Lankytim Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 I've had a brief play with this VISA. First of all, I found the keys in the ash tray, what a result! I wasn't looking forward to replacing the locks or paying for a replacement set of keys. Two of the doors wouldn't close as the catch mechanisms had seized up, after removal, cleaning and lubrication they slowly came back to life. No nasty surprises so far when it comes to the bodywork- The shell appears not to need any welding apart from a very small piece on the leading edge of the passenger sill which may/may not survive a screwdriver test, the worst area is perhaps the bulkhead where the spare wheel sits and even that isn't too bad. The only panels which deffo need repair or preferably replacement are both the rear doors which are rotten at the bottom edge. The VISA came with a very dead battery. After finding a good one I found all the electrical systems were dead, a small multi plug was disconnected under the bonnet and with that plugged back in we suddenly had lights, wiper and even a radio! The engine was fortunately not seized and after checking the oil I found it would turn over quite happily on the starter. A split fuel pipe prevented it running but it will briefly run with petrol poured down the carb, the clutch also works fine. I feel very lucky at this stage as I had convinced myself the engine was seized and would need replacement, fingers crossed it won't need any major surgery at all. I'm building up a short shopping list of parts needed to get this on the road, so far I'm going to need.... A set of tyres, maybe with wheels too as one or two of the rims are very rusty and may not be usable, A pair of headlights, the existing headlights have lost all their mirrored finish and the glass has fallen off one of them. If there's a way or replacing the mirrored finish I could repair them but I suspect replacement is going to be the most straightforward option. A pair of rear doors, the ones I have are pretty crunchy and although they might repair, I think replacement is going to be easier. The car is still absolutely covered with shite and tree debris, especially under the bonnet. I may A frame the thing to the local jet wash and spend a tenner on giving it a good scrub down. Mrs6C, Vince70, shedenvy and 29 others 32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Sort the tyres first, &. make sure the brakes are free! or carry a large water container to shock them off when red hot! Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedenvy Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 By the sounds of that update, nobody could wish for a better result! We had some 30ft conifers at the back of our last house and it was always dry under there, even during a downpour. Perhaps that saved the wee beastie. Sudsprint 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 1 hour ago, Lankytim said: .....the existing headlights have lost all their mirrored finish and the glass has fallen off one of them. If there's a way or replacing the mirrored finish I could repair them.... There is, but to have them "re-silvered" properly costs a small fortune, and not many firms will touch a plastic reflector bowl. I was quoted £250 + VAT to do the bi-optic reflectors (both plastic) on the CX, and that's just for the offside. Alternatively, if you're handy with a rattle can of chrome spray paint, then a low-cost short-term solution presents itself. Several coats of that stuff should then be able to withstand a decent polishing. For the rims, could they not be rescued by dunking them in a bath of FE-123 or whatever Bilt Hamber produce for jobs like that? Lankytim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lankytim Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 I’ve heard people having good results by sticking bacofoil onto headlight reflectors to make them shiny again. perhaps worth a try. A couple of the rims are so corroded the valves are in danger of popping out. I think they’re beyond help realistically. I forgot to add the photos of it coming home, I didn’t A frame it in the end, the guy had just bought a Eurocargo recovery truck and was dying to test it out, he delivered it the couple of miles back home for free! Top fella. The boot contained a big box of spares, mostly brake parts and filters which will come in very handy, included was a spare NEW hubcap. I’m tempted to replace all the hubcaps for chrome items as I prefer the look of those, I’m not sure on the availability of them though. BeEP, Tenmil Socket, paulplom and 29 others 32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 12 minutes ago, Lankytim said: I’ve heard people having good results by sticking bacofoil onto headlight reflectors to make them shiny again. perhaps worth a try. ..... Kitchen foil is fragile stuff and easily crumpled / torn. I used it for the tail light clusters in my 635CSi years ago, and whilst there was a slight improvement, it wasn't a long-term answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scdan4 Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 On 11/20/2019 at 11:22 PM, Tadhg Tiogar said: They definitely were if you worked at Paul Ricard.... The wife did a load of work for PR not so many years ago. She’s always said it was unreal. First taster trays would turn up at 9.45am... Tadhg Tiogar 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, scdan4 said: The wife did a load of work for PR not so many years ago. She’s always said it was unreal. First taster trays would turn up at 9.45am... I know somebody who isn't averse to a morning glass of wine, so this would be right up her street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrett Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Loads of new C15 headlamps on ebay, several of the early type with orange indicatior lenses, though most of them are in Europe so might need the glass swapping to get the correct beam pattern etc, but should be an easy replace for under £100 based on 2 minutes of research Lankytim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavcraft Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 It's just getting better, what with finding the keys etc. Are the wheels the same as an AX? Might be a bit easier to find, if so. Lankytim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuvvum Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Excellent news so far I'd say. I have had success in the past resurrecting headlights with chrome tape - it's much shinier than "chrome" spray paint and a lot more solid than baking foil. Tadhg Tiogar and skattrd 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floatylight Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Fantastic update..Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tadhg Tiogar Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 I think you should use those wheeltrims - they remind me of shite Rostyles. LightBulbFun, Stinkwheel and Sudsprint 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bezzabsa Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 5 hours ago, Lankytim said: . The car is still absolutely covered with shite and tree debris, especially under the bonnet. I may A frame the thing to the local jet wash and spend a tenner on giving it a good scrub down. Video please when you jet wash...love a good jet wash vid!!! 500tops 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lankytim Posted November 22, 2019 Author Share Posted November 22, 2019 3 minutes ago, bezzabsa said: Video please when you jet wash...love a good jet wash vid!!! Sorry, I didn’t take a vid but I did take a photo! its looking much better, the door shuts have all had a nice wipe down but the whole lot is begging for a cut and polish. I did find a little rot though, the inner wing below the drivers side headlight will need a patch but nothing too drastic. the inner wings near the bulkhead were covered in damp mulch which was jetted away quite nicely. The areas appear totally solid but the VIN plate has corrosion and I’m not sure I’ll be able to read the VIN number to get a new V5c! richardmorris, Shep Shepherd, Dannyk and 30 others 33 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairnet Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 Omfg Sudsprint 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spurious Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 EuroCarParts have a decent discount on this week. Two C15 headlights for £58 Dick Longbridge, Lankytim, Bamboocarman and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_dyane Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 It’s come up remarkably well! The VIN should also be stamped on the inner wing under the bonnet shut. Alas AX wheels are different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_dyane Posted November 22, 2019 Share Posted November 22, 2019 £42.68 for a pair of C15 headlamps from carparts4less however only the later lights are available which had sidelights where the Visa had indicators. I’m not sure if the 21w bulb holders fit but if they do you could use orange bulbs, or paint that part of the light. Lankytim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shedenvy Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Am I right in saying the wheels are the same as 2cv/dyane/mehari? Just with some venting? Ecas and other suppliers do 2cv or ami super wheels (vented) for £55 and £75 respectively. Perhaps you could get away with replacing just a pair? They're only in Stafford too. So are these inboard brakes too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs6C Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 It is possible we have some Visa headlights kicking around. When @Six-cylinder gets back from his Tavistock collection I will send him out into the garage to look. He may be some time... shedenvy, egg, Twiggy and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETCHY Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 19 hours ago, Tadhg Tiogar said: I think you should use those wheeltrims - they remind me of shite Rostyles. Yeah I like them too they're cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_dyane Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 2 hours ago, shedenvy said: Am I right in saying the wheels are the same as 2cv/dyane/mehari? Just with some venting? Ecas and other suppliers do 2cv or ami super wheels (vented) for £55 and £75 respectively. Perhaps you could get away with replacing just a pair? They're only in Stafford too. So are these inboard brakes too? No they’re rather smaller than 2cv wheels and interestingly although they use what is basically a GS gearbox they have outboard brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinkwheel Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 It's just getting better, what with finding the keys etc. Are the wheels the same as an AX? Might be a bit easier to find, if so.No, they are not. I found this out after buying an AX wheel and finding it wouldn’t fit my visa. But I was young and stupid back then. Now I’m old and stupid, as a fellow visa owner I have to say well done on this beige beauty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk mk2_craig and Cavcraft 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean36014 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 C15 headlights would work with orange bulbs but you'd need to drill a hole for a side light bulb. Lankytim 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 How did you reverse. A frame that into the wash? Bet that was fun! loserone 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bezzabsa Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Another vote for those wheel trims.... also try a bit of T cut on the VIN - IF its stamped....if it isnt disregard that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matts_Rusty_Bus Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 Also if you drill out the rivets on the vin you could be able to read the numbers from the back** dependant on it being stampedSent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk 500tops 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dozeydustman Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 8 hours ago, shedenvy said: Am I right in saying the wheels are the same as 2cv/dyane/mehari? Just with some venting? Ecas and other suppliers do 2cv or ami super wheels (vented) for £55 and £75 respectively. Perhaps you could get away with replacing just a pair? They're only in Stafford too. So are these inboard brakes too? 5 hours ago, jonathan_dyane said: No they’re rather smaller than 2cv wheels and interestingly although they use what is basically a GS gearbox they have outboard brakes. I think Visa 3-stud wheels are the same as Peugeot 104, 4.5 J 13 with a 3 x 115 mm stud spacing if my brain is correct. Braddon81 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lankytim Posted November 23, 2019 Author Share Posted November 23, 2019 4 hours ago, nigel bickle said: How did you reverse. A frame that into the wash? Bet that was fun! It went in OK, if you stay more or less in a straight line I find you can reverse A framed vehicles reasonably well. I often reverse the A down our long shared driveway. Some cars simply refuse to be reversed and immediately go to full lock which can be annoying. nigel bickle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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