the concept off of the drawing board .... each piece was hand made, hand fine tuned, and hand assembled .... the one on the left with showing the outer shell is being built using the construction parts that will be used in the mass production .... lessons will continue to be learned and some mods are inevitable but its sure come a very long way

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Oh My Goodness!​

I've invented the flying car!!​

Over in the far left, where my forklift still is, you can see my old space. The dark blue wall in the background, is the factory that's being extended through my old space. Bit of a mess, and hence I am stacking stuff while organising the new smaller area, hence the plane on top of the car ..

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....

Nothing to report sorry.​


My new factory area is going very badly. Just got electricity yesterday, wired up my overhead lights myself today, new walls are being erected tomorrow to enclose my area, my forklift broke down 2 days ago and still isn't up and running.

Just a lot of things that is making this the worst move ever in my factory life, thanks mainly to an incompetent landlord who did no preparation work at all, ahead of me moving.​

[markiver54]

And he's so close...bummer.

[JEBar]

Per Mark BEX ....


Electrifying ...​


Well something went right today, a used low hours battery pack installed into my forklift this afternoon.

Boy did it ever make a difference to sorting out the factory which has been depressing to look at in recent days, albeit only a few hours before it got too dark, finish sorting the factory out tomorrow.​