Looking at that I don't think you'll have any problems with size.

I've probably had to leave 10-15mm at one end for the hinge to work, and 20-30mm for the latch.

The only thing I would say is the with the oil tank under the hood it does appear to get hot so this might have an adverse affect on your wood.

It is 40.7 mm narrower though so mounting it to the far outside might be safe enough. If not, a fresh coat of high temperature paint would probably be good.

EDIT: Maybe next time you are planning on taking a long drive you could toss the household meat thermometer into your metal ammo box and at the end of your drive see how hot it really gets in there. Last thing I would want is a bonnet fire while motoring down the road This is assuming most households have some kind of thermometer they use in the oven to check when the quail or turkey is done.

I don't think it ges that warm, but it maybe enough to loosen joints, but you may have a solution for the oven fails.

There is no doubt that there is useful storeage space under the front cowel, and I've been looking at mine working out how to maximise it, and feel that a small gel battery against the left hand side bulkhead would help a lot,and be easy to do, then there is the option of moving the oil tank back in front of the fusebox against the centre of the bulkhead. This would open up a potentialy huge space [relatively speaking of course]. The only thing to be aware of then, is that the steering column is unsheathed, and could get caught up on something and that is the last thing you would want.

If your WW1 box isn't too expensive go ahead and get it Charlie, but I bet you that when you get the car, you'll have other and better ideas on how to utilize space. Sorry if I'm taking some of the forward planning and anticipation out of the game.

I am not planning on making any major changes such as rearranging components under the bonnet. I'm just looking for a way of keeping whatever I store under there from moving about. At the moment eBay has a few of these boxes that I am watching, with the cheapest starting at $9.00.

Only 94 days till my build week..... what anticipation?

You are probably right Charlie, I'm sure the designer laid the area out that way for a very good reason. Best of luck with the box[es], if the price doesn't take off, you'll do very well.

Well, I won the first box I was watching. This one may require some repairs to the latch area and a new leather strap handle but these are easy and I only paid $21.50. Still has original markings on the exterior and the directional-ammo markings inside are still visible! I will not want to paint over this one because of its great patina so I will continue biding on boxes like the $9.00 auction in case I do need to add a coat of heat-shield paint.

Charlie with delays due to the Olympics world economics and the fact were going to get your build slot bumped until spring 2013. I've worked it out you could collect from MMC in the UK join us on Lap of Wales get the first services done, put it in a crate and then sent home in time for the summer.


Shall we put your name down.

We shall see how things play out over the coming months, but if it looks like I can have our passports renewed in time and all of the trip funds are available... I would rather fly over and hire a RHD Aero or something else I can't readily find state-side and an just arrange to return it at the factory.

But at the rate I am squandering on random eBay impulses puts the 5 year fiscal plan into a narrower focus. At this point I am aiming at getting an entire set (1910-1914) of Michigan porcelain license plates. 1911 and 1912 are already on their way to me slowly through the post.

Ooh, I got a deal on a mint 1914 plate this evening, they were white with red that year. 3 down 2 to go.