#1 It's finally on the road.
Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:49 am
1996....My 40th and finally my dream car had arrived. £8500 for a 1962 RHD Series One Roadster. The first picture says it all. Reasonably complete except for the bonnet but a total rust bucket.... . In fact the bootlid was the only piece of the bodyshell to survive....talk about your heart ruling your head. I was bonkers!! The best thing financially would have been to stick it in my garage and do nothing with it for 20years!! Back then the Martin Robey subassembly was £5250+vat!! Doesn't sound much now but it was the start of the cash mountain climb. 27yrs of restoration followed, interrupted by two serious house renovations.....but to finally finish it is heaven. I had considered a diy job for the trim for the last renovation lap, but sensibly put that idea aside and left the work to GB Classic Trim in Nuneaton. They have done a superb job for me and I couldn't speak highly enough of their attention to detail. The car was Red/Red originally. The Heritage Certificate states it was a Demonstrator at Henleys Main Jaguar Agents, Manchester.
Yes!! It has MX5 seats....more comfortable, especially with the reclining backs for a 6'1" lank like me. I still have the original roadster seats already similarly trimmed.
When purchased, the car had the later all-sync 4.2 box so it will never be "original" but I have left it as +ve earth and with points in the "dissy". I may come to regret those choices.
The forum was invaluable during the rebuild. So many clever and helpful members with great ideas for modifying and improving our cars. A very big thankyou to all of you for giving your time so freely. Examples are relay upgrades for brake lights, headlights, ignition switch were all incorporated. Series 2 front brakes. CoolCat fan. LED lighting (not headlights/brake lights). Hi-torque Starter, Electric Fuel Pump, Cambridge Motorsport radiator header. Time allowed me to fortunately acquire most missing parts as used originals over the years and restore them.
Just missed the 60th Celebrations with it but now its all about mileage on the clock and getting my knees accustomed to spending more time nearer my chest
Yes!! It has MX5 seats....more comfortable, especially with the reclining backs for a 6'1" lank like me. I still have the original roadster seats already similarly trimmed.
When purchased, the car had the later all-sync 4.2 box so it will never be "original" but I have left it as +ve earth and with points in the "dissy". I may come to regret those choices.
The forum was invaluable during the rebuild. So many clever and helpful members with great ideas for modifying and improving our cars. A very big thankyou to all of you for giving your time so freely. Examples are relay upgrades for brake lights, headlights, ignition switch were all incorporated. Series 2 front brakes. CoolCat fan. LED lighting (not headlights/brake lights). Hi-torque Starter, Electric Fuel Pump, Cambridge Motorsport radiator header. Time allowed me to fortunately acquire most missing parts as used originals over the years and restore them.
Just missed the 60th Celebrations with it but now its all about mileage on the clock and getting my knees accustomed to spending more time nearer my chest
