So as the date for delivery of my chassis approaches (some time around the end of this month) it seemed like it would be wise to trailer the 390 up to Dax so they could use the engine as a jig for the engine mounts.. for some reason a requirement that surprises everyone – even at Dax – besides Simon (who asked me to trailer the engine up there in the first place.)

Still, not to worry – it’s there now! Actually it went to Welwyn the weekend before at the tail end of the epic road trip to collect the Jag thanks to the same person who gave me a lift to Wales, and last weekend I took a trip up there and then on to Dax with the engine – again, thanks to Mark and his towbar equipped Omega.

After much time spent chatting to Andy (Simon’s new business partner at Dax) and anyone else who dropped in I thought it’d be a good time to order the chassis pack as well, so there’s a deposit down on that now for collection at the same time as the chassis.

I considered for a while whether going for the full module was a good idea or not – there are doubtless some areas where savings could be made (largely the nut & bolt pack and the brake pipes), but in the end they are a small part of the total cost and the rest is things you really can’t do without – things like wishbones and a steering rack…

When I get to the next stage and need the Brake Pack, then I might do some shopping around as I’m sure there are some savings to be made there (plus I’ve been wondering if I could shoe-horn a Wilwood or similar pedal box in rather than the Dax setup with Escort master cylinder).

Still.. now I just have to wait for the chassis – oh, and get the donor stripped and refurbed!

Speaking of the donor, here’s a picture of it on my driveway, just to prove I really do own it: