Chassis No.2 FHC resto project.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps..Well i must say what a productive morning..Met up with Ralph at the FHC and gave it a thorough inspection..The outriggers are the worst bit..The guy who owned it has restored some of it 6-7 years ago including the fuel tanks..Which i must say are steel but look like new on the inside..Thanks ralph that mini CCTV inspection colour camera is a worthy bit of kit!..The spark plugs were removed..They looked like new..We put a small amount of oil down the bore's for a just in case scenario and then i hand cranked the engine which turned very easily and smoothly..The rear brakes were rebuilt..The trailing arm pins and mounts were done..I checked for play and there is none..There was a slight bit of movement in the top ball joint but the lower is new..The lower front cross member looked rusty but after giving it a good tapping it sounded well solid..The top suspension mounts look ok..The rad look's new..It has serviceable UJ's...Four of the wheel centres are missing but there is one on the spare so fabrication of a new set will be in order..All the interior trim..Sills..Spoiler and rear bumper are in storage..It will need a new prop...But generally its in good nick..So me and mark1966 are the proud new owners of FHC Chassis No.2..And we got it for an amazingly low price...The guy is even sorting out the trailer to bring it to the garage..Touch!..Work will begin next weekend when he arrives..(By the way we have named it Sampson..Delilah smiled all the way home)..Watch this space...Cheers...Ziga

[MarkS1966]

Great photos Mark,
Thanks very much for them.

To say I'm chuffed to bits to own chassis number 2 is probably a bit of an understatement
Cheers to you for all of your hard work in inspecting it & negotiating the deal

I'm really looking forward to this project and I'm certain that Samson will be a worthy stablemate to Delilah

I've always said I'd like to own a FHC and finally after quite a few months of effort on everyone's part, it's reality!

I think we owe ivacosworth a beer or two as well for first spotting the car!

It'll be great to see how we progress with this and I for one are really hoping that everyone offers their expertise, as I'm sure we'll need it, some bits more than others.

Cheers everyone and we promise that there'll be one of pics up on here for everyone

Of course, we could always just have a go at making a racer out of it and put that supercharger of yours on it

[mrzigazaga]

MarkS1966 said:

we could always just have a go at making a racer out of it and put that supercharger of yours on it

Pleasure's all mine mate..Im really looking forward to getting stuck in..Yes..We definitely owe iva a couple of beers..If the engine needs replacing dont worry about supercharging it as we may have sourced a Ford 302 small block and gearbox...Yummy....A 5.0ltr FHC......

[marcus1875]

Good on you guys. hope it goes well. good luck

[chapperssx]

Sound like your both on and neither of you are lacking in enthusiasm!!! If i'm able to make the BBWF i'll wet your whistle for saving another important wedge

[MarkS1966]

chapperssx said:

Sound like your both on and neither of you are lacking in enthusiasm!!! If i'm able to make the BBWF i'll wet your whistle for saving another important wedge

Thanks for that Martin,
I'm always happy to "have my whistle wetted"

Cheers for now
From one half of M&M

Edited by MarkS1966 on Sunday 24th February 15:41

[James MK]

Look forward to seeing it back on the road. Good work!

[ElvisWedgely]

Congratulations to you both on the new ownership of a rare Wedge. We will all be watching and waiting eagerly for the rebuild. Can't wait to see the completion and the crack of a bottle of champaign for the launch of a gleaming new historic Wedge.

Tony. TCB.

[carob]

Well done guys.

I am sure everyone is glad to see this wedge live another day.

Rob

[MarkS1966]

Cheers everyone
It's one of the things I like most about this forum, the camaraderie and support that everyone offers so willingly!
It'll be great to crack a bottle or two when he's all done.

Many thanks everyone

[wedgemaniac456]

Great news fellas congrats on saving an important wedge ,really like the fhc had Martin Lilleys fhc for a while but had to sell .Cant wait to watch the resto on this one .All the best

[Jack Valiant]

Well done fella's looks like a great restoration project and one to watch with interest!

Chris

[SporttiJanne]

What a great project! I am surely watching this closely.

[Mr Tank]

Hi M&M

Good luck, I hope all your problems will be little ones!

Andy

[5.0ltr]

Wondrous news, when I put the pic up of the car in the wedge forum could never have hoped for this result. Good luck.

[MarkS1966]

Mr Tank said:

Hi M&M

Good luck, I hope all your problems will be little ones!

Andy

Cheers Andy
Given all the kids I've had over the years, I'm seriously hoping that the problems are smaller than those that were created by my own little ones

Seriously though, thanks Andy, I''m sure we'll be in touch requesting assistance from time to time.
It'll be interesting to see whether its anywhere near able to make it to the fest, even it's on a trailer.

Keep your eye out on here for progress, etc.
Thanks
Mark

[MarkS1966]

5.0ltr said:

Wondrous news, when I put the pic up of the car in the wedge forum could never have hoped for this result. Good luck.

Aha Bob!
So it's you who's to blame!

It's a real result though, and our gratitude goes out to you.

Take care and keep an eye on here for progress.

Mark and Mark

[Mr Tank]

Hi Marks

One of you living in South London and the other living in Nottingham, were are you rebuilding it?

Don't tell me in the West Country!

Andy

[ralph350i]

Evening Guys
well what i will say its a great find mate, your one lucky fella and am pleased for you mate
i must say the car is in very good order concidering its been standing for that long and imo its not gonna take that much work to get it up and running, so good luck Mark, if you need a hand mate just ask, it would be my pleasure to help where i can, all the best mate, Ralph

Edited by ralph350i on Sunday 24th February 18:54

[mrzigazaga]

Mr Tank said:

Hi Marks

One of you living in South London and the other living in Nottingham, were are you rebuilding it?

Don't tell me in the West Country!

Andy

Hi Andy..It will be stored in my garage in south london and i have a friend who might be able to store the bodyshell if need be..But in honesty its in really good condition for the amount of time it has sat in a front garden exposed to the elements for 15 years..Albeit in need of a paint job later!..Half of the car was actually restored some years back and has stood the test of time..There is no rush and it will be done at leisure..But hopefully the end result will be an early FHC that is brought back to life to be enjoyed once again..Cheers..Ziga