1300 - REA17R

[Jacob]

Hi All,

I've recently got myself a 1976 1300 Dolly. Rang the club today for membership (still waiting to hear back) but thought i'd write a little post here as she will be undergoing a very light restoration. (Nothing like some of the others I've seen on here)... I'm not that brave..... YET.

She's a beautiful thing and has clearly been well looked after in life. She has a club sticker in the back window so I was wondering if anybody had come across her before?

There's only a few things to undertake on her before she's perfect, and I'm hoping you all might be able to help with a few questions I have.

The worst thing in the car is the drivers door card it's been terribly torn from the window winder and needs replacing. Does anybody know where I'd be able to get a brown door card from? I've asked a few people who are breaking dolly's on eBay but haven't come across anything yet. The alternative I suppose is to get it recovered? Has anybody done this before?

Indicator flasher unit - I'm quite sure the wrong one has been put in and it should be a simple case of swapping the unit for the right one. Do I need to take the whole dash off to do this or should it be much easier?

Fuel gauge - The fuel gauge has never read full, it only goes up to about 1/2 to 3/4 even after filling right up. The temperature gauge is good however so I do't think it will be a voltage stabiliser. Maybe the float in the tank? I'm unsure how to check that or even replace so any help people have would be greatly appreciated.

Since having the dolly I've replaced the rear brake system, it wasn't working at all when I brought the car, little did i know... And she's also had a whole overhaul on the clutch system as it failed on me 2 weeks ago coming off the M25. SO new clutch and both new cylinders... Not done by me though... My local classic car mechanic.

Now she's running very well it's a case of installing an electric ignition. They type that's been recommended on the forum is the Britpart 4x4 one, so I will be installing that unless anybody can recommend otherwise.
http://www.mm-4x4.com/britpart-electron ... 2721-p.asp

Now all that's to happen is a good service with new filters all round and I should be good to go.

The colour I believe is Honeysuckle - Paint Code NAD/39 - Can anybody recommend somewhere to get a small amount from? She needs some touching up in very small places... That is until one day (maybe a few years from now) she gets a complete respray. I've found these suppliers online... Has anyone dealt with them before?
http://www.autopaintsbrighton.co.uk/tri ... -596-p.asp

Below is a few photos.... I hope you enjoy...

Thanks,

Jacob

[Toledo Man]

The Britpart kit comes highly recommended. I have this fitted to a Sprint dizzy in my 1850 and it hasn't let me down since the day it was fitted. It is literally fit-and-forget.
The flasher unit is located behind the dash and should be within easy reach. You can fit a modern style flasher unit which has a separate earth and will work with LED bulbs should you wish to go down that road.
It looks like you have a decent car which with a bit of work could be made really nice and is certainly usable. I'd recommend using super unleaded and set the ignition timing to the book figures. Has the cylinder head been converted to unleaded?

[Mahesh]

Does look nice, I would recommend changing the voltage stabiliser, or at the least cleaning the contacts.

[Jacob]

Thanks both I appreciate your comments.

Toledo Man - I think I will definitely fit the Britpart kit then, thanks for that. I'll have a look for the flasher unit tomorrow. I've found a replacement one on trimmers so I'll just pop tat straight in.... I'm not too interested in going down the LED road just yet. She currently runs on super unleaded as that's what the previous owner was using... I don't know if the cylinder head been converted. Is there anyway of telling?

Mahesh - Thanks for your comment... I've cleaned all of the fuse box up but haven't don't the voltage stabiliser. I'll give that a go in the morning. Funnily enough, I was thinking it was the voltage stabiliser so I wrote on a thread from Marko and he's sent me a new type he's made... I'll try a clean up first and if that doesn't work fit a new one.

Thanks again,

Jacob

[GTS290N]

That car looks good!