World’s worst, slowest collection thread - Yet another car SOS

[IronStar]

No one in his right mind wants the car. Car was to be scrapped. I saw the car. I took pity. I know it was well maintained until recently. It comes with a shedload of new parts.

Tonight I negotiated the price UP by 100€ as I don’t think the original negotiated price was fair to the seller. I’m handing over the cash tomorrow, and probably taking ownership on Saturday, taking it for a spin on a private* road to see if it needs any work for technical inspection before booking it in.

The car has been guessed right in the news thread. No I don’t need it, but I wanted to try one. I don’t know why am I still doing this. 

I will take some photos when I hand over the cash.

Grab a seat, some popcorn and watch me make another mistake and spend money to save car everyone gave up on. 

Teaser for people that missed it in the news thread

 

[mat777]

I bet you it' s not as slow as my collection thread 😅 (which I need to update, actually...)

The wheel looks posh Metro/R100 or MGF like to me? 

[Carl1981]

 

30 minutes ago, mat777 said:

I bet you it' s not as slow as my collection thread 😅 (which I need to update, actually...)

The wheel looks posh Metro/R100 or MGF like to me? 

Or Rover 200 / 400?

not sure the 100 ever had a part wood steering wheel? I’ve never seen one of they did, and I was obsessed with Rovers when the 100 launched (as a sad teenager eagerly awaiting Dads new car, 1995 111 si)

[IronStar]

Neither of those.

Well, you could argue it is one of those, only reskinned. 

[Carl1981]

3 minutes ago, IronStar said:

Neither of those.

Well, you could argue it is one of those, only reskinned. 

25 / 45 then? I’ll go 45 as they were usually a bit nicer inside!

does it have a lovely V6 engine too?

[IronStar]

18 minutes ago, Carl1981 said:

25 / 45 then? I’ll go 45 as they were usually a bit nicer inside!

does it have a lovely V6 engine too?

Yeah, 45.

It unfortunately doesn’t. That would probably help it find a buyer, and not escape the crusher by the virtue of me feeling sad about it. It’s a 1.4 that had its obligatory OMGHGF fixed a few years ago and was generally loved by the previous (well, technically still current) owner. It’s been owned by a Mini specialist who also has a 2.0 75, and Clio Initiale. He just bought a 2.5 75 in a really nice trim, and has nowhere to go with it (nor does he need it still). Finding a buyer for a Rover 45 that’s all there is tough sell, let alone for a one that’s sitting for a year, has flat tyres, sagging headliner, is out of tax and MOT, has an oil leak somewhere, and is overdue belts. It’s a recipe to be messed with for not much money, so he decided to sell it to a breaker/scrap for scrap money.

I met up with him last week for a coffee and to pick up my Florida from a long-term loan duty, asked what’s going on with that car as I have seen it sitting for ages, heard the story and offered money there and then. Hi didn’t want to take the money immediately as he still wanted it as a parking cone while his Clio is getting repaired from OMGHGF, but now with Clio mended, it needs to go.

He loved the car, and is over the moon it’s going to a sympathetic owner rather than going away for good. I’m happy for him to take it for a drive whenever he misses it.

Overall, it’s the best possible result the car could have. Instead of ending its journey, it’s getting a sympathetic owner that will spend more money than the car is worth to keep it alive.

[N Dentressangle]

Actually decent cars though, as long as you have the patience to work through the usual Rover fin de siecle quality issues.

The 1.4 K is probably the best size, and as long as the HG is done properly should be fine. Revs nicely and makes good power, and the chassis is half-decent with none of the bloody hydragas problems and expense in dotage. Deep bath in plenty of Waxoyl and she'll be reet.

[IronStar]

8 hours ago, N Dentressangle said:

Actually decent cars though, as long as you have the patience to work through the usual Rover fin de siecle quality issues.

The 1.4 K is probably the best size, and as long as the HG is done properly should be fine. Revs nicely and makes good power, and the chassis is half-decent with none of the bloody hydragas problems and expense in dotage. Deep bath in plenty of Waxoyl and she'll be reet.

Huge splatter of underseal will be applied over at the bodyshop. I don’t want to pay for another weldaton.

I’m paying up and trying to start the car in a bit over an hour. Is it wrong I’m very excited about unloved midrange turn of the century longship? I wonder if the first owner was excited when he took delivery of the car? Second one? I don’t think that any history of that kind comes with the car, so I guess we’ll never know.

I’ll pick the imaginary version where the first owner put in an order, and was over the moon with his brand new Rover. 

[IronStar]

Amazing* photos in the dark, in line the worst collection thread ever

Paid up, left the battery I picked up from trash the other day. It tested alright, so poor sod that replaced it will be greeted by realization that he has parasitic draw, not a faulty battery. Rover will be washed, tyres pumped and generally lightly recommissioned before I pick it up. He’s a bit sad to see it go, but happy it’s going to a good home. I offered him to keep the spare key and drive it whenever he wants. I don’t think he’ll take me up on this offer though.

Universally broken exterior door handle on passenger door is shockingly* broken. It’s still all there, but will need some plastic welding or a replacement one. If anyone knows the source for new or good replacement door handles, hit me up. Cabin fan rheostat is dead, but new one comes with the car. Rear trailing arm bushes are split, but new ones come with the car. One front sway bar has a split bushing, but new ones come with the car. Tyres are dead, but new ones don’t come with the car. 😄Also comes with the key for the locking wheel nuts, and I really hope these didn’t rust weld themselves to a hub. 

I got a story of the car’s history as well. First owner was an elderly gentleman from Padova. Second owner, since 2007, is Mini specialist. I know at least one owner was over the moon when he got it. 
I will be getting this paperwork with the car, along with factory booklets, stereo manual, and all the other paperwork that went with it brand new to perv over. Unexpected bonus, this.

Collection provisionally agreed for end of this or during the next week. Watch this space. Or don’t, if I’m boring you to death with a story of a project drive Rover 45. 

[N Dentressangle]

Just the usual stuff for a 20 odd year old car, and nothing you didn't expect.

Result! 😎