Ians GTC rebuild. And now with MOT

[MrGoldtop1960]

Hi Ian,
Good to see the rebuild in full swing!
It was my favourite part of the rebuild as well, but also the most expensive After carefully cleaning and boxing up bits that came off the car, when it came to putting them back on the freshly painted car it was a case of "Er, I don't think that is going back on my shiny new car!". Cue Messrs. Walker or Palmer or the t'internet to find new replacements
Cheers matey
Kev O

[GTC Ian]

Er thats happened already. Even changing the handbrake cable cos its shabby. Dropped off some bits to the powder coater last week. A few more may be making the same trip soon. ( just need to find which box they are in and where it is)

[GeoffTE]

Looking fantastic Ian. Did you use SMS for the paint job in the end? I know what you mean about replacing parts 'cos they look a bit naff, but there has to be some compromise or else the car ends up more new and less original if you know what I mean. A bit like Trigger's Broom . Looking forward to seeing it especially if it's as good as Barbara's

[GTC Ian]

Thanks Geoff. No I didnt go to SMS in the end. They were fully booked up for nearly a year when I spoke to them. Went to 355 Automobile Restorations in Peterborough.Came highly recommended. Its been there since September. He used it as a fill in between jobs which suited me. At least I had someone who was willing to do it.

[Corky]

Its been a year since I decided to go down this road, compared to some restoration projects on here, that is a relatively short period of time. Im looking forward to re-assembly work rather than dismantling it. Never realised how big a pile of boxes you can create when taking a car apart.

The car looks great Ian. You must be very pleased.

The reassembly work is the best part, but always takes way longer than you think it will (It certainly did with no.404 and no.79). And you do wonder how the pile of parts that looks to be more than the volume of the car will ever fit back in

[scimrick]

Hi Ian
Looks terrific.
Bring some photos to the Lurcher for tomorrow night if you would - my GTC getting jealous!
Richard

[GTC Ian]

Hi Ian
Looks terrific.
Bring some photos to the Lurcher for tomorrow night if you would - my GTC getting jealous!
Richard

Its been a year since I decided to go down this road, compared to some restoration projects on here, that is a relatively short period of time. Im looking forward to re-assembly work rather than dismantling it. Never realised how big a pile of boxes you can create when taking a car apart.

The car looks great Ian. You must be very pleased.

The reassembly work is the best part, but always takes way longer than you think it will (It certainly did with no.404 and no.79). And you do wonder how the pile of parts that looks to be more than the volume of the car will ever fit back in

My main concern is getting the right parts in the right places. But I am looking forward to start putting it back together,if only to get the spare bedrooms back

[GTC Ian]

Hi Ian
Looks terrific.
Bring some photos to the Lurcher for tomorrow night if you would - my GTC getting jealous!
Richard

Will do Richard

[GTC Ian]

Now we have a free long week-end decided to go all out and re-fit the engine and gearbox. Rather than risk damaging the new paintwork, going to fit it from underneath. Thankfully I have plenty of height to push the engine under.As is typical with the weather it looks like it is about to throw it down just as I was about to move the car out.

[GTC Ian]

Its in. Engine went in without any major problems.I did have help from my neighbour who I think enjoyed it.In fact it lined up a bit too easy.....Im worried. With the car lift giving me plenty of clearance it made light work of it. Couldnt have done it without the lift. Proving money well spent. It means now I can get stuck in and get it finished.

[GTC Ian]

A good day in the garage

[philhoward]

Now that’s one way I don’t think you could do if it was an Essex’(being that bit bigger) or even a fully built engine?

Nice lateral thinking though, Ian

[GTC Ian]

It wouldnt have worked with the cylinders heads on here. Just didnt have enough height using the lift in the garage. I couldnt fit the water pump either as it protruded 5mm too much ( I measured everything before I started. Didnt want to get it jammed in). Best thing though was not damaging the paintwork. So now its heads on time

[MrGoldtop1960]

As Phil says, nice lateral thinking there Ian!
I must say though that this method does remove the fear of craning your newly refurbed engine over a newly painted car with just millimetres to spare. I remember the moment well!
Do you have a finish date in mind or an event you want to get it finished for?
Good work as always!
Cheers
Kev O

[GTC Ian]

My aim is the end of May. No particular event in mind I just want to see it in one piece and drive it.
The trimmer is desperate to see finished as he want to put pictures of the interior on his website. I just need to get some bits back from the powder coaters and the caps on the door cards back from the trimmers. Some more lovely leather.......