Old man with Montego vanden plas needs your help(pics added)

[retro80sboy]

Ive lived where I live now for 4 years and around the corner from me theres a house which has had a D reg light blue Montego parked in the yard.It was a daily hack, id sometimes see it parked on a side road and last month eventually took the time to stop next to it, have a look, and take a picture for my shitefiles.Its a vanden plas model, very scruffy, unclean dented, but great autoshite im sure you would agree. I noticed the tax was due at the beginning of the month.anyway, a week after I had taken the pic the car disapeared. Days went by and it was nowhere to be seen so I eventually gave in to thinking that it has been scrapped.Then last week a white Rover 214 appeared on the driveway in its place so I thought now the Montego has surely found its way to the crusher - then, as if by magic It appeared again today!! - behind the rover!!I just couldnt let this lie so I pulled up on the side street and walked down the driveway, still not sure what I was going to say when I got there. I rang the bell and an old bloke answered, so I came out with the something like the following - "Hi, Im sorry to disturb you but I live around the corner and drive past this way every morning and have noticed the Montego on your driveway many a time. I now see that you have a new car so wondered what your plans were for the Austin now?"The chap was a great old fella, he went on to tell me that he had taken it to a garage 6 weeks ago for an MOT and it had failed so it has been up there ever since, until today. He had a couple of weeks ago, enherited the Rover from a deceased family member but was still keen on getting the old Montego through an MOT anyway and continue to use it.He then showed me what it had failed on - and here lies the problem. The passenger side sill was completely rotten through, massive holes alongside the rear length of it going up to the back wheel arch. He told me he was annoyed as it wasnt like that when he took it to the garage, but they had prodded it through to show that its weak and needs a new sill, plus theres rust and a hole in the rear passenger side footwell. They quoted him £600 for the job.I told him that I love old cars like this and try and save them, he took this as thinking that I could weld (which I cant) and could stick a new sill on it. I told him that I rescue local retro and classic cars that are heading for the scrapyard and try and find them new homes. He then asked me if I knew anyone who could help him get this old boy through its MOT at a reasonable price.The car has a lot of history and sentimental value to the old chap - he bought it off a old lady 10 years ago that was 'like a mother' to him so its really upset him that the garage told him its not worth keeping.I don't know if anyone can help, but thought id throw it open to the masses. If he does decide to get rid of it then I said to him that I could probably find a new owner to either do it up or use it for parts - and although he was greatful for my offer, still doesnt want to give the old girl up yet.I took some pics of the sills, and will upload them later. Sadly my phone died and is now charging so didnt get many pics but will add a pic of the car from my facebook group in a mo.

[retro80sboy]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pi ... =523901845

 

sorry for those who cant view this, if someone wants to put a link on then please feel free to do so.

[worldofceri]

[Polystratus]

Maestro & Montego Owners Club forum would be a good place to go if it goes up for sale, maybe able to advise on the sill repairs.

[ifc63]

So you've met Douglas then !!As you say nice old boy.I look after his bikes for him ever since he was a customer at Wrexham Scooters when I worked there.I knew the Montego had gone in for MOT at Farndon but didn't realise the extent of the problem. He's not had a lot of luck lately as the car was a purchase for him by the old lady who he shared the house with. She died last year aged 102 IIRC hence the sentimental attachment.He has a Francis-Barnett I've been working on for the past 2 1/2 years and it's turned out to be a much bigger job than originally thought.I need to catch up with him but I've been out of action since Feb following a bike accident.

[retro80sboy]

So you've met Douglas then !!As you say nice old boy.I look after his bikes for him ever since he was a customer at Wrexham Scooters when I worked there.I knew the Montego had gone in for MOT at Farndon but didn't realise the extent of the problem. He's not had a lot of luck lately as the car was a purchase for him by the old lady who he shared the house with. She died last year aged 102 IIRC hence the sentimental attachment.He has a Francis-Barnett I've been working on for the past 2 1/2 years and it's turned out to be a much bigger job than originally thought.I need to catch up with him but I've been out of action since Feb following a bike accident.

ha!!its a small world!!he was telling me all about his bike!nice chap, bit of a character - hope the montego can get fixed as he's he's very fond of it and really doesnt want it to end up getting scrapped.

[Parky]

I hope someone can help this old boy out. Sadly I cant weld for toffee.....Maybe we could have some sort of paypal whip round for the fella? Nice bit of old car charidee work, might even get some sort of mention in PC? Perhaps PC would chip in a few quid, or even do a piece on sill replacement using this dudes car as a base? I dont know how many of us are registered regular readers and contributors but if theres 600 of us and we threw in a quid each.......Probably a bad idea I know but just a thought.

[Minimad5]

My welding is abit shitBut if the old guy gets the parts and someone can pick me up and take me home, i will do it Is that fare ?

[barrett]

I hope someone can help this old boy out. Sadly I cant weld for toffee.....Maybe we could have some sort of paypal whip round for the fella? Nice bit of old car charidee work, might even get some sort of mention in PC? Perhaps PC would chip in a few quid, or even do a piece on sill replacement using this dudes car as a base? I dont know how many of us are registered regular readers and contributors but if theres 600 of us and we threw in a quid each.......Probably a bad idea I know but just a thought.

I think thats a grand idea, I bet he'd be chuffed to bits as well

[Parky]

Cheers Barrett. Has anyone any idea how "doable" it would be? After all if we end up having to set up some sort of account its going to be a nightmare. MODS - Any precedent on how to do this? I seem to recall there was some sort of whip round for someone else a couple of years back but cant remember any details about it? Can we just nominate someones paypal account and chip in??

[Cavcraft]

Sounds like a fantastic idea, happy to donate money or (limited) skillz.Don't know if it might help Retro80sboy but very recently I spotted an identically coloured Montego locally on someone's drive that looks like it's been there for ages, possibly good for spares for your mate's?

[ifc63]

I've checked my trade supplier and the L/H sill & L/H rear arch panel are available at £48 + VAT.I'll pop \and see Douglas and get this moving as I've come to a full stop on his bike at the moment.

[Minimad5]

Fantastic , the community spirit of AutoshiteAre my welding skillz required - may i ask ?

[Parky]

I'll do a note to one of the PC crew to see if there is any interest here. You never know, spirit of Autoshite, rare Montego, nice old boy with interesting history and vehicles, there may be some interest in helping this fella out, especially if they have some space that needs fillingI will keep you posted if I hear anything

[Mr H Sceptre]

Cheers Barrett. Has anyone any idea how "doable" it would be? After all if we end up having to set up some sort of account its going to be a nightmare. MODS - Any precedent on how to do this? I seem to recall there was some sort of whip round for someone else a couple of years back but cant remember any details about it? Can we just nominate someones paypal account and chip in??

There was a whipround about a year ago when somone from this parish was in hospital. I'm not sure who organised it, but it wasnt myself or m'colleague Mr Leyland.S'pose another option would be for someone to collect the money into their own bank account via cash/cheque & do it that way.Great idea though. The old fella would no doubt feel delighted. Plus it would make an interesting thread on here, with pictures & commentary etc.Also a great idea getting PC involved if possible. If they showed up & took a few snaps & allowed whoever does the work on the Montego to write a commentary than theyve got themselves a ready made article. And hey, Autoshite might get a nice free bit of publicity in PC! Win-win

[whitevanman]

I think the whip round was for Father Ted.....

[Parky]

Havent heard from PC yet but I assume they have stuff to do during the day.......

[Mr H Sceptre]

I think the whip round was for Father Ted.....

Yep, thats right, thought it was but wasnt 100% sure. Its when he mashed up his arm if I remember correctly.

[Mr Lobster]

I think the whip round was for Father Ted.....

It was yes. Pog organised it.

[ifc63]

OK, I've been round today and had a look at the extent of the problems.I'll upload the pics tonight and the fail sheet. It does need a fair bit on top of the welding and it's a rusty old bus really.I'm getting my welder mate to quote on it as well.Gave him a good run down on the 214SLi Rover he's had from his late brother-in-law but with an immobiliser and everything he finds it a bit modern !!Watch this space.

[vivavictor]

Cheers Barrett. Has anyone any idea how "doable" it would be? After all if we end up having to set up some sort of account its going to be a nightmare. MODS - Any precedent on how to do this? I seem to recall there was some sort of whip round for someone else a couple of years back but cant remember any details about it? Can we just nominate someones paypal account and chip in??

what about if someone has a paypal account then we can all donate to it sending it as a gift to cut out the paypal fees i think it's a great gesture in helping this old guy keep a car he is obviously fond of and can't bare to part with it...i would like to donate if something can be set up ... and a big pat on the back to autoshite

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I'm waiting to see the pics of the sills before donating, might be like donating your hard-earned to a 'Save the Dodo' fund. 'We need to raise just £20,000 to save this rare and lovable bird from extinction.... hang on a sec, the phone's ringing............... WHAT!?'

[ifc63]

Pics of welding required and the MOT paperwork detailing other work needed and advised upon. Also failed on emissions.

 

 

Fail sheet

 

Advice sheet

 

Emissions

 

NS rear sill

 

NS rear arch/sill

 

NS rear floor

 

OS rear floor

 

OS rear upper strut turret

 

NS rear lower strut turret

 

Boot floor advise

 

Boot floor advise

 

 

I don't want to be a pessimist either but the rest of the car is not atidy speciman either

[AnthonyG]

That does look pretty rotten, although Montegos were pretty terrible for that. I'm afraid it may be that the shell is on the way out. The emissions could be the real problem for the car's future though - I take it it's an electronic injection?

[ifc63]

That does look pretty rotten, although Montegos were pretty terrible for that. It may be that the shell is on the way out. The emissions could be the real problem for the car's future though - I take it it's an electronic injection?

EFI, indeed.

[ifc63]

My welding is abit shitBut if the old guy gets the parts and someone can pick me up and take me home, i will do it Is that fare ?

Very nice offer. Have a look at the pics, see if you're still keen and I'll pick you up to go and have a proper look at it.I can get a sill and a rear arch panel, I think the rest will need fabricating.

[trigger]

That's pretty bad TBH and personally speaking i don't think many people will bother donating money towards it, If it needed a small patch or a sill even then yes maybe but not with that much work, I can't see you getting much more that £100 from donations anyway which isn't anywhere near enough to fix it plus If i had donated and found that it wasn't fixable I'd be worried about what would happen to my money.I think the old boy would be better off cutting his losses and just use the 214 which is a better car anyway, It's not like the Montego's a old classic car that he's had since 1960 or something.I know my views are probably against the grain a bit but I just can't see it getting fixed.Also just want to add that's it's very commendable which you are doing and i totally understand your reasons but if you get it through this years mot, What about next years?.

[Minimad5]

I'll pick you up to go and have a proper look at it.I can get a sill and a rear arch panel, I think the rest will need fabricating.

Yeah fantastic, i'll give it my best shot.If it helps i can get things slightly cheaper at my local motorfactors.So i can price afew parts in there.

[ifc63]

I think the old boy would be better off cutting his losses and just use the 214 which is a better car anyway, It's not like the Montego's a old classic car that he's had since 1960 or something.I know my views are probably against the grain a bit but I just can't see it getting fixed.Also just want to add that's it's very commendable which you are doing and i totally understand your reasons but if you get it through this years mot, What about next years?.

This is pretty much the scenario I've put across to him, I've sorted two weeks temporary insurance on the Rover for him with a view to seeing how it pans out with a regard to getting the Montego roadworthy.Hopefully he'll see the Rover as a worthy replacement and not let the sentimental aspect rule over the realism of what the car is.

[ifc63]

I'll pick you up to go and have a proper look at it.I can get a sill and a rear arch panel, I think the rest will need fabricating.

Yeah fantastic, i'll give it my best shot.If it helps i can get things slightly cheaper at my local motorfactors.So i can price afew parts in there.

I'll PM you my number and try and sort a suitable time for all of us.