So, rust aside, we've been busy. Removed the grab handles, dashboard, glovebox, front parcel shelf, sun visors, rear view mirror, steering wheel, remaining C pillar trim and door membranes. Then we got the steering column, pedal box and air vents out too. we're pretty close to bare shell inside which will make removing the wiring loom, dashboard mount, glass and headlining a good bit easier to get out.
There wasn't a huge amount more to be done inside the car so attention turned to mechanical stuff. Brake master and slave cylinder, clutch cylinder, both headlight trims and one headlight (pesky seized and rusty screws), steering column support bracket, manifold heatshield (finally got one!) and that previously mentioned rear arch trim.
Looking pretty empty in there now. These cars are brilliant to strip down, most things are easy to access and we were lucky in that many of the fixings on this one were secure but not seized. Wherever possible, fixings and fastenings have been put back in their respective holes so when I come to reusing any of these parts it will be that bit easier. This did highlight that the play in my steering rack is actually the pinch bolt inside the car that holds the knuckle/rose joint to the column hasn't been fully tightened, having a (mechanically) good car to compare against was vital to diagnose this.
Did some work on the interior of the beige car and with a very quick wipe down of Autoglym Rubber & Vinyl spray they've come up astoundingly well.
Apart from this door. The dodgy grab handle I had won't go back on because the little thing at the top that stops you pulling the handle off the door is broken. I did liberate a good plastic clip from the orange car so I could fit a brown handle I have and now this doesn't pull off every time you try and shut the door. I'm on the lookout for a new black handle for this door now because this bugs me, but slightly less than it would if there were no grab handle there.
Those seat covers have made it into the car, I make no apology for them because I think they look superb in the new interior. I need to get some offcuts of black carpet for the inner sills as the ones from the orange car were in poor condition.
Tomorrow I should be making a start on removing glass and engine bits. I was disappointed to find that the thermostat housing, while good, has half a waxstat stuck in it just like the red one so I'll have to get the hole saw on that which was a job I thoroughly enjoyed last time.
