Dolly's Homecoming: A Journey of Restoration begins

Insurance in place, road tax sorted, it was time to get Dolly home for a clean up ready to take her for her MOT. Her previous owner assured us there were no problems, she'd pass first time and she was perfectly driveable.

The day arrived, bright and sunny... Of course not, it was throwing it down, it is North Wales after all and not even the best Weather Man/Woman can predict the Welsh weather. So very carefully, I drove Dolly home with the Mister in his warm, dry, reliable Jeep behind me.

If it hasn't been mentioned before, Dolly is an automatic which is not a problem, just something I had to actively remember as this left foot is used to a clutch which suddenly became a brake. A few heart pounding moments at junctions lets say.

Dolly is home!

Dolly was parked on the driveway, making very good friends with the Campervan we have been converting for just over two years... Another ongoing project. We're good at those although the van is more difficult to stick in a cupboard or drawer and forget about.

Big problem one

The very first sunny, well at least dry day, Dolly's roof came down and we realised the extent of the rust around the back window. How the glass was staying put we have no idea, to this day. Out came Google (other search engines are available!) and a new back window was ordered in vinyl covered fibre glass - how utterly posh sounding. The roof, well, oops, the vinyl was yellowing and split, out came Google and roof vinyl was added to the order. A wonderful company called The Figaro Shop was to become our best friend quite quickly over the next year. I'll add a link below as they really are fab - little expensive and there are alternatives out there. I'll link all the companies we've used so far as we go along.

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The Figaro Shop.

Big problem 2 - The Mould

This just needs pictures really, so here they are but they don't do the smell and the stubborness of the black marks justice at all.

Little disheartened? Yup but with perseverance and a great number of cleaning products tried and tested, the mould started to reduce. Thank goodness for the facebook groups I joined. One in particular has been fantastic, helpful, friendly and nothing is too much to ask and no question too stupid either apparently and I had and still have many of those.

'Figaro Smiles' over on Facebook for whoever is interested - Adam Woods. Amazing and patient.

So scrubbing, repeatedly, whilst worrying I was going to cause damage was the next step. I used anti-mould spray, bathroom sprays, kitchen sprays, abrasive cleaners, gels, creams... In the end, magic sponges and Bar Keepers friend did the trick and although it's not perfect, it is an old car, it didn't look like a furry cave anymore with a funky smell.

Off we went for the MOT.

The MOT

Passed with flying colours, what can I say.

"What's a lovely young lady doing with a car this ancient, my love. You need something reliable and safe, Sweetheart." And so it went on whilst he rubbed his thighs and leered down my top.

Emissions - fine, everything fine. I walked out of the garage a little bemused. Poor Dolly had rattled and clanked all the way to the garage. She did not feel fine. Oh well, what do I know. I do know I'm neither young or a love, or a sweetheart but I was to one old mechanic that day.

Rattle, clank, rattle, clank, off home we went again.

HUGE and and mean HUGE discussions with the Mister later which went along the lines of:

Him "He must know what he's doing, he's a mechanic"

Me "But he was patronising and did the whole cars are for men thing"

Him "It's a legal requirement to be up to standard"

Me "But he was too busy looking down my top"

Him "It would be more than his licence is worth to pass it if it's not road worthy"

Me "But I don't think he looked at anything"

Him (sigh) "What do you want to do?"

Me "Please can you phone another garage?"

Garage/mechanic number two...

#nissanfigaro #figaro #oldcar #classiccar #vintagecar #carrestoration #carrestorationjourney