Slow progress.

Things have slowed a bit as I prepare to rebuild the engine.
The brakes are now fitted up and the G now has a working hand brake for the first time in probably 12-15 years. I only need to put in some brake fluid and bleed the lines to have them up and working. I will wait until the engine is fitted before introducing the fluid.
The Clutch has been sent off to be re conditioned (In South Australia) and I have had the radiator re-conditioned. John Kitchen has suggested we rebuild the engine together rather than having my mechanic do it. John has built several Gordini engines over the years so I believe it would be in good hands there. I used to build my R8/10 engines years ago but I'm a bit rusty now. Not long now and it should be on the road.

Original options now fitted.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this Gordini was optioned by the original owner John Sever with chrome gutter trims and a glove box lid. The chrome gutter trims survived on the car however the glove box lid was removed some time ago, probably as most other Gordini's didn't have one. My search of many months to obtain a lid came to an end yesterday when Aussie Frogger, Anthony, from South Australia came up with the goods and gave me a lid. The lid was sun damaged and looked its 45 years of age but was otherwise in good condition. I was going to clean it up and paint it to look the same as the original surround however when I hit it with some fine wet and dry it came up like new removing all the grey fade. I had some hinges on an old chrome surround which I cleaned up and painted and now the lid is fitted and looks great. Thanks Anthony.

The glove box lid completes the original options to the Gordini.

A couple of photos from the 1980's

Here are a couple of photos of my car from the 1980's (C/- RCCA). Note the removal of the radio antenna from the right guard and a sticker over the hole. That guard still has that sticker. I removed the RCCA sticker from the rear window as it was badly sun damaged. The bonnet (which is not fitted to the car) still has the black strip on the bonnet put there by original owner John Sever. Note in the second photo the Cosmic MK1 mag wheels. I think these wheels were fitted by Ara Vartoukian and came off the yellow Bathurst car. These are the same wheels I have which will be fitted upon completion.

On display, possibly by 3rd or 4th owner

some time in the late 70's.

Amaroo Hill Climb with 5th owner Ara Vartoukian.
Some time after 1982.

Small finishing touches.

I have had a couple of stickers made to put on some finishing touches to the car. The first is the paint sticker in the boot near the ID tags. I placed it in exactly the same position as the original as per my photographs prior to the restoration, so yes it is slightly off straight as per how it was originally.
The second is the gear selection on the windscreen. I have never seen one of these stickers on a car as by now all the windscreens have been changed and the stickers long gone. I scaled it the best I could from a photo of the car taken by John Sever in the 1960's.

 New stickers.

Paint code sticker in place as original.

Early photo showing the gear selection sticker on the

windscreen.

New gear selection sticker in place.

Bumpers are back.

I got the bumpers back from Albury the other day unfortunately they forgot to pack 2 of the over riders, 1 front and 1 rear. The offending over riders arrived today in the post. The chrome and repairs made to the bars is great and they really make the car look good. I have fitted both bars now and the front one was no easy task lining up the bolt holes through the chassis rail and the 2 brackets. I'm very happy with the rear bar fitment but the front center section is a bit out.
18/09/2013.
I removed one of the left bolts and using my die grinder I elongated the holes in the bumper bracket a few millimeters and moved the bumper into the correct position. Now the front bumper is dead straight like the rear one.
I'll be sending the engine off soon to be rebuilt. Meanwhile I'll get some tyres fitted to the Cosmic's and finish fitting the brakes so when the engine is fitted it should all be ready for rego, (in a few months).

 Prior to being re-chromed.

Re-chromed rear bar fitted.

 Front bar ready to be fitted.

Front bar fitted. 

Still waiting, again!

Waiting for the bumpers to come back from the chrome platers.
I have found a gear stick boot from a Ford which is very close to the original item. $20.00 and a real good fit.

Similar in size but differs in shape. Closest I could find.

Steering wheel.

I received my leather steering wheel cover from the UK and I'm very happy with it. After reading the instructions and watching the U tube instructional video (yes, I read the instructions first!) I set to work covering the wheel. It took around 2 hours and at times a bit frustrating as the cotton became tangled now and then on the longer section due to the cotton length. I'm happy with the finished job and it looks quite good as well. A cheap and easy way to repair a worn steering wheel.

 Steering wheel prior to fitting the cover. Note the damaged rim.

 After I fitted the cover.

All hand stitched, what a job!