The last month has been one of cars, but not really in a good way. My Jaguar developed a misfire which three garages wouldn't/couldn't repair, so I was in for a long haul. It is a nice car which I have had for about three years, so I want to get it fixed even if it costs a bit. So, I eventually put it into a specialist for their care and attention.
This did leave me a problem, however, as I still needed to get to work. "Never mind" I thought, "I'll use the Bond". How silly of me to think that the Equipe would support me in my hour of need, and step up as a daily driver for a couple of weeks. On the trip to buy petrol for the week, the car twice broke down when pulling away from junctions (the more traffic, the better it would appear). Wretched thing.
Naturally the Bond is now running better, which is typical. So, just so it couldn't have its own way, I decided to clean out the carbs by blasting compressed air through them. I hope it hurt. The points and rotor arm were also replaced, and a new coil and condensor ordered from Rimmer Bros.
Still carless, the only option was to go and buy a hack to run for the next month or so. After a little bit of AutoTrader searching, I bought a 1999 Ford Focus Estate for the money that some would spend on an iPad. Isn't it amazing that you can buy a real, full sized car for less than £400? The great thing is that I don't care about it at all and so am not worried if it gets dings or scratches in car parks. After it has served its purpose I'll just sell it on.
Right, you're not here to hear about Ford Focuses (or should it be Foci?), are you? Let's move on to the TR7. Despite a lack of posts recently, I have still been pottering around in the garage, working on a selection of unrelated things.
The windscreen/scuttle panel was rubbed down, primed and given a coat of satin black paint. This will now be wrapped up and stored in the spares mountain.
The car has seen more seam sealer (trying saying that after a few Amstels) applied over the last few weeks, and the inside washed and dusted down for some primer. The inside is one area which I am not particularly pleased with, because it just looks "rough". Actually it is all very strong and won't be seen anyway once sound deadening panels etc are applied (not to mention carpets) but I'd have liked it to look more fresh.
A quick coat of primer at least started to make it look a little more together, however, and the engine bay is coming on well, too. That has had its seams sealed and coat of primer rubbed down again, ready for another coat.
The driver's side door was also cleaned up with a combination of sanding and washing, then treated to etch primer followed by grey primer. Doing the satin black window frame was satisfying, for some reason.
One quick thing to tell you - I am finally, for now, feeling happier about the driver's side rear wheel arch. Although it is still very rough, the profile is starting to look better. That is a blessing as I was seriously considering either starting again with it and fitting a new repair panel, or even going the whole hog and fitting a new rear wing. I am hopeful that it will come together now.
Okay, that's it until next time. Happy Mothers' Day.
