After 6 weeks out of the country I got back yesterday unsure if the old beast would start. It did!
Took it for a blast to Aldi, it's amusing how dainty and angular it looks next to modern traffic:
Noticed that when it was resprayed they didn't bother with the bumpers which is now annoying me because they don't quite match the new paint - I want to get them done soon.
I also need to take off the RS1600i splitter, the rear wheel spats, and the bumper end caps and paint them with black bumper texture paint to even the finish out - the PU rear spoiler can stay as it is.
The bumper overriders are all a bit tatty and at around £100 each if you can find used ones I won't be replacing them. The recommendation is to fill and sand them like conventional metal/plastic and paint them with the same texture paint to match the bumper trim and end caps, so that will keep me occupied for a weekend.
Took it home and gave it a wipe down with some quick detailer as it was too cold for a proper wash. Wheels are filthy!
Then I decided to replace the front TCAs. This isn't a particularly hard job but the various nuts and bolts were all seized solid and took a lot more effort to free off than I'd have liked.
Here are the new arms:
The old ones weren't totally knackered but definitely worse for wear:
The car drives better on the new arms, but still knocks and donks a bit. ARB bushes and top mounts next, but I was out of power and it was starting to rain!
I also managed to uncover a bit about the car's history.
It was abandoned in France for 12 years and brought back to life in 2013 with no real work other than a clean. No welding, bodywork etc.
It was then imported to the UK and sold to a garage who painted it. All the panels, arches, sills etc are completely original, the only welding it's had is a replacement front crossmember at some point in the UK.
Next steps:
Replace the puny spotlights with correct sized ones (I can't justify the mental cost of Carello 640s so it will get a pair of Hellas)
Lower spotlights
ARB Bushes
Green dashboard lights to replace the horrible blue ones