FSO Cars UK

[Mr Lobster]

They probably didn't look that good coming out of the factory!  Superb work.

As someone who worked in an FSO dealership when the Caro was new, I can confirm that they indeed did not look that good.

 

Excellent work!

[CYANIDE STEVE]

Some of you noticed in previous photos there was an escrot chairman in the background. As I'd explained in a previous comment, it was due to be scrapped but now RichieG and I have in our infinite wisdom bought it

The original idea was to just sort the engine out as it has blown a spark plug out of the head leaving some of it in there, respray the roof, tidy it up, then sell it on. I'm not into buying cars just to sell them on usually as it's far more hassle than it's worth and as we have all experienced, there are far too many time wasting idiots out there.

Anyway, I have since found out that my Aunty is interested in it as my cousins little girl has Cerebal Palsy and now she is 10 years old and quite severely disabled she is getting a bit of a handful getting in and out of a normal car. So hopefully this will return to the road once I've tidied it up and repaired it for the use it was intended for Of coarse, this has now turned into a love job rather than a money making scheme but for a well worthy cause

 

 

 

[catsinthewelder]

I can see a repeat of the phrase

 

They probably didn't look that good coming out of the factory!  Superb work.

 

is going to be called for if you're making anything mk5 Escort based your next project.

 

 

Fantastic job with Caroline and best of luck with the Chairman

[KruJoe]

Well done for taking that on Steve, hope it goes well.

 

In my limited experience, Escorts of that era are bastards to work on. Everything wants to fight you!

Is it the old HCS lump in this one (as in Ka etc)? If so, you'd probably thank yourself for lobbing £50 at one from a scrappies and popping it in.

[KruJoe]

Half a ton was a good guess:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-fiesta-ka-engine-1-3-/121323440752

 

[RedSparrow]

How's the green monster coming along?

[Dax]

I've just found this topic - you guys are mental... I know a lot of FSO-crazy chaps here in Poland, but... your passion for cars that were crap in moment they left some foreign factory is absolutely uplifting! 

 

I think I go straight to allegro and olx (local auction portals) and find nice caro for myself! It's been like a year since I drove one.

[SambaS]

LTM is awaiting some panels from Poland, popping big stuff in the post is tricky.

[ruffgeezer]

Steve, we have a KA with the HCS mill in here, low mileage too, don't know what would be involved in converting it.

[CYANIDE STEVE]

Quick update:

September last year I bought this truck. Doesn't run at the moment but will be a fairly easy restoration once I buy some front wings.

I will be completing the two piece Caro truck project over the next few months as it has been sitting dormant for two years while I continue with other projects. This included a vw camper project that I got railroaded into and practically kidnapped to do. Never again!!!!

[CYANIDE STEVE]

On Saturday we will be digging the two piece caro truck out (now a one piece shell) from my garage at home at taking it to FSO HQ to complete. You can just about see it to the left of my other Caro truck.

[Anglevan]

So that's want an FSO pick up looks like!. Great to see an update, enjoy seeing what you're up to at FSO towers.

[RedSparrow]

Thanks for the update - more is always welcome!

I think this is my favourite thread.

[DSdriver]

I've just found this topic - you guys are mental... I know a lot of FSO-crazy chaps here in Poland, but... your passion for cars that were crap in moment they left some foreign factory is absolutely uplifting! 

 

 

I remember a story about a brand new car with a terrible rattle in one of the doors. When the card was removed they found a couple of beer bottles in the door - obviously an important part of the construction process.

[vulgalour]

I heard the same story about a TR7, a Marina and a Princess.  I begin to think it's an urban myth.

[oman5]

Yeah I heard the same about anything built in Detroit in the 70s

[chaseracer]

The one about the fish-paste sandwich under the back seat of an Allegro just HAS to be true.

[CYANIDE STEVE]

About 20 years ago, I had a customer with a brand new Volvo 940 Diesel. Since seeing it and hearing it I've had it on my Bucket list. I can't believe it's actually taken me this long to buy one. This one came up on fleebay recently on auction. The main problem being it had broken down suddenly in a cloud of smoke but the owner had no idea what had gone wrong. The AA had taken it home for him. He had checked the belts, which were both still intact and just assumed it was something major so decided to sell it as is and buy another Volvo.

Today I started to investigate. I checked both belts and indeed they were still attached. No holes in the side of the block or oil anyway where it shouldn't be but when I put the car in 2nd gear and rock the engine backwards and forwards it goes so far then locks up. Now I have started removing everything ready to take the head off and investigate further. I'm not expecting it to look very pretty once the head is off

The car itself is in very good condition and obviously been very well cared for so whatever happens, it will be on the road within the next few weeks.

[quicksilver]

Hmm, a Scottish-registered Volvo in England. I'm not sure what the SVM will make of that Looks tidy, best of luck with getting it running.

[CYANIDE STEVE]

Thought I'd better wake up this thread again.

I've just been out and bought this FSO Caro truck which was advertised on ebay to add to the collection.

The idea being, that I will completely restore it and build a box/van body on the back and use it to carry my tools and 'A' frame etc. I know in my head exactly how it is going to look when finished.

[KruJoe]

Nice* one Steve! Should clean up ok.

The blue two-piece must be finished now, is it?

 

Those trailer ramps were probably a good idea at the time, but they've forced your load a bit too far forward. Is it yours, or are you still renting for each job?

[CYANIDE STEVE]

Yes it's my trailer. I bought it the end of last year and modified it to make it easier to use with my disabilities. It has an electric winch and the reason the ramps are hinged on the back is so I don't have to lift them. The truck is only sitting so far forward because the brakes don't work and that's where it stopped lol

 

The two piece truck mmmm yes lol

I haven't touched it for two years because I've just been too busy with other projects and it has sat in the garage at home.

I decided it was time to get started on it again but still needed two new doors, rear brake drums (unique to the fso truck) and a pedal box and servo bracket (also unique to the diesel RHD FSOs).

This white truck came up on ebay and only 140 miles from me so I bought it, thinking, great I have all the bits I need to complete it but as it turns out, although this one still needs a bit of welding, it is much better condition than the 2 piece truck even now. So now I have decided to break the 2 piece and now restore this one using any of the other spares I have e.g. windscreen as the white one has a crack in it.

It will be a shame to break the 2 piece one but the parts for the trucks are getting extremely rare even in Poland. It's taken me two years to find the doors for instance because they are longer than the car ones. I still have the other blue Caro truck too which I will be doing a concourse restoration on next year and using it purely for shows.

[CYANIDE STEVE]

As my Iveco has now gone, I have started to build a new camper from scratch to my on design and spec using an FSO Caro Truck as a base. I don't want it to be demountable, so the living area will be a permanent fixture. I started it about 3 months ago but unfortunately I fell very ill which put me out of action for about 6 weeks but over the past 2 weeks I've managed to get back on it. I've began by stripping the truck down to the shell to hunt out and repair any rot. By far the worst bit was the scuttle which I had to completely cut out and replace with a new panel. I also had to cut out a section of the roof and replace it with a good section from another vehicle we had broken. I've extended and modified the load bed slightly for the new body to sit on too.

[CYANIDE STEVE]

Some more piccies

[beko1987]

Awesome!

[fordperv]

Awesome, more pictures please

[vulgalour]

Good to see an update from you and glad to hear you're better again (even though I hadn't know you were ill until this recent post).  FSO Caro-camper sounds interesting, is it going to feature styling anything like the Ambassador based Coaster Tremor?

[dollywobbler]

You don't believe in half measures do you? Just for completeness, what was up with the Volvo dizzler in the end?

[CYANIDE STEVE]

This is going to be roughly what it will look like but mine will look more rugged. Under the body will be more enclosed on mine. The second picture isn't an FSO but I've used this for inspiration too.

 

The Volvo Ian, had sheared the crankshaft pulley key, so the camshaft stopped and the pistons smashed 8 of the 12 valves and broke the camshaft in two. I replaced the pulley and timing belt. Rebuilt the head and it worked. It's been a nice reliable beast ever since. Almost a year now since I bought it.

[ruffgeezer]

Nice to see you back Steve, even if I have to call you rude names under my breath for having way too many cool pick up trucks!