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I spent about 4 hours this weekend in the garage.  The good Speedster Doctor had noted mis-fitting doors in my pics and as I examined things, discovered the common CMC butt sag syndrome had occurred.  So, I read up on his recommended repair method and since it was a balmy 55* F in Buffalo this weekend, I went to work with some trepidation.  However, the fix with drilling the rivets, bolting through the square tubing and sandwiching in an industrial adhesive seems to have worked well.  What took more time was adjusting the door latches for the new corrected position.  I will post pics when I am back from this weeks work travel. 

   The real reason for my post is to say THANK YOU DR. Clock for the great advice!!!!

POST SCRIPT:   I have decided to keep my Speedster and am looking forward to driving it the 300 miles each way to Carlisle again next spring!  I just can't imagine not keeping it.  Further improvements to come this winter will be posted! 

Jim

Speedster Jim, Buffalo NY

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  • Spdstr butt sag 2: Left door
  • Spdster butt sag 1: Right door.
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WOW - yours was really dragging!  How about some after pictures?  If you look in the build manual, they have builder fiberglass in the upper added fiberglass heat shield which I think adds support.  Did you add some metal pieces to cantilever the heavy rear fiberglass? Check your front too - there is a brace just forward of the gas tank that builder often leave out as well as the fiberglassed in front inner wheels mud shields (which add support).

steel rear reinforcement

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  • steel rear reinforcement

Yup!  I will post the "after" photos when I am back in town this coming weekend.

I did not add the metal strap, however, the adhesive I used (and have used for other projects in the past) is pretty amazing. (Aircraft panel adhesive from Locktite.)

I can easily add the strap this coming weekend. The front end has the support bracing near the tank.  Not sure about the splash guard pieces.  I will go back to my build manual to see where/what they are..

Thanks!  It looks like a much better fit and finish.  It was obvious from the rivet holes that they had elongated substantially.  

   My Fiberfab Californian had less than 200 miles on it since it was built in 2006. It had not shown any signs of the common butt sag but I asked Carey of Special Edition to come up with a way to strengthen the rear support of my car while he had it in for the Subaru conversion. His approach is somewhat different but I am confident in the results. He took 2" X 1" steel channels and welded them to the frame posts behind the doors. He then glassed and riveted them to the inner walls.

speedster conversion 67speedster conversion 65speedster conversion 66

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  • speedster conversion 67
  • speedster conversion 65
  • speedster conversion 66
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