2.5PI Mk1 - The White Elephant
Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 1:16 pm
Some of you may know about my 2.5PI Mk1, known affectionately as "The White Elephant" - a name given by an ex due to the futility of spending huge sums of cash (a) storing the basket case in a rented lock-up for 8 years, and (b) paying for someone to put a lot of new metal into all the holes. A lot of new (old stock) metal.
I bought her in September 2003, and after various trips around the country to get breath-taking quotes to restore the shell, she went into storage. I moved house in 2010, and by the end of that year, I decided that I really didn't have the time or money to get her back on the road, so I sold her to Lee Godfrey, Mk1 PI fanatic and known to all of you I am sure. I then began to regret my rash decision, and in a moment of madness asked Lee if I could buy her back. The deal was done (for the same price Lee paid me, very decent chap that he is!) and in July 2011, the car came back to me. I then thought I'd better crack on with the restoration or what was the point, so I stripped the car back to a rolling shell with engine and gearbox still in but ready to take out, and delivered her to TR Enterprises on 6 June 2012. I am very pleased to report that, on 2 September 2014, she returned, all rust-free and painted, with a rebuilt engine!
I have set up a Facebook page with a few photos "as delivered" this week - https://www.facebook.com/2.5PImk1. There will not be much activity on the car for a while, because I've got to get my TR4 ready for a few rallies so time and funds are limited, but I will post updates and photos as and when.
If you'd like to see the sorry state the car was in, and stage-by-stage photos of the rebuild, TR Enterprises have an album here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 302&type=1
Lastly, if anyone has a complete set of NOS black carpets for a Mk1, please contact me. I also need all the carpet trim pieces for the crossmember, sills, boot, etc. I know I am being a bit hopeful! If I am deluded, then any comments about which repro set to go for would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Jonno
I bought her in September 2003, and after various trips around the country to get breath-taking quotes to restore the shell, she went into storage. I moved house in 2010, and by the end of that year, I decided that I really didn't have the time or money to get her back on the road, so I sold her to Lee Godfrey, Mk1 PI fanatic and known to all of you I am sure. I then began to regret my rash decision, and in a moment of madness asked Lee if I could buy her back. The deal was done (for the same price Lee paid me, very decent chap that he is!) and in July 2011, the car came back to me. I then thought I'd better crack on with the restoration or what was the point, so I stripped the car back to a rolling shell with engine and gearbox still in but ready to take out, and delivered her to TR Enterprises on 6 June 2012. I am very pleased to report that, on 2 September 2014, she returned, all rust-free and painted, with a rebuilt engine!
I have set up a Facebook page with a few photos "as delivered" this week - https://www.facebook.com/2.5PImk1. There will not be much activity on the car for a while, because I've got to get my TR4 ready for a few rallies so time and funds are limited, but I will post updates and photos as and when.
If you'd like to see the sorry state the car was in, and stage-by-stage photos of the rebuild, TR Enterprises have an album here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 302&type=1
Lastly, if anyone has a complete set of NOS black carpets for a Mk1, please contact me. I also need all the carpet trim pieces for the crossmember, sills, boot, etc. I know I am being a bit hopeful! If I am deluded, then any comments about which repro set to go for would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Jonno
!!, looks like a stunning project, great to see another Mk1 having time, care and money lavished upon it,
full marks to you and tr enterprises 
