The restorer's dilemma
I had a very welcome envelope from the DVLA last week, containing the long awaited V5 registration document (the "log book"), finally making Bagheera road legal. This was followed two days later by another DVLA letter kindly informing me that my registration application had been successful and to expect my V5 soon. A bit more bureaucratic faffing is now required to secure a actual number plate, which these days seems to need a lot of paperwork. I send off for a nice tidy 'classic' black-and-silver plate to put on the back of Bagheera. The Smiths 3003 series instruments may look the part, but it's best if they actually work too . While waiting for it to arrive, I decide to take the rev counter apart to see if I can fix it. The manufacturer, Smiths, clearly did want you to do this — why else did they seal the glass permanently on by crimping the metal bezel onto the case all the way around instead of screwing it on? Some very patient encouragment with a variety of...