Progress has slowed to a crawl as i'm running out of useable parts to put back on it. All the wing beading is just a bag of crumbled black bits now and i used a lot of the panel clips, grommets and hoses on my bay over the years so they all need buying. Its amazing how expensive all the little parts cost. Clutch and heater cable conduit seals were nearly £10. Still got a headliner to make at some point too so i can get the sunroof frame and glass back in. Para, you're just in a little bit more rural area than me i think. I can still walk to Lidl in 15 minutes. At least theres not the snow causing distruption at the moment that there has been in previous years. This 2010 piccy showed up on my facebook memories today. The best car i've ever had. GTi engined passat B3. Still regret selling it.
Sewed the new edging strip onto the original 48 year old front 1/4 panel carpets. Not too bad a job, not 100% straight mind but ho hum. Decided not to bother edging the rear luggage floor/bulkhead carpet as its hidden behind the back seat and under the parcel shelf. It's also rubber backed so unlikely even my singer will cope. I'll probably just melt the edge with a flame so stop any fraying.
Found out the fuel tank breathers are missing the 4mm OD pipe that runs across the underside of the scuttle. Found this stuff on the bay of E which I hope will do the job as I can't find anything locally. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POLYURET...OURS-VARIOUS-LENGTHS-/153175867264?nav=SEARCH
Managed to find the rear rubber floor mat I've had rolled up in the shed for years so laid it flat with some weights on top to remove the creases. It's a bit crispy but will do for now. Don't have the foggiest where the front section is and as they've been obsolete for decades and the chances of finding a second hand one in good condition is next to none I'm a bit stuffed.
Received a few more quid for the bug fund at christmas. Just need to work out which bits i'm most in need of.
Got the other rear 1/4 trim panel fitted today. Christmas prezzy off my bro in law. Another Sparkrite SX2000. Boxed with instructions this time.
Bought some of the parts i needed including the seal above the gearbox and the wing beading. Forgot how much of a PITA fitting the wing beading was. Hand brake handle cover was a lot easier.
One is for the heat exchangers and the other opens the vents under the back seat so you can melt the shoes of your back seat passengers. Leaving a bag with any sort of chocolate in it behind the seat is a big big no no.
Got the passengers side wing beading on this afternoon. First time is about 18 years its had both wings with beading fitted.
Got the drivers side rear wing beading on after i'd found the 2 missing bolts. Passengers side rear is only 6" from the garage wall so the car will need a little shuffling to allow me to get down that side comfortably.
Got a few pipes and hoses in the post this morning. The solid pipe for the fuel tank breather along the underside of the scuttle and a 1/2" hose for between the oil filler and the oil bath air cleaner.
Fitted a few small hoses for the fuel tank breather system, wired in the front indicators and replaced a couple of spade connectors on the ends of the wires on the Sparkrite igniton system then gave up as i couldn't feel my hands anymore. Its not got above 3C here today. Decided i'm gonna rust cure then spray the rusty bumpers satin black until i can find a decent chrome front one.
Got the wing beading fitted to the last wing. Received a few new scratches on my arms for the privilege too.