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Graeme wrote:Personally would say it needs to be a lot lower.

Have you thought about coilovers to play with the height?

Hi Graeme, Yes I have thought of coilovers, but this was always going to be a '70's build- the way I would have built it in 1979 -80 ish when I first started. The plan for the future is to get it running like it should have 30 odd years ago and enjoy it for a year or so then, in progressive steps bring it up to date.

My immediate plan it to enjoy it as is for a while and then fit the '70's tuning gear I've collected over the years - 3H head, VF2 and 48 Dellortos. The next steps are things like full engine management, coil overs etc. I've already planned and fitted the basic wiring for the future electronics.

HBPeter wrote:Dont encourage him!

Peter

Peter, Encouragement is always welcome but I tend to think about it for a while, that's why it's taken 35 years to get this far! I'm not going to rush it now

Now I've been running the car for a couple of weeks it's time to finish off the detail bits.

I have an new set of original 1970's 'Paddy Hopkirk' bucket recliners which I got as a 21st birthday present for the car, but they are nylon and don't have headrests. They also are too far away from the 'original Sport SL seats to look right. So, time for a search in the breakers to see if anything suitable could be found. I love breakers yards

A pair of leather Alfa 156 seats were bartered for and taken home a few months ago. I would have preferred Alfa 147 3 door seats as they have the tilt function, however none could be sourced locally. A bit of ingenuity with brackets, hinges and a tight squeeze and you can get into the rear seat!

They almost look like they could be the original seats with vertical fluting and perforated insert panels just like the Sport SL and they are made by Momo, the Italian seat and steering wheel maker. Trouble is that the only ones I could get were grey. Hmmmm...

A quick internet search turned up leather colour change dye and sealer. So this was today's finishing touch.



Just one coat applied and already looking good.

Here's the finished result. Even the heavily worn driver's bolster almost looks like new!

Those seats are not too dissimilar to my Momos. I think mine were from a alfa GTV. They do indeed match the rear Viva seats quite well and many people do not notice them as anything but original seats straight away.
Very comfy- I want more for the Triumph Wagon and more for the HB wagon we have recently bought

I got a local car graphics firm, ATM Graphics, to make up the Sport SL badge for the bootlid.



I chose the original factory colour scheme that my car had when it was Tasmin Orange. I had to keep some originality LOL!

Finished off the engine bay today......



....but forgot to fit the cam cover breather hose....



The alloy cam cover doesn't have a baffle inside it like the steel one, the oil spray from one of the lobes is directly in line with the breather hole.

yoeddynz wrote:Those seats are not too dissimilar to my Momos. I think mine were from a alfa GTV. They do indeed match the rear Viva seats quite well and many people do not notice them as anything but original seats straight away.
Very comfy- I want more for the Triumph Wagon and more for the HB wagon we have recently bought

HB Wagon???? Do tell??

This Firenza just keeps on getting better, really looking forward to seeing it at Billing.

Peter

About 3 yeas ago I set a target of getting my car to Billing 2014. Well I made it!



Got a chance to park up between 2 award winning cars



And we got into the judging ring for the Chairman's Cup



But we didn't get home without a hitch.

Fractured fuel pipe in 2 places to the front carb 30 miles from home





Thankfully no other damage.

Very smart bit of work all around... well done on the goal and reaching it, was a loverly car and inspires me to get *Bleep* in gear for next year