and I have my coupe back from winter hibernation and a rather severe front-end rebuild. If you haven't seen all the pictures and info on the project thread here's a quick overview:

Engine and gearbox

• Crank regrind, reharden, and new bottom end bearings
• Gearbox replaced (two broken teeth on final drive on the original)
• Clutch replaced
• Exhaust cam replaced
• New belts, tensioners, bearings, and water pump
• New water and breather pipes
• All metal pipework blasted and powder coated
• New engine mounts
• Engine stays, supports, sump etc. blasted and powder coated
• Engine block painted (red, for added 50 bhp!)
• Cam cover cleaned, paint details renewed, and lacquered

Suspension, steering, and driveshafts

• New shock absorbers
• New wishbone (dead balljoint on one side, other OK)
• New droplinks
• New steering boots
• New track rod ends
• One replacement s/h drive shaft (dead CV joint)
• CV boots all round replaced

Bodywork

• Slam panel blasted and powder coated
• Removal and repair of structural rust in both wheel-arches; new material inserted, and treatment with POR15 inhibitor
• Removal of surface rust throughout engine bay and treatment with POR15
• Replacement of all solid brake pipes, and flex pipes at the front wheels
• Replacement of corroded clutch solid pipe with a flex pipe following the same route (with slightly larger internal diameter, so somewhat less fluid friction and accordingly lighter clutch action)

... and a new MOT with 171k on the clock.

There are still a couple of tiny issues: the engine occasionally stalls on overrun (probably the TPS setting, but I'm awaiting delivery of an OBD/Fiat adaptor to confirm - there are no ECU faults showing), and there's an occasional ABS light probably caused by irregularities in the sonic wheel teeth - still to be investigated.

Getting back into the car is like putting on an old pair of comfortable shoes: everything just feels right... all set for a little jaunt around Norway in the summer

Many thanks to Joe for his effort (particularly in the location of some very hard to find parts), the use of his facilities, and his instructional use of rude words as applied to the various parts of a coupe!

See you all at Brooklands in a couple of weeks.

Well wear for the next 20 years Barnacle

Enjoy your new Coupe!

I take it Joe didn't sneak a turbo under there anywhere...? *runsandhides*