Plans for the '76 FHC

While waiting for the last few jobs that need finishing on the DHC (Wheel centres and radiator) I have been putting some thought in what I will do with the "new" FHC. As mentioned earlier I want to restore it to late '70's specifications with some period "aftermarket" upgrades. To start with I have a set of banded steel wheels in black that came of the DHC and should look very good on the car. Especially with the colour I have in mind, Topaz Orange ...

And to make sure it doesn't become to orange I have decide to replicate one of the many striping designs that Leyland invented for the TR7 over the years. In this case I will be going for the striping as used on the Victory Edition TR7's, also sold in 1976 but for the US market only.

I have made a vector file using the scanned picture from an old brochure as a template. With this a friend should be able to cut it from black adhesive foil with his plotter/cutter. But first will make a life size plot for trial fitting ...

Also the door handles and all trim parts will be treated to a black finish, as on the DHC. I think this contrasts nicely with the bright colour scheme. The only item I am not yet sure about is the fuel filler. I want to use the original (large diameter) filler cap. But I am not sure if this is possible, as all three caps I have, have rotten seals. And these seem to be no longer available ...

On the inside the interior really needs a fresh up. And although I am a big fan of black interiors, I really like the red or green tartan as used in the cars built from 1977 onwards. So at the moment looking if I can have some new cloth made to use on the inside. Which should look rather nice and bright with a matching (red or green) carpet set ...

Remains the engine and transmission. A few people have already asked if this one is going to have a V8 installed. Rest assured, it won't. Fist thoughts where to stick to the original 8 valve engine. But as I have a brand new Sprint head and most of the parts to built an engine with it, I've decided to fit it with a standard tune Sprint lump running on SU HS6 carburettors. This engine will drive the rear wheels through the O/D Sprint 'box that came with the car, if I can get it fitted properly that is of course. And for the final drive I will use one of the 5 speed back axles I have lying around. I am not yet sure what CWP ratio I will be using, but at the moment I am leaning towards a 3.90:1 ratio, with 3.45:1 being too long for a Sprint engine. I have been thinking of sticking to the original 4-speed (3.63:1) back axle, but I am afraid it won't be strong enough for the approximately 140 BHP that the Sprint engine will throw at it.