Another + 2 saved

[jono]

Salut Vernon, and thanks to everyone for all your kind words.

Here is an interior shot. Still a bit of work to do but not that much really. I have new door cards to fit and a bit of final adjustment to the door lock mechanisms prior to that. The interior has been re trimmed in leather and I have the carpets to fit.

Does anyone know where I can have the carpet edges bound? The car came with a large roll of good quality black carpet

I bought new under dash trims from Kelsport and have had them covered. I probably won't fit them until the car has been 'shaken down'

I re finished the dash myself, having cut in a few new areas of veneer - nice to have been able to save the original

The steering wheel is a Formula/Speedwell which I got off Ebay for ?50 and re lacquered myself. It was cheaper than recovering the original Springall which i still have and I actually like the wooden wheel (but wish I had stained it down to match the dash ). I bit of plug welding and re machining was needed to get the boss to fit and I like the spindly, delicate, feel of the wheel which suits the car

Cheers

Jon

[billwill]

Well done, Jon

[Elanintheforest]

Looking great, Jon, and I love the colour.

Roof looks just right too!

Mark

[jono]

Hi Mark,

Yes the roof is great! I still recall that long trip down to Ross to collect it.

Have you still got the orange Mex?

Jon

[Elanintheforest]

I certainly have, although I haven't seen it for a while as it's down in Weston-Super-Mare being re-painted.

Sounds like you have an itch......?

Mark

[jono]

...a slight tickle, yes

Painted? - it looks lovely when I saw it, nicely patinated I seem to recall.

[Elanintheforest]

There were enough sins, like a twisted and ill fitting door, an incorrectly fitted wing, aftermarket Yale locks on the doors and boot, holes where aftermarket rear foglamps were fitted, and a cheapo re-spray in the late 90s, to justify stripping it all off and doing it again properly. It also had an extra fuel tank fitted if you remember, and the cap stuck out quarter of an inch, so that's been done properly as well.

You need Dan Williamson's book 'Factory Original Sporting MK 1 Escorts' if you get keen, to avoid the obvious pitfalls in buying a Mk 1. It also has 20 or so photos of my car in there as the definition of originality....well, originality with period mods!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Factory-Origina ... 1906133220

And / or come on down for a weekend and study the Mex and the Twincam together, when the Mex comes back (should be a few weeks). They are very different cars, not just because of the engine, but because the shell and details changed enormously between 1969 (the Twincam) and 1971 (the Mex).

Mark

[jono]

...don't tempt me Mark

I may come visiting in the + 2 on sunny day next year. Meanwhile I have a BMC works 'replicar' Mini to build

[Dave240]

Absolutely beautiful. That is Wedgewood Blue, correct? Gives me inspiration to get back out to the garage and get to work.

[jono]

Hi Dave,

that's correct, Wedgewood Blue is the colour.

How far on are you?

Jon

[jono]

...MOT booked for tomorrow at 8:30am.

...then tax - could be on the road by mid morning

[TeeJay]

Hope it all goes well for you tomorrow.

[jono]

Thanks Trevor, the car passed the MOT okay with a couple of advisories which have now been sorted out.

Unfortunately though I now have engine troubles so my plans of getting in some miles before the salt arrives have been scuppered!

I will update this thread when I pull the head and will be posting up some pictures of what I find.

Jon

[jono]

I completed the interior over the weekend, except for the door ashtrays which I should get done this week.

Len Chandler recovered the steering wheel - what a gent, and what workmanship

...just the boot to fit out now and still chasing one or two minor gremlins here and there but really enjoying the car and looking forward to Summer

Jon

[TeeJay]

Congratulations Jon, that is a magnificent transformation .
You must be realy chuffed.

In the next few days we should be set for a mini heat wave (hopefully), enjoy driving your iconic car.