Hi Ian,ian65 wrote:I'm no professional car restorer either! I just do my best too and to a standard that I'm happy with, same as the rest of us really. They're our cars and who's to say whether they're good enough or not... as long as we're happy, that's all that counts. My slow progress is down to time and money limits rather than being a perfectionist!
What are your plans for this car..... something you can put your own stamp on if the Elford is going to stay original?
Pleased for you mate.... it's always exciting to get a 'new' 1st gen....
The next few weeks are planned to be busy what with Le Mans and holiday looming, anyway the first job is an MoT, which will without doubt involve replacing the exhaust, other than that I will leave it to the tester to give me a snagging list of what needs sorting, however it drives ok and brakes are clean, no longer seized and function well.
After sitting for the last 10 years the engine is not perfect, it has 90k on the clock and I can't tell if it has a rebuild previously, I don't think it has somehow, Pete kept a list and details of all the work done on the car since 1996 and a rebuild wasn't done then.
My long term plan is to up the performance of the car, but to keep it looking as original as possible. My wish list includes Racing Beat or similar suspension package, uprated struts, springs, poly bushes etc, similar with the brakes, I am researching the best way to go there, i.e. big brakes system on the front or uprated discs, not sure yet. Long term I'm thinking weber/dellorto carbed and bridgeported 13B and exhaust system to suit, but we will see, I'd also like to add an LSD and may even go for a CR gearbox, it depends on the available options.
Along the way the body will need a little tidy up, but nothing drastic, but as you say Ian it is all down to time and money, these days few of us have both in abudance.
I'll post updates as and when something interesting happens........
Thanks for the tip off on Jimmy's FB exhaust, it's on it's way to me, I just need some blanking plates and gaskets now so I can get rid of all the junk iron and get it fitted. Any tips on the best supplier for gaskets ?