I put this up on Rods'n'sods only to then realise that I haven't put anything up in here! What a fool! So, here is my RR Readers Ride thread.
I guess I kinda forgot because I have the blog (detailed below). Of course, that might not have been accessible to everyone, hence sticking this thread up.
So, from there start, here is a run-down on my car, what it is, how I got it and as time goes on, what I plan to do to it. First of all lets deal with the bit you know: she's a 1961 Zodiac and she's very much a (road legal) work in progress...
I originally bought her around four years ago, and she looked a bit like this...
...mmmm, frilly. My now ex-brother-in-law had her before me, and prior to me handing over some cash she'd been laid up for two years or so. In Sompting. For those who don't know, that's by the sea, so the air was less than kind to her during that time!
I handed over £500 and had the old hulk shipped to Bristol. She didn't run and the external panels were in a bad way. I got her going easy enough, it was just a bad earth so at least that was something. The body however, was a different story altogether.
The wings were shot around the lights, the doors were going home, the rear arches didn't exist, the boot floor was holed and the roof had rusted through. Oh, and the bonnet was religious in each corner too.
I put her into the bodyshop next door where they fixed the roof and the boot, the rest I planned to do myself. Until this came along...
I had no money and no garage as it was, and with an imminent sprog there was no way I was going to have any more money. I needed a car that worked, so the hard decision was made to get rid. In the end, I swapped it for this...
And that was that. Until four months ago!
A lot has happened since then. I've got divorced, moved across the country and found myself a better job. Now you might be wondering where the Z comes into this, so let me explain.
I've always been in contact with the Carey, the guy I sold her to. He's always known I loved the car, so when he decided to part with her I was in there like a shot. Well, I would have been had I had any money. He offered her up at £1500. She wasn't running due to an electrical issue, but she had been. In fact, she'd been on the road for the last two years. I wanted her back so much, but just didn't have the cash, I was gutted. Enter stage-left my loving girlfriend though, and we're onto a winner. She bought it for me, knowing how much it meant to me. I do owe her of course, she didn't just buy it as a gift!
Since then it's been a case of getting her going again and getting some use out of her. We sorted the electrics, got an MOT done and threw on 12 months tax for good measure. As some of you know, though, in particular the Area 52 gang, the electrics have been a bit of a bas*ard. You've probably seen the various thanks-based threads I put up in General Chat, thanking the great many people who got her running again. A true testament to the spirit of RR and Area 52!
She's been to the Retro Rides gathering too, but that's the only show for this year, more in 2011! She's also been treated to a new clutch too (thanks to the mammoth help of Sleeperviva and Mystery Machine) so she drives like a proper car now!
She's no minter, and the 'restoration' she was treated to was carried out in the loosest sense of the word. She's on the road though, that's the main thing.
The plan is simple. Sort her out as I go. She needs some proper bodywork at some point, as there is a lot of filler in there but other than that she's as solid as a rock. Kev from ZMS gave her a solid review, assuring me I had a good'un. He also told me that the engine is from a MK3, not 2, which is better so I'm told.
[gratuitous advert mode]Speaking of Kev, he's been a huge help with owning this car, and while I'm sure most of you know about him I feel it's worth giving him a shout for those who don't. He's a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Three Graces, if you own one you need his number in your phone, fact. here it is:
Kevin, Zodiac Motor Services
Tel: 01322 439666[/gratuitous advert mode]
So, that's a fairly comprehensive introduction to my Z. There is a blog...
The Zodiac
...which is updated on a regular basis, if you're into that kind of thing. If not, I'll keep progress going on here too. In the meantime, have a few more pics.
And finally, a snap with the very reason why I had to sell her in the first place. Not that I mind, she was worth it!
Chris
I guess I kinda forgot because I have the blog (detailed below). Of course, that might not have been accessible to everyone, hence sticking this thread up.
So, from there start, here is a run-down on my car, what it is, how I got it and as time goes on, what I plan to do to it. First of all lets deal with the bit you know: she's a 1961 Zodiac and she's very much a (road legal) work in progress...
I originally bought her around four years ago, and she looked a bit like this...
...mmmm, frilly. My now ex-brother-in-law had her before me, and prior to me handing over some cash she'd been laid up for two years or so. In Sompting. For those who don't know, that's by the sea, so the air was less than kind to her during that time!
I handed over £500 and had the old hulk shipped to Bristol. She didn't run and the external panels were in a bad way. I got her going easy enough, it was just a bad earth so at least that was something. The body however, was a different story altogether.
The wings were shot around the lights, the doors were going home, the rear arches didn't exist, the boot floor was holed and the roof had rusted through. Oh, and the bonnet was religious in each corner too.
I put her into the bodyshop next door where they fixed the roof and the boot, the rest I planned to do myself. Until this came along...
I had no money and no garage as it was, and with an imminent sprog there was no way I was going to have any more money. I needed a car that worked, so the hard decision was made to get rid. In the end, I swapped it for this...
And that was that. Until four months ago!
A lot has happened since then. I've got divorced, moved across the country and found myself a better job. Now you might be wondering where the Z comes into this, so let me explain.
I've always been in contact with the Carey, the guy I sold her to. He's always known I loved the car, so when he decided to part with her I was in there like a shot. Well, I would have been had I had any money. He offered her up at £1500. She wasn't running due to an electrical issue, but she had been. In fact, she'd been on the road for the last two years. I wanted her back so much, but just didn't have the cash, I was gutted. Enter stage-left my loving girlfriend though, and we're onto a winner. She bought it for me, knowing how much it meant to me. I do owe her of course, she didn't just buy it as a gift!
Since then it's been a case of getting her going again and getting some use out of her. We sorted the electrics, got an MOT done and threw on 12 months tax for good measure. As some of you know, though, in particular the Area 52 gang, the electrics have been a bit of a bas*ard. You've probably seen the various thanks-based threads I put up in General Chat, thanking the great many people who got her running again. A true testament to the spirit of RR and Area 52!
She's been to the Retro Rides gathering too, but that's the only show for this year, more in 2011! She's also been treated to a new clutch too (thanks to the mammoth help of Sleeperviva and Mystery Machine) so she drives like a proper car now!
She's no minter, and the 'restoration' she was treated to was carried out in the loosest sense of the word. She's on the road though, that's the main thing.
The plan is simple. Sort her out as I go. She needs some proper bodywork at some point, as there is a lot of filler in there but other than that she's as solid as a rock. Kev from ZMS gave her a solid review, assuring me I had a good'un. He also told me that the engine is from a MK3, not 2, which is better so I'm told.
[gratuitous advert mode]Speaking of Kev, he's been a huge help with owning this car, and while I'm sure most of you know about him I feel it's worth giving him a shout for those who don't. He's a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the Three Graces, if you own one you need his number in your phone, fact. here it is:
Kevin, Zodiac Motor Services
Tel: 01322 439666[/gratuitous advert mode]
So, that's a fairly comprehensive introduction to my Z. There is a blog...
The Zodiac
...which is updated on a regular basis, if you're into that kind of thing. If not, I'll keep progress going on here too. In the meantime, have a few more pics.
And finally, a snap with the very reason why I had to sell her in the first place. Not that I mind, she was worth it!
Chris
tis a cool car indeed. thanks for letting me have a drive! 
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