This way, the 'meeting’ faces were painted with weldable primer giving total protection when welded. Then using a straw from a WD40 can and then fitted to an aerosol can of paint, all these seams and joints were then flooded with paint, this took for ever but well worth the effort, as these areas are really well protected. The panel work and welding took forever, well two years actually, of course this included an awful lot of preparation along the way and when completed, it was heads down to find some one to paint it. After one local quote, up stepped Worcester Classic Cars. Now the best thing about these guys is that they are dedicated classic car enthusiasts, working on anything classic really but mostly TR's. Once again, I needed that special guy who understood and respected my requirements. Tony Carr, their painter extraordinaire was to have probably the toughest customer he has ever had. I gave him my brief, he accepted and the job began On 3rd November 2001.

Now, at this point I never understood or appreciated just what goes into painting a car to the standards that I needed. It was my standards that really tested Tony and I’ve got to admit, I gave him a lot of sleepless nights! With much persistence and patience from all involved, I was able to take my Savage back home to start the next stage… ‘The fitting up’. While the car was away I spent my time sorting, cleaning, stripping, painting and plating. In short I breathed on every nut, bolt, screw, washer and grommet, everything had to be spot on, in as new condition. I can remember even re-plating the screws and fixings to the heater box, all the operating components for winding down the windows and for opening the doors were painted or plated, to exactly how they were from new. Of course many items you never see but had to be done. Many of the parts are painted in satin black. I even sourced the same type of satin black paint that Ford used!

One big problem I had was, that when I went to refit suspension items for example I was totally unhappy with all the effort I had put in to painting it all. Absolutely everything was blasted back to bare steel and repainted etc until I was satisfied. Sometimes stuff was done several times before it passed my quality control!! As well as all this, I also fitted in, adding a super double garage extension to my already double garage, which gave me a lot more room and a perfect working environment. As with all rebuilds there is a method or sequence as to what needs to be fitted before something else, some times the best laid plans don’t always go to plan, so progress slows or even stops. Relying on others was, at times ‘hair pulling frustrating’ thankfully this didn’t happen often.

Along the way, there were countless trips all over the country to Auto jumbles trying to pick up that ‘Golden Nugget’ of a part, or the odd occasion skiving from work. Being self employed, I gave myself permission with a very slight tinge of guilt, but when it came to getting something sorted, be it the latest batch of plating or meeting one of my favorite Ford auto jumblers, who had found that ‘Golden Nugget’, then nothing stood in my way. There were occasions, when I thought I’d finish the following year, but sadly it was not to be. I was determined not to rush or cut corners, this I didn’t do, if I had I would have ruined every thing. So many asked of the progress and when is it going to be finished? It’s finished when I finish it! I’d reply!.

I had for obvious reasons, commissioned companies to re-manufacture a number of parts, these include rear Leaf Springs, Wheel Nuts and Washers, Wheel Centers, Grommets, various Stickers, the Savage Boot/ Wing/Badges, Savage Grill Badges, Kenlow Fan Badges and Number Plate Manufactures Stickers. It is at this point I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to John Chapman the spares Secretary, who had done a superb job in getting a huge variety of parts remanufactured for the club.  I was able to call on John many times for his valued help.

Getting my HT (spark plug) leads made, is probably the single most rewarding thing that I achieved. I managed to contact a gentleman who once worked for the cable company that supplied Ford in the 60s and 70s. He was, when I contacted him, working for another major cable company part time, but after a short while he was able to email the original art work of the script that was used by Ford at the time. Meanwhile, he put me in touch with a company in America, who make print wheels that originally supplied his old company. It really was rewarding, to have wonderful co-operation from the company who made and produced a print wheel-baring, all the necessary information that I required. Once this was in my hands, I had pre-arranged a trip to Blackburn very early one morning to a company who, having shut down one of their print lines printed my 100 metres of cable. I already acquired the correct metal and rubber ends to which I chopped the cable to length, crimped them on and finally, I had my completed set of leads costing £550.00 and three months in the making and their detail correct!

By the turn of 2005 the finish line was truly in sight. A huge mile stone was reached when firing up the engine, a real high-light and was such a delight when it did, with no leaks either! By now most things were in place and fitted, my sights set on entering the Auto Glym Heat at Bromley. It was a rather exciting time, coupled with a degree of anxiety as the cars first MOT since 1999 was due. Needless to say, it ‘blew’ the MOT technician away, as with his colleagues and of course a new MOT was given. I transported the car to the MOT station, but need to get some mileage and testing done before setting off to Bromley, so with just 100 miles under my belt an oil and filter change, all was ready to hit the Concours road.

There were many individuals, Auto Jumblers and companies that were involved in many ways that helped me achieve what I did, of which I am eternally grateful.
I would specially like to thank Rob Carter the ‘welder’ and Tony Carr the ‘painter’ of Worcester Classic Cars.