It followed me home, can we keep it?
Discussion
ok then - a bit of an update for you here.....
so far, I've inspected the metalwork fully, and other than the odd external, er, blemish, it's certainly sound. The sills, especially are un-rusty under the cosmetic closing plate. I need to repair the headlamp area and the sill closing panel before using it, but the other stuff can be done on an "as you go" basis.
Inside the car, I've had all the seats and carpets out for a good clean (jetwash with washing-up liquid) and replaced both the driver's drop glass and the rear quarter-light. All the windows are now working properly. Door locks next. Out of a total of 44 trim clips for the door casings, I've counted eleven in place, mostly broken.
The dash has been out to remove all of the post-Crewe wiring and two of the three alarms which weren't working anyway. It's a bit of a feature with this car, and my work in general, that I home in on the bodgery ( pre Andrew I should add ) and remove it as a first priority, as it's often masking what the vehicle is like underneath.
I've also re-engineered the sound system, so it's now sporting DAB with the rear sounds relocated from the doors to the parcel shelf. I've welded in an alternative rear parcel-shelf with speaker mounts.
Working around the front, it's clear that whoever had the front bumper off to "repair" the metalwork and repaint isn't fit to be within 300 yards of a workshop. This is the very first time I've seen carefully-sculpted poly-urethane glue used as a structural member and painted as top-coat all in one. This is all now out - next week I shall be mainly TiG-welding, Jeremy. I'm also sorting out stuff that just wasn't put back properly, like the intercooler wedged into place with wooden chocks and without any of the hoses fitted properly. It's a bit of a "saving grace" that the original metalwork was left in place under the additional welding bodgery, because by-and-large it is still there to define the shape.
In the engine bay, I've had the exhaust manifolds off to repair leaks, with new gaskets and nuts, etc. I'm sure the turbocharger will benefit from being bolted down onto it's pedestal. Just in case anyone was in any doubt of the level of bodgery here, the turbo oil drain was secured to the block with two M6 screws and a whole load of silicon, instead of the required 0.3125 UNF setscrews. I'm sure you'll not be surprised to find out that it leaked rather a lot.
Right now I shall be re-hanging the exhaust downpipe - it's been off so that I could make a new securing bracket. The bracket is supposed to hold it to the side of the cylinder block, but they often break, leading to a tendancy for the lower steering joint to machine it's way through the take-off elbow. Lots of V-band clamp wrestling today then!
so far, I've inspected the metalwork fully, and other than the odd external, er, blemish, it's certainly sound. The sills, especially are un-rusty under the cosmetic closing plate. I need to repair the headlamp area and the sill closing panel before using it, but the other stuff can be done on an "as you go" basis.
Inside the car, I've had all the seats and carpets out for a good clean (jetwash with washing-up liquid) and replaced both the driver's drop glass and the rear quarter-light. All the windows are now working properly. Door locks next. Out of a total of 44 trim clips for the door casings, I've counted eleven in place, mostly broken.
The dash has been out to remove all of the post-Crewe wiring and two of the three alarms which weren't working anyway. It's a bit of a feature with this car, and my work in general, that I home in on the bodgery ( pre Andrew I should add ) and remove it as a first priority, as it's often masking what the vehicle is like underneath.
I've also re-engineered the sound system, so it's now sporting DAB with the rear sounds relocated from the doors to the parcel shelf. I've welded in an alternative rear parcel-shelf with speaker mounts.
Working around the front, it's clear that whoever had the front bumper off to "repair" the metalwork and repaint isn't fit to be within 300 yards of a workshop. This is the very first time I've seen carefully-sculpted poly-urethane glue used as a structural member and painted as top-coat all in one. This is all now out - next week I shall be mainly TiG-welding, Jeremy. I'm also sorting out stuff that just wasn't put back properly, like the intercooler wedged into place with wooden chocks and without any of the hoses fitted properly. It's a bit of a "saving grace" that the original metalwork was left in place under the additional welding bodgery, because by-and-large it is still there to define the shape.
In the engine bay, I've had the exhaust manifolds off to repair leaks, with new gaskets and nuts, etc. I'm sure the turbocharger will benefit from being bolted down onto it's pedestal. Just in case anyone was in any doubt of the level of bodgery here, the turbo oil drain was secured to the block with two M6 screws and a whole load of silicon, instead of the required 0.3125 UNF setscrews. I'm sure you'll not be surprised to find out that it leaked rather a lot.
Right now I shall be re-hanging the exhaust downpipe - it's been off so that I could make a new securing bracket. The bracket is supposed to hold it to the side of the cylinder block, but they often break, leading to a tendancy for the lower steering joint to machine it's way through the take-off elbow. Lots of V-band clamp wrestling today then!
Hi Stu,
Glad to hear your cracking on with it, have just bought a Luton van full of parts, including a few repair panels if your interested, will email an inventory of the bits out to the usual suspects once I recover from my Easter egg induced diabetic coma!
Are we going to get any pics of the big green lorry mid restoration?
Oh and I'd be careful casting nasturshiums at the person who did the previous "restoration" or he'll start making things up about you next
Glad to hear your cracking on with it, have just bought a Luton van full of parts, including a few repair panels if your interested, will email an inventory of the bits out to the usual suspects once I recover from my Easter egg induced diabetic coma!
Are we going to get any pics of the big green lorry mid restoration?
Oh and I'd be careful casting nasturshiums at the person who did the previous "restoration" or he'll start making things up about you next
bergxu said:
I was going to ask;
Here in the US, it's probably considered gauche to drive a beater Roller or Bentley around (although my '77 Shadow II is showing its scars proudly after 112K miles), but I was wondering if the same is felt in the UK among the "enthusiast" crowd. Obviously, we all would love to have perfect cars, but there is something mildly appealing about the thought of driving that tatty Turbo R around, as once it's at least dialed in mechanically, you would be enjoying one hell of an automobile while not worrying about where you park the bloody thing up. Then again, with the cost of fuel over there, it's no wonder you guys get them so cheap. My 104K mile Turbo R that I just bought, although in incredible condition and will full service history, still cost me probably 5 grand more over here than the equivalent car would cost in the UK, surely due to the expense of simply filling the tank over yonder?
Anyhow, I'd love to see some photos of that car in its entirety. Would also be curious to know what a runner in that condition would sell for. I only ask because it would sure as hell be a lot easier for me to buy a complete, running car from the UK and bring it over here so I have an immediate lot of spares to pick from, as it seems that you guys buy these cars, although tatty, but still mobile, for $1.5-3K?
Drove my '89 Turbo R every day for four years (at least 100 miles per day). Finally the rust showed externally (amazing how long you can keep them looking good on the outside before the problems show through!) and she reached 150,000 miles. At that point (and becuase she cost about £5,000 - £10,000 a year to maintain plus the cost of fuel) I had to get rid of her. I miss it to this day as I LOVED that car! As for what others thought? I didn't care, but I was not alone out there and did pass the odd Turbo R on my communte.Here in the US, it's probably considered gauche to drive a beater Roller or Bentley around (although my '77 Shadow II is showing its scars proudly after 112K miles), but I was wondering if the same is felt in the UK among the "enthusiast" crowd. Obviously, we all would love to have perfect cars, but there is something mildly appealing about the thought of driving that tatty Turbo R around, as once it's at least dialed in mechanically, you would be enjoying one hell of an automobile while not worrying about where you park the bloody thing up. Then again, with the cost of fuel over there, it's no wonder you guys get them so cheap. My 104K mile Turbo R that I just bought, although in incredible condition and will full service history, still cost me probably 5 grand more over here than the equivalent car would cost in the UK, surely due to the expense of simply filling the tank over yonder?
Anyhow, I'd love to see some photos of that car in its entirety. Would also be curious to know what a runner in that condition would sell for. I only ask because it would sure as hell be a lot easier for me to buy a complete, running car from the UK and bring it over here so I have an immediate lot of spares to pick from, as it seems that you guys buy these cars, although tatty, but still mobile, for $1.5-3K?
sdmurray said:
Drove my '89 Turbo R every day for four years (at least 100 miles per day). Finally the rust showed externally (amazing how long you can keep them looking good on the outside before the problems show through!) and she reached 150,000 miles. At that point (and becuase she cost about £5,000 - £10,000 a year to maintain plus the cost of fuel) I had to get rid of her. I miss it to this day as I LOVED that car! As for what others thought? I didn't care, but I was not alone out there and did pass the odd Turbo R on my communte.
Wow, that's quite a lot for service, so I'd guess you were using a Bentley main agent? I find that a budget of $3-5K USD seems about right, at least for me, being able to do my own work. The only time I ever exceeded that was with my last Turbo R, a '96 which, although looked great on the outside, needed a million-and-one things doing to it mechanically. But I've nobody to blame but myself as I bought it on impulse and because it was local. Should've spent $500 to have it looked over because one year later, I was $12K poorer! I was, at least, able to drive some of my investment back out of it. I got the car with 82K on the clock and sold it with about 90K, lost $2K all-in-all, but learned my lesson. Fast forward to my most recent car, which I had gone over by a specialist out in California and when it came back with a good report, I pulled the trigger. I've only done about 1K miles in it so far, but everything works, it has one helluva sheaf of maintenance records and all it needs doing is minor service (which I do on all new purchases anyways) and a brake bleed. Sadly (in a bittersweet sort of way) the paintwork is so beautiful on my present car, that I couldn't subject it to daily use--even in the summer. So in order to get my "fix", I'll drive my Shadow II more regularly, as it's tatty enough that I don't care where I park it.
bergxu said:
sdmurray said:
Drove my '89 Turbo R every day for four years (at least 100 miles per day). Finally the rust showed externally (amazing how long you can keep them looking good on the outside before the problems show through!) and she reached 150,000 miles. At that point (and becuase she cost about £5,000 - £10,000 a year to maintain plus the cost of fuel) I had to get rid of her. I miss it to this day as I LOVED that car! As for what others thought? I didn't care, but I was not alone out there and did pass the odd Turbo R on my communte.
Wow, that's quite a lot for service, so I'd guess you were using a Bentley main agent? I find that a budget of $3-5K USD seems about right, at least for me, being able to do my own work. The only time I ever exceeded that was with my last Turbo R, a '96 which, although looked great on the outside, needed a million-and-one things doing to it mechanically. But I've nobody to blame but myself as I bought it on impulse and because it was local. Should've spent $500 to have it looked over because one year later, I was $12K poorer! I was, at least, able to drive some of my investment back out of it. I got the car with 82K on the clock and sold it with about 90K, lost $2K all-in-all, but learned my lesson. Fast forward to my most recent car, which I had gone over by a specialist out in California and when it came back with a good report, I pulled the trigger. I've only done about 1K miles in it so far, but everything works, it has one helluva sheaf of maintenance records and all it needs doing is minor service (which I do on all new purchases anyways) and a brake bleed. Sadly (in a bittersweet sort of way) the paintwork is so beautiful on my present car, that I couldn't subject it to daily use--even in the summer. So in order to get my "fix", I'll drive my Shadow II more regularly, as it's tatty enough that I don't care where I park it.
bergxu said:
Stuart,
Fantastic progress. Insane that someone could cobble up a car like that so badly. Hopefully when we get over there, I can come have a gander and a blast in the old girl, as by then I expect a Pebble Beach winner
Cheers,
Aaron
I'm sure I'll be able to offer you a blast, but expect it tpo resemble something that's been used on a pebble beach....!Fantastic progress. Insane that someone could cobble up a car like that so badly. Hopefully when we get over there, I can come have a gander and a blast in the old girl, as by then I expect a Pebble Beach winner
Cheers,
Aaron
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