Things going well (ish!) This weekend I removed the windscreen glass and the surround then removed the dashtop. This was a little nervy as the dashtop are notorious for splitting and the very early Spitfires have a different dashtop to almost the rest of the Mk1, 2 and 3 production which all had the same. The early dashtops had no extended lip over the instrument cluster - it's not a documented change but it's beleived to have been chanegd sometime after the 1st 1000 cars or so were built. Fortunately mine is in good condition and came off easily enough in the end. Just need to store it someplace safe now :-)

To be honest I'm finding a lot of things are different on the very early cars (I have all the mechanical parts and interior for a mid 1963 Spitfire4 - FC14255 - to compare against) - The radio console/dash support is different; the fuel tank is different; the rear stop lamps are different (although I think mine are prototypes (no part numbers anywhere or makers name (lucas) if fact the design is ever so slightly different too; the inlet manifold is different; no makers name on my header tank (compared to the header tank for FC14255 which has a little plate underneath) - all interesting stuff (to me at least!).

The building up of the suspension is going ok too - apart from I've fitted the lower wishbones the wrong way so the antiroll bar won't fit! Doh! At least I hadn't tightened anything up so it's an easy shift really!

Post some pics of FC316 on this blog when i can.
Jon

So thinhgs are going pretty well with the restoration of FC316. The very good condition chassis from FC14255 (already blasted and powder coated) has allowed me to start the suspension rebuild. The front suspension has been painted and overhauled with new polybushes, bolts, shocks, springs, trunnions and new discs.

The only problem I've having is getting the correct fitting order/bolts for the vertical links, caliper mounting plate and steering control arms - these were changed very early in production with new control arms and vertical links being manufactured and the separate caliper mounting bracket being deleted as the fittings were now incorporated into the vertical link. I'll get my head around it though! Antiroll bar and front steering rack goes on this weekend!

On the rear suspension the differential and rear spring has been refitted and 1 of the drive shafts/vertical link etc has been fitted too. Hopefuly get the other done by the end of the month. Then next month - refitting the engine/gearbox and prop shaft! Gulp! Thats for next time!

I've got got my hands on the 1963 Spitfire4 FC14255. No body (apart from the doors) or interior but all the mechanicals are in place and in great condition. This includes some rare bits and pieces that I've been after for ages including a rubber Plenum chamber for the heater box drain pipe; Front bumper brackets; and the correct extended height brake master cylinder and of course a fully rebuilt MK1 engine, gearbox, differential, a great powder coated chassis and a fibreglass MK1 bonnet.

In addition there were lots of new parts for the MK1 too including a new leaf spring, front road springs, front shocks, new front discs, rear shoes, new timing cover and a new clutch.

In addition to this there were quite a few bitsfor the Spitfive MKIV that I didn't need including a brand new OE Soft Top, seats, door cappings and a new Spitfire MK3 Front valance. These have sold very well on eBay. Effectively meaning I'ev recouped all the money I outlaid on the purchasing the car! Result! :-)

Nice easy job replacing the starter motor om my Mk3 Spitire which had burnt out (after sticking on) luckily I had a spare one in the garage and it was a pretty simple 30 minute job. Also took the opportunity to remove the Formula GT Steering wheel and refit my original steering wheel (with period brown leather Cosmic coolgrip steering wheel glove!). the formula GT is going up for sale on eBay.

I'm having a little clear out to make way for the new donor Spitfire MK1 parts so the wheel, some SAH tite a turn rear wishbones; an SAH Camshaft a number of bootlids and sundry other bits and pieces (wondering whether I rally need/want my Les Leston Helphos rally lamp - I've never used it!) New car get picked up on wednesday - can't wait. Should have a variety of MK1 bits and pieces for sale soon including parts of the engine from FC1211 and a reconditioned 3 rail gearbox as well as various impossible to get bits of trim - feel free to drop me a mail if you need anything Spitfire MK1 in particular.

Lots of Angle grinder work!! Cut the front wings off the bonnet (they really were just too far gone to try and repair!) and removed the bonnet tubes ready for blast cleaning. Then cleaned up the rear deck seat ythat I removed from a 1976 Spitfire 1500 donor car - this is in remarkably good condition (and is one of the few panels that never really changed over the Spitfire production lifecycle.

Hope to but a rear deck this week too which will solve a problem. More Mig Welding practice - god I'm Rubbish at this!!!!!

I just couldn't pass it up! The chap had it listed as an Spitfire4 engine and gearbox. Turns out to be a fully rebuilt engine and gearbox - oh and all the parts from FC14255 with the exception of the body tub which disintegrated when over vigourous sand blasting was applied. I've bought as a parts car really but maybe too good to just dismantle? She came with a current registration document and is still on her original 1963 registration plates(NKH 948A).


Chassis, wheels, doors, bonnet, boot lid and hood, engine ancillaries, radiator, header tank, lights, wiring, all running gear, suspension, springs, trim (interior & exterior) are all present. Most of these will be used to ressurrect FC316 but I think FC14255 will also live again :-) eventually :-)