Hi all, new to the forum.  Thought you might be interested in what I've got myself into
I'd been after my first classic car for a while.  If it's big and made in the 70s I'm interested.  Looked at few things like P6s, Zodiacs, Victors, SD1s and various other things.  Problem was I didn't want to spend a boatload of money on something that looked alright but underneath was actually a total heap.  The solution was to buy a complete heap in the first place and spend the money fixing it.
So in January I went ahead and bought this from a colleague at work who was moving away and needed to get shot of it.

It's a part finished restoration (I prefer not started) and it needs a whole load of help if it's going to stand any chance of using a road again.
Pros
It's right up my street.  Granada Coupes are quite odd and certainly stand out from the norm.
It still has the original engine, box, interior and most trim.
It came with loads of panels I need to repair it (mostly original Ford stock).
It came with so many spares I could probably build a few Granadas and still have stuff left over.
It was cheap.
Cons
Most of the front end has been cut off.
Most of the body structure is quite rotten.
It's going to take me ages.
I work at a restoration company and my boss kindly allows me to keep the car there.  So I've got access to all the gear I need to restore it.  I've been busy on the car for a while now so will post more pics over the coming days.
Cheers 

Well I've been meaning to sign up here in forever, but kept forgetting. Thanks to someone over on another forum I frequent poking me about it recently the subject was forced back into my very brief attention span for long enough to get me to act on the instruction.

I figure that my little varied fleet might bring you lot some amusement...

So...we've got:

1993 Lada Riva 1.5E Estate (now fuel injected, as I reckon the later cars should have been from the factory...).
1989 Saab 900i Automatic.
1987 Skoda 120LX 21st Anniversary Special Edition.
1985 Sinclair C5.
2009 Peugeot 107 Verve.

Now getting the photos together has taken me far longer than I'd expected...so you're gonna get a couple of photos of each car for now, and I'll come back with some more information tomorrow when I've got a bit more time...

Firstly...The Lada. Before anyone asks - in response to the single question I get asked about this car: No, it is not for sale. Took me 13 years and my father's inheritance to find the thing.


Yes, it's got the usual rusty wings...Hoping that will be resolved in the next couple of months.

 






Next, a proper old Saab. One of the very last 8 valve cars apparently, and all the better for it. I've driven two 16v autos and they were horrible - the auto box works sooooo much better with the torque curve of the 8 valve engine. Just wish it had an overdrive for motorway cruising...









Next up a *real* Skoda...back when they put the engine where it belongs, right out the back. In the best possible colour of course...eye-searingly bright orange.







Seat covers have been added since that photo was taken as it suffers from the usual rotting seat cloth problem that affects virtually all Estelles.

Then we have possibly the world's scruffiest Sinclair C5...



Realised when looking for this that I really need to get some more photos of the thing...I use it often enough after all! We have a dog who's half husky, so this is a really good way of getting him some exercise.

Finally - again, I really need to take more photos of - we have the little Pug 107.



Included for the sake of variety even if it's a bit mainstream! First (and probably to be the only) new car I've bought, and has been a cracking little motor and has asked for very little in return for putting up with nearly three years of Oxford-Milton Keynes commuter traffic, before finally escaping that fate when my housemate moved to a new job. Now it doesn't do many miles and is my default car for "when I've managed to break everything else."

I'll fill in some more details tomorrow - I warn you though that I do tend to ramble...

What does £191 on eBay get you?
 
 
 
 
An E36 BMW 316i with two sets of wheels, a DAB radio, an MOT until December, 110k miles on the clocks, a slightly* fucked back box and a bit of grot on the driver's side sill.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This is co-owned between me and 17-Coffees and our plan is to do a light restoration and just generally piss about with it. It's actually really nice to drive, and is surprisingly brisk for only being a 1.6.
 
Yes, the alloys are getting sacked off ASAP as it came with the original steel wheels with all-but-new Toyo Proxes on them!

Right as you have gathered, the Kudos has arrived at Bezza towers (cheers WOC for that)..

Looking over her I have noted that arches are fooked 

Hope to get a hammer to them tomorrow to see if they need sparky stick, or fibreglass and wob..
NOW... seeing as I'll be doing all 4 arches, and the surrounding paintwork is actually in pretty good condition.
I intend to do a good old fashioned 80's tidemark, starting at the top of the arches, down to the sills..
Car is a dark grey - so what colour do you reckon the tidemark should be...
GLOSS BLACK
SORT OF SAME COLOUR AS BODY
SATIN BLACK
SILVER
OTHER....
 
Really not sure what colour as I know I won't be able to match the original, and it will be rattle canned too..
Cheers all, will update as and when anything happens to the old barge
Still trying to find a name for her!!!!
 

Woke up this morning, had a little time before I had to leave the house for work, had a quick look at what’s new for sale on Retro Rides and saw an ad for a W124 200E manual, located 15 miles from home. I had no intention of buying a car today but I had to have it! I called the seller and arranged a viewing.
 
Faults:
 
2 x rusty front wings (TADTS)
1 x rusty rear arch
Needs a polish
Tracking is out because new track rod end was fitted for MoT
Engine has oil leak/s
 
Good points:
 
It’s a W124 200E!
5 speed manual transmission
New clutch
Brand new MoT
Superb MoT history
4 x as new Continental tyres
Last owner for 15 years, her husband before that for 4 years
Very tidy MB-Tex interior
Drives well
All electrics work
 
The dealer kindly delivered the car to my house but I managed a pez station shot on route:
 

 
Plans:
 
Remove front wings, cut away rust and apply plenty of wob.
In-situ similar repair for rear arch
Clean and polish
Service engine
Adjust tracking
Leave patina and enjoy the car as it is
 
I will update this thread once progress is made.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Hopefully these two will become good friends.