Had a bit good news! After 13 years lying dormant, apart from the engine belts, to be road worthy it only needs the Nsr brake pipe done (the rest are still the originals) and 2 tyres!!! Probably more once running but it seems a very cheap/good start!

If anybody can help by donating parts that will probably be needed that will be very very special to me & the Broomstick!:).

You have probably thought of this, but I would also change the water pump when the belts are being changed. After 13 years sitting, the seals in the pump would be knackered.

You should also consider changing all the oil seals on the front of the engine whilst the belts are off.

That's great news PJ

Any further movement? Is the car still with Whitemoss?

Little bit of news😮!!!
I spoke to Mclennans Garage in Loanhead and they can do the belts for... £700.

My mate at Whitemoss garage is looking to do belts/ waterpump / front + rear discs-pads /full service Inc gearbox oil + checking the clutch + quite a bit of other stuff for about £1000. + will be MOT'd Does that sound a bit better?



The thing with Mclennans is he is a specialist in Italian cars. So that would be better engine wise. Also will get warranty.

All I know is that I live in the midlands and JBT did my belts for I think £350-400? Knows everything there is that you need to know about coupes too! I know there are other coupe specialists that get the job done for a similar rate too. £700 is rather dear, getting towards fiat engine out money.

The second rate with the other work sounds much better to me!

No that's a fair price Pat for up here and you're right they're specialists who know the job - especially important when you're restoring a real rarity that you're lucky enough to own.

Make sure it's ALL belts and tensioners + waterpump...but they "ought" to know.

Not to decry your mate at Whitemoss in the slightest but my guess is it's a while since he worked on one of these?

@Jalo, yes JBT and one or two others do these like goosesh1t slips off a tin horn, it's amazing money but not experienced up here! Pj would have to cover tow transport costs all that distance too.

Pat, great news, keep us posted - try and get McLennan's involved in the preps for starting her up too while she's there!

Hey Pat, any news?

You should get the CHOD done while you're at it (coolant hose of death, runs from rear lhs of block around the back up to the thermostat)

700 is a rip off, other much better value

Not in this part of the world it isn't.

A more regular quote is £1000 plus engine out.

I think a recent poll revealed less than 20 Coupés in Scotland. Garages aren't exactly making a specialism of this kind of work...

Right folks things stalled with the Coop for a while but after speaking to Simon I think the plan will be to send the car down south and have it looked at by the pros and get the belts done at the same time

Yep good choice, give him a ring first to establish contact

Well done PJ-

This sounds like a great plan...

Forgot to say that whilst the car was at Whitemoss garage they did have the engine running, if only for a minute
Needs an alternator though as the old one is seized.

Still trying to work out costs
Ashbrook Motors in leith have quoted me £700 odd for belts + water pump
Seems not too bad and would save me 300 sending my car down south

So you've factored in the difference between having belts done at a specialist and at Ashbrook, and the tow charges to each place......

You'd need to ask yourself, will the local garage be able to spot everything that the coupe should have checked after nearly 14 years of not running, ie degradation of rubber parts, seals, hoses, brakelines...the list goes on.

With all due respect to the above place, it doesn't even advertise itself as a Fiat specialist, in fact it's a German car specialist

In the long term, if your broomy is going to need replacement parts every so often there'll be time spent getting it to and from the garage, waiting for parts, courier costs on top....it'll soon mount up.

I think it works out about £850 for transport and the same work getting done at joes which would probably be better as you say he will know what parts go wrong etc
I know joes is the best bet but I just keep trying to figure out ways to make it cheaper ha ha
Never even checked on the garage as the guy I spoke to says he has only used them for his alfa
I just think what parts could that £300 transport cost pay for? (Probably not much)

I have no idea who Ashbrook Motors in Leith are, but other than sending your Coupe south for the Belts etc to be done. Have you considered Continental in Port Glasgow or CM Garage in East Kilbride, both places highly clued up with Coupe's.

I used Continental in 2016 for my full belts and w/p change. Even got a lift in a Evo Integrale to the train station and pick up later when all was done.

Can't you just hire a trailor or a transporter just for the day and run it down south in a day.

Cars is off to Joes

Brilliant!

Get Joe to mot it, fly down to collect it and have an epic journey home. (Is that the plan anyway)?

I have spoke to Joe

Good man

Who picked it up in the end?


Now to speak to someone about a particular flavour of hat

What do you mean?? Why ?

Anybody needing an engine with under 61'000miles? Hahaha

Well considering its history you're bound to have corrosion issues and perished rubbers but it's fixable AFAIK.

I've got a spare cat back exhaust sitting under the piano you could have

Sorry that this hasn't worked out for you, PJ. You must be really fed up.
Hope you get a quick sale in Gumtree.

I think Solo Italia only charge £300 for belts.

Very reasonable!

But I think with the cumulative issues- it's a bridge too far, for Pat...

What happened? Were you hit with the possible large ££ to get her into shape?