mk1 bullnose crew cab project

[oldskooler]

well progress on this one in the bodyshop is slower than i was expecting...the engine bay is now prepped for paint, along with most of the inside, but still a way to go before ill be getting it back in paint..

so unfortunately my plans of having it finished and on the road for this 60th year of the transit dont look too reasistic at this stage...

ive been doing a few bits of prep work on parts etc to speed up the process when i eventually get it back....

i had a call from the trimmers and the seats are now recovered in black leather and ready for collection, along with the dash top sections that i had recovered in black vinyl....looking forward to seeing how those bits turned out...

also got the body mounting brackets, air suspension cross beam and a few other parts galv dipped before getting them powder coated black...should be a lifetime job...








will post more pics from the bodyshop next time i call there....

[mk2 transit crew]

Still time to get it ready for the 60th with your capabilities, all comes down to how much free time you have!!! look forward to seeing the progress after the paint is done!! im aiming to be at the 60th so hopefully will see you there with this one or another that you have.....

[oldskooler]

Still time to get it ready for the 60th with your capabilities, all comes down to how much free time you have!!! look forward to seeing the progress after the paint is done!! im aiming to be at the 60th so hopefully will see you there with this one or another that you have.....

its still not in paint, so ive deffo given up on having it at any of the events this year.....i think ill actually enjoy the build up after it comes back more now that i wont be under pressure to have it done...

are you going to the show in gaydon in a couple of weeks time?

ill be taking my mk2 van...

[MinorMatt]

Im going to do my normal trick and let the side down with a tatty smiley (albeit a camper)

[mk2 transit crew]

Yes planning to be at Gaydon. just did the first show with mine at chilton hills event this weekend just gone. plan to get the use out now its finished and been test run enough times reasonably locally. will see you there!!

[oldskooler]

Im going to do my normal trick and let the side down with a tatty smiley (albeit a camper)

its gotta be done!!

see you there...

[oldskooler]

Yes planning to be at Gaydon. just did the first show with mine at chilton hills event this weekend just gone. plan to get the use out now its finished and been test run enough times reasonably locally. will see you there!!

great stuff mate....looking forward to seeing yours in the flesh.....

see you there...

[oldskooler]

i got my seats back from the trimmers recently and i have to say im very happy with how they turned out.....






im hoping to see a bit more progress from the bodyshop soon hopefully...

[mk2 transit crew]

very nice, i like the way that's been covered. drivers seat looks pretty much like it should be there and of similar shape and size. very cool.

[oldskooler]

well im afraid to say this project has totally lost momentum the last couple of months.....its the same story in the bodyshop in that it keeps getting pushed aside for commercial/garage work to take priority.....in saying that i am happy with the work thats being done so far,.......but at this stage id just like it to get wrapped up asap, so i can get it back and get stuck into building up over the winter months......

in the meantime, after being constantly worried about my choice of grey for the colour, and how it will look built up with the new alloy body and new chrome bumper and other bits, i had an idea of using an AI/chat Gpt program to generate an image of how the finished truck might look to put my mind at ease.....

so as i wouldnt be that hot on the latest tech myself i put a call out on facebook and got some help from a young lad whos father i know well through the old ford scene....

i basically sent him a pic of the truck outside the garage before it went to the bodyshop, and also sent him a few more pics of complete bullnose mk1,s so he could swap over the bumper and other bits of trim needed so he could add them to the pic of mine in my chosen colour....

a few mins later he came back with a very good idea of how the finished article will look......amazing stuff really!!








and heres the AI generated version of the above pic.....





have to say im happy with how the grey will look with the white infill front panel...


im hoping my next update will be a real image of the truck in grey lol.....

[mk2 transit crew]

well i see the picture before reading it and thought it looked awesome!!
impressive what ai can do that's for sure.

not seen wheels banded with them centres but looks really good too.

[oldskooler]

well after a long break, at last i can share a bit of progress on this project..

long story short, it finally went into paint towards the end of last year, which coincided with me having some serious back trouble which resulted in me having surgery which has put me well behind for the last few months...

nevertheless i did manage to get the truck home and have made a start at putting it back together........

[oldskooler]

my recovery after surgery has been slow so far, so rather than starting fitting the heavy running gear yet, ive instead been going through all the bits of trim and smaller parts ive been collecting up and ive been picking the best bits along with refurbing some other parts to start fitting to the cab and doors etc....

will start to attack all the bigger stuff when im feeling more up to it.....

[Neil]

looking great

[mk2 transit crew]

Wow Declan, that's come out nice. great colour choice even if i am biased.

hopefully your back gets better quick as i cant wait to see mine next to this one!!!