Simon's Mk1

Hi all,

This thread started a loooong time ago and I've just done a bit of a tidy up.

It all began when I answered an ad in the Trading Post (yes, the paper - remember it?). I really didn't need another car at the time as I had too many already - I only called to see if the owner had any interesting parts. The asking price was $200, and when I found out the car came with a round headlight grille in excellent shape, I was keen. Then the seller advised me that if I picked it up the following weekend, I could have the lot for $100. Sold!

The only down side to this was the fact that the car was located in Phillip Island, and had lived there for seven years. Needless to say I was expecting an absolute rust bucket, but in any case it would be worth buying just for the grille. Here's a pic of it in its new home. I added the lowered suspension and Superlites.



As it turns out it was actually really solid shell, so I sold off a few cars so it could be become my long term project. It has certainly lived up to its name!!!

I had alway intended to run a 2 litre Pinto engine, but then I stumbled across this. Let the nighmares, headaches and much swearing begin. As if an end to my Mk1 project wasn't already in sight, I've just gone and extended it by a few years!

Ahh well. Should be worth it in the end.

Thanks Dave. Tell you what though, just looking at the things I need to do to get it in the car and running really makes me appreciate just how much time and effort alot of the guys on this forum have put into their cars and/or conversions.

Looks great Simon Just don't forget to baste it inbetween turns [:o)]

Just thought this may be of interest to someone....

I was having a scout around the wreckers over the weekend for a suitable replacement fuel tank for my Mk1 project, and stumbled across one of the best looking (as far as fuel tanks go) factory items I have seen - no unsightly pressings and 'almost' looks fabricated. It's a pretty crappy photo, so just use your imagination!

It's out of a Mazda 1300 - not sure what year but the same era as an R100. It fits in the boot perfectly over the diff and will only require a very basic cradle and strap arrangement to secure in place. To top it off, it only cost $40 and that included the sender unit. Only question is, can the sender unit be adapted to suit the Mk1 gauge? Anyone got any thoughts?

Thanks, Simon.

Thanks for the info guys.

Tanz, sending it up might be a bit expensive, but your welcome to "pop down" one weekend and pick it up! [:x)]

Well it's been quite a while since I've posted anything here! As all the students are on holidays at the moment, work has been very quiet (I work in the Industrial Design modelling lab at RMIT university) so I've had a heap of time to make up some new bits and pieces and fiddle with others for my Mk1 project.

Chassis gusset plates. Most of you will have seen these already:

Lightened bonnet hinges:


Lightened boot hinges:


Lightened under-dash brace:


Lightened wiper mechanism:


4 Link Boxes:


And made up a new diff tunnel today:

Wish I had access to equipment that allowed me to do these sort of things.
They have come up a treat Simon. Very nice.

Nice work Simon - they look even more impressive in the flesh (unlike yourself [:u])

Great work with the trans tunnel, looks better than a bought one! Keep up the good work and make hay............!

PS What's the little bakelite block on the steering column support for?