Kevin R

It is Coronation Year - really looking forward to it👍

Didn't they stick lentils on Spitfires to resemble rivets to assess the effect on airspeed in WW2 😂😂😂

Looks like the car has had more cosmetic treatment than Simon himself.

Period 70's tablecloth also. 😂😂😂

While my Spitfire is off the road for the winter I store the Christmas Turkey🦃 in the boot until needed. Rodent proof and eases the seasonal pressure on the fridge. 😀😀😀🎄🎄🎄 Merry Christmas everyone.

The VIN number is also stamped in the right hand rain channels on Spitfires. Mine was built in 1980 and it is still visible - may be in the same place on a GT 6. I know you are looking for the chassis number but if present it would be another indicator of authenticity. Quite often though they are overpainted or rusted out and replaced.

Was surprised how immaculate the mohair hood has kept with very little extra care needed. When dry I give it a stiff brush if req between washes. I wash it when I wash the car using a Halfords bug sponge with car shampoo as per bodywork. Rinse it well with clean water and you can actually dry it with a synthetic chamois. Apart from that I reproof it occasionally with Nikwax Spray that is used to reproof outdoor clothing. Overall, no more labour intensive than cleaning the bodywork.

Hi Sam, I would confirm Clive's comments on quality and lead time for products from Don Hoods - they do get busier spring onwards. I looked at a number of manufacturers and opted for them on quality and price. The basic fit is excellent and ours is completely waterproof and has endured torrential rain. Christine and I fitted it over a hot sunny weekend - if you take your time and work methodically you will get a nice result. I fitted a mohair one to replace the vinyl original on our Spitfire 1500 and still looks good and leakproof after 3 years. I would imagine the vinyl hoods use exactly the same pattern and as Clive says the vinyl hood quality is good.

Tynemouth would be a very nice place to start/finish.

I have just sprayed the wheels on my trolley jack with WD40. Life changing as I can move it without the need for ear defenders and it goes like a greyhound. Faster than the car now !

Think that's off a VW Beetle

Looks nice Wendy👍 bonnet not so but on the plus side they can do massive damage. I had a narrow escape a few years ago driving down a straight narrow country road with high hedges either side when a deer jumped over the hedge on the left landing on the road a foot or so in front of the car and without breaking stride it jumped over the hedge on the right and vanished. The fields either side and the deer before and after were invisible as the road was at a lower level. If the car had arrived fractions of a second earlier it would have either landed on the bonnet or the roof like I'd been bombed so no chance of avoiding it which is quite a scary as they seriously can jump. A friend of mine hit a deer head on and did a lot of damage to his car and as a result fitted a siren to his grille which apparently emits a high pitch sound when moving that is inaudible to humans but is supposed to warn wildlife. Don't know how effective or "deer' they are though 😂

Since getting my Spitfire 1500 I have fitted all the modifications fitted by Sam and totally agree they all make a huge difference to driveability. In addition we also replaced the sound factory original and well fitting but leaky vinyl soft top with a mohair one. We fitted it ourselves over a hot and sunny but stressful weekend. Really worth the effort as it is much more comfortable and leakproof even whilst driving in torrential rain.

......and clean the nozzle outlets with a piece of fine wire or a pin.

Do you mean Hiking ? 😂😂😂

Built during a strike perhaps ?

Bad luck Sam. Wishing you both a safe and speedy return.

For flared pipes clamp 2 pieces of wood together. Drill with appropriately sized drill through the centre of both pieces. When unclamped this will leave a semi circular channel into which you can insert the flared brakepipe to draw through and straighten. This can then be unclamped to remove.

Thanks Rob - tried to edit it with no success either 🙃 🤔

Mike does look a bit 'fighty' I have attached a photo which may calm him down - (if someone can rotate it as even sending it upside down fails to reorientate it)

Hope you are feeling better soon McJim. Christine and I shared the taxi to the dinner with you but are both ok - hope Katy is too. I did, optimistically ask the aforementioned taxi driver for a business card when I got out of the taxi - now I have 2 good reasons to burn it!

Epic - well done Jim and Katy

No decoration tips but I assume you will be giving the car a good spring clean and polish for the big day. While you are busy make sure you degrease and clean the door catches and keepers to avoid any damaged clothes. Even if they end up too dry it wouldn't be a problem providing you re-oil them next time you use it - have a great day.

Reverse engineering😂

On a lighter ( or cooler note ) does an electric fan and associated housing stop the annoying accumulation of insect debris on the inside of a Spitfire bonnet ? 🤔