So I fancied something cheap and cheerful to spend my time and money on, and to use over the winter as my Z4 won't be up to it. I'd always wanted one of these so off I went to Scotland with £900 in my coat and purchased this. It needs some work done, which I knew it would. Thankfully the cambelt and arches had been done (arches have been sprayed a different Williams shade though!) but there is a few other things which need doing;

Make Good:
gear gator
seal sunroof
steering wheel straighten
steering wheel refurb
kickplates paint
rocker cover paint
under door rust
inner bootlid rust
fit CD player
fit alarm system
refurbish alloy wheels
bonnet alignment
full respray

Replace:
door pocket trim
parcel shelf
inner bootlid trim
boot carpet
rear wiper mechanism
spark plug cover
header tank
drivers electric mirror
rear tyres

I've already replaced the handbrake cable and had the tracking done. I'm in no hurry to get some jobs done, but of course making the car winter proof is my first aim. Conti sports are on order.

Checking underneath at the handbrake cables. The one supplied by the previous owner was of course the wrong one. I had wondered why he kept saying 'It's a 15 minute job' but he never actually did it. Nor did he supply me with a spare key although 'I have a mate who is a cobbler so I'll have one ready for you'.


Interior needed a reet good clean up. Got a friend of a friend who is a valeter who gave the carpets and seats a good going over. This is the 'before' pic, and once the interior has dried I'll take an 'after' pic. I'd have the new leather gear gator fitted had it not been for the gearknob not wanting to budge. Any ideas on how to get it off?



Engine bay is scarce at the moment. It needs a spark plug cover, heatshield and header tank. All on order. It also needs the cam cover to be repainted silver as opposed to the black that it is at the moment


The sunroof leaks, and they are a constant pain in the backside so once the car dries out I will be sealing it as opposed to fixing it only for it to leak again and blow the motor.

I will be updating the thread as and when things are improved or replaced.

Lovely project, been after a Williams for ages but always end up coming home with a 172 Cup! (now on my third), but will have a Williams some time soon.

Keep the thread update with your progress, be good to see how you get on with it.

Looks brilliant! Always fancied one of these, and at £900 makes me want even more!!


Excellent purchase p4cks!

Love these......

Whats the difference between the williams 1, 2 , and 3....? ( trim i take it?)

They were to comorate the f1 world title yeah?

Would love to own one of these at some point. Shame there aren't many good examples around.

Great little cars, I used to own 0062 a long time ago

Removing the interior makes the back very lively and damp roundabouts lots of fun! The sound deadening in the boot must weight several kg's alone..

Rust is the biggest threat to these. Mine looked ok from the outside but was broken for parts just 18 months after I sold it because the chassis was made of cheese

Here a shot of mine at Anglesey doing what they do best: lifting an inside rear

Very nice, I've always liked the look of these.

£900 is a bargain!.

£900 is a bargain! I actually prefer the look of the Clio Williams to the 172 model. I'd like a Williams one day

I think your Z4 could survive a winter though

Great bargain over there,but how does it drive?