Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 12:21 pm, by: Michael McKellar(Mickmini)
Goetz von Gneisenau wrote on Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 05:02 am:
Not sure if real carbon fibre trim pieces hold up to the heat and sun, as I looked at a five year old Chrysler 300C and the carbon fibre factory trim pieces had been replaced twice after twisting and warping. I know it's a Chrysler but still
I would make the moulds and parts myself if i went full CF, no expense spared on the right materials. I also know how to design composites properly from a previous career, so I'm pretty sure that mine will outlast any Chrysler or indeed any other aftermarket items. I've also spent the past couple of years at work dealing with fibreglass boats that have very special requirements on their structure....
Most aftermarket composite parts are made very flimsily, and as most people find, they are not "bolt on". This seems to colour most peoples opinion of composite parts, which is a pity, because made properly and in the right applications they outperform any other materials and look good to boot! Just look at the parts that Ben Lipman has made for his track car.
I am not sure on the hydrodipping for a CF look. There are so many options in the hydrodipping. I would have to look at how the whole interior is going to go, because it will not be a case of simply redoing the spruce. I have a few examples of a more modern colour pallete that i am going to go through with the upholsterer. I'm looking for something timeless, and some of the hydrodipping stuff is very, shall we say "quirky", that would date quickly.
Friday, April 16, 2021 - 06:49 pm, by: Michael McKellar(Mickmini)
My seats have very little original leather to recolour . I also have lots of little bits of wear and damage to various bits and pieces that would warrant recovering with new leather. So i will just do it the colour i want!
The drivers seat leather was redone by previous owner but the rest of the leather in the car is original and unmarked. The recolour was done by Uticolor Australia by respraying.
Monday, August 02, 2021 - 11:01 am, by: Michael McKellar(Mickmini)
Well lads, sadly i have to report that i am no longer physically able to continue with this project. I lost control of my legs 3 weeks ago due to spinal cord compression. I am going to be limited to sitting in a chair or the hospital bed that has been moved into our house.
This means that UZZ32 is up for sale. Going cheap because we need it gone and the cash can help with the care services that i need to be be at home. Keep your eyes on the for sale section for the details.
It's been wonderful being part of the Soarer Central community over the many years we have been involved. I recommend that you return to the first page of posts on this thread to remind yourself of what this is all about.
cheers michael
Peter Nitschke Junk Filterer South Australia UZZ30 UZZ31
Monday, August 02, 2021 - 11:14 am, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Wow, that's shocking news Michael. I am sure I speak for all of us that your sharing your experiences on the forum has been both entertaining and enlightening.
As you said at the beginning, this was to be an epic tale, one of the best reads on Soarer Central.
Without meaning to pry, do you care to share more about this problem - cause, treatment, prognosis, etc?
Monday, August 02, 2021 - 11:34 pm, by: Michael McKellar(Mickmini)
Peter Nitschke wrote on Monday, August 02, 2021 - 11:14 am:
Without meaning to pry, do you care to share more about this problem - cause, treatment, prognosis, etc?
Peter,
I have been living with advanced prostate cancer since 18 May 2017. Due to the stage of diagnosis, I was told i had a 1 in 4 chance of living past 5 years. Well, with the way that statistics work, I am in the 3 in 4 that does not.
The time is nigh. I've run out of treatment options. My lungs were too full of disease for my last trial hope to proceed six weeks ago. I was given a matter of weeks. I was in quite a bit of pain.
Then my legs went wobbly 3 weeks ago. I had a spinal cord compression that has made me semi paralysed below the waist. I can get in and out of a hospital bed or chair with the aid of single purpose specialised equipment. I had a blast of radiation on my spine to try and halt the damage. It seems to have done so.
I am going home tomorrow to a hired hospital bed, commode chair, transfer equipment and hired nursing/caring services. I might be able to have a single member of my family at a time on a care/compassion visit. I am comfortable now.
There are no more treatment options. Only to make me as comfortable as possible.
Wednesday, August 04, 2021 - 08:36 pm, by: Blake Gloyn(Blakenz)
This was hard to read. Let me commend you on your gracious way you have conducted yourself. I have always read -and been entertained by-your interesting posts. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Thursday, October 21, 2021 - 03:54 pm, by: Andrew McKellar(Toymax)
I probably would have preferred to wait for Jenny's go-ahead on this, but Aaron is correct.
It is with great sadness that I need to inform the members on this forum that Michael passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday evening.
Michael was humbled and honoured by the messages of support that came from everywhere around him, including many members of this forum. As a family we thank you for that support.
I'm not sure exactly where this particular thread will go now, but I'm sure updates will keep flowing from the next owner of the Soarer (who will be a member this forum) and the next chapter of this story is written.
If you are over 40 years of age and male (there's still a few of us left), get your PSA checked every year. If you don't know that that is, ask your doctor. As Michael said, "It's just a blood test, not a thumb up your arse!" Just do it. It could save your life, quite literally.
Thanks for being along for the ride guys and girls.
Friday, October 22, 2021 - 12:34 am, by: Peter Nitschke(Pen)
Jeeeesss! I am sorry, but I missed Michael's last post and now I have missed him forever.
Michael's posts here have been an excellent read and very entertaining. His ability to get stuff done is simple awesome to me.
I really need to get my life in better order, I haven't had a PSA test for a few years, and I really should know better having survived bowel cancer a few years back.
To the other guys like me who just don't get around to it, how about we all pull finger and get a blood test for PSA and also get and do the blood fecal test for bowel cancer.
Let's do something for ourselves and our family in Michael's honour.
Thanks to Aaron and Andrew for sharing this very sad news.
Sunday, October 24, 2021 - 09:12 am, by: Aaron Casey(Blownminiturbo)
Its something that... brings so many emotions. I just had my father pass of the same. A few months ago i had a workmate pass aswell. Its definitely something that is just... get in early and get tested. Early diagnosis is the best possible thing to have. Hell, id say even start at 30 years of age especially if there has been history in the family.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - 03:38 am, by: Andrew McKellar(Toymax)
So the story of this car finally entered a new chapter on Sunday. Congratulations to Roland, who is the new owner of not only the Soarer, but all of the parts and spares that Michael had accumulated for it. We can actually move around inside his shed now