UPDATE #39 - THE RESURRECTION
Where do I begin?
I think I have to start by apologising to everyone following this thread for dissapearing like that, it wasn't intentional but this thread getting locked was probably the best thing to do under the circumstances (Thanks Bstardchild!).
I don't want to send the thread too far off topic with non-car talk but I reckon I owe you guys an explanation, so let me tell you how I came to fall off the radar until now.
Late last year I was getting into some real financial trouble. I was paying out more than I could really afford, mainly because I was paying rent for my shared house plus the same out again to rent the workshop where Family Dragster is being built. Coupled with the fact that I was trying to start a business and no real income to speak of my finances were spiralling out of control.
Things came to a head in September 2009 when it became clear I would have to give something up to stay afloat, and this was a very tough decision for me. I'd spent a big portion of the last couple of years putting my heart and soul into this project, it broke my heart to be even considering cutting my losses at this stage, I'd come so far and this project had become a big part of my life.
But despite my best efforts to find a way around losing my workshop or my home a decision of had to be made, something had to go. I think I did what anyone else would have done in the circumstances..... In September I gave up my home and moved into the workshop. (What, you thought I was giving up on the twin engine project? Over my dead body! ;D )
I got myself a chemical tiolet off freecycle and borrowed a camping stove, turned my workbench into my kitchen and braced myself for some uglyness. Now, I thought if there was ever an upside to being Family Dragster's roomie it was that I'd be around the project 24/7 and much progress would surely follow. But in practice this wasn't the case. I had no water so the last thing I felt like doing was getting cacked up with old sealer and grubby components with nowhere to wash. And the grim living situation did nothing for my morale which slowed progress down to a standstill.
Of course during this time I had no internet access at all which resulted in my Lord Byron act. I wasn't sure how long I'd be in this situation, it was hard to tell but I could see no immediate light at the end of the tunnel at this stage. Grim times. I spent a very cold and uncomfortable September, October and November living in my workshop before thankfully I was baled out and I was lent the money to get myself a flat which I did with lightening speed!
It took a while to get set up as I still had the income issues so the internet didn't follow until earlier this year, and it's pretty much only in the last month that I've returned to the workshop to pick up where I left off.... And this time I'm going to do it properly!
Looking over Family Dragster reveals she's in a bit of a sorry state. Miraculously the only parts to be sold off of the project was the dashboard and the steering wheel as I needed the cash. Stubbornly I kept hold of all the important bits as I knew if I sold those it would be a long time before I could replace them again, if at all.
So I still have both engines, both sets of twin 40's, the split rims, the big brakes, coilovers and all the other fancy bits that are destined to be a part of this thing. I still have my welder and I still have my enthusiasm to finish this thing, in fact I am even more incensed to get this done! No deadlines this time, but no distractions and no messing around either. I'm going to kick things up a gear and make up for some lost time. I hope the interest from you guys is still there after all this time!
Brace yourselves for more updates in the coming weeks!
Where do I begin?
I think I have to start by apologising to everyone following this thread for dissapearing like that, it wasn't intentional but this thread getting locked was probably the best thing to do under the circumstances (Thanks Bstardchild!).
I don't want to send the thread too far off topic with non-car talk but I reckon I owe you guys an explanation, so let me tell you how I came to fall off the radar until now.
Late last year I was getting into some real financial trouble. I was paying out more than I could really afford, mainly because I was paying rent for my shared house plus the same out again to rent the workshop where Family Dragster is being built. Coupled with the fact that I was trying to start a business and no real income to speak of my finances were spiralling out of control.
Things came to a head in September 2009 when it became clear I would have to give something up to stay afloat, and this was a very tough decision for me. I'd spent a big portion of the last couple of years putting my heart and soul into this project, it broke my heart to be even considering cutting my losses at this stage, I'd come so far and this project had become a big part of my life.
But despite my best efforts to find a way around losing my workshop or my home a decision of had to be made, something had to go. I think I did what anyone else would have done in the circumstances..... In September I gave up my home and moved into the workshop. (What, you thought I was giving up on the twin engine project? Over my dead body! ;D )
I got myself a chemical tiolet off freecycle and borrowed a camping stove, turned my workbench into my kitchen and braced myself for some uglyness. Now, I thought if there was ever an upside to being Family Dragster's roomie it was that I'd be around the project 24/7 and much progress would surely follow. But in practice this wasn't the case. I had no water so the last thing I felt like doing was getting cacked up with old sealer and grubby components with nowhere to wash. And the grim living situation did nothing for my morale which slowed progress down to a standstill.
Of course during this time I had no internet access at all which resulted in my Lord Byron act. I wasn't sure how long I'd be in this situation, it was hard to tell but I could see no immediate light at the end of the tunnel at this stage. Grim times. I spent a very cold and uncomfortable September, October and November living in my workshop before thankfully I was baled out and I was lent the money to get myself a flat which I did with lightening speed!
It took a while to get set up as I still had the income issues so the internet didn't follow until earlier this year, and it's pretty much only in the last month that I've returned to the workshop to pick up where I left off.... And this time I'm going to do it properly!
Looking over Family Dragster reveals she's in a bit of a sorry state. Miraculously the only parts to be sold off of the project was the dashboard and the steering wheel as I needed the cash. Stubbornly I kept hold of all the important bits as I knew if I sold those it would be a long time before I could replace them again, if at all.
So I still have both engines, both sets of twin 40's, the split rims, the big brakes, coilovers and all the other fancy bits that are destined to be a part of this thing. I still have my welder and I still have my enthusiasm to finish this thing, in fact I am even more incensed to get this done! No deadlines this time, but no distractions and no messing around either. I'm going to kick things up a gear and make up for some lost time. I hope the interest from you guys is still there after all this time!
Brace yourselves for more updates in the coming weeks!