Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

Good news is the bonnet is ready for collection. I'll try not to scratch it this time. Shocked

Bled the brakes again today, they are so much better now, much more solid.

I spent 2 hours trying to get the windscreen washers working, as they will be needed for the MOT. All I can say is that for such a simple system it was a pig. It turned out that the new jets that I had bought, which are obviously not OEM, were rubbish. The little screw in bit and the bit with the slot in it that screw into the main body are so poorly made that there is no way any water can get out. Fortunately I still had the old ones, so used the bits off the old one and the new main bodies and hey presto they work fine. I had to adjust them a little, as at first the water was clearing the car completely and would have made a good job of washing the car behinds windscreen.

My neighbour helped me bleed the brakes, he also used to have his own classic car business and was a concourse judge, so he pointed out a few nuts and bolts that needed changing and also that I needed to paint under the wheel arches to cover up some overspray, my plea that you couldn't see it with the wheels on fell on deaf ears. So that got done.

All that is left is to fit the tray under the engine, retrieve the bonnet and put it on. Then book the MoT and get the insurance.

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

Got the bonnet back today and fitted with all the little rubbers that protect it when it is closed. The gap is pretty even all the way around, it sits quite high because of all the rubbers bungs and strips that protect the paintwork. At least it doesn't have the uneven gap that you see on some 500's where one side of the bonnet is higher than the other.

There a few little bits to sort out then it is ready for an MOT.

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Very nice fit. That's a moment I'm dreading. Roll on that MOT.
Lovely.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Wow I bet you are itching to get out on the road now Tony? Cool

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

I have been fine tuning a few bits before the MOT booked for next week. Bought car insurance, so there is no turning back now. Oddly enough which I didn't realise until I just looked, I started this thread a year to the day that the MOT is booked for!!!!! I had to nip a few bits off the inside lip of the bonnet with the angle grinder to stop it fouling on the paintwork on the body, luckily in only one place as I previously had a good go at it before it was painted, little bit of paint over the grinds and looks like new. In fact better than new as it had always rubbed in a number of places where the bonnet met the body work now it doesn't catch at all.

So there has to be a pic wouldn't be right for me to post without a picture!!!!

Luigi says check out my shiny bonnet!!!! oh that's the wrong side.

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

I just noticed in this picture you can just see the elephant in the map tray in a rather sad position. Where he has spent the last 17 years!!!!!!

But now back in his rightful position. Not sure where he came from but he has always been in the car.

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

Tony,

Luigi looks fantastic with the sun just catching the front panel - job VERY well done I reckon, and all that inside a year too, now to enjoy...

Steve

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

Nearly as shiny as my head is at the moment.
Very impressive.
Come on you MOT!

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

*duplicsted*

Richard H · Joined: 03 Apr 2009 Posts: 2148 Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Wow, that looks amazing. Excellent work!
_________________
Richard Hughes

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

MOT booked for next week. I couldn't do it last week as Luigi would have got wet. Very Happy

I also got my sticker pack from Holland to add a bit of authenticity.

It has 5 stickers in all. 2 of which can be seen below.

colwyn500 · Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland

You'll spoil that car Laughing

He's looking good and sure to stay that way.
I hope the MOT man treats him gently.

vitesse · Joined: 03 Jun 2013 Posts: 561

The day finally came today. First time on the road for 17 years, all I can say is my double declutching needs some practise and I need to get used to drum brakes all round. Oh and that clutch is so sharp

The brakes for what they, are quite well balanced but for a modern day comparison they were compared to the rear drums on a dodgy Fiesta.

But everything worked and Luigi passed the MOT. Very Happy

The only concern is he does make a lot of transmission noise in first when pulling away that doesn't sound right. It sounds like the noise you hear from those old American jeeps. I did video my journey back where you can hear the noise but I am having problems uploading it.