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Another "barn find"... #1444953
26/08/2013 15:49
26/08/2013 15:49
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
OK - just like the LE barn find , this wasn't found in a barn, but unlike the LE, it is definitely a Coupe that has been hidden away off the road for quite a while and has never been known to the forum.

A few weeks ago, I contacted an Ebay seller about a Coupe poster she had advertised. The poster had sold, but the lady mentioned that she had a real Coupe in the garage that hadn't been used in a while. I asked if she wanted to sell it, expecting to find a car suitable for breaking.

To cut a long story short, the lady put me in touch with her ex-husband, who has owned the car from new.

Today, Paul, Svet and I trundled up to a very sunny Durham and bought this (photo taken today as we got back to the Midlands):-

click to enlarge

Another photo from the previous owner

click to enlarge

Because the owner hasn't ever been on the forum, he wasn't aware that the published 72,000 mile cambelt replacement also applies at 6 years. Seeing as the car has only done 46,000, he's been driving it around under the mistaken assumption that it didn't need doing yet - its still on its original cambelt shocked Paul drove home VERY gently....

So - its a clean, straight low-mileage Plus, with airbag Recaros and a rare sunroof option. It has been off the road for a couple of years so it needs a full service and all the belts. It has a couple of minor bodywork blemishes that will be sorted very soon.

However, despite it being one of the cleanest Coupes I've ever seen (its as good as my own Plus was when I bought it with 24,000 miles on the clock), the most unusual aspect is not immediately apparent from these photos...

Anyone care to speculate why this will be a fairly expensive Coupe when it goes up for sale?


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444957
26/08/2013 16:02
26/08/2013 16:02
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
magooagain Offline
Club Member 259
magooagain  Offline
Club Member 259
Forum is my life

Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,783
In the coupe.
Double glazed? Or a coupe related Registration?

Last edited by magooagain; 26/08/2013 16:08.


Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444958
26/08/2013 16:10
26/08/2013 16:10
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,184
norwich, norfolk
adam16vt Offline
Enjoying the ride
adam16vt  Offline
Enjoying the ride

Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,184
norwich, norfolk
51 or 52 plate perhaps?

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: magooagain] #1444961
26/08/2013 16:24
26/08/2013 16:24
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By: magooagain
Double glazed? Or a coupe related Registration?


LOL - no, its a standard registration


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: adam16vt] #1444962
26/08/2013 16:24
26/08/2013 16:24
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By: adam16vt
51 or 52 plate perhaps?


Definitely not


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444965
26/08/2013 16:35
26/08/2013 16:35
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,595
angus, scotland
jimbob13 Offline
I need some sleep
jimbob13  Offline
I need some sleep

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,595
angus, scotland
Unobtanium con-rods?


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444966
26/08/2013 16:37
26/08/2013 16:37

K
KBT
Unregistered
KBT
Unregistered
K



Has the engine been gold plated? laugh

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1444967
26/08/2013 16:38
26/08/2013 16:38
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
M
Mark_S Offline
Forum is my job
Mark_S  Offline
Forum is my job
M

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,831
Haslemere, Surrey
unique paint colour?


997 C4S
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1444969
26/08/2013 16:40
26/08/2013 16:40
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,937
North wales
pinin_prestatyn Offline
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pinin_prestatyn  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,937
North wales
Was the previous owner Chuck Norris?



Coopless!
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444970
26/08/2013 16:40
26/08/2013 16:40

B
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
B



It's the best colour, obviously!

Its got the last chassis number made.

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1444973
26/08/2013 16:44
26/08/2013 16:44
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,937
North wales
pinin_prestatyn Offline
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pinin_prestatyn  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,937
North wales
Was it owned by Bangle?



Coopless!
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: pinin_prestatyn] #1444977
26/08/2013 16:49
26/08/2013 16:49
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By: pinin_prestatyn
Was it owned by Bangle?


Now THAT would be a scoop worth bragging about.

No - none of you have got it yet, although I must quiz Jimbob on these unobtanium conrods - sounds like they could be good for a few bhp - I want some! wink

Colour is standard, Chuck has been nowhere near it, engine is the normal red colour (and with only the tiniest amount of crinkle paint flaking off - another rarity)

Unsure about the chassis number - we'll check (its quite a late car)


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444980
26/08/2013 16:50
26/08/2013 16:50
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,595
angus, scotland
jimbob13 Offline
I need some sleep
jimbob13  Offline
I need some sleep

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,595
angus, scotland
Automatic gearbox... sick


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444981
26/08/2013 16:55
26/08/2013 16:55

K
KBT
Unregistered
KBT
Unregistered
K



Is it the unknown car with the registration W4 NKS, if so consider it sold.
Did I really say that? Sorry I lowered the tone.

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: jimbob13] #1444982
26/08/2013 16:55
26/08/2013 16:55
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,144
Southampton, Hants
Roadking Offline
Club member 1809
Roadking  Offline
Club member 1809
Forum is my life

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 6,144
Southampton, Hants
It has the cargo net? smile


"RK's way seems the most sensible to me". ali_hire 16 Dec 2010
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444984
26/08/2013 16:59
26/08/2013 16:59
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
L
Lucifer Offline
Forum is my job
Lucifer  Offline
Forum is my job
L

Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,115
South Cheshire
I'm not going to spoil it because Nigel has already told me what the special factor is, but wanted to say this looks like it will be a cracking buy and I'm gutted that it's going to be just above my budget.

Unfortunately with all the cash we're spending on the house ATM I just won't be able to get away with putting any more into a new coop, or at least not without divorce proceedings following shortly afterwards lol, but I'll be very interested to see who ends up with this beauty!


2016 Jaguar F-Type R AWD; 2017 BMW M4 Competition Package; 2015 Range Rover Evoque 2.2 Tech
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444985
26/08/2013 17:00
26/08/2013 17:00
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,595
angus, scotland
jimbob13 Offline
I need some sleep
jimbob13  Offline
I need some sleep

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,595
angus, scotland
Is it the only Coupé ever made with silent Brembos, headlamps you can see behind an Abernethy biscuit and a turning circle less than the earths orbit? If so, you really could name your price... wink


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Roadking] #1444987
26/08/2013 17:02
26/08/2013 17:02
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By: Roadking
It has the cargo net? smile


Actually - no, the cargo net is missing

Autobox would be interesting in a Coupe, but not particularly entertaining

No dubious personal plate either....


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444988
26/08/2013 17:05
26/08/2013 17:05

B
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
B



It's signed by someone or other?

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444990
26/08/2013 17:07
26/08/2013 17:07

I
Iceberg
Unregistered
Iceberg
Unregistered
I



Early start and great drive "up North" to view this strange example, then about an hour of trying to pick fault with it, as Nigel says a couple of paintwork issues, nothing more than cosmetic, then I enquired how long it had been since the cambelt was replaced.
"NEVER IT'S NOT DUE YET".
Price agreed now how do we get it back to Birmingham on a 13 year old belt............very gently with air con OFF (sorry Svet).
The drive home was like a time warp, going back to a time when all the Coupes I drove were sub 50K.
All this said the strangest thing about this Coupe is .......................

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444991
26/08/2013 17:09
26/08/2013 17:09

K
KBT
Unregistered
KBT
Unregistered
K



Phew, as I have no money. Car looks very good, a very nice buy for someone. RWD conversion or nothing. I give up!

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1444992
26/08/2013 17:12
26/08/2013 17:12

I
Iceberg
Unregistered
Iceberg
Unregistered
I



I could sign the cambelt as we fit it tomorrow if that would help rolleyes

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1444993
26/08/2013 17:13
26/08/2013 17:13

B
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
B



It's still 100% factory, except oil?

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1444996
26/08/2013 17:38
26/08/2013 17:38
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By: Big_Muzzie
It's still 100% factory, except oil?


At one point, I thought the rear tyres were original, but they've been replaced with identical P-Zeros. Fronts are Contis

Rest of the car is utterly standard though - even the entire set of Fiat hose clips are intact - they've never been off


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1445003
26/08/2013 17:48
26/08/2013 17:48

B
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
B



It's a plus without errr, push button start?

Is it something like a missprinted stamp? There's a tiny detail that's a bit wrong or are we talking a major thing?

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1445004
26/08/2013 17:52
26/08/2013 17:52
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Originally Posted By: Big_Muzzie
Is it something like a missprinted stamp? There's a tiny detail that's a bit wrong or are we talking a major thing?


Its a fairly major thing and (in Paul's and my opinion) makes the car quite unusual (apart from it being a good-condition, low-mileage, one-owner Plus with airbag Recaros)

One of the guesses above is on the right track, but not quite there.....


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1445007
26/08/2013 17:55
26/08/2013 17:55
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
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Nigel  Offline OP
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
OK - another clue....

The previous owner owned the car from when it had just 20 miles on the clock, but he wasn't technically the first owner. The first owner was an employee of Fiat UK, who bought the car from Fiat and immediately sold it on again (for a sizeable profit, by all accounts)

The reason for this is that Fiat UK couldn't sell the car to the public.....


[Linked Image]
Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1445009
26/08/2013 18:06
26/08/2013 18:06

B
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
Big_Muzzie
Unregistered
B



It must be registered somewhere obscure. Is it one of the infamous Malaysian pearl white ones that's been imported and resprayed?

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: Nigel] #1445010
26/08/2013 18:07
26/08/2013 18:07

I
Iceberg
Unregistered
Iceberg
Unregistered
I



It's a Plus with all the Plus extra's, including the Recaro air bag seats.
But if you know about Coupe's as soon as you look at it you see the difference..............

Re: Another "barn find"... [Re: ] #1445016
26/08/2013 18:24
26/08/2013 18:24
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire
Nigel Offline OP
Forum veteran
Nigel  Offline OP
Forum veteran

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,366
Staffordshire


[Linked Image]
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