What to do with an old Austin!
Discussion
Hi guys,
I've also posted this one if the technical pages, to get a view from the guys who may regularly view those pages.
I Just bought a classic Austin and got a report from a highly regarded guy. I'm gutted as I knew there were things to do, but this is a nightmare!
I'm not a mechanic, and didn't realise the gravity of what needed doing.
Any advice about doing this in sections (like the most important stuff first) and the cost implications etc would be hugely appreciated!!!
Here's the report;
"The car has been retro fitted with Jaguar running gear, with some additional modifications undertaken by the installer. The engine has a date mark on the oil filter of July 2007; we assume from this that the running gear has potentially not been used for some ten years.
The original Austin radiator is in place showing obvious signs of age and possible areas of leakage, therefore it will need to be refurbished or replaced as required. The general appearance of the engine bay is untidy, with cables, hoses and electrical connections randomly routed and attached to various components within the engine bay, firewall and frame. The vehicle as a whole will require a complete rewire. The engine has areas of corrosion and Aluminium oxidisation, particularly around the carburettors. The water connections between the engine and radiator are of poor installation and will restrict the flow of coolant around the cooling system, potentially leading to overheating.
The front suspension and steering has practically every item either heavily corroded, worn or leaking, along with bushings in the control arms split and perished. The angle of the front coil springs on both sides is such that it allows the coil spring to contact the shock absorbers. The rear suspension has also split and perished bushings.
The modification to the front chassis rails to accommodate the Jaguar components is in my opinion unsafe and would need to be re-fabricated. The attachment of some body mountings, particularly at the front will require competent and secure attachment. The rear Jaguar sub-frame although having new bushings installed is only attached at the left side, with the right side attaching bolt protruding from the bushing. There is also some concern over the integrity of the attachment of the rear suspension unit to the original chassis rails. Both front and rear suspension units appear to be installed out of alignment with the chassis. All of the transplanted suspension and braking components are heavily corroded.
The entire braking system requires overhauling, including the hard and flexible rubber brake lines which have been installed in an unsafe manor. The parking brake system is also unsafe and will also need to be re-fabricated.
The engine is frozen and will need to be refurbished or replaced; due to this we are unable to access the condition of the transmission and rear axle at this time.
As this vehicle no longer falls within the requirement for an MOT test, it is imperative that it should be in a roadworthy and safe condition, the responsibility for this falls to the owner/driver of the car. We are fully aware that there will be an extended period of time between the vehicle leaving our premises and it actually being used on the road. We must make it very clear that if we were engaged to make the car roadworthy with regard to brakes, steering, suspension, engine and transmission, we could not be responsible for it still being in this condition at the time of being taken back onto a public highway, and the responsibility would be firmly with the owner or driver."
End of report
Thanks in advance, Parrot
I've also posted this one if the technical pages, to get a view from the guys who may regularly view those pages.
I Just bought a classic Austin and got a report from a highly regarded guy. I'm gutted as I knew there were things to do, but this is a nightmare!
I'm not a mechanic, and didn't realise the gravity of what needed doing.
Any advice about doing this in sections (like the most important stuff first) and the cost implications etc would be hugely appreciated!!!
Here's the report;
"The car has been retro fitted with Jaguar running gear, with some additional modifications undertaken by the installer. The engine has a date mark on the oil filter of July 2007; we assume from this that the running gear has potentially not been used for some ten years.
The original Austin radiator is in place showing obvious signs of age and possible areas of leakage, therefore it will need to be refurbished or replaced as required. The general appearance of the engine bay is untidy, with cables, hoses and electrical connections randomly routed and attached to various components within the engine bay, firewall and frame. The vehicle as a whole will require a complete rewire. The engine has areas of corrosion and Aluminium oxidisation, particularly around the carburettors. The water connections between the engine and radiator are of poor installation and will restrict the flow of coolant around the cooling system, potentially leading to overheating.
The front suspension and steering has practically every item either heavily corroded, worn or leaking, along with bushings in the control arms split and perished. The angle of the front coil springs on both sides is such that it allows the coil spring to contact the shock absorbers. The rear suspension has also split and perished bushings.
The modification to the front chassis rails to accommodate the Jaguar components is in my opinion unsafe and would need to be re-fabricated. The attachment of some body mountings, particularly at the front will require competent and secure attachment. The rear Jaguar sub-frame although having new bushings installed is only attached at the left side, with the right side attaching bolt protruding from the bushing. There is also some concern over the integrity of the attachment of the rear suspension unit to the original chassis rails. Both front and rear suspension units appear to be installed out of alignment with the chassis. All of the transplanted suspension and braking components are heavily corroded.
The entire braking system requires overhauling, including the hard and flexible rubber brake lines which have been installed in an unsafe manor. The parking brake system is also unsafe and will also need to be re-fabricated.
The engine is frozen and will need to be refurbished or replaced; due to this we are unable to access the condition of the transmission and rear axle at this time.
As this vehicle no longer falls within the requirement for an MOT test, it is imperative that it should be in a roadworthy and safe condition, the responsibility for this falls to the owner/driver of the car. We are fully aware that there will be an extended period of time between the vehicle leaving our premises and it actually being used on the road. We must make it very clear that if we were engaged to make the car roadworthy with regard to brakes, steering, suspension, engine and transmission, we could not be responsible for it still being in this condition at the time of being taken back onto a public highway, and the responsibility would be firmly with the owner or driver."
End of report
Thanks in advance, Parrot
Regrettably OP, I would concur with your assessment and agree that it sounds like you have bought yourself a nightmare.
Sadly, I fear the correct course of action would be to cut your losses now and dispose of the car before undertaking any work or spending any more time or money on it.
Given the problems highlighted in the report this vehicle is going to need a total, massive and comprehensive rebuild and may still be unsafe even then... if you aren't seriously competent in fabrication and mechanics and have to pay others to get this work done it is going to cost you a fortune and then some - nobody will be able to estimate the cost of this with any worthwhile accuracy as doing one job is going to uncover another .... and another... and another, all of which will ramp up costs alarmingly.
The harsh reality is you would be better to sell this, even at a loss and move on. Spend any money you get back on a better starting point or commission the vehicle you want and have it built from scratch. Ultimately this will cost you less and give you a better result. Don't press on any further with what you have, end the nightmare by accepting you have bought a dud and take any potential financial hit on the chin - it will be a drop in the ocean compared to the financial hit you will take if you press on regardless. The good news is you have recognised you have bitten off more than you can chew early - capitalise on this. Good luck!
Sadly, I fear the correct course of action would be to cut your losses now and dispose of the car before undertaking any work or spending any more time or money on it.
Given the problems highlighted in the report this vehicle is going to need a total, massive and comprehensive rebuild and may still be unsafe even then... if you aren't seriously competent in fabrication and mechanics and have to pay others to get this work done it is going to cost you a fortune and then some - nobody will be able to estimate the cost of this with any worthwhile accuracy as doing one job is going to uncover another .... and another... and another, all of which will ramp up costs alarmingly.
The harsh reality is you would be better to sell this, even at a loss and move on. Spend any money you get back on a better starting point or commission the vehicle you want and have it built from scratch. Ultimately this will cost you less and give you a better result. Don't press on any further with what you have, end the nightmare by accepting you have bought a dud and take any potential financial hit on the chin - it will be a drop in the ocean compared to the financial hit you will take if you press on regardless. The good news is you have recognised you have bitten off more than you can chew early - capitalise on this. Good luck!
So you've bought a modified car that's been built by a numpty, and then sat around untouched for years once they realised just what a mess they'd got. It's a moneypit if you're going to be paying for the work to be done.
Parrotface said:
Any advice about doing this in sections (like the most important stuff first) and the cost implications etc would be hugely appreciated!!!
Cut your losses. Shove it on eBay, 99p/no reserve, with a full declaration of the condition - "needs full rebuild and previous poor work corrected". Then ask the specialist very nicely if they'd help you find a car worth buying.I agree – cutting your losses sounds the most prudent move. Can we see some pictures first though?
I have a lot of sympathy with the OP, as a serial offender of buying cars then asking the opinion of experts afterwards, who usually gave me similar news to that which the OP has just received. (Although not quite as bad.)
I have a lot of sympathy with the OP, as a serial offender of buying cars then asking the opinion of experts afterwards, who usually gave me similar news to that which the OP has just received. (Although not quite as bad.)
t ,you were either blind drunk.blind,or had sIs that an AA or RAC report - it sounds like something written by someone who's used to looking at 5 year old Astras and also needs to cover his arse.
Someone with classic knowledge might give a completely different report!
But if you can't do it yourself it sounds like an expensive job to sort out, did the advert say it was almost ready to run? do you have a link to the ebay(??) ad?
Someone with classic knowledge might give a completely different report!
But if you can't do it yourself it sounds like an expensive job to sort out, did the advert say it was almost ready to run? do you have a link to the ebay(??) ad?
john2443 said:
Is that an AA or RAC report - it sounds like something written by someone who's used to looking at 5 year old Astras and also needs to cover his arse.
Someone with classic knowledge might give a completely different report!
Sounds more like the OP said - the classic place he took it to.Someone with classic knowledge might give a completely different report!
The report said:
We must make it very clear that if we were engaged to make the car roadworthy with regard to...
It sounds like a horrible lash-up, and they're trying to be polite about it.john2443 said:
Is that an AA or RAC report - it sounds like something written by someone who's used to looking at 5 year old Astras and also needs to cover his arse.
Someone with classic knowledge might give a completely different report!
I don't know how you could write a more favourable report about this:Someone with classic knowledge might give a completely different report!
report said:
The attachment of some body mountings, particularly at the front will require competent and secure attachment. The rear Jaguar sub-frame although having new bushings installed is only attached at the left side, with the right side attaching bolt protruding from the bushing. There is also some concern over the integrity of the attachment of the rear suspension unit to the original chassis rails. Both front and rear suspension units appear to be installed out of alignment with the chassis. All of the transplanted suspension and braking components are heavily corroded.
The entire braking system requires overhauling, including the hard and flexible rubber brake lines which have been installed in an unsafe manor. The parking brake system is also unsafe and will also need to be re-fabricated.
The engine is frozen and will need to be refurbished or replaced; due to this we are unable to access the condition of the transmission and rear axle at this time.
The entire braking system requires overhauling, including the hard and flexible rubber brake lines which have been installed in an unsafe manor. The parking brake system is also unsafe and will also need to be re-fabricated.
The engine is frozen and will need to be refurbished or replaced; due to this we are unable to access the condition of the transmission and rear axle at this time.
mr alan said:
What is it and what did you pay ?
^This......with photos!As said earlier, an Austin with Jag running gear, sound like some sort of 1970's Custom Car/Street Rod - done very badly, and as said, left for ages.
If you have no mechanical skills, what on earth made you buy such a thing....!!!!????
Sounds like this should have been posted on Rods n Sods forum rather than PH..?
Hi guys,
Thank you all for your input.
Oh dear, I've really fxxked up on this one!
I paid £1250.00.... It's not all doom and gloom there are the parts/transferable plate.
BUT she could be a contender?
Aaagh. I'm in great pain. I could see her now with classic styling and rid elements
Here's a link to the e bay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201799519062
There were two for sale....read the ad and see what you think.
Mark
Thank you all for your input.
Oh dear, I've really fxxked up on this one!
I paid £1250.00.... It's not all doom and gloom there are the parts/transferable plate.
BUT she could be a contender?
Aaagh. I'm in great pain. I could see her now with classic styling and rid elements
Here's a link to the e bay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201799519062
There were two for sale....read the ad and see what you think.
Mark
Parrotface said:
Hi guys,
Thank you all for your input.
Oh dear, I've really fxxked up on this one!
I paid £1250.00.... It's not all doom and gloom there are the parts/transferable plate.
BUT she could be a contender?
Aaagh. I'm in great pain. I could see her now with classic styling and rid elements
Here's a link to the e bay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201799519062
There were two for sale....read the ad and see what you think.
Mark
Personally if it was me I would see what it's worth in parts and break it if worth it. Otherwise move it on for whatever you can get. That's a lot of work for anyone let alone you who self confesses to little / no knowledge. Unless of course you are prepared to throw a lot of cash at that ie ££££££ thousands. Thank you all for your input.
Oh dear, I've really fxxked up on this one!
I paid £1250.00.... It's not all doom and gloom there are the parts/transferable plate.
BUT she could be a contender?
Aaagh. I'm in great pain. I could see her now with classic styling and rid elements
Here's a link to the e bay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201799519062
There were two for sale....read the ad and see what you think.
Mark
I assume this is the a follow on from this project.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I didn't realise he actually had asked a year ago and promptly ignored all advice, such as don't do it if you don't know what you are doing, clearly he has no clue the undertaking this involves. So now he is stuck with a non running old car with lots of problems and he wants to transfer the body panels onto a discovery. This should be entertaining !!!!!!
Op please do not ignore this advice, get rid of it now before you spend any more money. Break it or sell it on
Op please do not ignore this advice, get rid of it now before you spend any more money. Break it or sell it on
mr alan said:
Personally if it was me I would see what it's worth in parts and break it if worth it. Otherwise move it on for whatever you can get. That's a lot of work for anyone let alone you who self confesses to little / no knowledge. Unless of course you are prepared to throw a lot of cash at that ie ££££££ thousands.
Having read the report, that's what I'd do too otherwise you're faced with a bottomless pit of spend, spend, spend. Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff