Posts

Wood Trim and Interior Dash Refresh

Image
  After many hours and a little problem solving a shorting issue, the car is reassembled with the dash looking much better with its refreshed wood and leather. Went through 8 fuses trying to track down a short which ended up being something to do with the fuel gauge. Solved and running well again. Think I'll change the wood around the stereo next to be more matching.  The old dash had a large split in the centre and the vents had come loose. The wood trim if you zoom in had begun peeling and was sun faded. The dials also need a good spring clean.  Learnt a lot about how it all runs and is held together. Not much room in the back to fit or remove anything. Running led backlights now so hopefully they wont need replacing anytime soon. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Sort Trip - Yeah Right

Image
 Had a fund drive to Mangitinoka and back with Mason today. The BMW Z3 was good company and looked great parked side by side at the Tūī brewery, where we stopped for lunch.  The spitfire may have needed to use third gear to get up and over the new highway but she managed 50 mile an hour up the hill and cruised along the flats at 65. Temp stayed under half and the revs were about 3500. Loving driving my lovely old car.  Hopefully some better weather will allow for a top down trip. 
Post a Comment
Read more

WOF success

Image
 The spitfire passed its first 12 month warrant of fitness with flying colours. No comments or recommendations. Wahoo. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Cracked Exhaust Manifol

Image
After looking for better solutions and none being available before tomorrow’s WOF a temporary fix was called for. JB Weld should hopefully hold.  Had to remove the inlet manifold to access the exhaust. In the process of removing the hoses the water coolant pipe cracked (rust stopped holding hands) so a sleeve was needed to seal the pipe and hose and the coolant stopped dripping onto the exhaust pipe. Bigger job than I had planned. All fixed and ready for a WOF tomorrow. Fingers crossed it passes.  Will look to get a replacement manifold or headers sometime over summer. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Finally have backing light going!

Image
After exploring why the backing light was not working I have finally got a working solution.  Fist issue was the rusted out bulb holder held together by a few bits of metal. Cut that out and installed a new bulb holder. Found the power wire was also missing/ snapped off.  Next pulled apart the gearbox tunnel to find the switch missing. Decided to install a micro switch on the housing of the lever which is easier to access. Nicely hidden away and now well secured (I think). Thankfully the old discarded switch wire was still available and running the length of the car to light the new bulb.  Rust treated and painted the floor while the seats and gearbox tunnel were out.
Post a Comment
Read more

High Beam Restored

Image
 Wahoo. Just fixed the high beam issue. Unplugged all connections added some contact cleaner and tested the switch. Thankfully now all going great.
Post a Comment
Read more

First car show

Image
 Took our lovely 1970 spitfire to the Manawatu Vintage Car Club Daffodil Day Gathering and run. About 150 lovely cars and the Triumph fitted right in. The run from Fielding to Colton then out to Apiti and back to Palmy was the longest and most challenging drive I’ve taken the car on. She ran beautifully keeping a steady temp and pulling strongly up the hills. A great 2 hour drive in some of Manawatu’s best scenic roads. Isaac loved his day out and even won a spot prize. 
Post a Comment
Read more