Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Well here we go with my first restoration Firstly, the car is called Betty, i know blokes shouldn't have names for the cars but the name came with it. Potted history - step-son gets a tax rebate a couple of years age and buys Betty (see Betty Boop on the number plate), step-son can't afford to run her so sells her to step-daughters friend who promptly moves south and therefore cannot afford to move the untaxed and unmot'd car. Step-daughter inherits car for a mobile phone deb run up by the "friend" before she scarpered and step-daughter lets it sit on drive for 6 months, step-daughter owes me money so i take the car, thats fair isn't it !! All the family know her as Betty and thats how it appears to be for the future, lets hope she is not a right mare !! :tracy: Engine wise she is ok, runs nice but a bit tapperty, nothing new there then !! Has a tendency to hunt a bit whilst low in revs and tries to cut out but i am sure that there is a air leak somewhere, just a case of finding it. Body wise everything appears to be where is should be and the appears to next to no rust as you will see from the photo's below. The plans for Betty are as follows:- Get rid of all the stone chips and small dents on the bonnet and front bumper (not original bumper, i think?!) Fit RS arch and skirt kit that i have managed to get of this forum as the old style rubber bumpers are ok but the steel backing plates have got a bad case of tin worm. Somehow clean the inside of the white vinyl roof, i managed to complete the outside with loads of elbow grease and cleaners and was very surprised to find that under the green moss there was a very fine condition roof with not a tear or stitch out of place. Currently she has nasty steelies with Halfords wheel trims, obviously, these need to go and will be replaced by some nice alloys, which i am happy to buy second hand and restore and paint as appropiate. Methinks white alloys would look good, maybe ?? :help: :help: Some advice would be good as to the maximum size i can go to with rims and tyres without causing any rubbing or steering problems :help: :help: Once all the body is sorted, then she will go in for a full respray, not sure of colour yet but will probably stay with the white So far, they items that need replacing appear to be inside door handles, aerial, seats and proably the carpet when i get that far in. Everything else seems to be ok. Would like to get hold of some nice seats, front and rear and to replace the whole interior as the old mold has attacked the current seats (knackered anyway) Also need a white torreau cover as the original has gone "missing" :taz: Anyway here are some photo's, sort of the "BEFORE" ones I will update on a regular basis, if anyone shows interest.............................. SHE'S A BIT SHY, BE PATIENT HER SHE IS, IN HER FULL GLORY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 More photo's to follow, for some reason my post seems to have been chopped off in its prime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Here they are.......... ORIGINAL BATTERY TRAY WITH NO RUST !! ZEUS THE GUARD DOG - YOU TOCHA DA CAR, I BITTA YA ARSE !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 GONNA HAVE TO GET INTO SOME WEIRD POSITIONS INSIDE THE CAR TO CLEAN THIS ONE THE INSIDE IS WELL WORN AND VERY SHABBY WITH KNACKERED SEATS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 BETTY'S REAR END NOT BAD NICK CONSIDERING SHE'S 19 YEARS OLD AND HAS SAT FOR 12 MONTHS WITH NO TLC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 TOPLESS BETTY 1600 EFi LOOKS OK TO ME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 COULDN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED ON THE FRONT END, SOME BODGED FILLER IN THERE METHINKS!! Thats all for now More to follow as work commences Any tips or tricks gratefully received Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dee1orean Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 Seems to be pretty clean mate! Shouldn't take much to have her in top shape once again. I'm jealous of that roof too, I've bought a new white vinyl outer skin and am going to have to fit it meself. You do realise that Zeus is going to expect to be taken out in it when it's complete don't you? you know dogs like to stick their heads out of windows they absolutely love it with the roof down. Soz about chewing you a new A-hole the othe day too, just something I have a bee in my bonnet about lol, I'm a nice guy really!!! If you need any advice i'm just a PM away. Keep the pics coming, we like pics here we do!!! Jez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted June 15, 2009 Share Posted June 15, 2009 As i said when ya came up, she dont look a bad old base at all... time n effort are all it takes..if ya need a hand with owt or anything give us a shout Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TSR157 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 i tried cilit bang on liner, it burns like mad on your skin :convertible_mazeguy: :convertible_mazeguy: :convertible_mazeguy: and heres my woofer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Seems to be pretty clean mate!Shouldn't take much to have her in top shape once again. I'm jealous of that roof too, I've bought a new white vinyl outer skin and am going to have to fit it meself. You do realise that Zeus is going to expect to be taken out in it when it's complete don't you? you know dogs like to stick their heads out of windows they absolutely love it with the roof down. Soz about chewing you a new A-hole the othe day too, just something I have a bee in my bonnet about lol, I'm a nice guy really!!! If you need any advice i'm just a PM away. Keep the pics coming, we like pics here we do!!! Jez. no worries Jez, gotta keep the newbies on the straight and narrow Zeus loves cabs as we got an Audi A4 cab as well, all he does is sit in the back and bark like a loony at every dog we pass :happy001: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 i tried cilit bang on liner, it burns like mad on your skin :convertible_mazeguy: :convertible_mazeguy: :convertible_mazeguy: and heres my woofer thanks for that, i'll give it go but maybe with gloves on as i am getting a fine selection cuts and scraps working on the car at the moment :icon_cry: sounds like it might be a good paint stripper as well :happy001: whats the pooch called ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TSR157 Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 thanks for that, i'll give it go but maybe with gloves on as i am getting a fine selection cuts and scraps working on the car at the moment :icon_cry: sounds like it might be a good paint stripper as well :happy001: whats the pooch called ? anna, but had to let her go, bichon x shih-tzu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escort Cabriolet Club Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Looks quite tidy mate, hope theres no hidden probs, keep us posted with lots of pics !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tacha_maree Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 (edited) shes a very pretty girlie. i have an interior if u want it the rear seats being used temporarily but if u want them u can have them if not theyll go in the skip Edited June 16, 2009 by tacha_maree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 (edited) Hiya now that is a fine and very generous offer do you have an piccies i've shown you mine now you show me yours :wow: :wow: i would love to keep her as original as possible otherwise i just might have to get some nice half leather ricaro's cheers chris Edited June 16, 2009 by clacky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tacha_maree Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 ill try and get some theyre just plain black and red cloth xr3i ones. theyre all really clean no tares but bolsters on the fronts are alittle worn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 ill try and get some theyre just plain black and red cloth xr3i ones. theyre all really clean no tares but bolsters on the fronts are alittle worn. they sound reaaal nice........dont think there are any original seats out there that dont have worn bolsters look forward to the piccies so i can see how they will fit in many thanks tacha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Seems to be pretty clean mate!Shouldn't take much to have her in top shape once again. I'm jealous of that roof too, I've bought a new white vinyl outer skin and am going to have to fit it meself. You do realise that Zeus is going to expect to be taken out in it when it's complete don't you? you know dogs like to stick their heads out of windows they absolutely love it with the roof down. Soz about chewing you a new A-hole the othe day too, just something I have a bee in my bonnet about lol, I'm a nice guy really!!! If you need any advice i'm just a PM away. Keep the pics coming, we like pics here we do!!! Jez. Hi Jez hope you dont mind if i ask a few bodywork questions whats the best way to maintain the work completed after rubbing down etc before she goes to the body shop, would you just give a light primer spray to stop the water getting to the prepared areas. i think it may be a while before the car is ready to go to paint but obviously a lot of spots will be filled and sanded back before then and i dont want to get any surface rust. i'm very aware that i dont want to piss the sprayer off !! :wow: Also what condition should a car be in for it to be ready to go to a sprayshop. i will only want the outside done as all the interior paint and the engine bay paint is fine what i'm getting at, is do i do the primer, do i do the masking off, do i need to take all the glass out, hood off etc or is it best to leave that to the experts ?? Cheers chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest dee1orean Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 Hey chris, I assume you're still keeping her outside on the drive and exposed to the elements therefore if you've got any bare metal you're going to get surface rust, also filler is porous, so will absorb water and hold it. So yeah coat your repairs with rattle can primer this, whilst not really being sufficient to paint over will protect your repairs from the elements and should keep water ingress and surface rust at bay. I'd leave the primering and the masking to the bodyshop ideally, but the more of the stripping you can do yourself, the less time the bodyshop has to spend Stripping then refitting components. Less Time spent on your car means a smaller bill LOL. So yes if you're going to be trailering or towing it to the bodyshop. take the roof off, glass out, door cards off door\window\boot rubbers removed front and rear lights removed. wipers & windscreen (if you're feeling confident!!!), Before doing the above though, Just check with the bodyshop to see if they mind or not, though there's no reason they should. Hope this helps some. If I can help further just ask!!! Jez. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 17, 2009 Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi Jez Thanks for all the information matey. I have visited the rattle can shop today and stocked up on loads of rattles. Gonna cut back the filling i have completed and redo as i didnt realise that it was porous !! She does stand outside but is always covered with a waterproof car cover, not ideal but the only choice really. Having difficulty trying to find a car spraying around cambridge as i woul dlike to go in and get a quote Anyone used one in the local area that they would recommend. Also what do you guys think will be a fair/average price for the reaspray work to be completed Once again, thanks for your input cheers chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 ill try and get some theyre just plain black and red cloth xr3i ones. theyre all really clean no tares but bolsters on the fronts are alittle worn. Hi Tacha Any joy with the piccies? Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RScab Posted June 18, 2009 Share Posted June 18, 2009 Keep the pics goming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMk4TwinCarb Posted June 19, 2009 Share Posted June 19, 2009 I have a set of xr3i seats that are pretty good condition just an oil mark on one of the fronts. If you still need some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest clacky Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 I have a set of xr3i seats that are pretty good condition just an oil mark on one of the fronts. If you still need some. hi rob nice one matey, got any piccies? cheers chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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