Italian Job is back in the shop!
Here is 1 week’s progress. The 4.2 lump is back in and the accessories can now get piled on.
In many ways the E-Type engine bay was designed to look as good as it ran.
With the engine in we could route the electric wires on the subframe then start on the firewall bits.
With much excitement we purchased this BRG 1969 Lotus Europa S2, chassis +54/1267+, on Wednesday.
The car has been on the island for some time, and was saved from another winter outside. It has considerable dirt and mildew, but retains almost all its original bits which attracted us to it.
I can’t think of better value on the collector car market today. Only 3600 Europas were made in the early configuration and they are still at the bottom of the market. This is a result of the uncompromising design, oddball shape and it isn’t a status symbol.
For Mini MK3 money we got a mid engine layout, lightweight construction and lofty sporting appeals.
More anorak goodness!
Off our TF restoration project comes this PBI Park 12V coil that has at least been on it since a respray in the 1970s.
This is most likely a period replacement item as the unrestored, 5100 mile TF on The Original MG TF Miget site has the standard Lucas LA12 which we would expect. LA12 was the standard 12V coil of the period that came on cars like the MG TF, Austin Healey Sprite, early Triumph TR, Morris Minor and Mini Cooper. These are dated on the bottom and the faint 66 on the MSI probably indicates year of manufacture.
Now this MSI Park unit is somewhat of a peculiarity, so we have taken liberties to clean and reuse it. Even the decal mimicks the LA12 look and feel.
Any attempt to search MSI Park 12V coil have drawn a blank on internet search, so maybe someone else out there might have some information?
It is pictured here on the right next to the perfunctory Lucas LA12. There are noticeable departures with the replica piece.
Today we had an absolutely original XJ6 in the shop from 1968 which was a two-owner car.
In the trunk was the pristine tool roll and the owner let us open it and reveal an untouched set.
We found Shelly Pliers, a yellow plastic valve stem remover, hubcap remover, Lucas .014 Key, and spanners that varied from Eagle, Daimler and Jaguar!
The Italian Job, our 1965 E-Type restoration has been compartmentalized over the last month while we wait to receive the car back.
This left the enormous task of tackling the 4.2 engine which meant a proper seal, paint and polish before marrying it back into the chassis. We fit new engine and transmission seals, a 3-piece clutch kit, frost plugs as well as re-machined the cylinder-head deck and flywheel. The starter motor was also expertly overhauled by Brian Roberts Auto Electric which is all too easy while the engine is out.
Tarting up the biggest piece of automotive jewelery is a time consuming task of cleaning and polishing. Specifically polishing the aluminum cam covers, cylinder head, intake manifold, breather tube and carburetor bodies whose radiant charm is offset by the bell housing, crankcase and transmission which stay in the bare and carefully cleaned aluminum alloy.
Last we have the intake and exhuast portion of this equation which include the porcelain covered exhaust manifolds. More on those later.
