I bought her new as a kit from Midtec Cars back in 1995 (I think) and built her up over 4 years with my old Dad using the inner workings of a B-reg Metro and a variety of scrapped Minis.
Q735 VAF has a 1275cc A-series engine with twin SU carbs (plus K&N filters). She is adorned with a set of GB alloys and Cobra seats with 3 point harness.
So here are some photos documenting her birth. Currently she is parked up under a tarp in need some love and attention. The glass rear screen has been replaced by an Acrylic version (thanks to Hans for the dimensions).
My Dad passed away a few years back but the lessons learned in that garage are etched deep in my mind.
The Midtec Car showroom and factory somewhere near Leicester
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The shell sitting in the back of our garage in Cornwall
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My dad stripping down the Metro
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21457960_10155233338243743_6833368406020209919_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=8sTz3jS-MdsAX_6lvn4&_nc_oc=AQkNKt3dPMLb_YHtNeIHyhmvRX5tQ7fiwU3Q_4l95BdZMS-CXymLgUpl6Ovvc-kyY9w&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AT_WrA_9bptJDvHQcTjR7Jjmw9AqN8kWmelpTOCPaG9jDg&oe=61F9BAAA)
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Hammerite - the saviour of rusty subframes
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21586596_10155233338528743_256576132007896364_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=ZEXIwm061xkAX9vQWe5&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AT8ZqBCwmcbU4SldcHT8BIJlo7ouOCR8U8eAZYwItJR4zA&oe=61FB98C8)
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21551999_10155233338533743_8504093356230351472_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=wuF2spSZrEUAX8QU261&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-2.xx&oh=00_AT_pChLkfwQR6t_Sw3_SEHYrtJG7gbUSxRaQrknggmLblw&oe=61FB9344)
Front subframe assembly
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21551866_10155233338573743_5459846811631257088_o.jpg?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=7bswrIJI0SUAX8QVbji&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AT_0yqC6IorCYRi4vsqjEBIYOPivRI-G_4HewqJYWGi6qQ&oe=61FC1577)
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![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21586457_10155233339253743_970502474165443316_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=knfqzdvFxcoAX9kcATy&tn=wd7klFDI38jH8NEF&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AT-n91TPbB5K7VPf0k6M_8f9-7fRMRWjumWIp9t--VyI2A&oe=61FD272D)
Me and my Dad
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21586745_10155233339378743_6125471763005071081_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=xyrHdSppCzQAX90myGX&_nc_oc=AQmiqptGQZMM9_MwLu2Fjy0T-5CRJU7UKHD9yokOKEztACisRQyRSpsmDM-wjRBEkkk&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-2.xx&oh=00_AT_pOGxLYnesz98WS_75rWk3VnTFBGrW0ymy5TyuaWXJbw&oe=61FC56AB)
Nearing completion
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21458297_10155233339388743_8771008884032734569_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=P0d2h2f_NGEAX8pFk_l&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AT_Z4B8H-bs2RxcK-lF8qGEzZqkpojiTSQ3SyN70t4VDFg&oe=61FB3BCB)
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Clean-up before going for SVA. Failed the first test on a few issues around the wiper controllers and the seat belts, these were quickly fixed by some re-wiring and the addition of headrests to pin the shoulder straps in.
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21457652_10155233340013743_8482296838965028130_o.jpg?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=H5yMgPnNPMgAX8_fMP4&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-1.xx&oh=00_AT8mwwXwY7pGVznYOSxFZsoVbuJHIyaqYTFIH2tKfop9vA&oe=61FA6159)
Tested and Taxed and on the road. She was my daily drive during the summer of 1999 (when there was a fuel crisis going on if I remember correctly). She was then laid up while I was at University and worked on other projects (Mini Clubman Estate and a 1500 MG Midget).
![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21586697_10155233340008743_8629969607874839544_o.jpg?_nc_cat=105&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=Z3SMBJ01s9sAX-X1jB_&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-2.xx&oh=00_AT8_BN7ydNxptFaUfX5NmvNit7e1TG-sUIBWrosOqs3bnA&oe=61FC7148)
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![Image](https://scontent-lhr8-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t31.18172-8/21457751_10155233339698743_6353377790759589491_o.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=cdbe9c&_nc_ohc=QvNYNrOYmzsAX-_se0L&_nc_ht=scontent-lhr8-2.xx&oh=00_AT_6CsOMpJzBq2twDF6N6J7-Qm3ZxX10kWOLF8dlqrYcrw&oe=61FA95FB)
I got her back on the road in 2011, making good use of the national bank holiday for the Royal Wedding to get stuck in and get her running again (somewhere I have a photo of a properly gunked up thermostat housing that formed a big part of the clean-up job).
Since then my wife and I have had two gorgeous girls, and they are currently taking priority over projects so as I say the car is sitting waiting to be loved a bit.
Many thanks for all the enjoyment the forum has provided a long-time watcher.