Authentic Period Restoration

I purchased the Landar in February 1998 from fellow VSCDA member Jim Fletcher.  Jim (lives in the Chicago area) had trucked the Landar from California where he found it completely disassembled.  It was one of those projects which was started, but never got beyond disassembly.  The Landar was in need of a new home and Jim, who had owned a Landar some years earlier, planned to restore the car. Jim's Chicago based business centers on restoring and maintaining Mini's (both street and race types).  His business was growing and he therefore was not finding time for the restoration.  He offered the car for sale.  After looking at the parts several times, I became owner of the disassemled (but complete and original) Landar R7.

I started the restoration in earnest in January 1999, and took it to the track for the first time in October 1999 (at the VSCDA event at Indianapolis Raceway Park).  Although the chassis was restored, very little restoration of fiberglass body panels was completed.  This would be a future project.
   

       The bare frame after sandblast, welding and paint                    

   

       Condition of the old aluminum panels (all were replaced)        

   

        Fabrication of new aluminum panels                                        

 

         New panel being fitted, and held in place by Cleco clips         

 

       Several new panels rivited in place                                     

 

      Mounting the steering rack                  

   

        The fiberglass fuel cell box was replaced with alum.            

 
 

       A few of the new engine parts                              

 

         The finished chassis (October 1999)