A stiff Chinky

As previously posted I had some concerns about the hole the previous owner Pablo had cut in the floor of the Cinquecento to install the batteries under the seat. Having spoken with Andy, my tame MOT inspector it was agreed that some strength needed putting back into the monocoque chassis to replace the metal cut out. £15 worth of 1" x 1" steel square tube was duly acquired and a basic frame was stitched and then seam welded to the floorpan where ever it touched - in more than enough places. Near to the seat belt mountings a strip of angle iron was let in to reinforce

the floorpan to subframe area all the more.

With the new frame built up and a dash of paint it was time to make the battery cover. Plywood was chosen for a few reasons - it is a good insulator so won't short out the tops of the batteries if accidental contact is made, it looks okay, it's cheap, it's easy to work with and I had a bit lying around in the garage. This is a budget project remember, so anything that can be used will be used. Including the old suitcase handle I found in the shed, which makes removal of the cover much easier than levering it out with a screwdriver each time access to he batteries is needed.

The seat refits nicely over the frame and only an inch higher than before, only the ill fitting carpet giving the game away that anything might be lurking under there. A new carpet will be fitted at some point once the car is on the road again.

The broken rear light has now got my attention and has been removed with 2 new replacements on the way courtesy of E Bay £4 each plus postage. These are the newer spec with the white(grey?) style indicator lenses. Looking at the old lamp I have removed I think it will be possible to replace the bulbs with LED bulbs to save the 12Volt accessory battery a little, although the indicators will need a resistor in place so they still flash at the right rate.

I'm also hoping the SAAB sourced vacuum pump will arrive tomorrow, so I can get on with the brakes.