7/9/10: Mom and I had dinner with Nadine and Willie Park, the source of the car. My guilt kept me from admitting that I am considering a Nissan engine swap. I did admit that the Lucas wiring is going away. I assured them that I am making progress, albeit slow.
7/10/10: The Prince of Darkness has been exorcised from Nadine. The only Lucas wiring left in the car, as far as I can remember, are the big cable to the starter motor and a single wire from the fuel level sending unit. The dash is completely out. The heater core is out. The wipers are out. All but three of the transmission tunnel bolts are out. The last three are so corroded that they will have to be ground off. I didn't report it at the time but the car will need new bonnet hinges since the existing ones stripped out when removed. With that in mind, we are now thinking that we will go ahead and put a “ten footer” paint job on it at the very least. I'm thinking red but John is concerned that the nose is too beat up for a “dark” color. Therefore, “BRG,” black, and dark blue are out. Yellow has been discussed but we’re of two minds as to which yellow. I'm leaning towards “Fly,” whereas John is pushing for “Pale.” I can't get him behind “Plum Crazy” though. I'm not feeling white or “Magnum Vanilla” but John is. Orange might be in the running, but I'm not sure. Guilt keeps bringing me back to “Nadine bought the car in red for a reason” though.
7/12/10: I have not heard from Jeff Sloan about his coming to look at the car. I am about to decide that since I am not building the car to sell, not to mention I don't have the $20,000.00 needed to make this a potentially $30,000.00 car, I will build it how I want it to be. If it turns out to be only worth $2,000.00 when I'm through, at least it will be on the road and fun to drive. Yes, that does mean a Nissan engine. I also like the idea of going bigger for more torque. I think I'm going to push for a fuel injected KA-24. We have the bits and the know-how. John is now on board for “Fly” yellow. I think if we don't go red, we will go yellow.

7/1/10: The fuel level gauge and sending unit did in fact arrive yesterday. Today was a slow day at work so I cut out early and had a chat with Jeff Sloan at British Automotive Specialist about the car. He, as a purist, was not on board with me “bastardizing” the car with a Nissan engine. He did not however have anything to say against the Hot Rod Wires harness. Of course he did not have anything to say for it either but I’m going to take it as not-disapproval. I promised that I would not do any bastardization until he has had a chance to see the car ans assess whether it is worth more to him as a “restorer” or to me as a “renovation” (bastardized toy). He has my number and directions to the shop so hopefully he will come take a look at it soon.