1982 Mitsubishi Colt Galant project...
Discussion
Browsing certain retro car web pages can be dangerous..
I am collecting this on Saturday, purely because I like old Jap tin and because there are not many left.I also like its looks, but can also understand the "God that's pig ugly" comments (note the number plate)
It's apparently only covered 44k miles and everything on it still works - even the headlamp wipers! It's coming with an MOT till November and the current owner is taxing it for 6 months.That said, it's had some welding, will need more and has collected its share of dents and scrapes during its 30+ years.
It certainly needs some TLC, but the plan is to tart it up, lower it and probably swap the engine.I have possibly secured a decent Starion turbo lump + ancillaries as these are supposed to drop straight in, so that may be an easy way to go for a reasonable BHP upgrade.
Due to messing with other cars, this certainly won't be a quick project, but I hope to turn it into something old and interesting.I will update as and when (which means as and when my far more knowledgeable friends, who are handy with a welder, can help me)
Of course, as is the way, friends have told me not to mess about and to "get an Evo engine in there" and I was forced to do a photoshop to alter its looks...
I am collecting this on Saturday, purely because I like old Jap tin and because there are not many left.I also like its looks, but can also understand the "God that's pig ugly" comments (note the number plate)
It's apparently only covered 44k miles and everything on it still works - even the headlamp wipers! It's coming with an MOT till November and the current owner is taxing it for 6 months.That said, it's had some welding, will need more and has collected its share of dents and scrapes during its 30+ years.
It certainly needs some TLC, but the plan is to tart it up, lower it and probably swap the engine.I have possibly secured a decent Starion turbo lump + ancillaries as these are supposed to drop straight in, so that may be an easy way to go for a reasonable BHP upgrade.
Due to messing with other cars, this certainly won't be a quick project, but I hope to turn it into something old and interesting.I will update as and when (which means as and when my far more knowledgeable friends, who are handy with a welder, can help me)
Of course, as is the way, friends have told me not to mess about and to "get an Evo engine in there" and I was forced to do a photoshop to alter its looks...
Edited by Digby on Thursday 27th February 00:00
Grrr!
You've bought it about 3 months too late!
I threw out a complete set of workshop manuals/electrical manual for these after trying to find someone they could be of use to!
Closed down a Mitsubishi dealer a few years back and held onto them thinking they'd be useful for someone but gave up hope
Good luck with it
You've bought it about 3 months too late!
I threw out a complete set of workshop manuals/electrical manual for these after trying to find someone they could be of use to!
Closed down a Mitsubishi dealer a few years back and held onto them thinking they'd be useful for someone but gave up hope
Good luck with it
Many moons ago when I was at college a friend had one of these, except his was a saloon. The colour was the same, and it had a 2 litre motor. It was a lovely old thing that was surprisingly solid.
I remember the motor used to drone a bit. I helped him change the balancer shaft belts and cambelts to fix it but didn't make it much better. I also remember the rubber mounts for the diff coming adrift too.
Good luck with the rebuild...
I remember the motor used to drone a bit. I helped him change the balancer shaft belts and cambelts to fix it but didn't make it much better. I also remember the rubber mounts for the diff coming adrift too.
Good luck with the rebuild...
That's a shame Croakey.Story of my life! I had the same happen when I suggested to a friend I was after some 8-track tapes.Turns out that two weeks before, he had binned a box containing dozens which he had kept since the 70's!
slicknic - Sounds like I may be calling you for tips then
slicknic - Sounds like I may be calling you for tips then
LewG said:
What a majestic thing 
I'd leave it just how it is, that interior really tops it off
Interior is lovely, isn't it? This sort of stuff really appeals to me for some reaon! I'd leave it just how it is, that interior really tops it offEdited by Digby on Sunday 2nd March 18:12
It's a beautiful thing. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the only one left in the country.
As it's an old Japanese car (a bit before they got really fantastic at building them) the rust will be a bit of a concern. Get the bodywork sorted first and properly before you go about modding it otherwise you'll be spending all of your money on welding in a few years. This is the voice of bitter experience, by the way.
As for mods, I think "keeping it period" is a nice way to go; looks like the Starion Turbo motor was an option for this car anyway. I found a nice website:
http://projectzerog.com/sirius_engines.shtml
With some info.
One last thing - please keep those alloys on it. They're awesome.
As it's an old Japanese car (a bit before they got really fantastic at building them) the rust will be a bit of a concern. Get the bodywork sorted first and properly before you go about modding it otherwise you'll be spending all of your money on welding in a few years. This is the voice of bitter experience, by the way.
As for mods, I think "keeping it period" is a nice way to go; looks like the Starion Turbo motor was an option for this car anyway. I found a nice website:
http://projectzerog.com/sirius_engines.shtml
With some info.
One last thing - please keep those alloys on it. They're awesome.
Small update:
It's actually not too bad for rust according to a friend who has done extensive work on various old dubs.The worst part is under the passenger front door, but even here, he said he has dealt with far worse (will get pics in the week)
The old girl drives ok actually! Had quite a test on Saturday in traffic etc.It's a bit wallowy at the back, but as the suspension seems ok when you rock the car, this may just be down to how they were 30 odd years ago.It's not too bad once on the move, but you can forget the 2.0 pulling you faster up moderate hills in 5th Mind you, this could be viscous related, too.It could easily register as a 12 on the Beaufort wind force scale! There were also a couple of cassette's left in the car and the player still works, so we had a bit of Elvis on for a while.
We have ripped off the vinyl roof.They are, as others suggested, horrible water traps and it was coming away in several places anyway.The roof was ok underneath bar some rust near the screen, so we will clear off the glue and probably rattle can it black for now.I also lubed up all the door locks and handles and that alone has made a massive difference to how they now open and close.
Things to do short term..
Attempt a bit of a carb clean (not going too far with this and servicing etc just yet as the engine may be swapped).Check timing (bit of running on when switched off).Probably replace sticking viscous fan with an electric one.Get some mastic round the screen for the time being.Attempt to clean up the seats a bit as the old lady used it for delivering flowers apparently, so it has a few marks here and there on the fabric.Other than that, I'm just going to enjoy its retro charms for a while and see how it all pans out..
Ta for the link Davepoth
It's actually not too bad for rust according to a friend who has done extensive work on various old dubs.The worst part is under the passenger front door, but even here, he said he has dealt with far worse (will get pics in the week)
The old girl drives ok actually! Had quite a test on Saturday in traffic etc.It's a bit wallowy at the back, but as the suspension seems ok when you rock the car, this may just be down to how they were 30 odd years ago.It's not too bad once on the move, but you can forget the 2.0 pulling you faster up moderate hills in 5th
Mind you, this could be viscous related, too.It could easily register as a 12 on the Beaufort wind force scale! There were also a couple of cassette's left in the car and the player still works, so we had a bit of Elvis on for a while.We have ripped off the vinyl roof.They are, as others suggested, horrible water traps and it was coming away in several places anyway.The roof was ok underneath bar some rust near the screen, so we will clear off the glue and probably rattle can it black for now.I also lubed up all the door locks and handles and that alone has made a massive difference to how they now open and close.
Things to do short term..
Attempt a bit of a carb clean (not going too far with this and servicing etc just yet as the engine may be swapped).Check timing (bit of running on when switched off).Probably replace sticking viscous fan with an electric one.Get some mastic round the screen for the time being.Attempt to clean up the seats a bit as the old lady used it for delivering flowers apparently, so it has a few marks here and there on the fabric.Other than that, I'm just going to enjoy its retro charms for a while and see how it all pans out..
Ta for the link Davepoth
Edited by Digby on Sunday 2nd March 18:15
Car now has a cable tied electric fan (which for now I operate from a light switch) a temp paint job on the roof and due to me having them and them having decent tyres, some steel wheels.
I am tempted to put some deeper dish wheels on it though..
Also put an old style roof rack on her and have been ordering up various ball joints and track rod ends when I can find them...
Engine swap is on hold for now due to me waiting on workshop space.
I am tempted to put some deeper dish wheels on it though..
Also put an old style roof rack on her and have been ordering up various ball joints and track rod ends when I can find them...
Engine swap is on hold for now due to me waiting on workshop space.
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