With thanks to Wigglybum (I think), I went down last weekend and picked up a (in places) emerald green 1850 auto from deepest Suffolk that needs a polish, mats, flaps and a full tank. I'm not sure if my ability or wallet will be able to pull off getting this beast back on to the road but you don't know unless you try so I'm going to give it a go.
Not much is going to happen for a while but some pictures of current state to kick of the thread seemed like a good idea.
Ta-da!
1
Front valence
seems not too bad.
Probably need to have a scrape around in case it's all just a cunning plastic padding front.
Nearside seems the same.
Inside looks to be intact.
Bonnet is in polo mint condition though.
Wing seems almost fine, except for a long gouge, drivers door not so good as not only is it holed below the water line, it's got a great big ding in it.
Every single door have extra ventilation features added at the bottom.
Rear wing has been caved in and creased.
Might pull out.
But the inside is not so good.
Cills, surprisingly, look good and original?
And the offside one too, excuse the poor photography, not easy getting the focus right on the floor.
From above the boot floor is a bit busy with the auxiliary drive train visible.
But from below appears intact.
That looks nasty.
As does this, that's a big old spider there.
As well as here, unlike the other places I'm not sure how to tackle it either, similar is happening on my Sprint.
Under the bonnet all looks in order, though someone has nicked the clutch master cylinder.
Fred and Wilma would wonder how to get moving, floor pan looks good.
Interior is quite rustic and any new owner could easily stamp their mark on it.
Backseat drivers have their own complement of instrumentation.
And there we are. Could probably do with putting together a shopping list of parts and panels that will be needed. I'm going to start at replacement seats, bonnet, door skins perhaps if not doors, all the rubber door seals (1/4 lights are also shot, that's going to be an issue) are fairly at the top of that list as far as the body goes. Mechanically it is difficult to say yet apart from all the usual hoses, lines and everything brakes. I checked the engine oil and it was fresh and clean so feeling brave I stuck on a battery, disconnected the HT king lead and gave it a whirl and if I'm being honest to my surprise the engine spun around cleanly.