I lost the bet!

Unfortunately neither the panels nor the fiberglass were ready to pick up. Danbolack who are painting the panels are very customer focused and were not happy with the type of paint they used as it didn't give the expected glossy finish. So they are going to do everything again. The guy painting the fiberglass is doing the job in his spare time so I can't push too much.

In the mean time I cleaned up the alarm wiring and have only the bonnet switch to wire in once I get  the bonnet back. Peter at GKD kindly helped me with the windscreen wiper motor and washer bottle wiring so everything works nicely with the original BMW wiper stalk.

Last year I bought an OBD II adapter with WIFI so I could read in the diagnostic codes from the engine on my I-phone. The trouble was it was on all the time even when the ignition was off and flattened the battery within a few days. I had a quick look inside the adapter plug that goes into the BMW diagnostic socket and discovered it was only a matter of moving the orange wire connected to pin 14 "battery power" to pin 16 which is "ignition 12v". Now it works great but the next problem is working out why I didn't get speed last time I had the engine running!

Very easy to open up the plug and solder the orange wire (power to the WIFI dongle) to pin 16 instead  (see http://pinoutsguide.com/CarElectronics/car_diag_pinout.shtml for details)

Diagnostic plug in place, nice with a little hi-tech

I needed to get the heater sorted out too so I bought some extra bits from CBS to help out. Not sure what to do with the carpet but will probably have to cut the bit off that usually covers the plate the heater is bolted too.

The cable is to adjust the temperature but until I get the console made it'll have to hang lose for the time being. I can't drill it into the plate as the gearbox is too close.

A hole for the 12v outlet and a quick spray of black paint.

Started on the carpets again by smearing GRP filler around the holes on the underside of the carpet I intend to cut out for gear shift, handbrake and other holes. Otherwise they will end up fraying.

I hope the filler works

Latest news: Fiberglass parts could be ready Sunday. Less than three weeks until my intended drive to the Stoneleigh kit car show so things have to start moving! 

List of things I can do before I get the panels & fibreglass parts back. It's quit short as so many parts depend on getting the panels back first:

1. Fix and install carpets
2. Fix gear shift and handbrake gaiters
3. Put in safety belts and seats
4. Fix heater and fill radiator
5. Install handbrake & bleed brakes
6. Finish sanding rear LED lights