1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

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covcourier
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1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#1 Post by covcourier »

I recently acquired a late 1500 square headlight model from another club member though I don't believe this car was really known to the club.
The car was bought from the only owner from new. Still got the dealer stickers in the window and dealer keyring on the keys from a local dealership. Car is on a Coventry registration also.
The car was used as the eveyrday family car until the end of 1999 when it was parked up and replaced by something newer. When new, the cloth seats were removed and replaced with a second hand vinyl set as the children of the owner were very young at the time and vinyl being 'wipe down' ensured the interior was kept clean. The cloth seats were re-instated a few years before the car was laid up but are in immaculate condition still as are the door cards. There is a small tear in the roof lining on the rear pillar but this is the only flaw I can find on the inside.

The exterior appears extremely solid with minor remedial work required on front valance and a 10p size repair needed on windscreen frame. Otherwise a good polish should hopefully see the outside done for this year.

New petrol and a charged battery were brought into play and the car started straight away no doubt helped by the electronic ignition previously fitted. Unfortunately the master cylinder was in need of a rebuild so this was done today along with the slave. After bleeding it up twice, I was still struggling to engage the gears. After a little bit of headscratching, the problem was solved very easily.........I moved the rubber mat from under the clutch pedal which made all the difference :oops:

MOT booked for tomorrow afternoon so just need to swap the wheels for some spares I have as the tyres on the car were fitted in 1996 although they look nearly new.

Anyway, pics below.

As found keeping previous owners Sprint company
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Being used for storage
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Daylight for first time since December 1999
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Loading for the short trip home
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And home for now
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The interior (Will get better pics while at MOT tomorrow)
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***I'd rather ask for forgiveness after than seek permission before!!***
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sprint1976

Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#2 Post by sprint1976 »

that looks like a little cracker stu :D
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Howard81
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Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#3 Post by Howard81 »

Very nice! Especially a late car with the laurel leaf nose badge and "Spitfire" wheels!! Lovely 8)

Those seats..... :shock: :shock: :eyes4u:
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DoloWIGHTY

Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#4 Post by DoloWIGHTY »

That colour is really subtle, yet shows off the lines so well. Great find. Be nice for it to see the road again. 8)
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covcourier
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Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#5 Post by covcourier »

Always a slightly nervous drive when using a car that has been dormant for so long but only niggle was getting into 1st when stationary. Will bleed clutch again tomorrow although it seemed better on the way home so could just need using.

MOT passed with a couple of advisories. :D

2 small stone chips on windscreen but on passenger side so not urgent

Handbrake efficiency just on limit. I've got some shoes and drums to go on that came off a spares car as I already suspected they weren't very good. Had to be freed off when we got the car home as they were binding.

The underside is solid with no sign of previous welding. Just the front valance to tidy up and a good polish required.

Next jobs will be to get it treated and sort the diff leak. Just leaving a drip when parked although the floor where it had been parked for 11 years showed no sign of the leak so I suspect just moving it has upset something.
***I'd rather ask for forgiveness after than seek permission before!!***
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beefertoo

Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#6 Post by beefertoo »

[quote="covcourier"


MOT passed with a couple of advisories. :D

[/quote]


yay :lol: always nice when you get a pass....well done

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Toledo Man
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Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#7 Post by Toledo Man »

Those tyres will defintely need replacing. The general recommendation is to replace them after 10 years. A few months back I came across an 02-plate Corsa which had one of it's original tyres from brand new and it there were cracks on the sidewall.

Replace those tyres before you put those wheels back on. It isn't worth the risk.

Nice find, by the way. Good on you for saving it.
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covcourier
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Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#8 Post by covcourier »

Wheels and tyres were already replaced.

It's got a set of Sprint wheels on just for now while I find time to get the originals steel rims cleaned up and painted.
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Re: 1980 1500 - Brooklands Green

#9 Post by David6214 »

covcourier wrote:It's got a set of Sprint wheels on just for now
Thank goodness for that :)
Previous owner of 42 Dolomite shaped vehicles, 14 Sprints, 12 1850s, 8 1500s, 3 V8s, 3 Toledos and 2 SEs
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