[Richard Leslie Phillips]

Thanks for the advice. It is a 1972/3 model. I have spoken and met with Brian Marelli recently. I went over to see him in Acton. He said he would see what he could get for me from the factory. It was all cash-in-hand and doom-and-gloom.

Car was sold to last owner by A Crook of Bristol Cars in 1992 and maintained by them with a lot of bills to show for it. It would seem all the areas they addressed are now needing attention again. It does need a LOT of work but I love a challenge. There do seem to be a number of parts on initial inspection that seem to be from other cars...door handles Austin Maxi? Inner handles MGB/Maxi? Rear number plate lights MGB etc...nothing new there - Hillman Hunter rear lights and front MGB indicators on my Aston.

I am going to spend some time this weekend stripping out the interior. Should reveal some horrors. One thing I am going to change is the headlining. Cannot understand why such an expensive car would have had a vinyl roof lining in grey. Hideous. Is this original or just coz I have a sunroof. Will change this to a brushed West of England cloth as per Aston.

I am going to pop along and spend some time in the car park at the AGM taking photos and chatting to fellow owners...if anyone here is going please introduce yourself - I am easy to spot - 6ft 7 ins and blond curly hair!