What a really interesting and enjoyable weekend spent in Dudley with Rob & Jane carrying out the mechanical part of a full restoration of ‘Nemo’, a pre-production MGF 143 VVC (special development vehicle as can still be seen marked on the subframe). Fantastic bit of history involved with this car, that was originally in Volcano but had been painted red. Rob & Jane will be getting a full respray back to original colour. It’s not known if this was actually resprayed at the factory or by someone else. There are so many subtle differences on this car that never went into production. Different coloured and different connectors for the wiring. Mounting bolts slightly different, not captive nuts, but standard. Great to see the original fitters signatures and dates even on internal parts.
We carried out head gasket, cambelt service plus general service, full clutch replacement, stainless steel engine bay pipes fitted, underfloor stainless steel coolant pipes, alloy radiator, refitted alternator, refitted the ECU, refitted exhaust (temporarily to run it up). It was also found that the underfloor coolant pipes one of the brackets had been welded about quarter of an inch in the wrong place so they had missed out the centre bolt to compensate, these were originally fitted from the factory.
Thanks to Rob & Jane for your lovely company and many cuppas! Really great to meet you both.
