From this to this - The Final Bit - Part 20

2 December, another big day as I drove the car up & down the street several times. It went better than I thought considering I was not sure what the drive train & suspension was like. No strange noises form the gear box but the brakes are still a bit dodgy & will need to be bled again. I cannot get the reversing lights to work but that is not a big deal and I am sure it relates to the switch on the gearbox. The clutch pedal also has a bit of wobble to it & needs a new nylon bush which I will purchase over EBay.

Another really big day was the 9th December when I drove the car out to the Transport Department armed with my Safety Certificate, Third Party Insurance Certificate and all the other pieces of paper necessary to get the car registered. I was a little apprehensive as it was the first time I had driven the car in traffic & it was a very hot day so I had fingers, legs & toes crossed that it would make it out to MacGregor & back home again without any major incidents. The registration process was a non event. Nobody wanted to actually see the car and with all the paper work completed, I walked out with the registration plates. Actually the only drama occurred when I hit one of the speed bumps a bit fast & the boot lid flew open. That was easily fixed.
LESSON 32 & THE LAST LESSON: It was all worth it! Well, most of it anyway! I am really happy with the end result, however, a few little things need finishing off. Even members of my family think it looks pretty good!

Since being able to drive the car on the road, I have become more confident with it and after some more work on the brakes (new back linings & several more bleedings) I am surprised how well it goes. The motor sounds & goes really well & it is fun to drive. Several issues to sort out include a rattle around the rear RH shock absorber, first gear is difficult to engage at times & a small oil leak (I have a terrible feeling that it may be the rear engine seal). I have taken it for some extended drives around the suburbs & up the mountain and so far so good, although it is a work in progress and I have a few improvements in mind.

So, this is nearly the end of the story. If you have the time & the money & are slightly crazy, then go for it because the sound, the smell and the satisfaction of driving something that you have re-created is well worth it.