Completely forgot to update
So after the initial worry the problem turned out to be something rather inane and dull, which is a good thing.
When all the wiring went in last year I was trying to get hold of some blanking grommets but completely forgot. I should have been reminded everytime I got the over powering smell of engine in the cabin but driving the car so little and just assuming that it was an "old car smell" I forgot despite writing myself a few notes. One of the missing grommets was in the bulkhead behind the exhaust, this is what has been letting the fumes in ad during the MOT they'd discovered that one of the CV boots was cracked and was letting grease out. Seeing where this is going?
The grease was trousers out and hitting the exhaust causing the smoke which led to the panic. The delays that followed due to ill staff and schedules led to the problem not getting sorted until Thursday.
Other than that the failures were what I'd expect for a car that spends 6 months a year locked away, gammy windscreen wiper, cracked CV boots and a couple of bulbs. All in all a pretty good result.
Oh, I'd forgotten to mention the exhaust.
So a week or two before the MOT the Stainless exhaust became detached! The noise was pretty awful so it went straight back to Powerspeed to get sorted (lifetime warranty). While it was there I got them to fit a quieter exhaust i line with the plan to calm everything down a little. That fitted everything was lovely but on tickover it goes all mental as the cam is lumpy as speedboat. GReat for a sporty engine but I need something a little calmer and when it's idling it sounds like two chavs playing with a tin can full of ball bearings. Plan is to replace the cam then get the exhaust fitted to suit.
Engine wise the 20vt is off the table. A few factors I had to consider her which included me driving like an old lady, the time/cost and the fact that I knew it would pretty much fly out the door if we put it up for grabs.
Which is exactly what happened. Lad came all the way from Derby and got himself a bargain and me ad Mart had a pocket full of cash.
Interior is fully in and gorgeous. Sub clips a bit when it's up loud but hardly noticeable and the DAB is great.
Got an advisory that the front tyres would need looking at within a few thousand miles (so a good year based on my yearly mileage). While they were getting changed I thought I'd get everything redone as the lips are chipped and they could do with the spruce. But suddenly the amount I'm spending is considerable and fitting new shoes isn't such a mental idea. I've always loved Borbet A's and a mate kindly offered tea and his fitting services. Unfortunately he runs 9" all round ad I'd definitely go staggered and I'd need the front to have an et15 which apparently is uber rare with the A's. The pics speak for themselves though:
Pretty sexy eh? Unfortunately though the two people whose opinions I really value (Mrs F and Mr Dogg) both hate them. Odd.
In other news the Sparcos have sold. They were o Ebay for about 5 hours when someone contacted me and paid a deposit. He's coming from Leicester, wants a cash sale off ebay and will pick up! A couple of texts managed to arrange us meeting at Bluewater (his GF wants to go and given how far he's travelling I'm happy to meet him) and a fiver in petrol and a brew.
Roadstar in june. Cannot wait!
