Getting MCU 53X Back on the Road
MCU 53X was dead when I got it — no spark, no brakes, barely rolling. Here’s how it came back to life, one stubborn fix at a time.
I was determined to get MCU 53X moving again as quickly as possible. The previous owner had already tackled the heavy lifting—brakes, timing belt, water pump, a full service—despite never having seen the car actually running. But plenty still needed doing: the bodywork was rough, the driver’s seat leather was perished, and the centre section of the exhaust was leaking badly. The only rust was internal, where years of trapped condensation had eaten the metal from the inside out.
Exhaust Repair
First on my list was the exhaust. I bought a new center section and repaired the remainder myself. A local fabricator sold me stainless tube for £10, which I welded into place. It’s not perfect, but it’s leak-free—and that was the goal.
Bodywork and Bumper
Next came the bodywork. Panel repair isn’t my forte, so I aimed for “good enough” rather than showroom perfection. The car arrived with its bumper and headlights shoved into a carrier bag—bolted on temporarily just to move it. The front valance was missing, so I picked up a cheap fibreglass replacement and had it painted to match. Once assembled, the car looked far more presentable.
Wheels and Brakes
The Le Mans wheels were scuffed and tired, so I sent them off for powder-coating. I decided against diamond-cutting them again—it’s costly and the finish never holds up. While the wheels were away, I cleaned and painted the front brake calipers and gave the interior a good tidy—though that perished driver’s seat was still nagging at me.
Seat Restoration
I shopped around for replacement covers, only to find that nobody sells single-seat covers. I didn’t want to replace an otherwise original seat with a replica, so I ordered matching fabric, dug out my sewing machine, and stitched a new cover myself. It’s far from perfect—my first go at upholstery—but it means no more fluff all over the cabin.
By late April, MCU 53X was finally back together—and since then it’s covered about 1,000 miles. It’s still very much a work in progress: the paint could use attention, and there are always tweaks to be made. For now, though, it’s a mostly original classic Porsche that drives like a dream and turns heads wherever it goes.
