As some of you may be aware, I am the latest proud owner of Coupe number 42



It is an early 16V na, no sunroof, no aircon, cloth interior, in need of some loving care but on the whole complete and ripe for an easy winter resto' (watch this space)

With such a low build number it would have been a shame to see it go for scrap, so Project 42 is born. Plans so far...

Replace corroded aluminium parts


Replace cambelt, clutch and service (also find a way to clean engine without killing italian electrics)


Refurb alloys and acquire matching tyres
Replace worn drivers seat base


Polish cloudy headlamps


Replace damaged plastic trim


Recoat centre console where has gone sticky and scratched
Replace front and rear drop arms/outriggers
Derust...
Repaint

Not a bad starter for 10, I'm sure there will be a whole host of other things as the project gets underway.

Made a start with the headlamps.
T-Cut and elbow grease, topped off with Mer polish

Drivers side 1st


Then t'other

Engine has been running rough, pulled out number 1 HT lead and it unwound like cotton from a reel, oops
Having found one issue, I decided checking the dizzy and rotor arm as it had been sat a while would be sensible, they were corroded and pitted too.
Quick trip to the local motor factors and 30 mins later I'm on the drive with an almost purring coupé
Gave the car a quick blitz ( on private property of course ) and the injector light came on once or twice but after 5 mins was running pretty sweet for a 17yr old car with nearly 200k on the clock.
Really impressed by the power in it still. Revs really freely

Not much progress - Mrs Smith thinks finsihing the new kitchen is more important
Removed the rear wiper today, love the clean look

Sun was coming through the trees behind the car, so snapped a couple of shots


Managed to fit one of the new bonnet stays sourced from Nigel, the nipple on one side of the bonnet has sheared though so some more bits to source...

Fitted a relacement bonnet release cable today.... What a chore!!
Took me about 4 hours start to finish ( including scraped knuckles recovery, copious swearing and cups of tea)
Also checked the fault code on the ABS, fault 19, safety relay. Job for another day lol

Made some further headway today (pic's to follow)
Replaced heavily corroded B pillar and added new 16v badge
Sealed behind pininfarina badges on rear arches
Fitted rear parcel shelf with high level brake light
Fitted leather seats
Replaced missing grab handle on drivers side
Found Monty python cassette under rear seats so had a laugh whilst doing the jobs, still v funny
Big thank you to Nigel for helping source the parts

Fitted the replacement ABS pump today, no more red light, happy days
Big thanks to Jack for the supply of the pump

Still slow progress, nothing worth photographing....
Bled the brakes and stripped internal b/c pillar trim to expose wiring for rear screen. Will be swapping for one without wiper hole and slot in shaded area for high level brake light

National windscreens swapped my rear screen for the smooth 1.8 one acquired through Nigel, all for the princely sum of £30 Top lads
Shame it was pitch black when I got home - will probably be the weekend before I get a good look

Bit dark this morning still but hung on as impatient to get a look before work.
Rubbish pic, really - I'm pleased with the smooth window. Just need to wire up the high level brake light now.
Not sure if this conversion has been done before? Is there a standard loom I can get from a breaker?

MOT prep today.
Underneath waxoiled and sealed. The high level brake light is wired and working a treat (v pleased)
3 jobs to close out, inner drive shaft boot, replace the thermostat and a small crack in the rear silencer to weld.
Hoping I can get all closed this week and have a go at the MOT, fingers crossed...

Had a few jobs planned...
Change inner CV boot. Nipped down to the local motor factors to fetch a new gaiter, got it up on a ramp and it turns out all 4 are shot
Fitted LED's to the rear lights



Apparently they are mesmerising?...

Replaced blown dash bulbs behind heater controls
Welded split in rear silencer
MOT's going to have to wait...

MOT fail list
Park brake @ 12%
Nearside headlight excessively deteriorated effecting the light output
Velocity joint gaiter inner ns
Velocity joint inner os
Velocity joint outer ns
Velocity joint outer os
Nearside rear tyre less than 1.6mm
Nsf (inner wheel arch) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Osf (inner wheel arch) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Osf (footwell holed) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Osr (inner sill) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Nsr (inner sill) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Osr (outer sill) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Nsr (outer sill) subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
Nsf (spring cup) coil spring mont corroded and seriously weakened
Offside headlight aim too high
Front brake application uneven

Not good....

Took the coupe up to a mates workshop today to have a look at the damage. The front chassis rails are like tissue paper, there's probably £1500's worth of welding before moving onto anything else.
It's unfortunate but project 42 will be closing here. Number 42 is destined to be a parts donor now.