Well, I've gone and bought my first British sportscar and a spifire it is. Obviously not heeding the excellent advice of "dont buy the first car you see" I am now the proud owner of BGF **** affectionately now christened as "Bernard". Driving him home from Truro to Okehampton the first problem to raise its head was the radiator, which was the original one, began to fall apart as I was cruising at 60 on the A30. But after a trip to Exeter radiators a new recored radiator was purchased and fitted. The next job for the winter is a trip to the club shop and get hold of the spares which will allow me to conduct a full strip of the brakes.
I'll add more info if anyone's interested in the future as Bernards going to need more TLC and I may need a little advice to bring him up to spec. Navyguy.