I forgot to update this thread as the car is now virtually finished. We went way beyond the level of my two previous restorations with this car as everything on it required attention. Virtually everything has be repainted/re-plate/re-chromed etc as required or replaced with NOS parts where they were available. It has been taken back to the exact spec it left the factory in December 1971. I managed to track down it's original owner and he has enjoyed the regular photo updates I've sent him. I had hoped he'd have some original photo's of the car but being in his mid 20's when he bought it he didn't bother to keep any photo's (much to his regret) so was delighted that I have sent him mine.
The engine required a total strip down and rebuild and the heads had badly corroded due to a lack of antifreeze in the coolant. Fortunately a specialist was able to do a superb repair on them. The block required a re-bore and new pistons plus new camshafts. Every rubber hose on the car had to be replaced and the tail light wiring had been badly butchered over the years so had to be stripped out and replaced with new. These were made following the same method as the factory originals and we managed to source the correct type of connector blocks which is easier said than done.
The interior was completely renewed using the correct materials to the original factory ordered spec. I tracked down all of the correct original manuals for the owners handbook wallet and sourced an original jack, extremely rare Bellux brand warning triangle and all the tools to put the original factory accessories that came with the car back in place. I found a small specialist in the US who has recently sourced the exact vinyl material that was used to make the tool and jack bags and had him make me a set up. I found the correct original 4 bar seat belt webbing in Arizona and had a specialist in the UK re-plate all of the original fittings and fit them to the new webbing to make an as new set of original seat belts.
Many, many hours have gone into sourcing parts and researching little details but the end result is more than worth it. I have lots of photo's of the various stages of the restoration if anyone wants to see them but will post some of the high lights to give a feel for the work that has gone into the car. Hopefully you'll enjoy them.
The handbrake mechanism
Steering rack
NOS Lucas fan motors
NOS FIAMM horns
Part of the cabin heating system
Wiper motor
Front trunk area new bulkhead cover
Rear suspension and hub carrier
Wheel hub and brake caliper
New springs and shock absorbers
Custom made replica of the engine bay rubber heat shield mat
And fitted in place
Fuel tanks fitted
Engine rebuild
Engine back in car
Fuel pump and filter
Differential and driveshafts
Oil filter and side air intake ducting fitted
Exhaust
Interior retrimmed
Engine bay completed
.... and almost finished
It's been a fun and rewarding journey and the car is totally unrecognisable from the sorry condition I bought it in nearly 2 years ago.