colnerov
Member
- Messages
- 5,109
- Location
- Nr Gatwick UK
- Thread starter marlinspike
- Start date
ajlelectronics
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 11,174
- Location
- Gloucester, England
I resemble that remark.Imagine the project fatigue levels of someone who starts multiple projects...
RWD3M
Forum Supporter
- Messages
- 3,962
- Location
- Wiltshire, UK
A mate bought 13 grand of Lotus Elan, mainly in boxes, engine rebuilt, new chassis, etc etc.
Engine had been left with no oil cap on - so new rebuild.
Chassis was indeed new.
And then most of the rest of the stuff was worn out, wrong model, or entirely wrong car.
Still, running and driving last year after being bought in 2018
Bobupndown
What could possibly go wrong?
- Messages
- 2,029
- Location
- Northern Ireland
Having restored Minis in the past I know what a pain they can be. Decided to buy my last one fully restored, more expensive initially but probably still cheaper than what you'd spend over the years. And the best bit is that you can use it immediately 
Next toy will be a Series Landrover as a retirement present to myself, plan to buy a restored one as well, maybe a hardtop which I'll change to a canvas top. There are always little jobs needing done, improvements, better parts to source and fit, keeping your hands on the spanners without becoming overwhelmed and demotivated.
Next toy will be a Series Landrover as a retirement present to myself, plan to buy a restored one as well, maybe a hardtop which I'll change to a canvas top. There are always little jobs needing done, improvements, better parts to source and fit, keeping your hands on the spanners without becoming overwhelmed and demotivated.
addjunkie
Member
- Messages
- 14,522
- Location
- Northumberland. Reet oot in the sticks
Youve just missed a decent series near me for sensible money…Having restored Minis in the past I know what a pain they can be. Decided to buy my last one fully restored, more expensive initially but probably still cheaper than what you'd spend over the years. And the best bit is that you can use it immediately
Next toy will be a Series Landrover as a retirement present to myself, plan to buy a restored one as well, maybe a hardtop which I'll change to a canvas top. There are always little jobs needing done, improvements, better parts to source and fit, keeping your hands on the spanners without becoming overwhelmed and demotivated.
Bobupndown
What could possibly go wrong?
- Messages
- 2,029
- Location
- Northern Ireland
That was a decent price.
I'm planning on a Series 2 or 2A preferably, maybe a Series 3.
Farside
Badly Welded Man
- Messages
- 6,463
- Location
- Ireland
And then you find the horrendous bodges at least one of the previous owners / part time restorers has done, some of them bloody dangerous.
marlinspike
Member
- Messages
- 2,240
Must admit that does appeal; a project with the major bits done. I wouldn't do another car where the parts weren't cheap or easily available either. It must be nice to know you can have every new bit you need delivered tomorrow rather than waiting for bits to come up on ebay.
marlinspike
Member
- Messages
- 2,240
This is good to hear but you know the rules,pics or it didn't happen!
The first trip out after the mot. Blast down the motorway then admiring it through the window at McDonald's. The check engine light came on for a bit but I guess that was just because it had been stood for years and had only gone up and down the drive.
I wouldn't say the enthusiasm has fully returned but I am looking forward to the better weather so I can start doing all the little bits.
Pigeon_Droppings2
Member
- Messages
- 6,758
- Location
- london
I've been looking at the 99 turbo recently...do like the look of the Saab.
marlinspike
Member
- Messages
- 2,240
They're good cars, it's just the parts availability and lack of specialists if you get stuck. You're either paying a fortune or buying used bits. I don't think any full panels, like wings, are available new anymore, though a few repair panels are, and some of the trim bits are very hard to get even second hand
The road tax is £360 a year too if you can't get an early one.
I'm pretty proud of what we did on a budget though. Changed the clutch and full exhaust on the drive. Loads of welding. There was a dealer clearing out Saab bits and I bought £400 worth, some of which (like new alloy wheels at £11 each) I sold on for a bit of a profit. I got a radiator on clearance via Amazon for £9 and a clutch for £20 from GSF when they sold off Saab bits.
I did enjoy sourcing the bits and looking for deals at first but later that too just became a bit of a pain. I redid the headlining for £30 with fabric that Woolies were selling off.
Low points were when mice chomped on one of the headrests in the shed, when a door bought on Ebay turned out to be warped and wouldn't fit, and when I left the sunroof open and the headlining got wet and now there's a few water marks/mould spots. That last one was especially gutting.
I'll push on and finish it. I'll enjoy it this year and see how I feel in 2027 when the tax and insurance (£100 a year...) run out.
The road tax is £360 a year too if you can't get an early one.
I'm pretty proud of what we did on a budget though. Changed the clutch and full exhaust on the drive. Loads of welding. There was a dealer clearing out Saab bits and I bought £400 worth, some of which (like new alloy wheels at £11 each) I sold on for a bit of a profit. I got a radiator on clearance via Amazon for £9 and a clutch for £20 from GSF when they sold off Saab bits.
I did enjoy sourcing the bits and looking for deals at first but later that too just became a bit of a pain. I redid the headlining for £30 with fabric that Woolies were selling off.
Low points were when mice chomped on one of the headrests in the shed, when a door bought on Ebay turned out to be warped and wouldn't fit, and when I left the sunroof open and the headlining got wet and now there's a few water marks/mould spots. That last one was especially gutting.
I'll push on and finish it. I'll enjoy it this year and see how I feel in 2027 when the tax and insurance (£100 a year...) run out.
Milkybars
Member
- Messages
- 1,229
- Location
- Essex
1990 Saab 900 Blue Manual, 5 speed Right Hand Drive in Un...
1990 Saab 900 Blue Manual, 5 speed Right Hand Drive in United Kingdom - For Sale | Car & Classic, £4,995 Exceedingly honest and totally o...
www.carandclassic.com
marlinspike
Member
- Messages
- 2,240
That's very low miles. The saloons and non turbos are less sought after than the hatchbacks and turbos. We've only ever had the turbos versions but even the lower powered ones are considered a decent drive iirc.
The advantage of the non turbos is that they come without all the plastic body kit gubbins and usually come without the plastic wheel arch trims. These hide and cause terrible rust, especially the wheel arch trims. The outer trim is held on by an inner curved trim piece and special clips (4 each arch). The curved pieces go brittle and snap and are unobtainable new, rare and expensive second hand, and the clips are £9 each....
The advantage of the non turbos is that they come without all the plastic body kit gubbins and usually come without the plastic wheel arch trims. These hide and cause terrible rust, especially the wheel arch trims. The outer trim is held on by an inner curved trim piece and special clips (4 each arch). The curved pieces go brittle and snap and are unobtainable new, rare and expensive second hand, and the clips are £9 each....
JEZGUZ
Member
- Messages
- 1,107
I was chatting to an old geezer today, he was standing next to a Triumph Stag so I asked if it was his, turns out he has 2, both restored nicely and not OTT. He also has a Bentley that he keeps fixing, but he told me that he knew a chap that had spent £50,000 on restoring a Stag, I think knowing when to stop would be a good habit to develop.
