Because I've been travelling a lot lately, taking exams, and because it's just too cold in Maryland right now, I haven't been able to do very much on Bonnie. However I have had a lot of time to think about what I plan on doing in the coming year:
- Replace brakes: Several hundred feet is not a good stopping distance, especially when you're only going 35 mph. Thankfully my grandfather, my biggest sponsor (he also bought the tyres), sponsored a new set of brakes. They've been ordered, and hopefully will arrive soon. More on the details of the brakes, and of course how to install them, when they arrive (and the weather warms up a bit).
- Fix fuel pump: The fuel pump works, but it takes quite a bit of time for any pressure to build up in the lines to properly start the car. I'm also starting to wonder that this may also be why performance has been rather dismal lately (a 110hp 2000lbs car should not go from 0 to 60 in 15 seconds). Furthermore the pump acts up from time to time resulting in the flames you saw in an earlier post. I'm assuming it's a bit clogged or perhaps the mechanism is a bit gunked up (which can happen after 32 years). Look forward to me spending (probably) an entire day taking out the thing (it's in the trunk), another day figuring out how to fix it, and then finally putting it back again. Also then I can finally replace the air filter (right now a new one would catch fire).
- Interior work: This year I'm taking the plunge and replacing all the carpeting and even the seats. I was recently quoted $75/seat in labour for the car at a local upholstery store, along with a combination of leather and vinyl, should result in a total charge of about $500 for both seats. Compare this to Victoria British, that charges $2000 for both seats in leather. Also like this I can customise the seat colours. Keep an eye out for this one in the near future.
- Brand new paint job: Waiting for my tax refund to kick in for this one.
Recently, while I was away, my grandparents were visiting and dropped by to visit my MG. Below you'll see a picture of my grandparents (left and right), as well as the kind family friend who lets me keep Bonnie at her house (centre). I should also note that my grandfather (left), the person thanks to who this car is more likely to pass a safety inspection, is probably the only person on earth who doesn't think I'm completely insane for starting this undertaking.
