Quick update.
We are going for a preservation & conservation (& hopefully conversation) job on this car. We won't be stripping and painting things, very much gentle cleaning and repairing where required. So many small bits and pieces are correct that it would be a real shame to over restore. Things like wiring loom, and all the small fittings are all there still.
We are still looking for an original 9C 102 "Ulster" steering box, so if anyone happens to have one sitting around un-used please get in touch! Well aware it's the proverbial unicorn part, I've spoken to most of the usual suspects around repos of these and we will probably go that way for now but would be lovely to get a real one.
The body has been removed so we can see what it going on underneath.
One thing it has revealed is the full extant of the "interesting" steering box & pedal arrangement.
Add to that the bodged attachment of the MG steering wheel and it must have been an exciting drive worrying about which bit was going to fail first.
Some other details.
The gearbox does have an "S" stamped in it.
Chassis number found and is correct.
With the head off it's now turning over by hand.
Cylinder head stamped 191
Block stamped 128
With the use of an endoscope we can see the original crank and rods, (rods numbered individually and matching the engine number.) All seems nice and oily inside and no rust present.
It's booked into the centenary so can be seen in whatever state it's in by then.