[capt jack]

Reckon it would need to be an early 245 rear end - or a 145, otherwise the 164 front would look odd.

Presumably you'd need the greater proportion of the 'hybrid' to be a pre-73 car, ideally the 164, then you would keep all the benefits of the early registration.

I wonder if the 164 outer wings and front could be made to fit fairly easily onto a 245, but keeping the front suspension of the 245?

But then it would still substantially be a 245 and thus post-73, so the rear end is going to have to come from a 145.

Engine and transmission-wise, the 164 had a straight 6 B30 OHV engine and a 3-speed BW-35 autobox. 145 cars would have had the B18 or B20 version of the same engine, and essentially the same autobox. Early 245 cars would have the B21 OHV engine, later 245s the B200 or B230 OHC engine with a more modern gearbox, and possibly overdrive.

The big disadvantage of the BW-35 gearbox would be the fact that it's 3-speed, old fashioned, and really set up for cruising at 55mph!

Try tracking down John-H on here. He's the man when it comes to restoring 164 cars, or the Register Keeper Nigel Ayling via the VOC. The other good contact might be Audrey Old on here - lots of 164 experience there too I think!

Cheers

Jack