These were initial photographs taken of the car before any major work. The last restoration took place in 1990 and included a body off restoration. The car when bought was only 10 years old and was bought at the height of the classic car market. The initial restoration included a new set of outriggers, bonnet hinge boxes and the main crossmember at the front of the chassis. This was then coated in Finnegans No1 and top coated in the body colour and wax oyled. Fortunately the chassis is still in good condition but many of the panels have rusted out again. Below shows some of the repairs needed. The hardtop in the picture was totally rusted through and a replacement was sourced a number of years ago from SpitBitz.
General suspension layout was okay but needed some work. I decided to replace everything and strip back all the components for reconditioning. Everything needed painting. The shock absorbers fitted here were actually bought from a British Leyland franchise in 89 believe it or not and were original parts. Again these are to be replaced with adjustable shocks and lowered springs. I also did not want to remove the engine and box as I recently replaced both with a reconditioned gearbox and a new unleaded engine bought from John Kipping before he emigrated.
Below you can also see the chassis with the turret removed and the original radiator in place. I had already welded the new sill on as you can see.
The bonnet was given to a fellow member of the TSSC and a new one was purchased, below you can also see the oil cooler in place and the bonnet turrets.
The O/S bonnet turret which has rusted through and will be replaced. When I originally fitted these this one was slightly out so I always had major problems with lining up the bonnet. I can now rectify this.
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