So quick update, the roll cage has been stripped and will be painted today. I'll hopefully do the same for the spare wheel carrier today too. I've ordered some viton rubber sheets to make some gaskets for where the roll cage meets the bodywork - i've seen a lot of instances where the body rusts around the bolt holes so hopefully the gaskets will prevent that. Got an original steering wheel waiting for me at the post office so I'll pick that up and get it in.
Then over the weekend I'll start looking at the serious bits - difficulty getting the gearbox into 5th and R, Rodger's already suggested some adjustment on the slave, but any other advice is welcome. After that I need to get the handbrake installed, which I'm hoping is just a case of doing what it says in the repair manual... fingers crossed.
Oh, and I may have found some info about registering a car without an MOT but my French isn't good enough to be sure so I'll be checking in with some friends over the weekend to get a better translation.
IME as a Brit in Romania, you'd be surprised who can help yo get through the red tape side of things. You need to be legal, it's a must, but DIY is a nightmare. Try to find someone in the know, and for a few sheckles, you can have an easy life. There's always a way, you know, whatever the problem.