It's taken way too long, but well overdue for an update on #477. Over the summer the first thing to do in order to make it semi presentable and safe was to get some good tyres on the new wheels, and what a difference it made against the new brakes. Almost looked presentable!
Then a full machine polish to kind of make it look semi loved for Ford Fair. They say the camera doesn't lie, but trust me it does!!
So then time just passed by and I just didn't get time to start work, although parts a plenty have been stocking up, including a full set of brand new suspension which I can't wait to get on.
Today I eventually got going, car up up in the air and a day off from Daddy duties!
After a good poke around, it's pretty rough under there, but no worse than any other 15 year old Puma to be fair. The worst part is the bottom of the drivers side quarter panel when it is riveted to the sills. Very frilly! I could cut up the new quarter to repair it, but it would be a waste of a whole panel so a repair section will need to be fabricated. Anyway, I'll let the pictures do the talking:
When you work on a car, it's always nice to see how the professionals at Tickford modified the ABS sensor for the FRP!
The back bumper is saveable, but with the quality of the paint on it, and a few broken sections where the last owner botched the spats and mudflaps, I thinks it's going to be more cost effective to get a new one
Triggers Broom springs to mind with this FRP, but it will be mint when it's finished.
Surprisingly, the back panel and inner arches are all pretty sound
So by the end of the day all the back brakes, shockers and hubs are off, ready to drop the beam. Next the custom stainless exhaust needs to come off as its all one piece so it has to come after the beam. That will get a clean up and the whole lot and manifold on eBay.
Brakes are going to get sent off to Bigg Red for a refurb whilst I look forward to the joy of dropping the tank (any hints welcome as its got at least a quarter of a tank in), followed by hours on my back getting it all back to clean bare metal. Well, I hope bare metal and not just holes!