Andy C's 1987 2.8i Special

I purchased AAA in August 2001 as "something to do" while recovering from a knee operation in September to stop me going insane doing nothing.

I "chased" the car since Feb 2001 when she was first advertised for a silly amount of money (Clare knows - she and Simon went to see it as well !). I bided my time and negotiated over the next few months until I took a train to Swindon one day with a big envelope full of readies and negotiated further - seemed to do the trick and AAA was mine for a song, considering the amount of work the guy had done on her over the previous months.

To test the faith I drove her home from Swindon to Essex to get to know her - must have been mad !!!!

So far I have had a couple of scares down to very dodgy Malaysian tyres - soon to be changed for proper ones - and brake pads fitted without a proper fitting kit, only long split pins !!!!!! Brake pads replaced very quickly including fitting kit !.

All new weather seals have gone on tailgate, door apertures and door / window, replacement original radio (car came with nothing) - rewired dashboard wiring - refurbished instrument cluster (pictures available if you want to see) - replaced heater blower motor (gee, that was a fun job !!!!) - damned good clean in places that had not seen daylight for years!

Think that covers it so far - surprising what you can do with one leg in plaster and a friendly neighbour !