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Author Topic: FNC - The Restoration  (Read 8530 times)

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Offline Neil-yaj396

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  • 1979 1300 Coupe
FNC - The Restoration
« on: January 22, 2024, 12:16:30 PM »
I dropped off my 1300 Coupe at Classic Car Lab in Otley this morning. I’ve had the car for over 10 years now, and although it passes the ‘Concours from 10 yards’ test, close up it has quite a few bodywork issues. The corrosion all around the rear window is the particular biggie.

The work is way beyond me and I’ve had a couple of false starts finding a trusted restorer but here we go. Resisting buying a very nice Fulvia last year certainly helped with the finances.
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Offline Nigel

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2024, 09:40:58 PM »
Hi Neil,
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
FNC deserves this.

Nigel
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1984 2.0 Carb HPE [ex Aus] Grigio Finanza.
2007 Mazda 6 2.3 [current daily, highly recommended]
The past:
1980 2.0 HPE White in South Africa [hope it survives!]
1976 1.6 Coupe Lancia Blu [PFG 76R] [probably deceased]
oh,and an Uno Turbo 1997 also in SA [stolen,never recovered]

Offline peteracs

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2024, 07:58:52 PM »
Hi Neil

I have sent you a message.

Peter
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2024, 07:54:53 AM »
Well, this thread has been much quieter than I planned.

The one job that I did was to strip down and rebuild the rear light clusters. The rubber seals on those on the car were perished and letting in water. A pair of black framed units came with the car for reasons unknown so the seals were swapped over (it involved punching some extra holes in the newer seals for the different screw alignments) and the broken silver frame was replaced courtesy of Guy M.

Classic Car Lab initially (and literally) tore into the car; cutting out the rust I knew about and inevitably finding lots that I didn't as per the pictures below. A particularly good job has been done of rebuilding the badly rusted strip below the rear window.

Unfortunately things ground to a halt after that when for reasons unknown to me the workshop manager and painter were sacked. The new manager promised that the Coupe was next in the paint booth 2 weeks ago but we will see.....
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2024, 07:55:57 AM »
....
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2024, 07:56:55 AM »
....
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #6 on: April 09, 2024, 08:01:33 AM »
I'm told that the major leak at the top of the rear screen wasn't because of rust as I suspected, but because the mastic on the top half of the screen had completely failed. Add the the rust on the bottom half and the screen came out in less than a minute....
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Offline Nigel

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #7 on: April 09, 2024, 09:50:25 PM »
Hi Neil,
That looks like a lovely job on the B pillar.
It appears he's even replicated the factory join line.
Superb.

Looking forward to seeing it later in the year.
Cheers
Nigel
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1984 2.0 Carb HPE [ex Aus] Grigio Finanza.
2007 Mazda 6 2.3 [current daily, highly recommended]
The past:
1980 2.0 HPE White in South Africa [hope it survives!]
1976 1.6 Coupe Lancia Blu [PFG 76R] [probably deceased]
oh,and an Uno Turbo 1997 also in SA [stolen,never recovered]

Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #8 on: April 26, 2024, 09:31:53 AM »
I visited the workshop yesterday and the new manager has got things moving. The car is in final prep for painting which will be hopefully done next week. I'll then be invited along to inspect before final re-assembly.

While there I also go a photo of the re-built lower rear screen frame that I'm very happy with.
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Offline WestonE

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2024, 06:40:13 PM »
Great to see progress!
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2024, 11:33:27 AM »
Primer going on....
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Offline peteracs

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2024, 01:16:35 PM »
New car on its way….

Peter
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Offline betabuoy

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2024, 02:30:29 PM »
Good work Neil.  I know there are those that have the capability to DIY these jobs, but whenever I’ve tried  the more complex fabrications I’m never happy with the result. These jobs are pricey too, but well done in getting it done!  Looking forward to seeing it in top coat.

Chris
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Offline squiglyzigly

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #13 on: May 07, 2024, 12:18:04 PM »
Great to see.
You must be a ‘little’ excited.

Ian
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2024, 03:32:10 PM »
Thanks for the positive comments guys. Yes, definitely excited now. Debut may be the Yorkshire LMC meet at The Motorist 9th June, but failing that the LMC National Weekend 20th/21st July then Betameeta of course!
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Offline A Ross

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #15 on: May 09, 2024, 11:50:14 AM »
Wow - its looking great Neil! I can't wait to see the finished result! I will be attending LMC National and Betameeta too!  :)
« Last Edit: May 09, 2024, 11:52:02 AM by A Ross »
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #16 on: May 16, 2024, 08:19:06 AM »
Top coats going on. Looking a bit dark in this photo but OK on some close ups that they sent. Off to have a proper look on Tuesday.
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Offline Neil-yaj396

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #17 on: July 29, 2024, 03:45:42 PM »
In the words of The Boss; 'There she is buddy just a gleaming in the sun.....'
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Offline peteracs

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2024, 05:02:52 PM »
Hi Neil

Did you have it back in time for the LMC weekend or is that from this last week?

Peter
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Offline WestonE

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Re: FNC - The Restoration
« Reply #19 on: July 29, 2024, 05:14:00 PM »
Hi Neil,

Fantastic news! I suspect you will not see this for a while as you are out racing round the scenery.

Eric
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