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Post by Blarno on Aug 16, 2024 14:52:42 GMT
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Post by ChrisM on Aug 16, 2024 16:23:59 GMT
How long had the car been in the location it was in, when you viewed/collected it? The amount of rust suggests that it's not that many years whereas the DVLA records available to the nosey public suggest that the car has been laid up for a very long time
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Post by Andy C on Aug 16, 2024 16:31:16 GMT
Nice Blarno. Enjoyed the videos so far.
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Post by Blarno on Aug 16, 2024 16:54:47 GMT
How long had the car been in the location it was in, when you viewed/collected it? The amount of rust suggests that it's not that many years whereas the DVLA records available to the nosey public suggest that the car has been laid up for a very long time Last owner had owned it since 2007, so 17 years at the most at the farm I collected it from. I'm led to believe it had been off the road since 1985. The mileage of 77k seems realistic if it was only used for 11 years. It looks to me like it has been dry stored at every opportunity and any rust is purely surface based. A few hours with a wire wheel should see it looking half decent. I honestly think the bodywork will be the most time consuming part of the process. |
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Post by ChrisM on Aug 16, 2024 20:34:06 GMT
I find thingsl ike this really interesting. If it had been off the road since 1985, I wonder what happened to it between then and 2007, why the person you bought it from bought it and what they had intended to do with it, and why they didn't get round to sorting it/rebuilding it. Bodywork can be very time-consuming and expensive...... do you intend to leave it in "rat rod" condition or will you get a decent paint job done?
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Post by Blarno on Aug 16, 2024 21:31:21 GMT
Bodywork is getting minted up and painted properly, in a modern (metallic or pearlescent) purple. I've already purchased some modern black LED headlights. Bumpers will satin black, as will the mirrors. I want it to look classy as well as a bit more modern.
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Post by Blarno on Aug 19, 2024 16:51:56 GMT
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Post by Blarno on Aug 21, 2024 16:26:31 GMT
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Post by LandieMark on Aug 21, 2024 18:41:07 GMT
Defender headlight mounts will probably fit and be easily available and adaptable.
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Post by Blarno on Aug 21, 2024 19:10:51 GMT
I think Defenders have 7 inch headlights, these are 5.75 inch, same as motorbikes. I've found some housings on AliExpress, ironically they cost more than the lamp units!
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Post by LandieMark on Aug 21, 2024 20:13:20 GMT
Didn't know they were that small.
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Post by PG on Aug 22, 2024 12:22:28 GMT
Great videos. Considering how long it has been left it's in good condition!
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Post by Blarno on Aug 22, 2024 17:32:54 GMT
I've just had a reminder through the post to SORN the car, which I thought I had already done.
Its tax ran out in 1987.
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Post by ChrisM on Aug 22, 2024 19:28:46 GMT
It looks like it gets complicated if you buy a vehicle and want to declare SORN immediately. Seems you need a V5C in your name, or else you have to fill in a form and send it off to DVLA....
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Post by Blarno on Aug 22, 2024 20:19:21 GMT
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Post by bryan on Aug 23, 2024 5:38:51 GMT
I think Defenders have 7 inch headlights, these are 5.75 inch, same as motorbikes. I've found some housings on AliExpress, ironically they cost more than the lamp units! Are they the same size as the Elan, PNM do a kit but may have the holders separately?
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Post by Blarno on Aug 23, 2024 6:33:18 GMT
I'll look into that. The Elan is a small car so I doubt they'd have 7 inch headlights, so they may be ideal.
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Post by LandieMark on Aug 23, 2024 6:58:43 GMT
It turns out that TVR Griffiths have 5.75 headlights.
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Post by Martin on Aug 23, 2024 8:19:50 GMT
I’m enjoying the videos, will be really interesting to see the progress! I do have to chuckle though….talking about a 5 year timeline and have bought headlights and number plates already, before anything else, I’m expecting carpet mats to be the next purchase  |
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Post by Blarno on Aug 23, 2024 9:10:49 GMT
I’m enjoying the videos, will be really interesting to see the progress! I do have to chuckle though….talking about a 5 year timeline and have bought headlights and number plates already, before anything else, I’m expecting carpet mats to be the next purchase There is method in the madness. Some things are better to buy when they are cheap and easy to find. If I see a bargain, buy it and box it for later and I can make any modifications if required in advance. Other bits - engine/gearbox/brakes - I'm biding my time and finding the right (cheap) items. |
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Post by Blarno on Sept 5, 2024 19:33:37 GMT
Minor update, I'm going to try and do an update video every 2 weeks as I'm struggling to get any time in with the car. It's currently in the workshop and I have made a start on a couple of things, but I will have to clear the lift for a stricken Mercedes with a dead engine. If I can get the body removed before that I can leave the rolling chassis in the workshop.
A decision has been made to remove and sell the V6. Scouring the internet reveals that they fetch good money - potentially enough to more than pay for the upgraded motor and gearbox combined. I have an engine and box on watch but am reluctant to buy them just yet as it would mean using house savings or credit card, which I want to avoid. However, they are insanely cheap and may not be around long so I may have to bite the bullet.
Hopefully will have a new video in the coming weeks, after a stag do in Scotland.
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Post by ChrisM on Sept 5, 2024 21:26:51 GMT
Hopefully will have a new video in the coming weeks, after a stag do in Scotland. You're buying a Triumph, too ?? |
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Post by bryan on Sept 7, 2024 6:24:06 GMT
I'll look into that. The Elan is a small car so I doubt they'd have 7 inch headlights, so they may be ideal. There is a thread on the lotus forum, yes they are the right size www.facebook.com/share/p/CJZmntp73eDFCWPC/ |
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Post by Blarno on Sept 10, 2024 13:52:34 GMT
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Post by racingteatray on Sept 10, 2024 18:22:04 GMT
Putting a German engine in this seems appropriate given the lineage of HRH…
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Post by Blarno on Sept 17, 2024 20:53:07 GMT
  No video footage so far this week or last as the Sprinter that needed a clutch, needed significantly more than just a clutch and is still sat on my ramp, waiting for a selector cable bracket to arrive so I can bin it off. There's also the small matter of a Doblo needing some suspension work before I can get close to the lift again. Thankfully, I had to do some work to the sliding door on the Sprinter, meaning I had to remove the ply panel on the inside. It's rotten at the top, so needs replacing. This means I can salvage the usable parts to make new door panels. Quickest option from here is probably to take the engine out before I remove the body so it can be sold. |
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Post by Blarno on Sept 24, 2024 20:11:13 GMT
Doorcards are done, they fit and are pretty spiffy if I do say so myself. If my colleagues would stop crashing or breaking their vans, I'd get the thing on the lift to remove the body and engine.
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Post by alf on Sept 25, 2024 8:09:23 GMT
Doorcards are done, they fit and are pretty spiffy if I do say so myself. If my colleagues would stop crashing or breaking their vans, I'd get the thing on the lift to remove the body and engine. Nice! Perhaps you need some Telematics in your work vans with decent driver behaviour monitoring??? Or someone to actually use it if you have it! The business cost of crashes is huge, but few seem to care... The bodywork is indeed likely to take a long time! Mechanicals are one thing, but getting the bodywork and interior looking goos will be a sub-project all on its own. Good luck! |
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Post by Blarno on Sept 25, 2024 8:34:08 GMT
All vans, with the exception of my Combo, have trackers fitted and driver behaviour is monitored (by me) so they're well aware of who is thrashing their vans. I suspect they are biding their time.
Thankfully, only 2 have been involved in crashes and both are none fault, but both written off.
We should be entering a quiet patch once my van goes for its MOT as there are no more due until the new year and I can get onto the ramp. If my van fails, it's getting scrapped as it's the oldest and leggiest van on the fleet. The bonus is I can buy it for scrap value and use the steering column for the Scimitar.
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Post by Blarno on Sept 25, 2024 8:40:30 GMT
Was there a 10 minute blank in the video? I forgot to check before I uploaded and I'm only getting the beginning and end segments.
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