Project Memoirs: Bornite’s All Red Fleet

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

It pained me to see it looking as rough as a badger's arse. Now it looks great - jump in and use it, take it to shows and folk don't laugh at it anymore because trust me, most would have viewed it as a heap of shit - and it was one. There's nothing clever or smart about driving a car that looks like shit.

 

I suspect when this goes up for sale, there will be a fair queue to own it. Good work all round.

 

Btw, did you replace or repair the two doors that side? They look remarkably straight.

[Lord Sterling]

Just to echo what 99% of peeps have been saying. I think it is an absolute fantastic thing what you have done to this car so far. It's been a pleasure to read. When you first got it I was really willing this to have a light restoration whilst everyone else was saying - leave it as is/keep it as Leroy would have intended - thankfully you have done the right thing by this car by reversing all the bodges that left it looking tired and old, plus you giving a few more decades to exist as well as making it safer.

I absolutely applaud your efforts and doff my cap in your general direction for taking a big lead on this.

Some people here seem to think that the Autoshite ethos is to take a 20/30 year old car and run it on a shoe string whilst keeping it looking tatty and unloved. I don't see that and don't know where this comes from. As I understand we're (mostly) just taking in old unloved motors and breathing some life back into them, and often, shining them up is often an inevitability.

[BorniteIdentity]

It pained me to see it looking as rough as a badger's arse. Now it looks great - jump in and use it, take it to shows and folk don't laugh at it anymore because trust me, most would have viewed it as a heap of shit - and it was one. There's nothing clever or smart about driving a car that looks like shit.

 

I suspect when this goes up for sale, there will be a fair queue to own it. Good work all round.

 

Btw, did you replace or repair the two doors that side? They look remarkably straight.

This is purely the talent of the bodywork guy. He said "there is still the odd ripple" but I can't see one. He was very complimentary of Dicky's welding and says he can smooth in the arch repairs more too. He was happy to weld the old driver's door up if necessary, but I would prefer to get a replacement.

 

It's coming along well. I am nervous that the head gasket is toast so it'll have to visit "the man" soon.

[richardmorris]

It's looking good. It's all very well trying to keep things totally original, but when original is turning into rusty cornflakes than needs must. I don't think it would be right to do a total nuts 'n bolts restoration on it, but keeping it solid and working must be a good thing surely?

[egg]

Another vote for 'you're doing this right'!

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

 I am nervous that the head gasket is toast so it'll have to visit "the man" soon.

 

 

They're a piece off cake - a decent mechanic can get the head off a Pinto in just over an hour. The head won't be cracked and is unlikely to need a skim, just 20 minutes with a rubbing down block and some 120 grit. Pintos went to stretch bolts at some point but I don't think it was as early as 1982. Worth replacing the cam belt and roller at the same time.

[xkjagnz]

Just seen this post so late on parade

anyway in answer to the first sentence af the OP

This week, for the first time ever, I felt old. I have sciatica which swaps from one side to the other, arthritis in one hand and what I think is the beginnings of IBS. On top of that it took me 2 weeks to remember a registration number that once would take me 2 seconds, and I forgot my parent's wedding anniversary.
 

[Angrydicky]

This is purely the talent of the bodywork guy. He said "there is still the odd ripple" but I can't see one. He was very complimentary of Dicky's welding and says he can smooth in the arch repairs more too. He was happy to weld the old driver's door up if necessary, but I would prefer to get a replacement.

 

Good to hear! That arch does need more filler, it was a bit of a rush job and I admit I hate filling, especially on large flat panels. 

 

Surprised the drivers door is causing that much of a problem - can anyone shitely a door down from that Sierra specialist in Lancashire? I seem to remember both doors on that side were a bit crispy with plenty of plod in the corners, but the ones on the passenger side were better.

[alf892]

This is purely the talent of the bodywork guy. He said "there is still the odd ripple" but I can't see one. He was very complimentary of Dicky's welding and says he can smooth in the arch repairs more too. He was happy to weld the old driver's door up if necessary, but I would prefer to get a replacement.

 

It's coming along well. I am nervous that the head gasket is toast so it'll have to visit "the man" soon.

I'll book a space!

 

Would be worth putting a cam in at same time.......and while doing that might as well do stem seals. Pointless doing all all that and not taking a peep at valves and giving them a clean and lap in.

[dollywobbler]

It pained me to see it looking as rough as a badger's arse. Now it looks great - jump in and use it, take it to shows and folk don't laugh at it anymore because trust me, most would have viewed it as a heap of shit - and it was one. There's nothing clever or smart about driving a car that looks like shit.

 

We'll have to disagree on this one. 

 

Restoration/preservation of a vehicle like this is always going to be tricky, with every bit of work being balanced against destroying the character while simultaneously ensuring the survival of the car. I've been there with my 2CV, which has deliberately NOT been left looking perfect. I don't want that. I think the Sierra is treading a good path, despite my initial misgivings. I'd hate to see it end up looking factory fresh though, just because we're increasingly in a world where any surviving Sierra will be factory fresh.

 

With my Bluebird, I'm tempted to give it a good cut and polish, but I'm also wary, as that'll then highlight how utterly shit some parts of the car are, like the slightly-mangled front end, scuffed (and in one case holed) bumpers and broken trim.

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Before the winter comes, I'd be under the new front wing and rear arch with hammerite followed by a good couple of coats of spray on black waxoyl. Can't recall if you can get to the inside of the rear wing on a Sierra to get waxoyl or similar into the inner/outer arch seam.

[danthecapriman]

I'll book a space!Would be worth putting a cam in at same time.......and while doing that might as well do stem seals. Pointless doing all all that and not taking a peep at valves and giving them a clean and lap in.

While/if the head is off is it worth getting it machined for unleaded inserts?

I did mine several years back on the Capri's Pinto. Head off, new bolts, belt + tensioner, new valves, new cam shaft, new rockers and springs etc and the unleaded inserts all in one hit. Not needed to have the head off ever since and it's still fine now.

It's well worth getting the unleaded inserts imho.

[alf892]

Hadn't thought about that. Bit hungry on cash though as it has no doubt been on unleaded for a while now and any valve seat regression has failed to keep up with cam wear!

[beko1987]

Re the paint, I think there's a strong case for doing all the metalwork it needs, then new paint over that . Otherwise it'll rot again. Then, (and I can feel the hate already), get it properly polished and fully detailed. To even it out, and get it all looking amazing. Then have a summer of fun with it shiney, enter a show or two, take lots of photos etc.

 

Then leave it to pogweasel and fade again, but evenly and knowing it won't need bodywork for a good few years. If it's rare now, surely it's worth making it last another 20 years to be even rarer?

[Guest Hooli]

Reminds me of my plan if I can ever afford a new car.

 

I'll buy a properly restored classic & use it as a daily until fucked. Then restore it again rather than buying another car.

[BorniteIdentity]

I was going to do a full thread on this, but then others waltzed in with a Lotus Elite and Rover SD1 and I didn't much fancy getting laughed at.

 

Truth be told, I miss my old 190e. It tested both my patience and my wallet, but symbolically it was important to me. I'd enjoyed a great deal of professional success in 2014-5 and, as modest as it may sound, it was a treat to myself. I was given the opportunity to buy it back last month, but struggled to justify the £2000 it is worth in the current market.

 

So I kept my eye out on alternatives. I wanted something that could easily cope with my 100 mile daily commute, be a bit different from the hoi polloi whilst also look respectable.

 

I enquired about a few w202s, and even test drove a diesel last week at a dealer. It went well enough but had a gearbox that required attention and a price tag in excess of £1000.

 

I saw this advertised 30 miles away and, after an heroic haggle, got it for nearly half of his asking price.

 

This one is a C180 Elegance and, whilst it may have the smallest engine, the 122bhp is more than enough to propel you along. More importantly, absolutely everything works. Even the flipping air con! Anoraks will be pleased to hear even the original first aid kit is still present and correct!

 

4x electric windows. Air conditioning. Sunroof. Electric mirrors. Collapsing rear headrests, original radiogram, dash lights. All working. Incredible.

 

I'm very taken with it. It drives very well, only the cold idle seeming to be an issue (MAF by all accounts)

 

Going forward, the amber indicator lenses will be returned because that's what it would have had from new. Unsure about the wheel trims, if I can get some C Klasse ones cheap I probably will. Irritatingly, I had a set which I gave away with my 190e last year.

 

All in all, very pleased indeed.

[BorniteIdentity]

 

 

 

 

[Rusty_Rocket]

Very nice indeed.  Am I right in thinking the early ones are better as far as cosmetic 'Merc rust' is concerned?  It does look thankfully blister-free.

[BorniteIdentity]

Very nice indeed. Am I right in thinking the early ones are better as far as cosmetic 'Merc rust' is concerned? It does look thankfully blister-free.

Unsure. But I've looked at 3 different 1994 cars and they've all been very good. This one is remarkable really. I've made a promise to just drive it before shelling out but, if it's a keeper, I will treat it to all the paint it deserves.

[trigger]

Looks nice, Suffolk registered too.

[BorniteIdentity]

Looks nice, Suffolk registered too.

Aye. Fortunately someone has already done the legwork for me on 'Lancaster' plates, so that may well happen in the near future.

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Schaefft]

Looks very nice indeed and I'd definitely go for amber indicators asap, it just looks so much better imo. Do you have more photos from the inside?

 

Edit: Reading its wikipedia page, the Elegance actually came with white indicators front and back from the beginning. Only the Classic (base model) W202 had orange indicators. I'd still go with them though, they are much more classy looking.

 

Also, I think I've found the ad for it.  https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/mercedes-c180-elegance-w202-full-years-mot-service-history/1254107130

[BorniteIdentity]

Looks very nice indeed and I'd definitely go for amber indicators asap, it just looks so much better imo. Do you have more photos from the inside?

 

Edit: Reading its wikipedia page, the Elegance actually came with white indicators front and back from the beginning. Only the Classic (base model) W202 had orange indicators. I'd still go with them though, they are much more classy looking.

 

Also, I think I've found the ad for it. https://www.gumtree.com/p/mercedes-benz/mercedes-c180-elegance-w202-full-years-mot-service-history/1254107130

Ah. Interesting on the indicators. To me, Mercs should always have nice clear headlights with contrasting amber indicators. I will change them as soon as I can find a pair of genuine ones for a decent price.

 

Yes, that's the car. We shook on £400 but he was a nice guy, it was his first car and he is starting a new job tomorrow - so I gave him more.

[egg]

Very nice, has real stately class about it.

[Guest Hooli]

Needs moAr warning lights

 

 

Looks great, reminds me of my old W124.

[Lord Sterling]

These cars are very classy looking things now. I've really started to notice them in a big way. I regret not buying the c-class estate that red5 pointed out to me a couple of years ago when my W124 got crashed into. Prices on these are stupidly low too, I really fancy one of these but low money never helps.

[BorniteIdentity]

Splashed £27 on a cheap random polisher off of Argos. Relatively good results, certainly for the money.

 

Car comes up well. It's a 7/10 at best because there are a couple of scabs and the front end lets it down with stone chips. Fortunately, there's no rush to fix anything because the metal is so thick; it's just cosmetic.

 

 

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

[Schaefft]

Threads like this make me wanna get cars that I wasn't even interested in before. As if the list wasn't long enough already!

[Brodders]

Nice job with the polisher. That has come up really well.

[BorniteIdentity]

Well it only took 48 hours for the first issue to appear.

 

Occasionally, the soft brake function isn't there, so there's a lot of travel on the brake pedal. The worrying thing is it's not consistent, so sometimes it'll stop nicely with plenty of feel, the next one's bottom hole contracts as you stop just in time.

 

From what I gather when the fault is evident, I'm stopping on just the front brakes. It's also likely to be either a fucked master cylinder or air in the system.

 

Either way, not the start I was hoping for.