Hi dajwid
You sent me a message about 'beryl' and how she turned out (see pics).
When I got her the column controls were off, lights didn't work and body was tatty with a few holes and perforations. The speedo broke and it needed a new dash and the metal had badly corroded around the sun roof. The carpet was sad as it was the one she had gone swimming in and the seats were lacking support and had horse hair stuck between the springs and vinyl. The electric fuel pump over ran the fuel return releasing a thrilling amount of petrol vapour into the engine bay and car itself.
I fixed the dash and column controls, the starter was a cable oil type so disconnected the heater flap control to use the lever as a starter. Fitted a new carpet and fitted new foam to the seats. I then took it to a so called specialist who had it 8 months, fitted a mechanical fuel pump and sorted the lights (two days work? And charged £800 quid for the privilege 😕.
I did the welding, filling and rubbing down and gave it to a back street spray guy who also had it for weeks and never finished it. Finally took it to another guy who gave it a quick prime and top coat for £500.
There was a constant problem with the engine over heating and this turned out to be a stuck thermostat (painted?) and then the timing chain snapped. Took the engine out and fixed these items (gear box mounting studs had also gone, put helicoils in but not sure it is a long term solution).
The car is now running again after its break down in the spring but I can't find my timing gun to set the ignition.