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After getting it home, an initial inspection has revealed the following:
Good Stuff
- Engine looks tidy and I was told it had just been rebuilt. Although I have no proof of that it seems to be the case.
- New Bonnet
- New Gaz suspension and coil overs all around
- Interior is reasonably smart and carpets are new.
- Nice set of wheel and tyres.
- Overdrive has been fitted but doesn’t work properly (goes on but wont turn off).
- Nice period luggage rack
- Car seems reasonably complete – all the bits seem to be there.
Not So Good Stuff
- Body work is tatty apart from the new bonnet.
- The panel gaps are all over the place:
- Bonnet is too far forward
- Rear tub is also too far forward so the doors don’t close properly – if at all
- The hood has not been fitted correctly – 2cm gap along the header rail and doors don’t close
- Rust on the off-side rear wheel arch and rear wing
- Drivers footwell is rotten
- Drivers chassis rail is rotten
- Both front outriggers need replacing
- Spare wheel cavity is perforated along with other sections of the boot floor
- Left hand rear inner arch (inner) looks like it need replacing and the boot wall RH Side panel
- Accelerator cable isn’t fitted correctly and may need replacing
- Over-drive switch on gear lever is all wrong – non standard. Should be a column stalk
- Gearbox tunnel cover as a big hole cut in it (possibly because an overdrive has been fitted)
- Gear lever bushes need replacing
- Sills look like they have been welded on and may need replacing to adjust the tub
- Door quarter lights need refurbishment including seals
- Only the bonnet has been painted – the rest needs doing
- There is also oil coming from the rear of the gearbox/overdrive
It seems a long list and I fully expect it to get even longer as I delve deeper, but this is what I expected for a 55 year old car that has seen many owners. I didn’t buy a one owner concours car. I bought a project.