Extensively restored in 2007/8 and chronicled on the old Practical classics forum (for those who remember it)
I've Finally reached the conclusion that storage is no place for this car.
It was restored with the full intention of keeping and touring in it, having had show cars in the past I was determined this would be usable everyday car.
There was an enormous amount of metal work done and a bare shell respray using lead loading for any joint filling and electrox etching primer before heavy stone chip and cellulose tartan red paint.
Metal work done included
Inner and outer sills including all closing panels
Front and rear bulkhead repairs
Inner and outer rear arches
Back panel and boot floor repairs
Offside and nearside floor pans
Front web and chassis leg repairs
Reskinned doors
The paintwork is not perfect and has had a few chips and scratches touched up.
As a tourer I wanted comfort for long distances without sacrificing the midget characteristics and the car benefits from numerous carefully considered upgrades including,
Five speed type 9 ford gearbox
Frontline upper arm and telescopic shock front suspension
Polybushed (red, comfort) throughout
Halogen headlight conversion
5 original cosmic alloy wheels with new centre caps.
(4 were restored, I never got around to doing the spare)
I renewed parts systematically to create a car I could have confidence in, I had intended to take this car into Europe, I really didn't want to carry a boot full of spares and tools.
With this in mind new and refurbished parts included
Ivor searle 1275 engine (complete exchange)
Lower wish bones and king pins
Steering rack
All wheel bearings
All brake/ clutch components including master cylinders
Full set of copper brake/clutch pipes
Oil pressure/ temp gauge
Windscreen
Door and drop glass seals
New Hood
New carpet set and interior trim panels
The car is fitted with an original Ashley laminates Mk2 flip up front end, being a 60's moulding it does have some crazing in the paint work.
Also with the car is an original Ashley Le Mans hard top.
This has had new side rubbers and has been partially lined inside.
It has the original glass and the original window catches.
The rear screen rubber could do with being renewed and one of the side window hinges has been lost so I bolted both rear windows shut.
The hardtop is not available for sale separately.
I much prefer the car as a soft top and as such have not used the hard top, in fact it was only fitted for the photos.
The car comes out at MOT time and gets cleaned and prepared tested and then put away again, with maybe two or three outings a year.
The recent MOT (24/03/15 with no advisory) has mileage readings of
2012 39838
2013 40002
2014 40503
2015 40521
Giving that the MOT station is 8 miles away I think how little I'm using this car is criminal.
It is always garaged with a cover when not in use.
The car does have some faults and needs some small jobs doing, these include
Some rust is showing on some parts, Axle, wiper motor, engine block, starter etc
Very small traces of rust on the paintwork
Alloy wheels could do with a polish (this may be a touch fussy)
Rev counter stopped working
Choke doesn't stay out on it's own, I think this may contribute to rich running at times
Some minor trimming (glue to loose edges of carpet etc )
This is a good useable classic with many years life in it as is or with a little work work make a good show car or hillclimb/sprint car and I will be sorry to see it go.
Any Questions just ask
I've Finally reached the conclusion that storage is no place for this car.
It was restored with the full intention of keeping and touring in it, having had show cars in the past I was determined this would be usable everyday car.
There was an enormous amount of metal work done and a bare shell respray using lead loading for any joint filling and electrox etching primer before heavy stone chip and cellulose tartan red paint.
Metal work done included
Inner and outer sills including all closing panels
Front and rear bulkhead repairs
Inner and outer rear arches
Back panel and boot floor repairs
Offside and nearside floor pans
Front web and chassis leg repairs
Reskinned doors
The paintwork is not perfect and has had a few chips and scratches touched up.
As a tourer I wanted comfort for long distances without sacrificing the midget characteristics and the car benefits from numerous carefully considered upgrades including,
Five speed type 9 ford gearbox
Frontline upper arm and telescopic shock front suspension
Polybushed (red, comfort) throughout
Halogen headlight conversion
5 original cosmic alloy wheels with new centre caps.
(4 were restored, I never got around to doing the spare)
I renewed parts systematically to create a car I could have confidence in, I had intended to take this car into Europe, I really didn't want to carry a boot full of spares and tools.
With this in mind new and refurbished parts included
Ivor searle 1275 engine (complete exchange)
Lower wish bones and king pins
Steering rack
All wheel bearings
All brake/ clutch components including master cylinders
Full set of copper brake/clutch pipes
Oil pressure/ temp gauge
Windscreen
Door and drop glass seals
New Hood
New carpet set and interior trim panels
The car is fitted with an original Ashley laminates Mk2 flip up front end, being a 60's moulding it does have some crazing in the paint work.
Also with the car is an original Ashley Le Mans hard top.
This has had new side rubbers and has been partially lined inside.
It has the original glass and the original window catches.
The rear screen rubber could do with being renewed and one of the side window hinges has been lost so I bolted both rear windows shut.
The hardtop is not available for sale separately.
I much prefer the car as a soft top and as such have not used the hard top, in fact it was only fitted for the photos.
The car comes out at MOT time and gets cleaned and prepared tested and then put away again, with maybe two or three outings a year.
The recent MOT (24/03/15 with no advisory) has mileage readings of
2012 39838
2013 40002
2014 40503
2015 40521
Giving that the MOT station is 8 miles away I think how little I'm using this car is criminal.
It is always garaged with a cover when not in use.
The car does have some faults and needs some small jobs doing, these include
Some rust is showing on some parts, Axle, wiper motor, engine block, starter etc
Very small traces of rust on the paintwork
Alloy wheels could do with a polish (this may be a touch fussy)
Rev counter stopped working
Choke doesn't stay out on it's own, I think this may contribute to rich running at times
Some minor trimming (glue to loose edges of carpet etc )
This is a good useable classic with many years life in it as is or with a little work work make a good show car or hillclimb/sprint car and I will be sorry to see it go.
Any Questions just ask
