Mike And Tricia Marshall's Journal

As you can see by the attached photo, Gloria is now back on her own four wheels. The suspension is complete, brake lines, fuel lines, fuel tank, sender and pump all installed. The door assemblies were a b***h - couldn't have done them without Norm's articles - thanks Norm! We bought the doors back in 92, when we first started this resto, but they were never installed. The lower hinge on the right door needed mods to fit, as did the latch area. It seems like this was a factory defect!! The latch panel had been welded in too low, so didn't match up with the receiving latch on the B post, so some mods were required there, too. However, perseverance won through and both doors are complete with Q/L's, windows, winder mechs, weatherstrip (and the fuzzy strip!), and the door capping.

The engine is slowly coming together. The bottom end is complete, it's been rebored to +60, new pistons, cam, timing gear. Head has been skimmed and hardened valve seats added. Just need to assemble it with all the valve gear and new rocker assembly, and it's ready to go on the block. The rest will be assembled over Christmas, and may even get installed if all goes well - the new Datsun 5 speed is getting impatient for company!

Just got the dash back after having it wrinkle finished (it's been too cold here for the wrinkle to, well, wrinkle well, so got the paint shop to do it for us!!), so we'll be putting all the gauges etc back and installing it. Wiring loom is almost ready to go back in car. Added several relays, some extra earths and some additions for hazard and security cut off switches. Rear loom is in the car already. We've started work on the interior, and just got the last of the seat components so can get on with those. Our original aim was September 2012 to have Gloria up and running, but Spring is looking more and more likely!