After a major rebuild the car is back as a 'rolling chassis'. I had hoped that by buying a relatively rust free car only minor bodywork would be required but being an E-Type and my having contracted "shipwrights disease" means that just about all areas have undergone remedial work.
Paul Cooper, of CooperCraft, delivering the restored shell. Without the expertise of Paul, Peter and Pete this would have been just another uncompleted E-Type project.
One year ago this didn't seem possible, a clean garage I mean! The original 5 inch wheels look lost in the wheel arches so they will be changed for 6 inch Dayton's. Being an OTS the stonechip protection has been extended to the inside, completely waterproofing the interior and reducing 'drumming' of the panels.
The VSE rebuilt engine, previously restored suspension and transmission have been reinstalled by CooperCraft.
The 5-speed Getrag box prevented the engine/gearbox unit being fitted from underneath so it had to be done the hard way, from the top. While the engine was being rebuilt the flywheel was drilled to take a 9.5" diaphragm clutch, as fitted to the 4.2 l, in the hope that this will reduce pedal pressure.
The adaptor plate on the new gearbox mated reasonably well to the existing bell housing but the studs have metric threads. As the gearbox has metric fasteners the changeover had to happen somewhere but I would have preferred that the studs were UNF.
The method of extending the brake bleed points was taken from the internet after the shell had gone for restoration so it's a relief to see that they line-up with the brake access hatch.