I hadn't realised it had been so long since I last updated this!

Things have moved on quite considerably since my last update in May. I have now left the RAF and, as a result, have had to make sizeable chunks of progress on the shell and engine in order to move the car from where it has been stored over the last 5 years.

I finished cleaning up the underside of the car, gave it a lick of paint and have coated it in an anti-corrosion compound which I managed to 'borrow' from work - if it keeps 70 year old Spitfires clean it should be good on a Ford!











Finally gave the engine block a lick of paint



Refitted the fuel tank and pipework.









This has also meant the credit card has taken a bit of a spanking as I've simply had no option other than to buy whatever bits were needed. Including, but not limited to:

Bilstein B12 dampers with Eibach Pro-Sport springs









Unfortunately I haven't been able to fit the rear springs as part of the rear suspension rebuild - they have proven too awkward to fit with my limited tools and timescales (anyone who's changed Focus rear springs will know what an utter b@stard they are!). So I've had to do something I swore I'd never do and cut some springs to fit.











All the rear suspension has been refitted with powerflex bushes, new bolts and new trailing arm bushes. The Eibach Anti-roll bar has been refitted as well and all hubs have brand new bearings in them.

Got the front subframe, steering rack and anti-roll bar all refitted.



I did have time to be a little bit bufty though and clean up the discs that have been sat on the shelf rusting away for 5 years.



And clean up and repaint the rear calipers



I have removed the ST170 calipers at the front as I have a set of Focus RS Brembos with grooved discs, Ferodo pads and braided lines to fit, unfortunately I think I need to change the mounting brackets as they are shockingly bad! I've bought the spacers and longer wheel studs necessary to do this conversion but haven't had chance to fit them yet. The front bodywork is just attached loosely for the purpose of moving the car from one end of the country to the other.





And on the deck for the first time since 2009!!! I definitely won't be running the car without changing those cut rear springs first - there's about half an inch clearance between the arch and the tyre





And loaded up on the trailer ready to move to her new home.