Had enough for this year.

[Chris Hunter]

Over the last year my Z has had its sills removed pressure wax oiled, complete running gear overhaul, pressure cleaned underneath and wax oiled, brake lines replaced where necessary, discs and pads replaced, new flexible prop shaft drive disc fitted, rear axle and diff removed, overhauled, re-bushed and modified to twin ear standard, new rear springs and dampers. last job was to drain the fuel tank, remove the ethanol content replace the fuel then ran the car for around sixty dry miles. it is now sitting in its corner of my garage with its cover on and battery conditioner connected, and sorn declared. Hopefully next year, I will be able to enjoy it with bugger all to do. Forgot to mention moving the hood switch to the front. Pl

 

[DomiMik]

That's an impressive amount of work, must be very satisfying. I hope your first ride next year will be rewarding mate

 

[ditchfinder]

Ah but you have peace of mind that it isn't dissolving outside over winter and you are ready to go come Spring

 

[Z Victor 1]

Sounds good, but there always seems to be something needed and if not we have to find something to do! That's what we do.

 

[Chris Hunter]

You are right zvictor1. I spent too long looking at it, and discovered flaking lacquer around the boot latch, and looking further found some more along the doors to window glass sealing rubber strip. In for a penny in for a pound , there were some scratches under the front bumper caused I think by a high kerb at some time. Noticed the door mirror plinths were looking shabby. The end result was bumpers off, mirrors separated from their plinths, and the complete car off to the painters. The painter pointed out that the n/s rear wheel arch was a different shape to the other side, in the fifteen years I have owned the car I had not noticed this difference. It must have had a bump sometime in the past. However he has corrected this difference and although it is in primer it looks good. Hope to get it back before the end of the month. The moral is don't look too hard.

 

[Chris Hunter]

Got the bugger back from the painter, he has done a first class job. Mirrors and plinths reunited without problems. I am difficult to please, or so I am told, but I am pleased with things so far except for the door cards which I found to be a complete ball ache. Forward end took ages and required several attempts and two pair of hands. I am perhaps looking too closely but no matter how many times they were tried, the bit that can be seen through the quarter light looks tatty with a sort of kit car appearance which is a shame when everything else fits well.

 

[Z Victor 1]

Never had a problem with the Z3 door cards, I replaced some tatty damaged ones with a better pair, but you never know when you start a job. I do remember they were a bit of a fiddle.Glad the paint job went well.

 

[Chris Hunter]

Thanks Z Victor 1. I have them fitted and the car looks very pretty, but I can't understand why such a large clearance exists between the forward end of the door card and the glass in my case about 3/4" . I am maybe nit picking, but when everything else is so neat it surprises me that this gap exists. I'll just ignore it and enjoy the car.

 

[Althulas]

Maybe not quite located right. I found them a bit fiddly the first time I removed my door cards. From memory I found it best to locate the card into the section of the quarter window section first as it located deeper into the channel and then the rest located easier into the channel rather than trying to locate the card straight In one go if you get my drift. I’m sure you will figure it out when you go back to it as it drove me nuts the first time as it didn’t look right.

 

[Chris Hunter]

Thanks for the advice Althulas. I will give it another try. Cheers

 

[Chris Hunter]

Did it your way Althulas, no problem. MOT tomorrow.

 

[Shelly]

Hope your Z passes it’s mot

 

[Chris Hunter]

Thanks Shelly, at the testing station 8am Friday after an enjoyable drive of 12 miles only to find the tester was ill. So back again on Monday.

 

[Chris Hunter]

Passed ok no advisories. Got it entered in Cumbria Classic show on Sunday. Hope the dry weather returns.

 

[Chris Hunter]

I must be crackers. Looking a million dollars after the painters, I am now considering having it ceramic coated. Has anyone gone down this route, is it worth it? Opinions please.
Blue skies Chris

 

[Z Victor 1]

A photo would be nice so we can all admire your pride and joy.

 

[Chris Hunter]

After the painter's work, I decided to bite the bullet and go the whole hog and have it 3 stage paint corrected, and ceramic coated. I now have it back, without a swirl mark or scratch to be seen. The detailer did a fine job, he reckoned it took 40+ hours. Another customer viewing the finished job asked if the car was new, and was astounded when he was told it was almost 23 years old. So there we are, I am definitely doing nothing more and I'm suffering from open wallet surgery. The car is now in it's carcoon for the winter. Is ceramic coating worth it? on appearance yes, and if it protects, and makes washing and waxing a thing of the past, and it lasts as long as it is supposed to I will be happy.
I have attached a video and picture of the before and after.

View: https://youtu.be/kcJkNxz--K4

 

[Z Victor 1]

Beautiful.

 

[Althulas]

You must be absolutely chuffed with those results, looks stunning.

 

[TaffDaddy]

The car looks amazing. I'd be too afraid to take it out