1963 Green Series 1 Fixed Head Coupe
Rust free car imported from the US. This early car will have an alternator fitted and polarity change but will remain largely standard. It will also be converted to RHD.
Rust free car imported from the US. This early car will have an alternator fitted and polarity change but will remain largely standard. It will also be converted to RHD.
31st March 2017
The car has now been delivered and I am delighted to say the owner is over the moon with her!
The car has now been delivered and I am delighted to say the owner is over the moon with her!
24th March 2017
The car has now been detailed by Jamie of Detailed. Looks stunning. the paintwork is old and patinated but it suits the car really well. Monday we re-unite the owner with her after a long wait.
The car has now been detailed by Jamie of Detailed. Looks stunning. the paintwork is old and patinated but it suits the car really well. Monday we re-unite the owner with her after a long wait.
10th March 2017
The car is finally being shaken down now that we have the plates and a few problems reared their heads. We knew we had to upgrade the lower balljoints and rebuild the uppers. Biggest problem was the engine hitting the torsion bar reaction plate. With all those jobs finished, there are a few small items to deal with prior to Jamie coming over to detail the car prior to delivery to the owner.
The car is finally being shaken down now that we have the plates and a few problems reared their heads. We knew we had to upgrade the lower balljoints and rebuild the uppers. Biggest problem was the engine hitting the torsion bar reaction plate. With all those jobs finished, there are a few small items to deal with prior to Jamie coming over to detail the car prior to delivery to the owner.
2nd December 2016
We fitted the radio console and the new Dynator to the Green FHC (JC).
We fitted the radio console and the new Dynator to the Green FHC (JC).
18th November 2016
MOT Pass with no advisories. Now a few small jobs to complete prior to delivery to customer.
MOT Pass with no advisories. Now a few small jobs to complete prior to delivery to customer.
13th October 2016
The car is now running and the trim finished. MOT being booked for next week. It will be great to get this car handed over to the new owner.
The car is now running and the trim finished. MOT being booked for next week. It will be great to get this car handed over to the new owner.
September 2016
Trim work completed and engine running.
Trim work completed and engine running.
19th August 2016
The car is still being trimmed and the new luggage board is nearly back together. With it being such an early car, we just need to confirm the position of the luggage runners. The doors were removed and the rubbers fitted and left to cure overnight.
The car is still being trimmed and the new luggage board is nearly back together. With it being such an early car, we just need to confirm the position of the luggage runners. The doors were removed and the rubbers fitted and left to cure overnight.
12th August 2016
The car moves on and we now have the door sorted and the luggage board receiver panel fitted along with the hinge landing brackets onto the wheel arches. Quite a bit of work involved here as we had to find the original holes in the car and trim panels.
The car moves on and we now have the door sorted and the luggage board receiver panel fitted along with the hinge landing brackets onto the wheel arches. Quite a bit of work involved here as we had to find the original holes in the car and trim panels.
5th August 2016
The rear quarter lights are now fitted and the rubbers for the RHS door. Unfortunately, we now have to re-fit the door as the rubbers have closed up the gaps between the roof and the chrome window frame!
The rear quarter lights are now fitted and the rubbers for the RHS door. Unfortunately, we now have to re-fit the door as the rubbers have closed up the gaps between the roof and the chrome window frame!
22nd July 2016
The exhaust manifolds are fitted and a temporary exhaust in place ready for our first run. Phil has finished the trim panels now so it it full speed ahead on this project.
The exhaust manifolds are fitted and a temporary exhaust in place ready for our first run. Phil has finished the trim panels now so it it full speed ahead on this project.
7th July 2016
Sills trimmed, cantrails fitted, bracing carpets and some rubbers in place.
Sills trimmed, cantrails fitted, bracing carpets and some rubbers in place.
1st July 2016
We now have most of the trim and the wheel arches, rear bulkhead panel, cantrails, B post etc etc are now trimmed. This means we can finally move on with finishing the car.
We now have most of the trim and the wheel arches, rear bulkhead panel, cantrails, B post etc etc are now trimmed. This means we can finally move on with finishing the car.
24th June 2016
Work has been going on to get it ready for MOT and we have been busy replacing nuts and bolts with the correct types. The brakes and clutch are now bled and working (all new masters and wheel cylinders fitted along with new clutch master and slave). The exhaust manifolds had to be removed as the studs holding the down pipes were not in good condition. Unfortunately both manifolds are broken so these will have to be replaced. The engine mounts now have the correct nuts, bolts and washers fitted (previously metric with shakeproof and normal nut). Quite interesting to note that the bush/bearing for the throttle had been made up of bits of rubber, sleeving and some hose pipe. Naturally, this has been changed along with the stabiliser link bush.
Work has been going on to get it ready for MOT and we have been busy replacing nuts and bolts with the correct types. The brakes and clutch are now bled and working (all new masters and wheel cylinders fitted along with new clutch master and slave). The exhaust manifolds had to be removed as the studs holding the down pipes were not in good condition. Unfortunately both manifolds are broken so these will have to be replaced. The engine mounts now have the correct nuts, bolts and washers fitted (previously metric with shakeproof and normal nut). Quite interesting to note that the bush/bearing for the throttle had been made up of bits of rubber, sleeving and some hose pipe. Naturally, this has been changed along with the stabiliser link bush.
10th June 2016
The rear axle is now fully built, camber set and installed. The car is now rolling and we can focus on the rest of the work (trimming and prep for MOT).
The rear axle is now fully built, camber set and installed. The car is now rolling and we can focus on the rest of the work (trimming and prep for MOT).
22nd May 2016
The car is finished mechanically except..... the diff casing is the early type where the rear calipers bolt directly onto the case. T his means that we have to rebuild the new CWP into the old casing. Grrrrr. The gear lever was stripped down in order to fit new bushes.
The car is finished mechanically except..... the diff casing is the early type where the rear calipers bolt directly onto the case. T his means that we have to rebuild the new CWP into the old casing. Grrrrr. The gear lever was stripped down in order to fit new bushes.
10th May 2016
The build continues and this is the part that takes the time; cleaning out the holes in the cage, making sure the grooves are clean for the circlips on the drive shafts etc. Then the bearings have to be shimmed.......
The build continues and this is the part that takes the time; cleaning out the holes in the cage, making sure the grooves are clean for the circlips on the drive shafts etc. Then the bearings have to be shimmed.......
29th April 2016
Leon started work on the build up of the rear axle assembly. New diff ratio and complete rebuild was required.
Leon started work on the build up of the rear axle assembly. New diff ratio and complete rebuild was required.
25th February 2016
Rear axle stripped and delivered to the powder coaters. Handbrake assembly stripped, welded and taken to the platers for nickel plating.
Rear axle stripped and delivered to the powder coaters. Handbrake assembly stripped, welded and taken to the platers for nickel plating.
22nd February 2016
We now have the green light to rebuild the rear axle so that was stripped down ready for powder coating. Really interesting to see the differences between an early and late car. Note the spacer between the 2 roller bearings on the (thicker) lower wishbone.
We now have the green light to rebuild the rear axle so that was stripped down ready for powder coating. Really interesting to see the differences between an early and late car. Note the spacer between the 2 roller bearings on the (thicker) lower wishbone.
16th February 2016
The rear axle has now ben removed. The handbrake compensator mechanism had broken free so that has now been re-welded back into position. The new diff is painted and ready for installation (new 2.88 ratio).
The rear axle has now ben removed. The handbrake compensator mechanism had broken free so that has now been re-welded back into position. The new diff is painted and ready for installation (new 2.88 ratio).
7th January 2016
Work has started on dropping the rear axle out of the Green FHC in preparation for the rebuild and new diff. Interesting to note the early features of this car like the spring on the handbrake cable, the large opening tie plate on the rear cage).
Work has started on dropping the rear axle out of the Green FHC in preparation for the rebuild and new diff. Interesting to note the early features of this car like the spring on the handbrake cable, the large opening tie plate on the rear cage).
1st December 2015
The Green S1 FHC now has the new Silicone hose set fitted, new heater valve, CoolCat fan and handbrake assembly in place. Won't be long before we are ready to fire her up.
The Green S1 FHC now has the new Silicone hose set fitted, new heater valve, CoolCat fan and handbrake assembly in place. Won't be long before we are ready to fire her up.
28th November 2015
Door lock removed, cleaned, oiled and reassembled. The floor now has had 3 coats of BondaPrima.
Door lock removed, cleaned, oiled and reassembled. The floor now has had 3 coats of BondaPrima.
21st November 2015
We have now sourced a matching gear lever surround for the car in the original Dashed pattern. Various small other jobs have been carried out and we will be sorting out the trim next week. The otter switch was for a later car (no problem but we always fit the upgraded ones for improved reliability).
We have now sourced a matching gear lever surround for the car in the original Dashed pattern. Various small other jobs have been carried out and we will be sorting out the trim next week. The otter switch was for a later car (no problem but we always fit the upgraded ones for improved reliability).
2nd November 2015
We now have the wiper rack, washer bottle and other numerous small items fitted. Just need to get the dashboards finished so we can complete the wiring and fire her up.
We now have the wiper rack, washer bottle and other numerous small items fitted. Just need to get the dashboards finished so we can complete the wiring and fire her up.
23rd October 2015
The dashboard was stripped out and we will clean and restore the instruments and switches over the next few days. Interesting to note the pattern on the Alloy, dashes rather than dots.
The dashboard was stripped out and we will clean and restore the instruments and switches over the next few days. Interesting to note the pattern on the Alloy, dashes rather than dots.
6th October 2015
Transfer pipes, wiper rack, heater motor, steering rack and polybush mounts fitted. Now waiting for the fuse blocks to arrive so we can get the new wiring loom in position.
Transfer pipes, wiper rack, heater motor, steering rack and polybush mounts fitted. Now waiting for the fuse blocks to arrive so we can get the new wiring loom in position.
22nd September 2015
We are now ready for the bulkhead to be built as Leon has finally finished cleaning and Bondapriming the floor pans. There was some surface rust but other than that, completely solid. Not bad for a 1963 car!
We are now ready for the bulkhead to be built as Leon has finally finished cleaning and Bondapriming the floor pans. There was some surface rust but other than that, completely solid. Not bad for a 1963 car!
17th September 2015
Wiper rack and motor stripped out. We have decided to relace the bulkhead water pipes as we are unsure of their condition (the ends looked a bit frayed so it is probably a good idea!). The wiper motors have to be stripped and re-wired internally in order to convert them to RHD.
Wiper rack and motor stripped out. We have decided to relace the bulkhead water pipes as we are unsure of their condition (the ends looked a bit frayed so it is probably a good idea!). The wiper motors have to be stripped and re-wired internally in order to convert them to RHD.
10th September 2015
Work continues stripping and we now have the wiring looms and bulkhead cleared. Most of the trim carried out in the US has also been removed. The car will be re-wired but we need to retain the old wiring just in case there are any vital clips etc missing from the new loom.
Work continues stripping and we now have the wiring looms and bulkhead cleared. Most of the trim carried out in the US has also been removed. The car will be re-wired but we need to retain the old wiring just in case there are any vital clips etc missing from the new loom.
22nd August 2015
Work started on this car a few weeks ago, stripping out the interior but more urgent cars took precendent and we were delayed. It is now in the 'bay of conversion'. We have removed the bonnet, steering rack and pedal box ready for the swap over to RHD. A new loom will be fitted and everything checked over. A retrim in green is also on the cards.
Work started on this car a few weeks ago, stripping out the interior but more urgent cars took precendent and we were delayed. It is now in the 'bay of conversion'. We have removed the bonnet, steering rack and pedal box ready for the swap over to RHD. A new loom will be fitted and everything checked over. A retrim in green is also on the cards.
7th December 2014
Work is scheduled to start on this car in the New Year. These photos are of it prior to repatriation to the UK.
Work is scheduled to start on this car in the New Year. These photos are of it prior to repatriation to the UK.