ShaunW

Thanks Doug, that's kind of you but you can hang on to them. I've learnt that once someone feels they owe you a favour...you should hang on until you need a big one When it comes to slot orientation, I don't know what I was thinking saying it should be radial, they should be either perpendicular to radial so as to improve aerodynamic efficiency when turning, or no specific direction so long as the torque is correct to 3 decimal places. Radial looks pretty but it really is style over function.

I've just been reminded by that conversation that I don't have a spare of any kind. Something else for the shopping list.... and a little jack or else having a spare won't be much use. That precious space gets used up pretty quickly.

I agree with everyone, I didn't think they were an issue. I had them down as one of those things whereby if you have them they need to function but not having them isn't an issue. They're back on now anyway but as was said, their primary function is as wind deflectors rather than sun defenders. Thinking about it I'm not even sure a having windscreen is compulsory, Ariel Atoms etc so heaven knows where you'd put them in that case.

Mine's booked in for Monday. In a chance conversion about the weather when I booked it, I mentioned that I needed to refit my sun visors. He said you need to because it's an mot failure not to have any. I've never heard of it before (not surprising really) and I've never seen it on any check lists. Was he pulling my leg?

Thx yorkshire. I'm not a million miles off then. On closer inspection I think it's the front of my bonnet that needs to come down 1/2" rather than the suspension.

Can I ask what distance you've got from the hub to the arch, front and back? Mines 12.75" all round but I was tempted to drop the nose a tad. I've certainly got enough clearance because I'm on relatively small 185/60/13s.

Cheers Badwolf. I think I'll go for countersunk allens. If I go for slots I'll just get Clive Syndrome about the alignment. Btw Clive, the answer is radially Badwolf, did I hear you say 'worth'?

When I thought it's meaningless having the diff ratio on the rev counter I should have believed myself.

You know how once someone points something out you can stop looking at it.... Cheers fellas ?

I'm with you on the point about locking it. Some people can unpick locks like that in about 3 seconds (probably a dying art) so insurance shouldn't be too suprised it's entered that way. I wonder if that insurance company allows you to park with just a tonneau, with its high security zip & press studs?

The speedo is only a decorative feature, it just waves at me to say it's there rather than performing any useful function. Swings between about right and about +10.

The logo is a pair of crossed checkered flags with Mountney above and England below. Mmm those rusty cross heads aren't doing it many favours.

I remember those days well Mat, first thing a lad looked at when he got in a car. Why the diff ratio printed on the tacho though? Suppose there's no room on the speedo. And if they came as a pair, why not I suppose. Just seems odd coming from the days cars were made from bits out of the parts bin.

Thanks Mat. 140 on the speedo was a bit optimistic. ?

Why would a tacho have a diff ratio on it? 3.55:1. On a speedo yes, but on the tacho?

Now correct me if I'm wrong but something doesn't look right here. The clue, the 'Demist' telltale on the tacho ... on a Spitfire? And a bonus indicator light which is a bit surplus to requirements. I don't think the GT6 had a rear demister did it? They do look like a pair though. Has anyone got a photo of what should be in there?

When I was 20 I wrote off my GT6. I kept the steering wheel as a memento. 34 years later it went back on a car again. I knew I'd use it again and frankly it means more to me than it probably should. It's probably going to go in my box with me eventually.

I've just rebuilt my front end and went for 220s and blue poly bushes. When I finally lowered it from the jack..... it was about 2" from the ground. I've got Gaz adjustables but they had to be wound up too far to get it sitting right. Pita having to take them off again. I drove over to rimmers and they swapped them for the uprated 262s. The heavier engine in a six needs it, 220s are more suited to regular spits according to the convos I had there. Fitted them and it's great now. Soft enough to iron out the bumps but firm enough to handle as well as can be expected.

What's the deal with these rocker covers, why the interest?

Rust prevention? I thought it replaced the need for a dipstick. No drips, no oil. Anyways I'm doing my bit for future generations, recycling oil by directly returning it to where it came from.

Sounds nice Clive. If it looks good then it's worth an extra calorie of effort every now and then. Keeps you fit too.

Aside from practicality which doesn't really apply (otherwise you'd have a modern car) then it's small steering wheels on a sporty/young man's motor and big on a bus/old man's motor isn't it? ? Or is that just my impression having read so many custom car mags while I was an impressionable youth. Wood wheels are often need to be bigger because they're so darn slippery. My leather one (flat 12") is getting a bit shiny but fine still even with the bigger engine over the wheels. Seriously, how much maneuvering are you planning on doing? How twitchy do you want it at speed is the other question.

Dished or flat simply depends on how long your legs are compared to your arms. Sit comfy and see where you'd like the rim.

LOL, good. There is a god.

Depends how clean your drive is ? It's always worth being observant, these things don't just start leaking when the test is due, even though it often feels like it.