Those who have followed my earlier thread might be interested in what happened next.
I took the 2000 in for its MOT, and they rang me a couple of hours later to say that there was so much wrong with it that it wasn't worth them doing a full MOT, so would I like to pay them a small sum for their time so far and collect the car. Which I did.
But I asked them for a list of what they had found up to the time they stopped, and what it would cost to repair it.
Basically, what they found was rust (and the fact that the handbrake autoadjust had stuck on one wheel - again!). There is rust in the sills, outriggers, one part of the chassis, a couple of small edges of floor, and in both rear wheel arches. Clearly the journeys over salted roads last winter have really taken their toll this year.
When I asked for an estimate to plate the rusty bits, he gave me a figure 8 times what I had in my head based on the last time I had any significant rust repairs done. Clearly, he didn't want to do it and was putting me off. And there isn't enough time left on the old MOT to see if I can find anyone else who might quote me something more reasonable, and then even the best of the quotes might not be worth the money.
So before I take it along to the scrappie, I thought I would see if any budding (or even experienced) restorer wants something to practice welding on. It is a 1973 Triumph 2000 Auto with a rough interior but some original factory fitted optional extras like Cobra wheels and chromed rocker cover, that has been my completely reliable daily driver for the last 23 years. It is drivable, has 2 weeks of last years valid MOT left, and is currently taxed until the end of May. I will take the tax disc off for a refund or you can pay me for the month left and cash it in yourself, but otherwise the car is free if you want it, along with however much petrol is left in the tank on the day it is collected.
I don't plan to scrap it until after 20th April and the MOT runs out on the 24th, so that is the timetable for anyone interested. My e-mail works if you omit the obvious.
Jim