Back to the Shed!
Discussion
Here's my Disco
I've had it since new, £17,500. Very reliable, I've spent less than £1000 in repairs since new. We patched the outer sills last year and a bit of welding around the rear door.
I had a Warwick Banks handling and performance package at three years old which made it more fun, it oversteers now rather than understeers.
I didn't like it much when I first had it, I bought in haste when my 18 month old 300TDI Defender grenaded it's engine. Now, however, I love it.
I've had it since new, £17,500. Very reliable, I've spent less than £1000 in repairs since new. We patched the outer sills last year and a bit of welding around the rear door.
I had a Warwick Banks handling and performance package at three years old which made it more fun, it oversteers now rather than understeers.
I didn't like it much when I first had it, I bought in haste when my 18 month old 300TDI Defender grenaded it's engine. Now, however, I love it.
Whilst the Fiat is stranded at James' I have not been able to even see it with my own eyes yet, however, he has given it a polish up and it looks pretty tidy.
I can't help but think if the seller had gone to the effort of cleaning the car they may have got a bit more for it!
James even gave the tip a polish... (Just the tip...)
Unfortunately James has also found some rust too. It looks repairable though, and we were probably going to strip the axles etc out of the car anyway during the prep for it, so it won't be the end of the world, if a trifle annoying.
We're also on the look out for a set of wheels with at least half decent tyres. We're hoping to stick with 13s but maybe go an inch or two wider, Alloys or steels, doesn't matter.
I can't help but think if the seller had gone to the effort of cleaning the car they may have got a bit more for it!
James even gave the tip a polish... (Just the tip...)
Unfortunately James has also found some rust too. It looks repairable though, and we were probably going to strip the axles etc out of the car anyway during the prep for it, so it won't be the end of the world, if a trifle annoying.
We're also on the look out for a set of wheels with at least half decent tyres. We're hoping to stick with 13s but maybe go an inch or two wider, Alloys or steels, doesn't matter.
Not much progress on the Seicento yet due to the various lockdown restrictions, which is more than a little annoying. However, we found some rust etc. I have bought a replacement rear subframe from a breaker in Hove, along with a set of 4 Sporting wheels with new tyres. The cost of all of this was less than the 4 tyres... He has also thrown in a spare steering rack too. I hope to collect these parts soon.
In other news, as my furlough is 'ongoing' one of my friends came over to the barn as he wanted to have a go at making a video of one of my cars. The intention was to do a video on fitting the cage to the RX8 featured on my other thread, Back To The Barn', but progress on that went better than expected, so when he came over it was already finished.
In the end we made a video about the white MX5 shed. We both have fairly inactive YouTube channels, so we have said it's a collaboration between the two. In time, I will add the video to my channel too, but for the time being it is hosted on his.
It was a first for both of us, so the editing is poor, and I stumble my words a lot, say umm and err too often. Part of this was we set the cameras up, and THEN thought about what to say, we have made notes to improve for next time, and hopefully get some music sorted and maybe some credits etc too.
If you want to waste 4 minutes watching an MX5 being started for the first time in 6 years, fill ya boots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5d_t8psdM
In other news, as my furlough is 'ongoing' one of my friends came over to the barn as he wanted to have a go at making a video of one of my cars. The intention was to do a video on fitting the cage to the RX8 featured on my other thread, Back To The Barn', but progress on that went better than expected, so when he came over it was already finished.
In the end we made a video about the white MX5 shed. We both have fairly inactive YouTube channels, so we have said it's a collaboration between the two. In time, I will add the video to my channel too, but for the time being it is hosted on his.
It was a first for both of us, so the editing is poor, and I stumble my words a lot, say umm and err too often. Part of this was we set the cameras up, and THEN thought about what to say, we have made notes to improve for next time, and hopefully get some music sorted and maybe some credits etc too.
If you want to waste 4 minutes watching an MX5 being started for the first time in 6 years, fill ya boots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5d_t8psdM
I've finally made some progress on the Seicento, with a fair bit of help from my friend I bought the car with.
I don't have photos of all of it... anyway, James took it for MOT, and it had a few failures;
Both jacking points rotten on the front rot had gone through
Subframe rotten (which we knew about)
Front Indicator not working
The indicator was an easy fix, someone had fitted a replacement bulb at some point with all the finesse of Mr Trump. Refitting correctly and she was in.
Next I attacked the floors with the grinder. The rot on the floor itself wasn't too bad, but I cut it well back as long term we may fit a cage, so want to make sure there is good metal there.
Once it was all cut back I double skinned it with weld through primer between.
Not the prettiest welding ever, but hey, it's a Seicento, come on!
Some primer, paint and stoneguard on the underside saw that repair done.
We then pulled the old subframe off and it was a lot crustier than we thought! James pooped himself a bit when he saw that as he'd given it a thrash on the way back from MOT!
The replacement subframe we picked up in Hove, and had a trip to the seaside. A rare sight these days for those of us in Warwickshire! Anyway, we cleaned it back and gave her a few coats of paint etc too.
As we had everything off the car we did a few more jobs too;
New hard lines on the rear arms
New braided lines on the rear (fronts will be fitted soon)
Gave the underside of the car a good scrub to get rid of the muck
Whilst we had the interior out we chucked in one of my race seats to see if it would fit and it was absolutely bob on! Just one mounting point needs some modification, the others all line up nicely!
James was happy!
James took her for MOT today and she passed. There were a few advisories but we will deal with them down the line on teardown. Now we know she is not useless we are going to order a full set of engine service parts, make a new back box, wire in a tach, fit the race seats, a set of decent pads, then off to a track day.
We just need to decide on a track that suits a 'momentum' car, but is also fun... Having said that, she isn't totally timid, a quick spin round the lanes on the farm and she was lighting up the tyres on dry tarmac... TBC.
I don't have photos of all of it... anyway, James took it for MOT, and it had a few failures;
Both jacking points rotten on the front rot had gone through
Subframe rotten (which we knew about)
Front Indicator not working
The indicator was an easy fix, someone had fitted a replacement bulb at some point with all the finesse of Mr Trump. Refitting correctly and she was in.
Next I attacked the floors with the grinder. The rot on the floor itself wasn't too bad, but I cut it well back as long term we may fit a cage, so want to make sure there is good metal there.
Once it was all cut back I double skinned it with weld through primer between.
Not the prettiest welding ever, but hey, it's a Seicento, come on!
Some primer, paint and stoneguard on the underside saw that repair done.
We then pulled the old subframe off and it was a lot crustier than we thought! James pooped himself a bit when he saw that as he'd given it a thrash on the way back from MOT!
The replacement subframe we picked up in Hove, and had a trip to the seaside. A rare sight these days for those of us in Warwickshire! Anyway, we cleaned it back and gave her a few coats of paint etc too.
As we had everything off the car we did a few more jobs too;
New hard lines on the rear arms
New braided lines on the rear (fronts will be fitted soon)
Gave the underside of the car a good scrub to get rid of the muck
Whilst we had the interior out we chucked in one of my race seats to see if it would fit and it was absolutely bob on! Just one mounting point needs some modification, the others all line up nicely!
James was happy!
James took her for MOT today and she passed. There were a few advisories but we will deal with them down the line on teardown. Now we know she is not useless we are going to order a full set of engine service parts, make a new back box, wire in a tach, fit the race seats, a set of decent pads, then off to a track day.
We just need to decide on a track that suits a 'momentum' car, but is also fun... Having said that, she isn't totally timid, a quick spin round the lanes on the farm and she was lighting up the tyres on dry tarmac... TBC.
I have now made another video about the Herald 13/60 that has been off the road for a very long time. It's a 'will it run' type video.
We have learned a bit about how to make the video work better, so we've added some music and titles etc thanks to my very good friend Ben. Unfortunately some of the sound didnt record well, so my mate with the cameras had to do a voice over.
Anyway, please enjoy around 12 minutes of dicking around with a Herald!
https://youtu.be/9RU62TAqqjU
We have learned a bit about how to make the video work better, so we've added some music and titles etc thanks to my very good friend Ben. Unfortunately some of the sound didnt record well, so my mate with the cameras had to do a voice over.
Anyway, please enjoy around 12 minutes of dicking around with a Herald!
https://youtu.be/9RU62TAqqjU
Further work on the Seicento; all the tar pads have been scraped off the floors now, so that's about 5kg saved. We also have cut the back box out and straight piped it (because why not, we are under no illusion... we do not think it is going to gain us any power), cutting the back box out has saved a few kg too, and it sounded pretty rattly, so I assume it was rotten. We have kept the awesome chrome tip though!
I've also welded up all the body pressing holes in the floor, of which there are 5 each side. I found a hole in the inner sill, which I cut out and plated over, and whilst I was about it I also boxed in the seat mounts for better support too.
Tomorrow will be removing the rear wiper, headlining and so forth.
Then, OMP buckets in, and service the engine ready for the track day!
I've also welded up all the body pressing holes in the floor, of which there are 5 each side. I found a hole in the inner sill, which I cut out and plated over, and whilst I was about it I also boxed in the seat mounts for better support too.
Tomorrow will be removing the rear wiper, headlining and so forth.
Then, OMP buckets in, and service the engine ready for the track day!
Not been on here in a while, as I'm expecting to be going back to work soon, so pressing ahead with projects.
A lot of work has been done on the Seicento, so I'll try to get a write up done over the weekend.
We've made some progress on the blue Herald as well...
In other news I now finally have the keys for the Disco Commercial! I've not done anything on it at all, other than chuck a battery on it. Mechanically she seems pretty good. There are now a couple of videos on my YouTube channel of the Discovery, both a 'first start' and a 'first drive'. She needs some work, but her behaviour when starting may have saved her from being broken for parts...
Anyway, please watch and enjoy. Be kind though, I am no film maker!
https://youtu.be/0n21cklLeIk
A lot of work has been done on the Seicento, so I'll try to get a write up done over the weekend.
We've made some progress on the blue Herald as well...
In other news I now finally have the keys for the Disco Commercial! I've not done anything on it at all, other than chuck a battery on it. Mechanically she seems pretty good. There are now a couple of videos on my YouTube channel of the Discovery, both a 'first start' and a 'first drive'. She needs some work, but her behaviour when starting may have saved her from being broken for parts...
Anyway, please watch and enjoy. Be kind though, I am no film maker!
https://youtu.be/0n21cklLeIk
Jonny-Jimbo said:
We just need to decide on a track that suits a 'momentum' car, but is also fun... Having said that, she isn't totally timid, a quick spin round the lanes on the farm and she was lighting up the tyres on dry tarmac... TBC.
Mallory Park, epic in a 'real' Mini so the little Fiat will love it.Hopefully so, we hope to get two track days in this year if we can, one as she currently is, and one with at least a set of updated springs. We are currently investigating options for more power. These range from a full rebuild of the standard engine with a funky cam, through to finding a smashed up Abarth 595 and trying to swap the running gear over.
I'll do a quick write up of where we are now with the Seicento.
Main thing is, the interior has gone, and so has the sound deadening pads. This saved at least 7kg just from removing the tar. We have also removed the radio and speakers etc. When we take the dash out for fitting the cage we'll lighten it more too.
I also made up a new towing eye mount, tig welded up with a machined threaded bung, a short offset of CDS roll cage material and some 3mm plate. This bolts in to some pre-existing holes in the chassis rail.
And in position on the car...
I also gave the engine a full service whilst the bumper was off the car, easy access. The radiator was also cleaned and flushed a few times. Plugs changed, and a new alternator belt went on too.
I then bolted the seats in, the drivers one on runners as we may let some friends have a go. James and I have the same driving position, although I am a bit taller I prefer sitting closer to the wheel.
As we have not got a cage in, we're still on the standard 3 point seat belts, but threaded through the buckets.
I borrowed a pair of Borbet alloys off a friend which I was repairing his Uno, to check fitting larger wheels. They clear on the back, just by 8mm, but they hit the track rod arm on the front, so if we go larger we will need deeper dishes... which is no bad thing.
Back on her standard wheels, tucked up ready for a track day!
I'll do a quick write up of where we are now with the Seicento.
Main thing is, the interior has gone, and so has the sound deadening pads. This saved at least 7kg just from removing the tar. We have also removed the radio and speakers etc. When we take the dash out for fitting the cage we'll lighten it more too.
I also made up a new towing eye mount, tig welded up with a machined threaded bung, a short offset of CDS roll cage material and some 3mm plate. This bolts in to some pre-existing holes in the chassis rail.
And in position on the car...
I also gave the engine a full service whilst the bumper was off the car, easy access. The radiator was also cleaned and flushed a few times. Plugs changed, and a new alternator belt went on too.
I then bolted the seats in, the drivers one on runners as we may let some friends have a go. James and I have the same driving position, although I am a bit taller I prefer sitting closer to the wheel.
As we have not got a cage in, we're still on the standard 3 point seat belts, but threaded through the buckets.
I borrowed a pair of Borbet alloys off a friend which I was repairing his Uno, to check fitting larger wheels. They clear on the back, just by 8mm, but they hit the track rod arm on the front, so if we go larger we will need deeper dishes... which is no bad thing.
Back on her standard wheels, tucked up ready for a track day!
Exactly, with around 150bhp, and hopefully a decent set of suspension etc, it might be semi competitive. I'd like to embarrass at least a hot hatch or two. But I think to start off with we'll do well to just get round a few laps.
I am on the eye out for an Uno turbo lump, but they're certainly not common. Another idea may be something 16V from a later Punto or Stilo etc. Time, and budget, will tell.
I am on the eye out for an Uno turbo lump, but they're certainly not common. Another idea may be something 16V from a later Punto or Stilo etc. Time, and budget, will tell.
Today's mission of having a rag on the knackered Wonjan 125 was successful. A bit of carb tweaking had her running much better, better pick up, and the revs didnt hang as much when coming off the throttle.
Following this success we had a dig around in the sheds at my Dads place and found a few items of interest...
A nearly new, in about 1978, Outboard motor. Wrapped in towels etc and carefully stored away.
A BMX missing its crank and sprocket. This may end up having a hub motor installed in it.
We also dug out a very old, maybe 1950s Webb ride on mower. Amazingly with just a fresh bit of fuel squitted into the carb she started on the second pull of the cord! We couldnt get her driving though, the belts were toast. I think maybe a new drive belt, clean and grease the tensioner and we'll have her ripping again!
Following this success we had a dig around in the sheds at my Dads place and found a few items of interest...
A nearly new, in about 1978, Outboard motor. Wrapped in towels etc and carefully stored away.
A BMX missing its crank and sprocket. This may end up having a hub motor installed in it.
We also dug out a very old, maybe 1950s Webb ride on mower. Amazingly with just a fresh bit of fuel squitted into the carb she started on the second pull of the cord! We couldnt get her driving though, the belts were toast. I think maybe a new drive belt, clean and grease the tensioner and we'll have her ripping again!
A bit of an update on the state of the sheds...
The blue 13/60 now has a new core plug, a new water transfer pipe, a new radiator cap and is coolant-tight. It's not been run up to temp yet, but at least it's not weeing down the side of the block like it did before! Hopefully we'll get more progress on it soon. My mate that does the filming has a few family matters to attend to, so we have a small delay on filming schedule.
Also, Cliopatra the Clio is now on eBay! I have decided I've fallen out of love with it and just want it moved on now.
I've also added to the collection of sheds, with the purchase of... another Triumph Herald! Not many 60's classics can still be picked up so cheaply.
This particular example is a low ownership 1200 estate, complete with a full length sun roof which by repute was installed at Rolls Royce. The owners grandfather used to roll the roof back, and stand in the back of the car to go pheasant shooting! Although she's been standing a very long time she is actually a good car, and not very rusty at all. In fact, once I started picking at the underseal on the arches I found there is very good shiny paint underneath!
Not sure what the plan is yet, but probably a restoration rather than anything mental with it.
The engine is behind the drivers seat...
The rest of the car is in boxes in the boot.
Check out that shiny paint on the wheel arches!
The blue 13/60 now has a new core plug, a new water transfer pipe, a new radiator cap and is coolant-tight. It's not been run up to temp yet, but at least it's not weeing down the side of the block like it did before! Hopefully we'll get more progress on it soon. My mate that does the filming has a few family matters to attend to, so we have a small delay on filming schedule.
Also, Cliopatra the Clio is now on eBay! I have decided I've fallen out of love with it and just want it moved on now.
I've also added to the collection of sheds, with the purchase of... another Triumph Herald! Not many 60's classics can still be picked up so cheaply.
This particular example is a low ownership 1200 estate, complete with a full length sun roof which by repute was installed at Rolls Royce. The owners grandfather used to roll the roof back, and stand in the back of the car to go pheasant shooting! Although she's been standing a very long time she is actually a good car, and not very rusty at all. In fact, once I started picking at the underseal on the arches I found there is very good shiny paint underneath!
Not sure what the plan is yet, but probably a restoration rather than anything mental with it.
The engine is behind the drivers seat...
The rest of the car is in boxes in the boot.
Check out that shiny paint on the wheel arches!
That thought certainly crossed my mind, or the BMW M44B19 I have knocking around... the BMW M60B30 or M20B25 seemed optimistic.
However the estate is on a Mk1 chassis which is pretty weak, even going from a 1200 to a 1300 engine is enough to break it, and even a Spitfire 1500 engine is a no no. So going to a 6 pot etc would cause the car to twist itself into a pretzel.
However the estate is on a Mk1 chassis which is pretty weak, even going from a 1200 to a 1300 engine is enough to break it, and even a Spitfire 1500 engine is a no no. So going to a 6 pot etc would cause the car to twist itself into a pretzel.
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