Thanks all.
I added a new earth strap between engine support and chassis. I cleaned all contact l could trace between battery and starter and chassis and battery. Then I changed points and condenser and distributor head and tuned static advance. When temperature was 3 deg C, 5 seconds were needed to start and now at 10 -12 deg C this morning was nearly immediate. I still suspect starter solenoid to include some resistance due to old age...
l am still looking for the earth strap between gear box and chassis!
