It's been a long time...

Since November I have completed a pitiful amount of jobs on the banbridge austin, what with December having inconveniences such as school plays, Christmas, work and Snow. Add to that the banbridge Riley's annoying snapped mainshaft and there was never a chance of STITIB (new name for the car, 5717 IB if it was all letters, it'll bechanged again some time this evening no doubt....)having much done. Add to that the driving practice taking time on my weekends, enough excuses!

About time I introduced the Banbridge Riley mentioned earlier, it's a 1968 mk2 Kestrel 1300, with a Mini Cooper 'S' spec 1275 A series, including twin carbs and other details differentces over lesser ADO16s. It's finished in Maroon B with red leather interior and was great before it wrecked the gearbox;


Too long in fact.

I donated a spare gearbox to it over Christmas, and all seemed well until we realised the final drive ratios of it were different, so not only was the car slower as a result, but the speedo was inaccurate too. This then came out again and a new mainshaft built up for putting into the original 'box. As I am typing this it is back together, with a new clutch on, ready for lifting back into the engine bay, which of course will be simple now we've had plenty of practice Then it's a case of putting all the ancilliaries back on and firing her up and hopefully it'll be ready for a nice sunny show season