Finally!

At 3:30 today, my work ground to a halt. I'd heard the gentle purring of a two cylinder engine outside!

My little car is back, running like a dream and looking fantastic. Trying not to look like too much of a big kid I rushed downstairs, out the front door, camera in one hand ready to check over the finished work. The last time I'd seem him he was almost finished apart from one or two bits of tuning and a lack of wing mirrors (which proved to be a challenge - left hand drive makes quite a difference to the alignment!). He was still up on the ramps which was good for a view of the floorpan, wheels and suspension, but definitely wasn't ready for a first drive. 

Now he is finished - a slight adjustment on the gearbox has made all the difference to the feel of the drive and the oil pump problem which had manifested itself rather too severely and led to a new crankshaft has been fixed, so he's now a happy little car and I am a happy 500 owner!

I'm getting used to a garage filled with the wonderful smell of classic car again - oil, warm metal, tyres, slight hint of petrol - it brings back memories of old family cars (1963 mini, 1964 Austin 1100) and my grandad's garage, full of tools, oil cans and bits of engine. If it was a smell they could bottle, it would be up there with newly mown grass and autumn bonfires!

Now the first rush of excitement is over, it's time for a quiet evening ready for a weekend which may involve a small amount of driving...