Look what the cat dragged in - Dacia Shifterossa!!!!

[RedSparrow]

If you can afford it, why not get the guy to do the work. It's basically unique so worth doing properly.

Nice work on the bed btw.

[Ghosty]

Pay. It sounds like it'd be in good hands.

[SambaS]

God is it healthy giving that much of your life up exchange for a bit of money? Jobs. Meh.

[Timewaster]

Personally I'd put the shifter on hold until work calms down and spring is in the air.

That way you get to enjoy fixing it AND keep the cash.

 

Win.

[Rmx]

Thank you all, decision will be made next week at some point, and will of course let you all know what the way forward will be. I have a sneaky suspicion I will have to hand it over and have it done by someone else but we'll see.

[Rmx]

So I've decided to have someone else carry on and finish the shifter. Not quite sure how I feel about it, I only hope I have made the right decision in the long term.

 

I may be stupid and naive but I can't shake the feeling of something happening to it, I love the car and the fact it's the very last one of in existence (this exact model) makes me worry bucket loads.

 

It was picked up this evening, it will be loaded onto a car transporter and begin to make its way to Suceava (Romania) tomorrow or Friday. I am hoping for it to be delivered to the restorer sometime during the weekend. I have no doubt the end result will be of the highest standard and I think it needs that kind of respect and attention to detail. NO modifications on this one, it will be kept 100% standard, as it left the factory.

 

I hope I've made the right decision, now time to work and earn some money to pay for this whole adventure.

 

I will of course continue to post pictures and details of its progress if you are all still interested in monitoring the progress made

[skattrd]

So the car is going to be restored in Romania, it does make sense I suppose, but that's a considerable journey and investment in the old girl.

Hat well and truly doffed.

[mat_the_cat]

  On 03/12/2014 at 21:34, Rmx said:

I will of course continue to post pictures and details of its progress if you are all still interested in monitoring the progress made

 

Of course! Regardless of who does the work, the important thing is that it will be done. And without you finding the car in the first place, and making a start on the mammoth task, the full restoration would never happen.

[Rmx]

So the car hasn't even arrived at its destination and the restorer and I must have spent hours on the phone putting together a plan.

 

One of his conditions on taking on this project was my word that I will keep the car as original as possible. Bearing in mind I searched high and dry for a new pick up bed before going down the road of bastardising a ford transit floor, have a look what he's just gotten his hands on for me, an original factory manufactured shifter bed floor.

 

I'm getting the feeling I may have made the right choice after all. EVERYTING has to be as original as possible, is what he KEEPS telling me

[Mr_Bo11ox]

How'd you find a restorer you trusted enough RMX?

[Felly Magic]

They were still making the pickups in Romania until fairly recently I believe, so parts should be more plentiful over there

[Rmx]

I met someone recently who owns a Renault 12. He had it restored by this person and I got to inspect his work from head to toe. I spent a whole afternoon checking, inspecting, driving and looking through all the photographs taken whilst the restoration work was being carried out. The Renault 12 was restored circa 3 to 4 years ago and I was especially keen to see how the body work had coped and it was as fresh as when it rolled off the production line. The paint is still immaculate, and every single nut and bolt had been carefully restored or replace, and I'm going as far as every single wire behind the dashboard. Even the Jack and wheel brace were paid meticulous attention and looked like brand new so judging the work put into the restoration of the R12 I knew the guy was incredibly passionate about his work, and that's the very key to any restorer out there.....passion, a lot of garages and a lot of people can repair and restore, few have the real passion that one must have in order to go back to the very bones and bring it back to life.

 

He only takes on 2 to 3 cars a year and doesn't let anyone else touch the car, apart from body work and actual respray. All work is done by himself and his son. I was pre-warned by the owner of the R12 that he won't cheap and whatever I do, never ask him to modify anything to suit my taste, he only brings them back to life in original factory spec.

 

The White R12 that I examined competed at NEC Birmigham and came 2nd out of other restorations like old Bentley, Mercs and Ferraris, apparently Mike Brewer (hopefully I spelt that right) fell in love with the car and the way it had been restored.

 

I'm not gonna lie, I have gone out on a limb here but I'm hoping for it to pay off. The Shifter is not an investment, it's not something I am looking to make a profit on, it's something i am looking to keep for many years to come and it must be done right.

[Rmx]

Yes they were manufactured until circa 2007 however the body is different in the models post 1996. Although I would agree some parts are much easier to find over there, parts like headlights which are specific to models made in the late 80s are virtually non existent.

 

I managed to find someone that had the keys to the factories old depot and with a bit of persuasion (£££) he agreed to go and look for a set of headlights, exactly the type that my car needed. After 3 days he found a pair which had been manufactured in 2007 still boxed and brand new but completely forgotten about. I was very very lucky indeed.

 

The shape of the bed is different to the later models as I said and of course any parts have to be adjusted to suit the earlier model if you manage to find the right parts at all. Although by law, the factory MUST provide spare parts for the next 15 years I think, they have already dissasaembled the production lines and all the spares you find are non - genuine and of incredibly poor quality so sometimes it's best to work with what you have.

 

I'm looking for a new wiring loom and the ones that you can buy are of such cheap quality and used much thinner wires that you will always have issues with it, so the restorer and I have agreed to completely refurbish the existing one from head to toes, replacing bits if necessary.

[Parky]

You aren't getting it fixed up by a chap called Danut are you?

 

If its him, my god you are going to have one spanking Dacia when he is done - the guy is a genius

 

Even if it isn't him, all Renner pervs like me should read this:

 

http://renaultccc.proboards.com/thread/1608?page=4

[Mr Lobster]

I read that thread a while back. Amazing work and the car itself is stunning!

[Rmx]

Yes Parky, his full name is Danut Crainiciuc and his previous work has managed to get him quite well known, and he's actually admitted he's quite excited to see this restoration through.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

WOW!!! Nice work man. Restecp

[Parky]

That's brilliant, his work is quality. When you next speak to him, tell him he is my hero!

 

Doesn't look like he works fast but he is very thorough and doesn't cut corners from what I have seen. I reckon your little pickup will be quite in demand for magazines and Dacia dealer displays in the future

[Rmx]

Last week the shifter got there ok. -10c outside and the boys were incredibly pleased to have to push it around the yard and examine it, not.

 

Apparently this is more of a reconstruction project rather than a restoration project, according to them. At least 6 weeks to sort out ALL the rust and it get it ready for a full respray.

[Anglevan]

Brilliant, looking forward to the updates.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Yo RMX, I want to buy you a pint

[Parky]

I'll get the crisps

[Rmx]

Well how about this, as soon as it's done and gets back here we could all organise to meet one weekend at a place convenient for everyone.

 

Then yes, I'll take you up on the pint AND CRISPS offer

 

The car should be fully restored by March, it's got an annual Dacia reunion which it must attend in May and then it will be put on a trailer and returned to England. Then NEC, and who knows what else the future has in stock for it........rumour has it, some rich guy has heard about the car and has taken a keen interest in it, simply put he can do one if he thinks I'm selling lol.

[Rmx]

Happy New Year to you all.

 

Following a personal visit to Suceava (that's where the car is being restored by Danut) i managed to see his private collection of circa 6 or 7 cars. All absolutely faultless, one is even on show in the local Dacia dealer. Not that i did not trust him however i wanted to see for myself the car was being well looked after and work was being carried out the the highest standards. Needless to say i was pleasantly surprised. The inner wings have been replaced and a new original bed put in, one of the chassis legs has to also be replaced as it was way to rotten. Pics for you all, the project is going ahead at a steady pace but i am more than happy with the quality of work so far.

 

The engine has been stripped and new pistons, new gaskets, new pretty much everything will be put in. If my plans work out the car will be shipped out to America in August and will take part in a "little" race from coast to coast alongside another Dacia.

 

enjoy................

[vulgalour]

I have all the likes for this update!

[Parky]

Swoon!

[SambaS]

Only just caught up with this.....

 

FANTASTIC!

[Owain71]

Makes my upcoming Subaru 1800 GLF Hatchback restoration look like a walk in the park by comparison... I shall no longer be frightened of getting in quotes for the job!   

 

Just brilliant... keep on posting the updates... like many on here I'm loving this!

[AnthonyG]

Judging by the white 12, that's going to look fantastic when it's finished.

[dollywobbler]

Astonishing.