Possible Project car

[Technikhaus]

So, I'm currently deciding if I want to purchase a Project car that's been sitting in our shed for the last 6 months....

It was my Grandfather's but he passed away in November
He was the second owner I believe, and from memory they purchased it at only a few months old



1985 Rover SD1 Vanden Plas 3.5L V8

It's currently sitting in the shed slowly rotting away
We've had a few people interested in it, but no one actually buying it, the best offer so far is $500.....

The Cons:
Some rust, not sure how much though
Leaking Gear box, goes through about a L/Week
Hasn't been started in about 4 Months, as it now has a flat battery.

I'm considering purchasing it off of my Grandmother, but i'm not too sure what to do with it.
Whether to make it a rally car, and chuck a supra 5Spd Gearbox in it maybe...
Or to restore it to fully working daily original condition....

Thoughts?

[Astron_Boy]

I'd simply restore it and keep it in good order.
Don't know about in NZ, but they aren't s common car in Aus.
And even in the UK where they originated, their numbers are dwindling.

[Technikhaus]

There are about 4 known in NZ now... not too sure how accurate that is though.
I'm also leaning toward the restore, and maybe a few performance upgrades etc....
Rimmer Bros have almost all replacement parts. When I last ordered from them, their postage and service was pretty good

[Astron_Boy]

Not too interested in doing the research, but if that model is using the carby fuel system, there are a tonne of manifolds you can buy from various cars.
Bolt a decent Holley on and instant power.
Gearbox I believe also transferable with other Leyland cars of the era.

It's a sure bet there's a club for these cars, so information would be out there.
Mostly UK based.

[Technikhaus]

yup dual carby from memory.
My research shows that the strongest box that you can put on it is from the later model supra's, as I'd love a 5 or 6 speed manual in it to replace the barely working 3 speed in it :p

[Astron_Boy]

Nice, cheaper strong gearbox.

Rust from memory typically in the tailgate, bottom of the front wings, and around the wheel area.
C pillar bottoms and window channels.
This is going by memory of my fathers friend who owned a few, and still does.

Ignition, tail light and headlight wiring should be upgraded also as it was weak, the wires would melt.

[Technikhaus]

Yea, currently the worst known rust is in the driver's footwell, I'm not too sure about the rest.
If I do go ahead with this, I shall just strip the interior right down, and find it all.
Repair what I can hopefully, then look into the wiring etc. I know some of it is stuffed already, so it'll be interesting to find out what else is on it's way out...

[silverGPX]

I don't mean to be rude, but imagine the money saved that u could put into the fto if u didn't restore this car

[Vectose]

I don't mean to be rude, but imagine the money saved that u could put into the fto if u didn't restore this car

Imagine the money saved if you didn't put money into the FTO.

[bjk]

Imagine the money saved if you never spent any money.

Oh wait, that's theft. Or starvation.

[shadowarrior]

I would suggest on restoring it as well if you can afford to. I own three vintage motorbikes and have restored them back to brand new conditions. Each of these old vehicles have a character and feel when you ride/drive them which you can't really explain in words.

[Bennoz]

I love them, they're a really cool car - however - they have that legendary British reliability of the strike riddled 60's & 70's.

My neighbour had one for years & it spent more time in the shop than my mini did... and that is saying something

[Astron_Boy]

they have that legendary British reliability of the strike riddled 60's & 70's.

Haha, so true.