The Castle Gresley Rover 820

[Ian_Fearn]

1 minute ago, Motown said:

Ive already done a post about the 820 fastback i will no doubt do a post on the SD1 and Sterling Saloon when i start work on it. 

Pending MOT am i still ok to bring Gresley to you for rear arch welding when restrictions are lifted?

 

Errrr yes..... probably! I’ve just had an offer accepted on a house so I’m not sure on my exact availability. I’m thinking that from the 29th March it’ll be completely legit for you to bring it down and I won’t have moved by then. Something to mull over anyway.

[Dick Cheeseburger]

4 hours ago, Motown said:

Hello there fellow shiters! 

Firstly my apologies i realise its been awhile since i posted... In my defence ive been distracted by three new purchases a Sterling Saloon an SD1 Vanden Plas and the 820 fastback i posted about in another thread.  Only now have i had chance to sit down and update the thread but its definitely been worth the wait in my opinion.

I managed to sort the braking issues which were caused by blocked rear flexis as the brakes failed i thought it was best not to piss around and fitted new rear flexis and had new brakes pipes put in. The throttle was also sticking and upon inspection i noticed that although the cables were good the mechanism on the body was completely rusted and ceased so i replaced it with a spare i had laying around.

 

 

They said it was just an old Rover not worth saving..... They said it would never see the road again... They said i was an idiot.... They were wrong... The Castle Gresley 820 is finished and just needs a new exhaust and an MOT certificate i proudly annouce in my AR jacket

 

The front middle and rear sections of the exhaust need replacing but i fully intend to do this once i have the cash. The exhaust sections are about £50 each so it might have to wait until payday ive also decided if it proves itself to be a reliable car once in daily use (I have no doubts it will) then i will give the car a fresh coat of paint too.

 

It drives incredibly good to say it hasn't shifted in 20 odd years. The engine is very quiet and smooth once the cars in motion and as you can see from the video it can shift if it needs to. I am fairly certain despite initial doubts the engine simply needs a damn good run.

 

Interior doesn't look to bad all things considered and is comfortable and dry. There's still a few bits and pieces to finish off but nothing worth worrying about.

 

Long live Rover and all who sail in them! 

 

 

How smooth and quiet is the old girl there? Brilliant work and so good to see this car moving effortlessly under it's own steam. What an amazing save.

[Cord Fourteener]

5 hours ago, Motown said:

Hello there fellow shiters! 

Firstly my apologies i realise its been awhile since i posted... In my defence ive been distracted by three new purchases a Sterling Saloon an SD1 Vanden Plas and the 820 fastback i posted about in another thread.  Only now have i had chance to sit down and update the thread but its definitely been worth the wait in my opinion.

I managed to sort the braking issues which were caused by blocked rear flexis as the brakes failed i thought it was best not to piss around and fitted new rear flexis and had new brakes pipes put in. The throttle was also sticking and upon inspection i noticed that although the cables were good the mechanism on the body was completely rusted and ceased so i replaced it with a spare i had laying around.

 

 

They said it was just an old Rover not worth saving..... They said it would never see the road again... They said i was an idiot.... They were wrong... The Castle Gresley 820 is finished and just needs a new exhaust and an MOT certificate i proudly annouce in my AR jacket

 

The front middle and rear sections of the exhaust need replacing but i fully intend to do this once i have the cash. The exhaust sections are about £50 each so it might have to wait until payday ive also decided if it proves itself to be a reliable car once in daily use (I have no doubts it will) then i will give the car a fresh coat of paint too.

 

It drives incredibly good to say it hasn't shifted in 20 odd years. The engine is very quiet and smooth once the cars in motion and as you can see from the video it can shift if it needs to. I am fairly certain despite initial doubts the engine simply needs a damn good run.

 

Interior doesn't look to bad all things considered and is comfortable and dry. There's still a few bits and pieces to finish off but nothing worth worrying about.

 

Long live Rover and all who sail in them! 

 

 

Looks good out and in, sounds zingy, it's just a classic and a credit to you. You can see who is the classic late 80's/ early90's Rover fan in this video😂

[RoadworkUK]

Well, I  have to say this has all made me a bit emotional. Seeing this machine in such fine fettle, after two decades of abandonment, decay and vandalism, is quite a powerful sight.

A massive, heartfelt pat on the back to all concerned. Literally incredible. Speechless.

[sutty2006]

Epic work. I hope when it’s on the road you park it up outside the old dealers for final pictures. 

[Split_Pin]

Great news, almost there. Can't  beat a good 'against  all odds' result.

[Twiggy]

Absolutely superb ! A great thread and a fascinating read - thank you.

[greengartside]

@Motownany progress on the old girl? It must be time for an MOT now?

[Motown]

2 hours ago, greengartside said:

@Motownany progress on the old girl? It must be time for an MOT now?

Its finished and will be going for MOT once i can afford to insure it which will be after ive finished restoring the red 820 fastback. Ive then got my SD1 to do before i drive off into the sunset never to be seen or heard from again 👍

[Billy - Medhurst]

Woo!!  this has been a while!  Whats the score here? Sold /  Storage?. Any updates.......

[Dick Cheeseburger]

6 minutes ago, Billy - Medhurst said:

Woo!!  this has been a while!  Whats the score here? Sold /  Storage?. Any updates.......

Scrapped shortly after, I believe 😕

[Billy - Medhurst]

@Motown

[Motown]

So for those not in the know....

I pretty much finished it off and all it needed was an exhaust back box and new cert. If you are doubtful of this please see the short video below it was recorded shortly before it was due for MOT. Some said i should have got it resprayed but in my opinion although they were a few dents and rust patches from the vandalism i didn't want to respray it as the slight cosmetic damage added to the history and story of the car. In all honesty once cleaned up it didn't look all that bad and was perfectly usable as a daily.

 

 

I booked it in for MOT twice but both times it was cancelled due to covid... Shortly after the second cancellation a restoration garage who i will not name got in touch and said they had a customer who was looking for an 820 saloon they had seen the car on YouTube and wonder if it was for sale. I initially told them i wasn't interested in selling the car but they badgered me and called back twice after that... They offered me a good price so i submitted but on the understanding it was going to a good home. They said it would be given what it needed for MOT as that is what the new owner wanted so of course it would be going to a good home....

Once it was gone i didn't hear anything else about it until i was informed a few  weeks later that it had been broken up for parts.... The garage partially stripped it down for paint and according to them the sunroof surround and chassis rails were rotten beyond financial repair..... This seemed strange to me as although the sunroof surround was abit crusty the car seemed solid when checked over and i certainly did think the underneath was rotten when i did the brakes... I cannot tell you how angry i was but i can only blame myself for selling it.... I have lost alot of sleep thinking about it ever since as i genuinely didn't know if it was rotten or if the garage were just bullshitting me at the time.

Fast forward a few years later and the restoration garage has become somewhat notorious for bodge jobs charging ridiculous amounts for storage or for work which was never carried out. They were also taking parts from customers cars and selling them on or fitting them to other cars.  I know of at least eight individuals who had terrible experiences and also lost cars to the place. I believe the garage has now closed up or gone bust.