I purchased TC1450 in April of 2000 from the eastern United States. I did not consider it to be a "driver" as purchased since, upon driving it around the front of our property when I took delivery, I felt that there were some "red flags" about it being reliable and safe for general road use. So, I drove it into the garage and, ever since have been attending to items being discovered as being in need of attention.

As a result of a bad back and bad knees, work on the car has proceeded very much more slowly than such projects in my younger years. However, hope springs eternal that one of these days, I'll finally have it on the public roads and will feel confident about its reliability and safety.

Actually, I have done quite a bit so far such as rewiring (including adding a ground wire from every light to a "grounding harness" connected directly to the battery, and, adding a commercially available modern solid state electronic box so it now has working turn indicator lights). Headlights had to be converted to double filament USA style hi-lo beam operation from the original Home style dipping system.

I have done extensive interior renovation beginning with new floorboards and rugs. It now has new door hinges and latch alignment. I re-veneered and refinished the facia, and, cleaned up all the instruments. I made and upholstered new kick panels, and, the rear area behind the seat required fabrication of a missing side curtain storage box and creation/installation of all that area's upholstery over the rear wheelwells and new tub side panels from behind to in front of the doors.

But, I still have many mechanical things left to check and correct as needed before it would be prudent to put it out on the road in harm's way. Brakes need to be torn down and almost certainly rebuilt, the reason(s) for the gross steering play need to be fully diagnosed (box?, links?, kingpins?) and repaired and, the axle stubs and drop arm should be checked for cracks. Wheel bearings, bushings, axle straightness and wheel alignment should all be checked and, shocks may need rebuilding, etc., etc., etc. And while doing all that, I'll probably still find some more things to be evaluated in detail and addressed as required.

I'm not going to do much of anything about exterior cosmetic renovation (which it could certainly use but realistically would require complete dismantling to do it right) because the intent is to make this TC a good, safe "driver" first and foremost, and then enjoy spending time actually using it before I fall off the perch.

Bob Johnson