Are you sitting comfortably? Well we can now.

Todays jobs on the Polo kind of remind me of the film "Christine." In the movie Arnie is restoring the Plymouth Fury and his boss's Dad comments to his Son, Darnell about the progress. Darnell replies, "See how cock eyed he works, new wipers on a busted windshield." It kind of feels like that becasue I'm doing stuff that would normally come later in the job list, but that's because I'm waiting on parts.

I'm still held up on the brakes, and the gearbox looks like it will have to come out for repair or replacement, which is a weekend job.

To make room to work around the car I have finished stripping the old worn out interior and fitted our replacement. Thomas actually prefers the black vinyl that she wore originally, but 38 summers have pretty much degraded the interior, the drivers side must have faced into the sun during the 12 year lay up, as that has suffered worse. The vinyl has peeled off the door cards, making them pretty much beyond repair, although we may have a plan for them. The slightly more modern 1989 interior fits and looks great though, although Thomas says the green and blue flecks in the colour scheme don't go well with the red painted steel. I actually prefer it, I think it makes the car look younger and brighter.

A quick clean up of the seat belts raises them to standard. For some reason both front belts had a twist in them, stopping them retracting cleanly, but I've sorted that too.

I have another of the steel wheels off to rub down and paint, the third of five.

Final job today in preparation for other engine parts arriving shortly was to fit the new plug leads. On all old distributor cap. Darnell wouldn't have understood. There is logic in my madness. The old leads were badly worn and rusted, and one snapped when I replaced the plugs. I plan to get the engine running as soon as the replacement oil filter arrives, then it will be a case of getting it warm enough to change the oil, check for any oil or coolant leaks and any other problems. If all runs fine then the service will be completed with the distributor being changed for a modern electronic ignition version, our only concession to upgrades in the interests of reliability and economy. But that is for later, back to wire brushing wheels.