This lovely car with full Sebring GT bodywork belongs to Peter Vallins in Dorset, and in Spring 2009 has just come out of an extensive restoration over a couple of years. On the front, note what appears to be an usual "bump" in the bonnet bulge, presumably for carb clearance when fitted to a previous car, and the closed cold air hose duct off the air intake box, indicating that the bonnet is of Fibresports manufacture. The hardtop was supplied by Davd Smith and originally came from a scrapped car in Kent.
In Peter's own words:
"EKV is now finished and running, but as you know a car of this age will always need some attention throughout its life. Towards the end of the restoration things were at times a bit fraught as odd items like switches failed to work and the new harness was not quite the same as the original. The Bermuda lights make it like a greenhouse in hot weather... Here is the history. EKV 491C was last on the road in 1989 and found in a garage in Gillingham, Kent 2 years ago - a failed restoration attempt. I really only bought it for the Ashley hardtop. Back in Dorset it was completely stripped. New panels welded in and the shell etched and primed with POR15 - then etched again. The underneath was stone-chipped and the top primed and finished in Old English White. At this time a Sebring GT front was located and collected from Wales, shortly followed by a Sebring GT hardtop from Berkshire. Both needed considerable repair. The attempt to re-use many of the original components was not a good idea as most needed replacement. The front is mounted on rubber bushes and fits well. The top has bespoke aluminium brackets in the middle. The 1098 engine was rebuilt as standard as the car is planned to have a sedate life on public roads."
Many thanks to Peter for use of his original photographs.
below top: bespoke branched power bulge and skylights, below middle: interior view of front shows sealed cold air hose vent, side profile, below bottom: rear thre quarters.
