As per the title, really.

I bought my Coupé as my introduction to Italian cars back at the start of 2011. It was bruised, battered and neglected, but i saw potential. After driving it for a few days, however, I realised it was really only suitable for the LeMons trophy.

The plan was that I would use it as my training car for Italian engineering, then scrap it when the MOT ran out. After nearly a year of driving it though, I predictably changed my mind and in Jan 2012 I put it off the road and started fixing it.

A few months later Mrs. Jimbob finally fell pregnant after 11 years of trying, it was a very problematic pregnancy, so the Coupé didn't have much time dedicated to it. It took me well over a year to:
Replace the dash, carpet and rear seat
Replace both bumpers and undertrays
Replace the wooden bonnet prop with the correct struts
Replace the front subframe, wishbones, anti-roll bar and drop link
Replace the badly damaged drivers door
Replace the boot seal and carpets
Source the correct spare wheel and tool kit
Repair and refit the original stereo and source an autochanger
Remove the irksome aftermarket aircon system that had been bodged in
Source and fit the correct cooling fan
Repair the damaged exhaust downpipe
Replace the front hubs (studs had been over tightened and partially stripped them)
Fit a non a/c front aux mount complete with new alternator and p/s pump
Replace the exhaust manifold and turbo
Replace the thermostat and chod
Fit a new oil cooler and pipes
And all the usual stuff, like new tyres, brakes etc. and probably 100 other little bits.

After finally finishing all of that, I booked a MOT around April this year only to find that the car wouldn't run.
I left it for a week, then started checking everything over and found a couple of split hoses, replaced all of them for good measure.
Turned the key... And was assaulted by sound of a legion of angry hammering dwarves and the car vibrating like an Ann Summers special.

I left it until my holiday this week, then started stripping back the engine and had my worst fears confirmed, the bottom end is gone.

So frankly, given that the engine is toast and the car still needs a new bonnet, a massive amount of dent removal and a respray, i've had enough. I've already started stripping parts off and i'll be offering them for sale through the proper channels on here soon. I also built up a large spares stock, so that'll be going too.

I'm not an experienced seller, so if anyone has any advice regarding couriers etc, it would be appreciated.

I'll be back in a Coupé at some point, but for the next year or so all my attention shall be on the Chevy, it needs it. I think the next Coop may well be an N/A.

Sorry to read this Jim, especially after all the work you've put into it

Maybe you should keep your spares for when you buy another Coupe

As for couriers, I've never had a problem with myHermes , although some have, but might be worth a try.

Also, when I worked at the garage, we used to use Interparcel, for all sorts of weights and sizes of parcels and were very good. I haven't been at the garage for over 3 years now, so not sure if Interparcel are still as good.

Thanks T. I'm gutted, but it's time to face the fact that i'm just always going to be throwing away time and money on this one. It has been off the road for twice as long as I got to drive it.

I did think about that with the spares, but since Mrs. Jimbob lost her job we need whatever money we can scrape together and I may yet have to give up the garage that the spares live in. I have 3 or 4 of most items, so I may keep back 1 or 2 of the rarer, harder to source parts.

Also, knowing me, if I had too many spare parts I know I would be tempted to buy another knackered Coop and be right back at square one.

I'll have a good look at those courier links, thanks.

a block isn't that expensive....

Sad to hear this Jim, I know you have put a lot of love and time in to your coupe

No matter if you sell or let her slip away, she will never really leave you.

Seen one yesterday and it bought back all the good times I had with mine.

paisley freight are really cheap and never let me down, posted only bigger stuff with them and no complaints.

Hope you decide to keep her though.

Big_Muzzie,

It's not just the block.
It's block, dent removal, bonnet, respray, mot, insurance, tax...
We're flat broke for the foreseeable future and my mother has more of my cars on her drive than her own, i can't keep taking advantage of her good nature. I'm also selling two other good running cars which I would much rather keep.
I would rather ditch the lemon and save up for a good one when our finances recover. It was a very difficult decision which it took me nearly two years to make. I'm not lightly throwing a good Coupé on the scrapheap.

Thanks, sparkyman.
I just have to tell myself "it's only a car", i'm unconvinced though.
I've already started stripping it, too far to go back now. As I say, i will be on the look out for a good one soon though.

Sounds like you have a plan, good luck with it and hope you're back in a coupe soon.

Once I move on from my comfy motor stage I hope to get back in a coupe, sorry guys .

Ah, fair does mate.

Hope you get straight, then straight back in a coupe!

Jim I know you said it was going to come to this but I secretly hoped you'd be able to hang in there - clearly not this time for very good reasons. Still sorry to hear the news after bucketloads of effort that have gone in and a bit of fun in the posts along the way - I recall a fridge comment ages ago...now where was that Oh and the wall-bashing at your old place; not much to do with coupes right enough but good reading

Hopefully you'll stick around and nose in the forum, clearly not only as you have parts to sell, but in the faint hope that when things improve you'll be in the hunt for another

Thanks, Simon. I'm afraid i've just renewed my membership, so i'm going nowhere.

If I had the funds I would be harassing sheep for a replacement Coupé already, that one looks perfect... Same colour as my broken one inside and out, but in 98% better condition and without that irksome whirly spinny bit hanging off the exhaust.

I'll be back in a Coupé soon, watch this space...