1971 Spitfire MKIV - An Adventure
Seeing as I was standing looking at it I decided to get rid of the torn top and to rip out all the moldy and torn vinyl behind the seats. For now we don't intend to drive this car in the rain, so I'm not too worried that a new top will cost almost $400.
With the frame and bolts safely stored I rip out all the moldy and ripped vinyl on the side panels, wheel wells, and rear gas tank cover. It looks better already, but since I have a roll of brown pleather lying around I buy a can of spray adhesive an affix it to the panels I took off. This isn't perfect but it's the first improvement to the condition of the car!
The previous owner removed the seat belts to install a throw rug he had lying around, instead of actual carpet. He put the seat belts and one of the latches in the trunk. A trip to NAPA and Autozone with the one fine thread bolt I had was discouraging.....neither place had any such bolts. I called the previous owner and asked him if he had any more parts lying around and he did. A coffee can that included the other latch and the 5 other bolts to secure the belts in place. I never knew finding a bolt could be so fulfilling.
Next is replacing the rear shocks. Another trip to Autozone and 30 minutes of work the rear shocks are replaced. No major improvement to the ride, so drive over to the local tire shop to get 4 new tires. They don't have 13" tires in stock so I place an order for 185 r13s. Wider to try to improve the ride and handling. Three days and $330 later the 4 new tires are on. Wow. What a difference! The car is no longer jumpy in the back end, no dramatic pulling to the left; it's great.
With the frame and bolts safely stored I rip out all the moldy and ripped vinyl on the side panels, wheel wells, and rear gas tank cover. It looks better already, but since I have a roll of brown pleather lying around I buy a can of spray adhesive an affix it to the panels I took off. This isn't perfect but it's the first improvement to the condition of the car!
The previous owner removed the seat belts to install a throw rug he had lying around, instead of actual carpet. He put the seat belts and one of the latches in the trunk. A trip to NAPA and Autozone with the one fine thread bolt I had was discouraging.....neither place had any such bolts. I called the previous owner and asked him if he had any more parts lying around and he did. A coffee can that included the other latch and the 5 other bolts to secure the belts in place. I never knew finding a bolt could be so fulfilling.
Next is replacing the rear shocks. Another trip to Autozone and 30 minutes of work the rear shocks are replaced. No major improvement to the ride, so drive over to the local tire shop to get 4 new tires. They don't have 13" tires in stock so I place an order for 185 r13s. Wider to try to improve the ride and handling. Three days and $330 later the 4 new tires are on. Wow. What a difference! The car is no longer jumpy in the back end, no dramatic pulling to the left; it's great.
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