First up was getting the washer bottle, pump and hose out. The hose relented eventually after much tugging and swearing after it got caught in a ziptie somewhere way back in the tunnel. I just need to get under the car with the drill and get the bracket off the footwell, and I'll have shaved a good few hundred grammes off. Now to find a grommet that fits the washer jet hole...

Next up was getting the windscreen wiper mechanism out. It's held in by two bolts, the spindles and numerous zipties. It was such a pain trying to get it out that I gave up and took the whole scuttle off! I wanted to go 'quick release' at some point anyway, and having it like this will make it easier for when I eventually attempt to replace the bulkhead with carbon sheet. So I drill out all the rivets, wrestle the scuttle off, and extract the wiper mech out the top. Easy!

I am treating myself to one of Carsten's gorgeous carbon handbrake lever handles (probably weighs the same as the rubber, but it looks smart!) so thought I'd try get the rubber one off. No chance. I'll have to reconsider my approach...

I also took a look at the wheels. Where the lacquer has lifted it looks quite unsightly, so I had a go at it with some wire wool. This method works, but it's going to be super slow... I may have to just bite the bullet and get them blasted and coated, but that's more than I really want to spend on them. Perhaps some paint remover will do the trick? I'll tackle that another time as well.

I also offered up the Apollo to the chassis. Well, sort of. The hoses are still attached, and not wanting to remove them as they were sealed when they came off the old car, I wondered about wiggling it in the space somehow, but I don't think it will be possible. The base plate will also need some new rivet holes as the chassis is clearly different to the one it came off. The hose attachment is installed in the cam cover though! It was surprisingly easy taking it off, I left the gasket in place and covered the engine with a newspaper, and got the drill out, slowly working up in size. copper washer on the inside, nip up the nuts as tight as they'll go, spend ages trying to get every last bit of swarf out, then back on and all bolts torqued up to 7 lbft. Here's hoping it doesn't leak!

The next stage will involve getting the car on stands, draining the oil, and slipping the apollo tank in to position. I think it's going to require some trickery... Or I might just resort to draining the coolant and getting all the hoses out the way! Watch this space... The diff will also need to come out at some point. I'm dreading that part, I will try the one ear off method first...

My part collecting for the rear anti roll bar is also going well. I have secured an anti roll bar and bushes (good start) and also some droplinks. I just need the hex adaptor and the brackets to hold it to the chassis, and we're away! This will only be connected when on handling days, and will remain disconnected on the road. No point in making life uncomfortable for myself given how terrible the roads are around here!

That's it for now...