Description
Only three previous owners from new, the last one having purchased the vehicle in 1980. When I purchased it in Dec 2021, it had been off the road since 1988 and during that time it had been it had been dry stored. Having owned two SE5a’s previously and not necessarily in the market for another one, I couldn’t resist this ‘time warp’ example with what I believe was a genuine 38k miles on the clock. It was the most original example I had ever seen and has MOT’s to back up the mileage until it was put into storage.
I set about recommissioning the car, getting it back on the road after it’s 33 Year slumber.
Work carried out: (Documented and receipts/ bills included)
Engine oil and filter change (Motorcraft filter and Castrol Classic XL20w/ 50 oil)
Fit new K&N air filter element in original housing
Drain fuel tank, renew rubber fuel lines and filter in the carb
Thorough overhaul of braking system, including professional rebuild of original Girling servo and master cylinder, new flexible hoses, new upgraded Girling four pot alloy callipers, new front discs/ pads and flush/ renew brake fluid.
Thorough overhaul of cooling system, including new aluminium radiator, all new silicone hoses/ stainless hose clips, new correct 88deg thermostat, NOS correct 10psi expansion tank cap and modern SPAL cooling fan (Correctly wired in with circuit breaker and 30a relay with override switch under dash.)
New period correct Dunlop Sport Classic 185/ 80R14 tyres fitted all round.
Drain and refill gearbox and rear axle oil.
All of this saw the car back on the road for the first time in 34 years, however a noisy second gear was evident and probably the reason the car was taken off the road all those years ago, so a full gearbox and overdrive rebuild was carried out at Hardy engineering. The gear linkage was also re-bushed and serviced resulting in a thoroughly pleasant gearbox to use including the overdrive which I’m a massive fan of.
Since recommissioning the car has been used sparingly on sunny days with additional smaller jobs being carried out as and when required, such as new front upper wishbone and anti rollbar bushes etc. together with regular oil and filter changes.
The paint work has had a light polish and is in good condition, with a few minor micro blisters but only isolated to the bonnet. But there’s none of the usual crazing and flaking that tend to plague these cars.
It has original factory fitted option Sundym tinted glass.
The interior is in remarkable condition without the usual cracked dashboard, split dash top and torn seats etc. It also has the desirable luggage area cover.
It has a stainless exhaust, which is standard bore.
The rear axle does have a slightly noisy pinion head bearing.
The car does come with every single original part that has been taken off (Brake calipers, radiator, fan, nuts and bolts etc . . . .) so could be returned to absolute ‘as it left the factory’ spec if that is your thing. This car represents an almost unique opportunity to purchase a ‘time warp’ in such original, sorted and usable condition. It isn’t a concours example and isn’t being sold as such, it would probably command nearly double the money if it was. It drives and stops well, the Essex V6 is whisper quiet on tick over and has great oil pressure. The subtle cooling system upgrades mean it can be driven with confidence in all conditions without nervously starring at the temp gauge which now never ventures past half way (90deg) even in traffic. It has a lovely patina and every drive seems to transport me back in time.
I’m regrettably selling due to lack of time to enjoy it.
