Another resto
Because, it seems, I do not learn... (in case you missed it, here's the previous experience), I have embarked on another restoration.
Let's make this first post a potted history of how I ended up in this situation. What is it, and how did it end up with me?
Rewind to Los Angeles, pre-COVID. I went to the LA Literature etc show, and some of the associated events. It was fun. Along the way, at the Anaheim swap meet, this caught my eye:
The associated Kardex said Bali Blue, April '65 (so before the summer break, so a "proper 65", with various features of the early cars present and correct). Also California first two owners, and no particular reason to believe it had departed the nice dry roads of S California (it did, in fairness, appear not especially rusty).
So, on paper, quite a few plus points. The car to which the documentation was attached was, however, rather less charming...
The good points seemed to be as stated in the ad - matching numbers, nice original colour, not as rusty as some. Specifically the rust seemed confined to the front suspension pan, probably from the inside out due to standing water down there. The scuttle drip tray was missing, and presumably had been for years, and I guess it has to rain sometimes.
Some original paint, and even the odd chassis number stamp to indicate original external panels (some at least). Wiring and instruments looked as if they had never been out.
But the somewhat haphazard yellow respray (much paint in places that paint should not be) and fake Fuchs were not doing it any favours.
Also, if you are a stickler for originality, you might be able to detect one or two questionable cosmetic modifications in the engine bay. It's all gone a bit chrome in there. The sticker on the fan housing says "beware of rocket blast"... Aside from the visual crimes, I noticed that it was on Webers (should be Solexes, of course).