Nautam Mistry

Wow, that's fantastic...what a terrific trip and the scenery must have been amazing...I'd like to do something like that one day once the car is all up to scratch. Nautam

See below...if anyone has a spare one going or I could pay for one within reason, let me know. Thanks in advance. Nautam

Hi All My black centre hubcap on my Mark IV spitfire is badly cracked and looks very bad...I've tried ebay, Rimmers etc and nobody sells them anymore. Do any of you guys have one lying around that you don't want? I can post up a picture of my existing one and you'll see what I mean. Nautam

When I was out and about, I got a wave and a quick flash from someone in a blue MGB GT near Elstree Aerodrome...Owning a classic does have its good moments and I love it! Nautam

Hi All I think today was national drive it day so I managed to clean her and go out and drive her...weather was beautiful. Some pics for your enjoyment. Nautam

Ha Ha very Funny!!...can this guy breath!!!

Cheers Paul...The floor has some surface rust but nothing too bad...probably use a wire brush then POR 15ing it after a wipe down with water spirit....then paint over with normal paint. Nautam

I'm thinking of get my temperature unit replaced as the reader on the dial doesn't move that much...will compare sizes when I get my replacement and compare it with the old one. Do I need to empty the radiator when taking the old one out?...sorry daft newbie question. Nautam

Well I managed to sort out the shifter (sorry for the Americanism) but if you compare pictures, the kit has made a big difference...the gear lever feels much much better...will test tomorrow. I've ordered a new fuel sender unit as the old one I have is not very accurate and the same does for the temperature gauge as my meter doesn't move much... Im also thinking of painting the floor area of the cockpit as it looks quite untidy by hand...should I just paint it with a tin of Damson Red or paint some rust protection, wait for that to dry then paint over this with the damson red? Nautam

Hi Peatea I had the same problem you had and got a kit which was very cheap...my nylon ball was completely smashed but as I am a Newbie I was able to repair it...(with help from chaps on the forum). Its quite straight forward to do...will go for a test drive at the weekend to see if all is OK. The gear lever is now really firm with no slack but I suspect it will loosen up over time. Nautam

Ah OK Pete...will check fuel filler seal for hole...if no hole then plastic pipe through floor will do... Many thanks Nautam

Sorry guys but did a search on the web...its some kind off fuel vent type item...went onto Rimmers website but they don't sell a replacement vent. Should I just put a plastic cover over it and seal it with an elastic band? Is it something to do fuel tank pressure equalisation perhaps? Nautam

Thanks John, but the fuel line is fine as you can just see it next to the part in question...I drove the car this weekend so I would assume all the fuel lines are 'A' OK. Nautam

Hi all Does anyone know what this is on top of the fuel tank...I touched it and there some ashy type material that comes off it...the boot smells of petrol too...its not strong but just concerned and wondering: 1. What is it and is mine damaged. 2. Is is supposed to look like this or is it a botched part..seems like the previous owner may have put a fag end in the hole to block it. 3. What should I do?..Should I take this thing out and replace it with something? Sorry for the non-technical terms as I am new to all this but any help would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance Nautam

Looking at the diagrams of the mechanism in the Owners Worksop Manuel , I cannot see a round plastic bowl type item under the springs on my car (Nylon Sphere)...perhaps it may be this that may have disintegrated. Could this this may be my problem?...If so where would be the best place to get a kit for this type of repair? Nautam

Hi all... My car has passed its MOT!!...all fully road worthy however I have to apply for historic status so I get a refund on the road tax. Anyway, I've run into a problem in that driving the car yesterday, I started losing 1st and 2nd gear with the gear sick being really limp and finding it difficult to get the car into gear. I understand that the gear selector bushes may have gone...so off comes the tunnel and I found the following next to the prop shaft and a screw plus the rubber gear housing has had it. Is it easy to replace these bushes as the gear selection mechanism seems really limp? Also, I've seem some posts about possibly replacing the tunnel as mine looks like the old cardboard one which is insulated with the stuff you find in your loft...hope its not asbestos! Nautam

Being a Newbie, I have been told that normal unleaded fuel in my 1973 Spitfire Mark IV should be OK...my annual mileage is expected to be quite low so there should be no issues...I hope. Nautam

I would rather have my car MOTed as it give me peace of mind that it is safe to drive...the price of an MOT is reasonable compared to the potential consequences of not getting it done and something happens because one wants to cut costs or forgets to check something. My car is a1973 Mark IV Spitfire so will be exempt shortly but I am still getting an MOT done. Quite frankly I think this is a bad idea for older vehicles for not having a mandatory MOT but that just my view...perhaps an MOT is mandatory for older vehicles but there should be no fee to pay for this service for older cars. At least then one can be confident that older cars on the road are safe. Nautam

Many thanks Chaps!...be a good idea to show some before and after shots when I get the time to do it dependant on what I purchase. Nautam

Just out of interest, what do you guys use to treat surface rust?...I want to protect the underneath of the car, chassis, anti-roll bar etc. I suppose the idea would be to rub down the affected area with a wire brush then treat appropriately but what would you use? I have seen stuff that you can paint on the rust and it treats it so it becomes hard and then you paint over with Hammerite. Does anyone have any recommendations? Regards Nautam

Hi All Just a quick update on re-commissioning her....My diff is leaking so this has taken it apart for an overhaul so new seals and output bearings can be put in...I can't do this myself as its a bit tricky and quite frankly I don't have the tools either...looks a bit messy too with all the oil etc...plus the diff is quite heavy I believe... My chassis and sills are good so that's a big relief...plus the clutch has not seized so again a relief. Brakes, suspension and fuel lines will be checked as I want to get her to MOT standard especially after she has been sitting around for so long...The car starts so engine is not seized which is great. Over the years I saved up a bit of a budget but I want to do some bits and pieces myself...in that way I understand the car and will try and tackle stuff that's not too difficult... I'd rather keep her as original as I can rather than replacing stuff so once she comes back I will tackle, clean, mend, paint and try to do little bits and pieces as I go along. Saw the twiddle day which will be helpful for a complete novice like me but need to check availability to attend...ie will wifey agree...who knows? All looking good so far with her...(The car that is!) Nautam

Hi Pete I will get a better idea of what exactly needs doing when I see him with pictures...will keep you all posted and get your views.. Nautam

Doug Yes diff and gearbox leaking too...I may get the garage to do all this as I don't have the tools, time or expertise to tackle this on my own and will get a quote. Will check out the forum on each point and decide whether I can do this on my own or not. Ideally what I want to do is get it running to MOT level, then tackle odds and sods as I go along...at least I can drive it over the summer when or if it comes! Nautam

Hi all.. Well I have had the car assessed...floors and sills all ok and chassis is good which is a relief!...My main problem is the mechanicals so the following will need to be overhauled: 1. Front Suspension 2. Rear Suspension 3. Brakes 4. Differential Seals 5. Fuel Pipes 6. Clutch Hydraulics I suppose these are the most important things to sort out as they are all safety related when driving the car. I will be going to the garage on Saturday to get more details and the work involved to get her roadworthy again...pics to follow at some point. Nautam

Hi all...well she's gone to be assessed....Im looking to get her MOTed for my peace of mind plus it will be the last time this happens after May of this year I think..lets see what comes back...fearing the worst regarding the chassis....will keep you posted on the next plan of action... Btw her colour is Damsen Red...will get her resprayed to Charmine Red as this was her original colour when she let the factory...Does anyone have a Charmine Red Spitty so I can compare colours at all?....will probably get the respray done when and if time and budget allows... Www its so exciting! Nautam