Classic cars need classic engines, and running a 3 litre Volvo powered Marcos since 1991,  graphically proved that keeping an old car totally original and racing it   was not without supply problems, so installing an MGB V8 or Rover V8 into a 1956 is justified on the basis of "Classic Car + Classic Engine" = Classic Hybrid or Special. Had the Magnette model been in any way endangered, then a more original course of action would have been taken.  As it is, there are many Magnettes still running.

Dismantling

Much to my surprise, dismantling was an extremely unstressed activity and from start to finish, only took about 40 hours to totally strip the bodyshell, remove the running gear and all exterior panels, and strip the doors, ready for the dip strip.

This was informative especially the make up of the doors and glass and quite early on, it was obvious that major weight saving was possible in this area if solutions could be found that were legal and did not detract too much from the intended use.  For example, bearing in mind the likely minimal use of the rear seats, is a window winding system really necessary for the rear doors? Front doors are heavy but impact protection or shock absorption in the event of an accident had to be considered too.

The angle grinder was only used to remove the rear spring shackles, the impact driver for door, boot and bonnet bolts.  All other bits and pieces came off using spanners, screw drivers and sockets.  Very little was rusted in, though rust and wear on some suspension tie bars was horrific! They just snapped when trying to undo them and most holes had been ovalised.

  I really couldn't imagine using paint stripper, so the shell and panels were transported across Auckland, where the whole lot was submerged in some evil liquids to remove nearly 50 years of paint, filler and grease.

Four weeks later I collected a load of clean panels, sprayed with a thin protective clear coat. 

Why bother stripping by hand?  I also collected what appeared to be a well worn colander, with some areas having rather more holes than metal.  Could this rotten underside ever be restored, or more to the point, had I just bought a pile of rust?

 The shell and panels came home for Christmas and clogged up my garage quite comprehensively.

part two and beyond...