Baz L Zebub
3rd June 2012, 08:01 PM
Sad to post this, but our Ol' Gal (a White, sunroof-model Mk1A with Mk1B skirts/spoiler) has seen better days, and is now for sale as a project for anyone wishing to tackle it - or even strip it down for spares to rebuild another early Mk1A...
The underside is actually solid - the floorpan and suspension points are all good - but the usual Dissolving Tin Syndrome has got hold of the rear arches & rear returns, plus destroyed the front wings & valance halves (though those are obviously bolt-on swaps, so no aggro there). Today, as I made to move it across the drive, I found that the A & B posts are all pickling & holed at the lower joints - not a good sign, though all of these rust points are repairable for anyone with time & patience. Effectively, a job of welding work...
Interior's intact with no holes or wear points (even have the original radio-cassette!) - it's even got chrome bezels & dials...
Last time I started it (about 2 years ago), it started without fuss (having been stood for 6yrs without a prod!) and drove up & down the road without hiccup! Got all the gears without a crunch - in fact, I was all fired-up and willing to restore it from that point, but events and job have overtaken all attempts, so now it's for sale as described. Wouldn't start today with a used battery, but I'll have another crack with a better battery and a squirt or two of EZ Start (I want to be sure it still goes! ;-) )
I believe that it's one of the oldest surviving Mk1's registered in UK (May1st, 1985), and as such, I hope it's worth saving for history's sake - I just don't have the time or fitness to do it. We're the second owners - had it for 14yrs & used to be Area Club Reps for East Anglia - and we'd rather it goes to an enthusiast, than to the scrappy!
If anyone's interested & would like a chat, call me (Baz) on either 07768 728329 or 07806 972725 days/eves for a chat - no reasonable offer above scrap value refused!
(I'll post pictures ASAP - it's piddling down & dark, now!)
The underside is actually solid - the floorpan and suspension points are all good - but the usual Dissolving Tin Syndrome has got hold of the rear arches & rear returns, plus destroyed the front wings & valance halves (though those are obviously bolt-on swaps, so no aggro there). Today, as I made to move it across the drive, I found that the A & B posts are all pickling & holed at the lower joints - not a good sign, though all of these rust points are repairable for anyone with time & patience. Effectively, a job of welding work...
Interior's intact with no holes or wear points (even have the original radio-cassette!) - it's even got chrome bezels & dials...
Last time I started it (about 2 years ago), it started without fuss (having been stood for 6yrs without a prod!) and drove up & down the road without hiccup! Got all the gears without a crunch - in fact, I was all fired-up and willing to restore it from that point, but events and job have overtaken all attempts, so now it's for sale as described. Wouldn't start today with a used battery, but I'll have another crack with a better battery and a squirt or two of EZ Start (I want to be sure it still goes! ;-) )
I believe that it's one of the oldest surviving Mk1's registered in UK (May1st, 1985), and as such, I hope it's worth saving for history's sake - I just don't have the time or fitness to do it. We're the second owners - had it for 14yrs & used to be Area Club Reps for East Anglia - and we'd rather it goes to an enthusiast, than to the scrappy!
If anyone's interested & would like a chat, call me (Baz) on either 07768 728329 or 07806 972725 days/eves for a chat - no reasonable offer above scrap value refused!
(I'll post pictures ASAP - it's piddling down & dark, now!)