Special Series 1300 Restoration

Actually... a final final thought for tonight... Just to give you all something to ponder!
This car is currently M.O.T. tested. With no advisories. Food for thought...

Thanks for the update and pictures Andrew.

Looks like you're going to be busy with the welder for a while.

Are both front wings shot, or just the OS?

Regarding the MOT, if it was all covered with paint and they tester wasn't too vigilant at poking around the bodywork then I guess it will have passed. Doesn't inspire confidence though does it?

Good luck with this project.

Hi Andy,
Both front wings are the same unfortunately. I've briefly considered glassfibre wings but I know I'd regret it in years to come. I do intend to keep the car so I would rather just do the job once. I do enjoy it, restoration, but I don't enjoy redoing a restoration.
As a time-served spray painter I enjoy that aspect of it, but as a very recently self-taught welder it is seriously daunting looking at it!

Yes, there was LOTS of underseal on it... I'm not blaming the tester. He's a good guy, local to me and very fussy regarding brakes and structure. He was obviously fooled though... I'm glad he was however, as it's all the little drives around the cumbrian lakes last summer that have made me determined to restore it. And where would I find another 1300 for not much money that was any better...? Better the devil you know. She will live again!

Great thread! I need the enthusiasm to get on and sort out my rear valence. There are a couple of used wings on ebay at the moment.

Cheers Jeremy. I wish I only had a rear valence to sort out... lol.

I've seen the wings on ebay, thanks. Pricey... new ones from Holland aren't much more than that...

Engine stripdown begins...