Back in a 20vt

Hi,

I'm back in a 20vt after 15 years. I sold my first one being sensible buying my first house and I always regretted it. Been keeping an eye out for a Sprint Blue and I trailered one home last week. It'll need some restoring. I live 20 mins from Joe so he has taken a look and I'm awaiting the quote from the two pages of A4 he made before I know what I'm doing with it next and I spend any money. I'd spotted most of the issues so no big surprises yet.

It was / is a bit of a gamble as oil sender wasn't working although switch was and compression test OK, couldn't engage 5th and auto centre not working / general hard to use gearbox, rust had started despite storage with bonnet being the worst, eiffels all gone, a/c not working, rough ride as lowered 35mm on eibachs, partial sticky interior with sprint blue heater area, dump to atmosphere, horrible aftermarket gear knob, all bushes deteriorated, low on PAS fluid, judder from clutch, all tyres very old indeed. Brakes very poor despite being advertised as new, gotcha was new when went in to storage. Debatable MOT pass to be honest.

Car had been stored for 16 years and had some work recently to get on the road to sell. No MOT records since 2006 until this year. It had then been partially re commissioned for sale with cambelt, alt, service, bumper and roof respray, brake lines, fuel pump, handbrake cable. The seller was a genuine chap and does appear as a barn find which Joe agreed with based on some tell tale signs - original parts and rust in certain locations.

It has a factory Zender kit which I like although not sold on wing yet. Negotiated a set of Azev C 18's in to the deal with aim of running modern tyres once not lowered. However, I do prefer the original wheels which I also have. Undecided on if I'd sell Azev to fund set off 17's or plus wheels.

Plan is to wait for quote from Joe and decide how to proceed in logical steps i.e. Oil pressure sender and thermostat then re-asses. I've replaced front discs/pads, fettled the gear auto centre, and replaced wiper blades on safety grounds.

I'll start a project thread if it looks sensible to fix and is affordable. Aim would be to improve ride with new standard suspension all round for comfort, return to interior to standard black control area, standard gear knob and replace the over the top 3 binnacle cluster with single boost gauge and maybe an oil temp. I'm 6'1 so seats which are a touch higher and have longer base for more leg support would be something I'd be looking in to.

Google Album: 20vt collection day

Thanks,

Rich

Hi Rich, welcome to the forum and fair play to you for taking on saving another coupé

All things are repairable given patience and a few £££ and it would be great to keep up with your progress in the project section.

Here's a link to familiarise yourself with how to go about it

Project threads

When it's up-and-running, create a separate Discussion thread where anyone can comment

Good luck Rich.

It wasn't until I started my own project thread that I realised only those with 'project thread rights' can comment on the discussion threads within the section. Would it be worth moving the discussion threads into general so more people can get involved? I think we miss out on a lot of interaction because of the current arrangement.

I wondered why I have been unable to respond to peoples project comments threads, now I know, thanks. I have resorted to sending PM's

Tbh it was only recently I found out myself

It could probably be made clearer for the sake of people that haven't been on the forum for yonks and just "know" how it works - although there is a yellow "sticky" thread at the top it doesn't quite catch the eye.

I might have a go at this, with respect to Begbie of course

Hi Rich best of luck with your Coupe. I did exactly what you’re doing with my Coupe some years back. Trailer from Inverness to Joe 2/3 years later I flew down and drove it back in a oner only stopping for fuel. Not cheap at five figures but a non smoker or pub goer these days and a pension from the oil industry and state I don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard. I may add I absolutely hate flying and although less than an hour from Inverness to Bristol I was bricking it all the way but that’s another story.
Start saving

Go for it as it will need admin permissions to change the permissions within the forum software to allow all to post on the threads.

I've made a start by amending the title slightly in the sticky thread.

I'll look into adjusting the permissions.

The Projects area should now allow replies from anyone.