Bellett's here!

[nigel bickle]

Finally -after 9 months its here, off the boat, undamaged.

 

Arriving at the docks I could clearly see it thru the fence -although not an especially auspicious start!

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0954.jpg

Looks like a failed master cylinder- which looks identical to my Aussie Dattie so hopefully not a difficult repair!

 

More doom & gloom when they couldnt get it to - and I was told it was towed off the boat. So -I went to get it......

 

Running in 5 mns-driveable(ish) in 10, I then loaded up

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0950.jpg

 

Initial view reasonable -but then theres this:-

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0946.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0947.jpg

which is a nuisance -but a relatively easy solve. More importantly -its solid in its important little places.

 

Stuffed full of 70's Datsun spares too

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0955.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0956.jpg

 

Having towed it home backwards (its an auto)-without incident its now running very smoothly, and sounds great. Feels tight, and low mileage, and not too difficult a jobbie.

Interior was rebuilt -reasonably well -when the car was 'restored' mid 90's. There's no filler --and signs are its just sat ever since -but the rust -in strange places -is a puzzle.

I'll post again when its shiny etc.

 

Not a lot of 'talent' on the docks today

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0944.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/bellett/DSCN0941.jpg

although we do seem to be shipping a LOT of Mini's, Jags, Land Rovers, Toyotas & Hondas OUT -which I guess is a good thing?!

[Guest]

Nice one! Looking forward to the updates.

[r.welfare]

Superb work! Southampton? I see car transporter after car transporter of LHD new Range Rovers, MINIs and Civics trolling down the A34 every day...

[Ratdat]

Exceptionally awesome! Makes me want one!Did you know all that Datsun stuff was on board? If you need any help identifying parts just send me the numbers.

[garethj]

Well done, Mr B!

 

Looking on ebay.au is very bad. You find all sorts of things that you just know will be a bad idea....

 

[michiel]

Awesome indeed! Been reading a Dutch road test from 1965, lousy brakes and a bit tight on the inside, but overall a good car.

[Spottedlaurel]

Brilliant, great to see it here at last.Alloys are ROH Monzas IIRC, they were available in the UK in the '80s and I thought they were a nice wheel.Any news on the Florian?

[fotorabia]

certainly not fickle Mr Bickle..nice to see such dedication to a modest car being brought from so far away..is it a NSW car..looks like it from the plate..i really like them..was one in the shed nxt door..faded but straight..also scrappie down the road has one on a container with a Spitfire shell beside it..

[Split_Pin]

Wow hats off to you for this impressive rescue! I ve never, ever seen one of these before - looking forward to seeing the progress reports!

[seth]

Well done NB!

[wuvvum]

Nice one! I take it from the tone of your post that it isn't as bad as you'd feared then?

[retrogeezer]

Looks great, I've never seen one either.Isn't that filler in that rusty rear quarter though?

[King Maz]

This is fantastic news!Hope the restoration phase goes well.

[nigel bickle]

Thanks Guys. Yes Southampton, not not as rusty as expected- no filler in it anywhere.Its now running really well -tick over (in drive down) to a steady 550rpm, with nary a flutter. Exhaust looks new.Master cylinder is duff- but there seems to be a repair kit in the VAST hoard of Dattie stuff that came with it . Otherwise I think a normal Girling jobbie will do.Then it'll be the slaves!Bodywork has no rust in any of the normal places (wheelarchs etc) but does have it in strange places- base of B pillar etc -which looks like poor storage to me. The bucketloads of leaf and garden detritus under the bonnet tends to confirm that.It looks like it will eventually polish up OK -although I have never seen such a dirty car- cant even get the windows clean - proprietry cleaners didnt touch it -had to use petrol to shift enough off the inside of the screen to see -a bit.Electrics so so -no wipers, 1 indicator, no lights but it aint complicated- a few hours should bring them back. Wiper motor seems to be from a Leone?Yes -I knew it would have some Dattie stuff in it -I paid for it as part of the deal to help him clear out. I seem to have hoards of clutch & brake components -a good few track rod ends and 70's grilles, indicator units etc. I'll offer them up to anyone interested (here & OJC) at a reasonable price -as they are no use to me -otherwise Ebay..The vendor was 'economical with the truth' -and stitched me over Oz transportation - but I would still have bought it -even knowing the worst.Roadworthy in 4-6 months is my initial foolhardy estimate.

[Volksy]

Your a braver man than me Mr B, but what a fastastic car, I'd even argue that its prettier than an Alfa Guilia (I presume either the same styling house penned the design, or its a good copy).Bravo on ensuring that a very rare, not to mention obscure, car has been brought into the country!

[Milford Cubicle]

It is a very handsome-looking car! Did they sell well in other parts of the world?

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Thats truly a wonderful vehicle Mr B. Never seen even a pic of the rear of one of these before, I think thats its best view. Body looks in good nick to me, nice and straight even if there are a couple of half-arsed rust blebs to Dulux over.Lets hope the oil price bubble bursts so more old sheds can be repatriated in this way! (Not holding my breath like) So much cool stuff over there, aussie eBay is quite literally a COLOSSAL CORRAL of CAPTAINS-CLASS CRUSTY CRUD.Is your Fiat 124 on UK soil now? I'm sure you told me about it at the OJC do but I cant remember what you said.

[michiel]

There are a few left in Holland I think, don't know how many they sold though... here's a few, different rears on the first and third.

[nigel bickle]

Sure Mr B -arrived around 6 weeks ago.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/fiat/DSCN0957.jpg

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/nigelbickle/fiat/DSCN0959.jpg

Its roadworthy- although not yet legal -plans are to commission it this Autumn. I've a nice set of Cromodoras for it -and hopefully some new seats -then its going to get pressed into usae as the Dogs car & parts carrier.

Its absolutely solid. No rust anywhere -but it does have lots of little dents, the dash is a bit cooked, and its only a 1200.

And the paint was applied by a blind man -using his stick, I think!

 

Still when did you last see a rust free 40 year old Fiat?

[michiel]

Gorgeous, and well described. Got a date picked for the Florian yet?

[nigel bickle]

Nope -but it is playing on my mind. Let me get past this current automotive constipation -and then I'll be over. Need it more than ever- to make 'the set'. Can't wait -really cant. I'd be there now -if I could.

[michiel]

Just let me know when and I'll try to be there with banners, party hats etc!

[pompei]

That's certainly a handsome machine NB! Good luck with the restoration

[Mash]

Wonderful to see it here finally NB, and looks very solid overall.I really like these, probably third on my wants list of 60s J-tin after Mazda 1800 and 410 Bluebird. Actually, only the Mazda to go for you, lucky sod!

[nigel bickle]

Thanks -appreciated. Dont have a hankering for a Mazda (right now!).Realistically -its an easy resto (famous last words) thankfully cos I've rather a lot to do...There are still some out there -but Er' Indawes says we need more modern 'Exotica' next- she feels there's to much mundanity around -so thats prob the next move (after I've sneaked the Florian back & thru the finances!)But -thats not really for this Forum.

[Spottedlaurel]

Apologies if I've posted these here before (or if not I've probably put them on OJC). Taken from my circa 1970 Japanese brochure:

 

 

[carlo]

Always look forward to your posts Mr B, can't wait for the Florian pics, and the other Isuzus updated of course!

[stoterstangen90]

Just let me know when and I'll try to be there with banners, party hats etc!

Me too

[fotorabia]

Thanks -appreciated. Dont have a hankering for a Mazda (right now]...shall i organise this for you..

 

 

out of a giant collection in Nelson..

[blackbird]

Brillant work that's so cool that you ship stuff over that must take alot of sorting how about shipping back MK1 and 2 Escorts , selling them rot free here for a million quid eachand we can all retire !!