[Geoff Kingston]

Lets face it at one time or another most of us have resorted to a bodge be it when working on a car or some other item or a job around the house. Sometimes great ingenuity and skill is displayed and the perpetrator can sit back and admire their "adaptation or modification" other times it can leave those who follow on puzzled and bemused.
Today was just such an occasion, I was sorting some 401 floor panels, gear box covers and toe boards when I came across one of the latter with a rather unusual modification, worthy if not of a Gold Bodgers Cup then certainly a Silver.
To the left of and below the hole for the clutch pedal someone had carefully fitted a T Hinge about 8 or 9" long, not only that it had been modified with a strengthening plate welded along its length. At first its purpose had me completely foxed, in one position pointing upwards it covered the mounting hole for the dip switch and whilst this would have been a lazy way to dip the lamps without lifting the foot too far there was no indication of anything to keep the hinge in that position and it would simply fall back on to the floor.
The only other possible use therefore must have been as a foot rest for the drivers left leg, Bodger must have been on good form that day.
I don't know what car this panel came off it is slightly different to the other 401 toe boards I have so may have been on a 400, the big decision now is whether to use it on the current project car because lets face it its not every day one gets the opportunity to incorporate such well thought out and lovingly crafted modifications into a restoration project.