While the bodywork is in progress it is time to look at all the other parts and components that need to be overhauled - especially for a full restoration.

Geoff House of Powerhouse Ford is sharing with us the work required to ground-up restore a Wild Violet XY GS 351 Falcon.

As Geoff notes, "A full ground-up restoration is just that - the work full meaning everything gets looked at, not just the paint, engine, and upholstery.

Wiring harness gets totally stripped back to bare wires, and all connections checked, tested, and replaced and/or repaired where necessary. This is a long process that needs concentration - stuff-ups here generally don't become known until the harness is back in the car -and then it is a real problem !!

The heater box and controls - a roadworthy issue - are pulled down and the fan motor and heater core overhauled, to ensure it does what it is meant to do.

How many cars have you seen with the heater and fans disconnected ?? Too many.

Front suspension (in this case - taken out of another XY - so we can leave the other car on its wheels for moving around) has all ball joints and tierods etc. removed and the reusable components blasted and painted, before fitting with new joints, spring saddles, rubbers, mounting rods, etc. Tierod ends/sleeves and pitman arm and idler arm are also replaced. Obviously new shocks are also waiting.

Front stubs and disc brakes are dismantled, blasted, machined, fitted with new bearings, gaskets, etc. and reassembled.

Brake calipers are also overhauled - and blasted/painted, and fitted with new pads.

In the rear end, the old tired springs make way for brand new units, together with matching shocks and all rubber mounts etc. Saddles are also blasted and painted.

Rear drum brakes are subject to the same full overhaul.

While we are in blasting mode - also clean up the bumber brackets and chassis mounts for the engine - and whatever parts are available.

All brake and clutch components are overhauled, and new master and slave cylinders bought.

All the hydraulic lines for both clutch and brakes are also replaced with new lines.

Meanwhile the bodywork preparation continues, and there is still plenty of other things to do.

More information will be available as the restoration progresses - and we will get it to you shortly.