Autopendium :: stuff about old cars

Tags: interior restoration steering-wheel sunroof

Popped over to Romance of Rust yesterday as Lance had in an Amazon he'd already worked on, although not to the degree that mine's being done to.

This one would probably best be termed a made-good resto. All the parts which were ropey had been replaced, and those panels that needed it were resprayed. The result was a very nice everyday Amazon. You could tell which panels had been replaced or repainted if you looked closely, and there were slight hints of rust in some of those that hadn't been done (for example, the rear windows).

However, this was how the client wanted it -- to be a nice everyday Amazon, rather than something really special they were afraid to drive.

It was a really interesting comparison, and I can see why Lance wanted me to have a look at it, as it's certainly helped me sort things out in my mind.

There were some things I really disliked: the modern radio in the dash (together with the digital radio aerial on the front windscreen), and the NOS padded dash still suffered from the not-quite-fitting problem they always seem to have.

Other things worked really well: the new seat covers; the Moto-lite steering-wheel; the full-length Tudor Webasto sunroof, which had been very nicely done and really helped with the rear roof-line; the newly padded seats, which were very comfortable; the hidden speakers, and the carpet-lined boot.

The handling was also excellent (Lance gave me a little demo), with the polybushes and progressive springs giving it great chuckability. The springs also gave it a really nice stance, prob 3/4 inch lower than stock. The biggest revelation was the rebuilt steering, which was so much tighter than mine, and I think this is going to have to be done, as are the prog springs.

As I said, really interesting, and I'd encourage anyone who is getting their vehicle extensively done, to do the same sort of exercise.

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