Nige's newest nonsense

[Volksy]

We had a couple, Thats a real oddball. Is the povo spec, but with the bigger 1.5 engine, which was only available on the povo and GLX/SXi, all the other ones in the range had the 903cc Panda/Marbella lump or the 1.2.

 

It was built at the pivitol point for Seat when VW got involved, hence that one has lost some of the wackyness that the earlier ones had, so it will have polo switchgear, rather than the Citroen'esque type. Build quality took a dive when VW muscled in. Our '87 car was way better than the '90 that replaced it.

 

It's basically a Strada/Ritmo underneath a body roughly the size of an Uno, hence the odd wheelbase/short overhangs. they drive quite well, and the 1.5 motor should make it quite perky. Driving position is a bit sit up and beg I found, but there is plenty of room inside as they are deceptivley wide. Massive boot too.

The 'Special' could be had with a no cost options of alloy wheels, if you can find some they look great. The 3dr is the best looker, I do like the Guigaro design of these.

 

[nigel bickle]

Thanks for that -really helpful -esp as i have a shed full of early Fiat spares!

 

Look forward to collecting it -hopefully soon.

[trigger]

Well done Nigel!, I dread to think how many cars you have now, just to tempt you some more this has just been posted on ebay and it might be of interest.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RENAULT-FRIGA ... 35bdad6f3f

 

No drive gear but loads of spares...

 

I would just like to get rid of it out of the front garden, so any reasonable offer accepted

[dollywobbler]

Where have all these Fregates suddenly appeared from? Thought Nigel's was pretty much the only one on our shores but there was another (left-hooker) at La Vie en Bleu and now this!

 

Nice one on the Ibiza. Always liked them, but then I've always been a Guigaro fan.

[nigel bickle]

Looks like the Ibiza collection will be Tues or Wed. I'm told it drives but the brakes & tyres are 'tired' -and it might need a clean. DVLA seems to indicate that its 'licensed' to July - so hopefully it'll be an easy clean & pressed into local duties quickly.

 

Fregates- having recently had the white one delivered I'm mid recommisioning.

Cos ita a really early, base model its 6 volt -but because its tight -it needs 12 volt direct to the starter to fire it up -so its kinda game of musical batteries to get it running. I bought a 2nd hand 6v batt off Ebay -which I think is fine -but have no way of checking. If forced ,I'll buy new -but arent they expensive?

Anyway, I've cleaned the fuel system, flushed the tank, replaced most of the rusted lines & rebuilt a brand new pump (had no gaskets in it- so pissed fuel everywhere!) & sorted the carb (-crudded to hell) at the 3rd attempt; -so its now running reasonably.

The huge exhaust manifold blow has been attended too -and is virtually sealed -a smear of guck will seal it. Minor welding to the back box, and the front end of the n/s sill completes the bodywork for now. it'll get a proper rustproofing once road worthy.

Brakes I've overhauled with a new master cylinder (identical to a Simca 1300 m/c ,so nice & cheap!) & 3 flexi hoses -and I now have a good pedal. Handbrake has been rebuilt (- the rear cross cable was missing so that needed manufacturing) and i think that may have helped.

Cooling system still leaks despite all new hoses -so I think the water pump may now need a rebuild, and the wiper motor is lamentably slow.

Despite getting it really hot, holding the cable clutch down overnight -its still seized solid so the first run up the road is going to be fun! Really needs to be able to refire on 6 volts before that happens though- as I'm highly likely to stall trying to free the clutch off.

Tyres will all need changing first- too old to be trusted & I might swop the wheels around. Suzuki Pcd is identical so I'm reviewing their range to find something 'appropriate'.

 

I'm kinda looking forward to finding the sidelights & indicators- they do seem to be fitted , judging by the switchgear-but I cant find them! There's nothing on the front- funny rear pillar white/red units and a single dual filament bulb at the rear. No semaphores either. Thats completely different to my later 1960 12 volt version which is still waiting refitment of its gearbox, after a total rebuild. I'm just not well enough to even contemplate that -so I've begged a favour of a much younger friend -and its now in the queue.

 

Prob both be ready for the road around mid November....

Do I want a 3rd? Not really. Will I keep a watching brief? Natch. Do hope someone picks this one up though- i dont really fancy controlling this market..

 

Bigger fish to fry with a REALLY rare Renner awaiting collection, another Simca 1100 to fetch, some Polish tat to sort & a few other irons in the fire.

 

Happy days

[hairymel]

re: ebitza

 

think i have a box of tat left over from a while ago - think possibly wing mirror, service parts + factory manual

 

not sure i would want to lose the manual as i think it has engine details for the 1.7d in my (resting ) uno van

 

i will have a look next time i am at deep storage and let you know

[michiel]

Bigger fish to fry with a REALLY rare Renner awaiting collection, another Simca 1100 to fetch, some Polish tat to sort & a few other irons in the fire.

 

Wow. Good luck! My bet is on this:

 

 

[panhard65]

Hi all the fregate at La Vie is mine fitted with a peugeot 404 diesel engine back in france many years ago. I am having a bid on this one as well as I have a spare engine and box out of a '52 that I broke. There are a few fregates in Diss in Norfolk as I sold them 2 one was a domaine the estate version. I do have a few old renaults a '72 17ts and a very very rotten caravelle that I have done a deal on with a frenchman who is bringing me a 14ts over to swap for it and a super 5 campus with 44000 miles. I did have a very rare Neckar version of the fiat 1100 a couple of years ago that I think went back to france

Where have all these Fregates suddenly appeared from? Thought Nigel's was pretty much the only one on our shores but there was another (left-hooker) at La Vie en Bleu and now this!

 

Nice one on the Ibiza. Always liked them, but then I've always been a Guigaro fan.

[michiel]

Bienvenu ici, monsieur! I am still kicking myself for not buying a Domaine that was for sale over here a few years ago...

[nigel bickle]

Welcome P65 -nice to hear of another Fregate out there.

 

Souinds an interesting set of similar cars to me. I've 3 Fiat 1100's (1'd' 2 'r's), and a few others too. Like oyu I've a caravelle mid rebuild and a 14, 17 & most other numbers too. Have we met?

 

The rare Renner isnt valuable/old -just damn rare. You'll see soon enough.

[capsuleboy]

Just a thought, but when I replaced the 6volt battery on one of my early Renault 4's I bought one of the pair designed for an MGB. Made by Banner and about 50 quid as I remember.

Also when mines slow to turn over I just stick the 12v jump pack on the batter leads...Prob' not advisable but gets the little bugger going!

You are an example to us all buy the way.

[nigel bickle]

Cheers- but sadly they're too small. Its a big old 2.2 striaght 4, half an MGB doesnt cut the mustard- exacerbated by its ongoing stiffness. It'll loosen -slowly.

 

Just collected the Ibiza- which under the mountain of mud seems to be a good car. Tyres are toast, brakes on the florr but its solid, all there, 2 owners in total 7 a full dealer service histort until 2 years ago. Total mileage around 55,000 -looks to be genuine. Oh -and its taxed to the end of July! I'll know better once I've recovered sufficiently to give it a clean. Big job!

[hairymel]

found this where i expected it to be

 

 

no joy on the manual or service bits yet, they are not where i expected them to be

 

at santapod on sunday if someone can pony and trap it to you (if you want my freeshikle stuff)

[nigel bickle]

Yus pleeze. Mine are Ok -but spares always welcome.

 

I'm, not well enough for that trip -but I've 2 friends up -in the 'Rung what ya brung' -who will be in the local Wednesday night.

 

Andy Hinks (Hardcore on the blue forum) in his all grey 750i, & Phil Warren in his Vauxhall Royale. If you're happy to give them the bits- I'll pm you their mobiles. Cheers -very much appreciated.

 

 

On the ol 'Ibiza front -its in for a ticket Wednesday. I've given it a service, bled & inspected the brakes, sorted out a few light & wiring issues and shovelled tonnes of farmyard produce out of the interior/ wheel archs etc. Seats & carpet need a good hovering/wash -but its nearly readsy to go. Seems solid - minor rust in the front wings sums it up; and the full Seat service history (prior to the last owner) coupled with his MOT history confirms the mileage at 52,000. ' It'll fail (-the tyres are shot) but the stupidity of the legal system means that its safer to fail it -drive for 4 tyres & re-test. i think thats all it will need -but the ramp may well tell another story!

[hairymel]

nigel you have pm

[nigel bickle]

And replied with numbers- cheers.

if you still have the Simca 1100 stuff I'd happily take that too. I do have an 1100 van ( -roadworthy but not legal as I've no current need) & will be collecting a part restored 1100 saloon next month -that will be a long term sorter.

 

Short term ,I'm off to Sarf Lundun next week, hopefully with a mate, to collect a ratty Renner 12 estate I promised to shift months back. Now I'm back on my feet -my free parking is evaporating!

[panhard65]

Hi Nigel not sure if we have met or not but there is a chance with some of the cars I have had. I used to have a yellow simca aronde that I sold to a very rich american a few years ago. More recently I have had renaults but a couple of panhards snuck in on the way. A really nice 24bt and a scrap pl17. Of the renaults I have had a lot of the numbers a really rare 4 pick up a 5 gordini turbo with the le mans body kit Lot's of normal 5's a 12, 14 (another on the way) a 15, 17 loads of 18's fuego's 21's and 25's including a v6 turbo that I really regret selling. I also brought over an express pick up that I wouldn't mind buying back now I have more room to store it. I also had an estafette pompiers van last year. Not sure what to go for next I quite fancy a simca 8 or once the cash flow improves a hotchkiss cabourg or anjou

[nigel bickle]

Did you buy the Esty with driveshafts probs? If we havent met -I'd be suprised- we've very similar fleets.

[panhard65]

The estafette had a broken driveshaft when I brought it and I had a uj made up to fit it. So it was running and driving when I sold it last year, as I was moving house and couldnt bring all my toys with me. I am now restocking the toys I just brought a dutton legerra to have a bit of fun with

[nigel bickle]

Yup -knew it .Marie & Paul Dwyer were selling it. I had found them several replacements- but they just didnt follow them up. I sent someone else to look at their Fregate Domaine -that didnt happen either. Seems the price was double the total cost of a better French import..

 

I know notyhing of Dutton -other than their 'factory' is just down the road from me! Good luck with it.

[Rebuilda]

The estafette had a broken driveshaft when I brought it and I had a uj made up to fit it. So it was running and driving when I sold it last year, as I was moving house and couldnt bring all my toys with me. I am now restocking the toys I just brought a dutton legerra to have a bit of fun with

 

Enjoy

If you need to know anything about the legerra or its 'components' just ask... I have two (currently) and for my sins am also the membership secretary of the owners club.

I don't get on here very often so email will find me faster.

[nigel bickle]

Rebuilda- its not me thats bought the Dutton but 'Panhard65'.

 

Why not PM him direct- he's a nice bloke.

 

Latest news is that I've added the Viscount Basingstoke brown SE6a to the fleet. No pics yet -but we all know what they look like. Initial impression is a slightly soggy, solid auto, that needs a good service and a sound thrashing!

[Alpus]

Another Renault! How many have you got now? Still would love a 14 at some point,but there just aren't any about other than lhd ones. Would love to see your collection some day.

 

Alex

[Parky]

Always liked those Ibiza's, something about small cars of that era (Ibiza, Yugo 45, Uno) that makes them look so right with square edges. Often wondered if other Fiat engines would fit in those - the 903cc model was a Fiat engine so would it be so tricky to drop a Fiat 1300 engine in there, or perhaps the FIRE engine from an Uno?.

 

Parts over here are generally unobtanium but I'm sure there must be a fair bit of Spanish eBay. I saw a few blezzing around Malaga in April so there should be some support.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

I have a copy of Motor Clasico from last year which features an Ibiza buyer's guide! I'll get round to scanning it eventually.

[nigel bickle]

Latest ebay acquisition

 

 

Wanted a rhd Mk1 for a while. I've been harbouring a complete rare 125tc (not the 125 car but the predecessor to the Abarth130tc) full engine & gearbox in my barn for several years, which is just ideal for this.

 

So -another weldathon & engine swop that I'm not up to right now . Oh -and its on the far side of Haverfordwest. Happy days.

[nigel bickle]

Latest ebay acquisition

 

 

Wanted a rhd Mk1 for a while. I've been harbouring a complete rare 125tc (not the 125 car but the predecessor to the Abarth130tc) full engine & gearbox in my barn for several years, which is just ideal for this.

 

So -another weldathon & engine swop that I'm not up to right now . Oh -and its on the far side of Haverfordwest. Happy days.

[Volksy]

Excellent Purchase!

[Volksy]

Excellent Purchase!

[RedSparrow]

Another winner! These are weirdly cool.

Just how rusty is it?!