Special Series 1300 Restoration

Great idea . Personally I would try to keep the car original as possible. Any engine of that age would benefit from a rebuild even if the compressions seem okay. If you strip it down you'll find the crank needs a touch up, the bores are getting marginal, valves need attention, etc. However if it is running well I would just give it a good clean and service and spend my money on new ignition components (electronic ignition?) and carb refurbish (+ electric fuel pump?) , new water pump and belts, possibly replace radiator if it looks a bit crusty - all for piece of mind on the long journey

Agree with all the above Speedy, especially the electronic ignition.
As for the carb rebuild... I actually have twin 40dcnfs begging to be fitted... I should, shouldn't I??

Excellent idea. Having recently stripped quite a few engines of varying ages for modification purposes, I have been astounded at just how robust the engine is - if it is showing no obvious problems, spend the money elsewhere. As for the carbs, the 40 dcnf manifold does not work that well on the flow bench so you don't get as much gain as you would hope for. However, it will sound a bit better!!! Keep us all posted on progress.

Martin Rutter wrote: As for the carbs, the 40 dcnf manifold does not work that well on the flow bench so you don't get as much gain as you would hope for.

Really? that's a shame..

Martin Rutter wrote: However, it will sound a bit better!!!

Oh I know it will! My Montecarlo has twin carbs and because they're right behind your head it sounds incredible. Well... I mean soundED. Hasn't moved for years. Too many projects, too little time...
I would expect the X to be a little quieter but not much.

It needs a full new exhaust too. Opinions seem very divided on that subject. Anyone got a recommendation on a good one? Do the stainless ones sound tinny? I always think they look gorgeous but sound awful...

Making a start on the car tomorrow. I'll probably remove the interior and hope to see footwells... lol. Look great from underneath but cruddy underseal can hide a lot, as I KNOW you'll ALL know!!

...And so it began...

Removed the interior. I didn't enjoy the little springs under the seats! What a pita to get out... can't see them going back in! The seats look fine from a distance but they're quite grubby. The stitching has come away on a few joins but also there are two holes, one a cig burn and one a rip. So... what to do with them... I don't suppose anyone has a source for the material...? A ridiculously long shot I know but, you never know if you don't ask! I am keen to keep the colours so a retrim would be an interesting option as the colours appear to be dyed on to the material. I would think a trimmer could stitch different coloured material together no problem, my concern would be feeling the joins right down the middle of the seats...
Carpet is probably ok but very sunbleached. I'll clean it up and decide what to do... dye it probably. Would prefer black but I've got the Originalty Police shouting at me in my head... lol. The vinyl on the door cards is great although a the boards are a little damp at the bottoms. I'll probably strip them, make new cards from 3mm ply, varnish it and then reattach the vinyl. I've done this before on 70s flat door cards and it works a treat!
So... what's the floor like? I hear you all shout... Actually, I was pleasantly surprised- it's ok! Yes, a few scabby holes in the outer edges of the footwells, which was expected, but that's all. Really pleased. They'll weld up easily.
I'm more concerned with the sills... shown in one of the pics is the view down into the sill area, shot taken from inside the spare wheel well.
There seems to be a sill held on with glass-fibre bridging filler... :ohmy:
Now, there is a chance that this was just applied to work as a sealant over the top edge of a new sill panel which had been welded on... but I doubt it... I reckon the cowboys have been in there... terrible really, what some folk will do to keep a car going, especially a targa which relies on it's sills for structure. Anyway, time will tell.
The front wings are well n truly foooooked as you can see. Are there any new steel wings available? I can hear the laughter as I ask the question but, as I said above, you never know... Failing that, anyone got a pair of rust free front wings for sale? Oi, stop laughing!!
Failing that... what's the consensus on g/f wings? Oh, the OrigPol are shouting at me now... I know, I know, but waddaya do when the options dry up?
Thoughts please, thank you!