Garage find Rancho - the bronze one. Rust update, p15

[Skizzer]

From the eBay tat thread, because

I demand a Skizzer/Ranchero thread.

 

Now.

Here's the original post:

Holy Mother of God.

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C774624

 

UK Rancho, been sat in a garage awaiting restoration for the last 11 years.

 

I'm about to do something really, really stupid. You have 9 minutes to talk me out of it.

Nothing's signed yet but I've talked to the seller on the phone and I've offered to buy it barring extreme disasters. We're going to meet up on Thursday so we can see what it'll take to get it moving. He's away until then, so hopefully that means I won't get gazumped.

 

His brother bought it in 2005 and stored it away pending restoration; sadly said brother died last year. It did start up recently and has moved in and out of the garage a few times since 2005, so hopefully it should be driveable (or at least winchable) on to a trailer without too much bother.

 

Not sure how 'unrestored' it is - we'll see on Thursday. It has an interior of some sort, and some spares. It's been in the dry and it doesn't look irredeemable in the photos - might be a good time to learn to weld though.

Hastings is not too far from me if I can help in any way Skizzer.

That's very decent of you sir, thanks - I'll keep you posted - may be glad of a bit of assistance on collection day.

 

 

I'm beyond excited. I've been diligently montoring the usual sites for UK Ranchos most days for a couple of years; I tried and failed to buy a couple in France and Belgium last summer but had given up trying to get French-speakers to play the game (even though my French is quite passable).

 

 

Here's a pic of my 1/18 version, to keep us all going.

 

Talbot Matra Rancho X by Otto by Skizzer, on Flickr

[Sheefag]

I do so hope this works out for you.

[Pillock]

Fuuuuuuck. You're my new hero.

 

Teacher had one of those when I was in the infants. I can remember basically nothing of my pre-7yrs childhood apart from

1) The teacher who had a red Rancho

2) Mrs Sandsom who had a base model Mk1 Astra, with the stupid small boot and round headlights (Actually, a Kadette? Were they both on sale in the UK?)

3) Samantha Osbourne.

[cort16]

Well done skizzer I don't think I've seen one of these since 1988

[trigger]

Fuck yeah! Excellent news! There was one of these sat on a local oub forecourt for a long while before he sold it on ebay, i spoke to the old owner the other day and he says he still regrets selling.

[garbaldy]

I've always wanted one since having a toy one as a wee un, I haven't seen one in the flesh ever so look forward to a detailed recommissioning thread.

 

Edit,

And a quick shufty through the toy box and here she is, I always thought they look a bit like a disco if you squint.

[skattrd]

Well jel mate, a Rancho has to be more desirable than even the Tagora.

Fingers crossed it works out ok.

[danthecapriman]

Fuckin awesome! Can't wait to see how this goes.

[catsinthewelder]

Excellent news Sir Skizz,  I've wanted one of these since I was small but have given up and just got the nearest thing visually (the Disco).  Your model looks a bit like it's been attacked by a Dubber with Nitromors.

[vulgalour]

That model you've got is super, I was looking at the picture trying to figure out what was 'wrong' with it because I have a habit of looking at pictures and going back to read the text.  Really convincing.  I pinned it down to the lighting and the wipers being a bit chunky that made it look not-real.  Very nice model indeed.  Hope the full scale one turns out to be a go-er!

[HillmanImp]

Oh

[HillmanImp]

My

[HillmanImp]

Fucking

[HillmanImp]

God

[Pillock]

Are the rear lights off a Rancho shared with anything else?

They look familiar.

[HillmanImp]

Ten years ago you could've bought this, driven it to Nissan and said, "This looks like a 4x4 but isn't, its underpowered and its fugly.... this will save your company" and they will probably have laughed you out of the door but here we are and there must be 4 or 5 Kumquats or Pukes down my street.

 

This car is more ahead of its time than a time machine.

 

Win win win

[eddyramrod]

I haven't seen one in the flesh ever

 

IMG_20160806_231033639.jpg

You're not serious?  I've had a lift in one!  Mind it was 1982...

[For Fiats Sake]

Absolutely my favourite vehicle of the 70's.  I spent more time than was strictly necessary perving over one at the NEC last year.  The matra club said only 2 in the UK!  probably a good place to contact for spares advice etc.

 

I am greener than the one that used live in my village.

 

toppage buying sir!

[eddyramrod]

Oh and btw, Skizzer: top work sir!

[inconsistant]

http://autoshite.com/topic/15310-1980-talbot-rancho-brochure-scan/

[Doctormop]

In the summer holidays of 1986, I was 14, gazing out of my bedroom window pointlessly when a very tidy red Rancho parked outside our house (we lived quite close to a busy shopping area and cars always parked along our road) even then Rancho's were an unusual sight and having nothing better to do I gazed at it for a moment or two just as the lady driver of said vehicle had a quick look around, whipped off her top and put a t shirt on, I saw her bra and everything......

Oh well, it was a big deal to me at the time; as you were chaps and well done Skizzer, I honestly don't know how anyone can top this.

[surprisingskoda]

Agreed. It can't be topped. This is the epitome, the one true ring, the crown jewels.

[KruJoe]

Good work my man! I'm well pleased. Does anyone else on here have one?

 

 

Are the rear lights off a Rancho shared with anything else?

They look familiar.

 

 

That thought just struck me as well. I'm thinking Fiat something... but good ale prevents me nailing it down.

[Junkman]

If you really pull this off, you just fucking won Autoshite.

Okay, Pshome is a strong contender, too, tagoraing German Autobahns at 125 OMGMPH.

I'm out of the race. And I'll never catch up.

So hat donnage and all that.

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

Crikey. This was the last thing I expected to see, even on here. Rancho. Wow.

[Braddon81]

Are the rear lights off a Rancho shared with anything else?

They look familiar.

Nope their not shared with anything else, Rancho rear clusters are bespoke to the car.

 

There was one this very colour that lived in the Kittle area of Swansea in the late eighties early ninties when I was bombing around in my Talbot Alpine! I think Simcat on here would be the one to speak to as regard to any potential Rancho/ Simca 1100 horror points. Top top purchase Skizzer!

[brownnova]

Yes yes yes yes yes!

[Junkman]

Rancho taillghts were made by Seima and have the part numbers 29.90.01 (LH) and 29.90.00 (RH).

They were made specifically for it and were not used on any other regular production car.

Even the Simca 1100 Van, on which the Rancho is based, has different taillights.

 

And Skizzer, the only real Achilles heel of these are the A-pillars. So this is what you must check most thoroughly on Thursday.

From there back, everything is GRP and thus not a problem. In fact, all GRP components, as well as the bumpers and wheel flares,

are available new.

The only other really important bit to check is the area above the tailgate. Usually it is not a problem, but if the hinges haven't been

lubricated regularly, there could be stress cracks in the plastic, which then lead to water ingress at the back, which in turn leeds to

the boot floor rotting.

 

Never mind the oily bits. They are Simca 1308/Talbot 1510, hence they are

 

A. Indestructible

B. Available like water.

 

Especially the type 315 1.5 litre OHV L4 has a reputation of being the only thing working after WW3 apart from cockroaches.

 

Generally, the spare parts situation is surprisingly good, since there are clubs in many countries.

[cort1977]

Wow, skizzer you are a dedicated shiter, can't wait to see how this turns out.

[Rocket88]

You have done well, my son...........................