The 1957 "The Dope" Dauphine

no ballast resistor fitted on the original 6v loom

On the bulb front, i went and had a quick blast around halfrauds as id like to get on the road tomorrow for some testing if possible.

Led front sidelights fitted, ive also added an earth to each headlight unit as they use the chassis through a rusty hinge currently so while i had them apart i ran a line to each, was a job ive meant to do previously as every so often on of my lights would switch off, a few open and closes of the bonnet would sort it. Now it shouldn't be an issue again.

I did look at the led bulbs that would of become my indicators but the type and size i wanted wernt orange so i got normal ones for there, no biggy as they arnt used much anyway.

So that leaves me with some headlight bulbs and stop/tail lights to find. The original headlight bulbs are a big yellow bulb which i would like to keep tbh so ill just get a normal one of those i think and ill get some led rears if they are available.

If it had rear seatbelts it would have been done already...

Good to see you have the cooling issues sorted it seems.
I was a bit worried about the loose battery on the rear seat if you were hooning around.. and now with the change in voltages.. I hope you have an extinguisher handy for Justin!

New bosch 12v coil slapped on this afternoon, and into life she fired. I ordered it through ecp for a classic beetle, turned up listed for some BMW but a quick google of the main part number showed it was the 12v non ballasted coil that i needed. A quick once over to make sure all looked ok and the fan cut and worked and i took it for a test drive. A little tentative to start with but the needle got no where near the danger zone. The laser probe also showing the temp staying low. The ali panelling, decent quality rad and 12v fan all working wonders it would seem. I had a nice 50mph cruise to a garage to make sure the tire pressures were all good and a nice run home. I need to put some miles on her now but fingers crossed all is good and i can start using her for some decent runs out.

Ps 12v battery is now up front where its meant to be though i do need to sort out tying it down

i don't want to count my chickens yet but I'm pretty darn chuffed right now

Indeed, thanks again to all. Id of probably put the car cover on it and left it alone for a while if you lot hadn't of been throwing the ideas and theories in

A little update on the dope, over the last week I've done the odd short trip to the garage and one short run to the pub with the wife but this morning a bunch of mates and i had arranged to meet up at caffeine and machine. 100 mile round trip for me, and she took it in her stride. The bent wheels I have cause alot of shaking above 60mph but she sits lovely at 50mph. Absolutely chuffed that she ran lovely, nothing broke or fell off and more importantly it didnt overheat 😁 I did have to drive with a hot water bottle though as its bloody freezing in there 😂. Properly chuffed with it, now I can move on to the finer things that need sorting. But first I'm going to try and use her as much as possible.

Mission accomplished.