SambaS in AlpineLE Oh-dearage!

5,843 · January 9, 2015

Great stuff, this forum NEEDS more pictures of float chambers !

2,865 · January 16, 2015

Got a sill! Thanks to Stu from SCUK for this )

61,131 · January 16, 2015

Those carbs are a right pain in the arse for clogging up jets if unused. I had to take mine apart and blow compressed air through it on more than one occasion when the car had been stood for a while.

7,238 · January 16, 2015

the family II gm engine was 90PS in the pre unleaded 1600S set up

the ford engine was 75 bhp as a 1.6 ,,,

and for comparison an A-series in a maestro makes 69 bhp and 72 in an MG Metro

23,192 · January 16, 2015

How rare are sills for these in the UK, I imagine thats quite a find? Are they imported from abroad by enthusiasts or old UK stock?

2,865 · January 16, 2015

I think the last haul of panels came from Czech but unsure about this sill, have a quarter panel lined up although it's currently on the Cinnamon GL, that's gonna get a NOS panel as its worth doing a proper job of.

4x doors in pipeline, seats too.

1,368 · January 17, 2015

Then again, the Simca engine was bloody ancient and the GM Family 2 brand new in 1980, making the former's output all the more impressive. Whether it would still put out nearly 90 brake once the valve gear could be heard FROM SPACE is another matter.

1,611 · January 17, 2015

I can only ever remember them rattling like buggery, even when they were quite new - were they ever quiet?

2,865 · February 26, 2015

SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY

Stu drove up to North Yorkshire from Kent to collect the Cinammon GL and show me how to weld on a sill and some other stuff...

I'll let the pics do the talking because I currently have tired.

2,865 · February 26, 2015

LATER THAT DAY...

2,865 · February 26, 2015

SUNDAY 22ND FEBRUARY

Was never gonna be a straightforward sill swap on a car this crusty but it wasn't as bad as we were expecting inside.

Still required extra work on the inner sill first.

2,865 · February 26, 2015

With the sill off were able to get at the jacking point failure bit too

2,865 · February 26, 2015

and then I can haz sill

Held on with Frost panel fastners along the top edge to bring the two panels together nice and tight to be welded.

Top edge is now welded, although I have to finish off to make it continuous. The bottom edge is plug welded in the same style as the original spots. Currently held on at each end for me to finish doing!

3,564 · February 26, 2015

About the toppest top tip I can give for cleaning carbs, brake calipers etc is one of those ultrasound bath things.

2,865 · February 26, 2015

Then rain happened so the power went away.. We (Stu) went and fitted a new bottom ball joint. This was not straight forward as the old one had already been damaged so the tool wouldn't undo it.

Off came the hub, into the house after plans B through to E failed and flat edges were ground into the balljoint, it was then held in a vice and we twatted the hub until it came undone.

Also got new gear links fitted, and a brake overhaul with new hoses

New bush^ old bush v

2,865 · February 26, 2015

Some more phots after Stu got the Cinnamon Alpine home..

2,865 · February 26, 2015

2,865 · February 26, 2015

This car's future is hanging in the balance due to the extent of the damage from the rear end shunt.

It needs a new boot floor, a complete offside inner wheelarch and all associated panels, as well as the rear panel and outer rear quarter. Also until all the bent stuff is removed it's unsure whether the stressed areas like the roof will return to normal (with some persuasion).

But if anyone can do it Stu's the man!

He had it going the same day, clutch freed off... she starts and drives!

Massive thanks for helping me out with my shed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

53,135 · February 27, 2015

Impressive update on these two unloved lovelies.

3,298 · February 27, 2015

I am in love with the caramel coloured Alpine. Seriously can't wait for more updates on this. Was it a company car? Would explain the mileage I guess.

February 27, 2015

I'm Stu as mentioned in this ongoing saga...!

Yes, it probably was a car used for business of some sort, don't think it had led a particularly cosseted life in it's brief two years on the road. N/S/F front door skin had already been replaced, and the rad expansion bottle PRV had been taped together in a futile effort to retain coolant!

February 27, 2015

It was also very old stock when registered in October 80. This early MK2 grille only lasted a few months, and was gone from production by the time the Solara was launched in May 80.

February 27, 2015

The rear end will need an extensive rebuild, but I think it can be done, I have the parts, either NOS or used in stock.

February 27, 2015

The improvement on the door card from cleaning is absolutely mega. Well done. How did you do it - technique, materials/fluids ?

February 27, 2015

The car had sat in the workshop with the rear quarter window removed for 33 years (which took me and SambaS about 3 mins to refit!) The interior was covered in black dust, which i think was settled out diesel soot, from moving the trucks in and out. There was also a bit of mould in the mix for good measure.

Cleaning technique utilised household CIF and a nailbrush, and 1001 upholstery cleaner on the cloth. The carpets will need to come out on a hot day for their turn.

128,084 · February 27, 2015

Superb stuff, keep it coming.

22,477 · February 27, 2015

First of all, great work on the blue 'un. Amazing to see you keeping the old girl on the road - it deserves a decent owner and you're clearly the man for the job.

As for the cinnamon Alpine, that's just something else. Sat since 82, but survived until now. It needs to live, end of. Looks like it's future's bright too. Looking forward to the next installment!