Its the end of the week, and unfortunately coming into the weekend, I think I have to step back and just accept that the car isn’t going to be finished by the Open House. I’ve tried really hard the last few months but its just gotten too close.

Things going on at work kept me at the office late Monday and Tuesday, and kept me out of town Wednesday and Thursday, so I haven’t touched the car since last weekend. I did get a bit of time this afternoon to get some stuff done. I have no idea when I’m going to be able to get help with the body, though, and I’m assuming this weekend will be basically a write-off where the car is concerned.

I started off today stopping at the local hardware store to get some bolts and nuts for mounting the foot switch for the high beam circuit to the bracket I made last weekend.

Once I had the hardware, I mounted the bracket in the car. I discovered that I had spaced out while measuring the hole location for the bolts and the switch only fits with the wiring connectors facing into the footbox. Thankfully I can zip-tie them out of the way, and they won’t get in the way of my feet. The switch is mounted from behind, with 1/2″ stainless spacers to hold it back a bit. I may not be able to reach it if I’m wearing big boot type shoes, but with normal shoes I’ll be able to.

While testing the clutch to make sure I had clearance, I discovered the clutch assembly hit the top bolt holding the drain plug onto the side of the footbox. I am so glad that I tried the clutch — if I hadn’t before putting the body and everything else on, I would’ve had to remove everything to remove that bolt.

Once that was done, I got the foam tape and bulb seal installed on the car. The battery died in the camera, so I only got the one picture above, but I’ll post more tomorrow.

At this point the body can be put on the car. I’m hoping I can get help this weekend. Until then I have a few things I can still be doing. I can install the carpet, at least parts of it, and I can do things like the vinyl work on the transmission tunnel.

If it looks unlikely I can get the body on the car, I may remount the alignment hardware and take a stab at fixing the camber on the front wheels.

I’ll be able to drive it to the Open House painted next year, and I’m sure it’ll be finished in June so I can drive it to car things during the summer. Its disappointing, to say the least, to not make it but at this point I’d have to cut corners to finish it in time, and obviously I won’t do that.