1965 LHD Lotus Cortina Restoration HKH 852C

[matlhd]

I bought my 65 LC last summer in Texas. The Car is a US market car originally sold in California, where is stayed until 2010. In 2010 is was bought by a Gentleman in Texas. The car was stripped and blasted soon after, but other commitments meant the project had hit the buffers.
I arranged shipping and the car arrived back in the UK; December 2018. (53Years after it left)

I intend to do most of the restoration with the exception of the painting and upholstery. This is my hobby and not profession; I’m happy to take criticism/advise.

 

[Keith Halstead]

We can't see the pics Mat - looks like an access permission issue?

 

[matlhd]

We can't see the pics Mat - looks like an access permission issue?

Thanks Keith, let me try a different host;

 

[matlhd]

I started with the brake system in late January.

Front callipers stripped, cleaned, and rebuilt using stainless pistons.

 

[matlhd]

Master cylinders...

 

[Keith Halstead]

Nice work Mat - makes a change to see someone younger coming through &working on these cars. Good luck with it & keep the pics coming.

I'm always on the lookout for restos for the QB magazine as people who don't access the internet love to see them.

 

[matlhd]

Nice work Mat - makes a change to see someone younger coming through &working on these cars. Good luck with it & keep the pics coming.

I'm always on the lookout for restos for the QB magazine as people who don't access the internet love to see them.

Thanks Keith!

I'm happy to right it up for the QB. i'll be in contact soon.

 

[matlhd]

Until I had had the club inspect the shell I didn't want to touch it, so I proceeded with the seats.

The frames had been blasted and painted by the previous owner, and generally looked good, apart from the bottom front tubes which contact the floor. These were badly pitted, and had actually gone through in a few places.

The rusted sections were cut out and replaced













I was missing the back of the rear seat, so one was found, blasted and painted.

 

[Keith Halstead]

Nice work Mat - makes a change to see someone younger coming through &working on these cars. Good luck with it & keep the pics coming.

I'm always on the lookout for restos for the QB magazine as people who don't access the internet love to see them.

Thanks Keith!

I'm happy to right it up for the QB. i'll be in contact soon.

Great - look forward to it.

 

[Steve 155C]

Excellent work Mat. Good job on the seat frame repair.

I remember when this car surfaced in the USA and was bought by the guy that you bought it off. Always wondered what happened with the resto when it suddenly when quite.

 

[Steve 155C]

How have you managed to obtain a UK reg no already? I thought the car had to be MOTd first (not sure now with the 40 year MOT exemption rule)

 

[matlhd]

Excellent work Mat. Good job on the seat frame repair.

I remember when this car surfaced in the USA and was bought by the guy that you bought it off. Always wondered what happened with the resto when it suddenly when quite.

Thanks Steve.

How have you managed to obtain a UK reg no already? I thought the car had to be MOTd first (not sure now with the 40 year MOT exemption rule)

Your correct; in the past, the vehicle had to have an MOT. but now with the 40yr rule, they don't specifically request one, so I made the application and it was approved. ?? Maybe I got lucky

 

[matlhd]

Mid May;

Air filter canister was blasted. There were several holes and the 'inlet' tubes were very ratty.

 

[matlhd]

21st May
Rikki Kock kindly visited to inspected the car and fortunately confirmed it was a genuine car.

 

[matlhd]

2nd April. Bodywork begins...

 

[matlhd]

 

[matlhd]

 

[matlhd]

Battery tray repair

 

[Keith Halstead]

Nice work Mat !

 

[Steve 155C]

Some excellent fabrication there Mat. The boot floor edge where the petrol tank sits much have been a challenge.