Project Chuck Beret. Sweet Little Sixteen

[D Spares & Tyres]

I hereby formally introduce my Renault 16. There have been mentions of it on other threads but I thought it could use its own.

 

 

I bought it off Mouseflakes long before I had heard of this place. It was on eBay so I drove down to Bristol to view it. He was due to move house in a few weeks and didn't want to be messed about by idiots so he forced me to buy it a price I couldn't refuse and the deal was done.

 

I went down the next week with a Mercedes Sprinter and a trailer. We emptied his sheds of spares for Renault 16s and other cars. They filled the Sprinter.

 

The Renault spent the next four years at a friends place as we welded it up. It spent a couple of years on its side as that was easier. Old tyres prevented any damage. There are photos of the collection and welding somewhere but no idea where!

 

Then after four years, the welding was completed. Amongst many,many plates it had a second-hand sill and b post fitted.

 

 

So then it was time to start on the mechanicals. Mouseflakes had never had it running. No idea how long since it had ran. I put a new fuel tank and lines on it. A new battery and it nearly started! After some investigation I realised a pushrod had come adrift. Never seen that before. It started and ran well when that was replaced but soon overheated. The radiator and cooling system wete full of crystallized coolant. I flushed that a few times and moved onto the brakes....

 

There were non on the back. No shoes, cylinders or anything. No parts I had seemed to match up. I can fix brakes if there is something there to start with but not this. So I trailered it down to a well known R 16 enthusiast in Lincs to sort it out. No rush I said. When he did call back to say it was fixed I asked him to get the rest of the car ready for the road. Again no rush I said... Anyway, due to his illness it never got finished so four years later I picked it back up! I did contemplate selling it but after driving Junkmans example I changed my mind.

 

Since I have had it back I have had it running. It would start but only if the starter motor was tapped with a bar. Not ideal. Neither is it's location...

 

 

To get the starter out on a right hand drive example you have to remove the joint carburettor and exhaust manifold. I was dreading this but it all came apart and went back together fine, other than the exhaust clamp which was really fiddly. Here is an 'after'photo:

Exhaust clamp was off the shelf at my local motor factors. Not sure if this is a spelling error

 

The starter motor was reconditioned at C A Stone of Kidderminster for £50. Well recommended.

 

Next job is to get the radiator re-cored then tidy the interior.

[mercrocker]

Hey, that's nice!   Southamptonshire number plate - any idea who the supplying dealer was?   They were imported through Southampton though.

[barrett]

Excellent. Also, dibs please

[D Spares & Tyres]

Thanks!

 

I've had it nearly 9 years and still don't have the new V5. The old log book shows two Southampton owners with the same surname. I presume father and son.

 

Oh and yes I do know the supplying dealer!

[mercrocker]

Wasn't expecting to see Steel's!   They were mainly BL dealers (my Grandad got his P6s from there) and sometime around 1968/9 moved from their old place which still exists (as a DAF truck agent) to a "new" showroom which is now long gone.  

[mk2_craig]

Marvelous! Glad you didn't sell. Love that style of front number plate. Is this an eventual full restoration or a patch-up and run as-is?

[D Spares & Tyres]

Tidy up and use as it is for now. I'm not into cars being perfect anymore. Too stressful trying to keep them mint and every little scratch is stressful! I'm going to sort all the rust but a bit at a time rather than take it all to bits. I just want to use it!

[D Spares & Tyres]

Marvelous! Glad you didn't sell. Love that style of front number plate. Is this an eventual full restoration or a patch-up and run as-is?

How about the rear one?

Incidentally, the tailgate trim is off the wrong car. A later one. This one is GL. I do.have the original trim in the garage

[500tops]

Those plates are absolute perfection.

 

I have a thing for oversized rear 'plates. Such a small detail can really change the look of a car.

[mercrocker]

The plates on this are indeed worthy of their own preservation.....Given the supplying dealer's stock-in-trade I wonder if that rear one was cut on a P6 blank?

[Uncle Jimmy]

I can has a rear light for one of these, pm me and I'll post it over.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I'm loving the idea of a secondhand sill and A-pillar!!! Did you have to get it off the donor?

[RRT22R]

That's great!

 

Do not paint! (Of course, it's your car so you can do as you please).

[D Spares & Tyres]

I'm loving the idea of a secondhand sill and A-pillar!!! Did you have to get it off the donor?

No, the sill came with it. I bought the B post off Mike Stokes from Spalding, the chap who overhauled the brakes. He no longer works in other people's cars but he has the biggest (only?) Stock of R16 cars and parts in the country.

[Squire_Dawson]

I think Big Chief I Spy had a 16.

[mk2_craig]

I think Big Chief I Spy had a 16.

 

SPY 999 !! Apparently.

[Noel Tidybeard]

SPY 999

 

Year 2015 Manufacturer Porsche Model Macan S S-A Colour Blue Vehicle Type Car Fuel Type Petrol Engine Size 2997cc BHP 340 BHP Vehicle Age 3 years 8 months Registered Date 02 March 2015

[mk2_craig]

Wonder how much they gave him for the R16 in part ex.