Author Topic: Gobsmacked - Two Barn finds! (Read 7303 times)

HFStuart · « **on:** September 27, 2020, 09:20:08 PM »

OK so they're not in a barn but still.

My wife has magically acquired a new horse to look after. Being the good husband I agreed to accompany her on her first hack out on it from its field in darkest Suffolk. We were walking along chatting, our daughter in tow when I (apparently) went oddly quiet. Julia asked me what was wrong.

What was wrong is I'd seen a small grouping of classic cars in the farmyard we were passing - common enough but the contents weren't.

Unusual enough

Also oddly likeable

WTF! a 1600 Berlina

WTF again! An HPE VX

I met and briefly spoke to the owners daughter, they were the family cars and she suggested he'd be interested in selling. Neither have been on the road for a long while but the VX at least must be worth saving. I plan to go back in a week or so and ask to have a proper poke around. Neither looked as bad as you might think - though obviously both would need a lot of work .

Absolutely made my day spotting these two!

spydervx · « **Reply #1 on:** September 28, 2020, 03:23:57 PM »

Hi Stuart

What amazing finds, I honestly did not think these sort of discoveries were still out there!
Hope you feel you can help to save it / them.

Very exciting (in a nerdy way!)
Gerry

Neil-yaj396 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 28, 2020, 03:57:01 PM »

Even a nice set of alloys on the saloon.....

HFStuart · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2020, 04:49:58 PM »

Quote from: Neil-yaj396 on September 28, 2020, 03:57:01 PM

Even a nice set of alloys on the saloon.....

Don't think I hadn't noticed!

The HPE really needs to be saved and is the better of the two. The Berlina is further gone and might be difficult to justify. I was only discussing with Tony the other day how I'd quite like an HPE as a daily driver!

mtulloch · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2020, 08:28:15 PM »

Why can't I find things like this lying around?

I may be putting my HPE VX up for sale next month if you're interested.

TonyLanciaBeta (Tony Harrison) · « **Reply #5 on:** September 29, 2020, 07:33:16 PM »

Wow what a find

Stuart you need to save the HPE, and at least save the Saloon if only for spares.

Sandro · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2020, 08:19:21 AM »

Incredible finds indeed!

Would LOVE to see that VX bought back to life! ( factory sunroof too ) ..Lovely

What was it's interior like ? did you take a look.

S.

HFStuart · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2020, 09:57:58 PM »

I did have a look - not too bad but I was surprised not to see a Recaro interior - I'm no expert on late model HPEs though!

The cloth looked OK and the dash had a light covering of mould but nothing a good clean wouldn't sort. the back seats were down so I couldn't see much else.

Neil-yaj396 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 01, 2020, 07:26:39 AM »

No Recaros as standard on the HPE, just the Coupe. may have been an option?

nigel knight · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2020, 02:16:37 PM »

Wow what an amazing find! i'd be interested in the berlina if its up for grabs

HFStuart · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2022, 01:10:42 PM »

chrisc · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2022, 07:50:57 PM »

Passing by and noticed a change, or rescuing?!

Looks like it might be being jacked up in the wrong place either way

HFStuart · « **Reply #12 on:** February 20, 2022, 08:29:56 PM »

Starting the rescue. It only took me 18 months to persuade him to sell it!

It looks odd but the jack pan is under the anti-roll bar to body mount - where the cross member runs across the floor pan above. It's one of the strongest places to jack at the rear when the sills and jacking points are suspect.

Clifford · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2022, 08:53:15 AM »

It's great to see that there are still cars too be found!

peteracs · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2022, 10:57:11 AM »

Hi Stuart

What is the plan?

Peter

HFStuart · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2022, 02:00:30 PM »

The plan is to trailer it away next weekend and I have a farmer friends barn to store it in for a while. I managed to get it rolling on Sunday and found all the keys so I know I can now get it on the trailer.

Looking at it again I'm surprised at how good it is. sills are gone as is the passenger door and the NSR 3/4 but the rest of it is OK - small patches of rust rather than wholesale perforation.

Ultimately I'm trying to agree access to the rear of my garden so I can build a proper workshop and park it in there - but that's a year or so off.

HFStuart · « **Reply #16 on:** February 27, 2022, 03:33:47 PM »

Collected today -thank God the weather was better than last weekend. Still got the van stuck in the mud but farmers fields have handy tractors.

Now happily in its new bone dry concrete floored barn until such a time as I can get it home to restore it. The owner did mention that he might have to 'come to his senses' and let the others go too. If he does I'll let you know, I'm not sure if the Berlina is a sensible restoration but it's got to be worth a go.

Neil-yaj396 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2022, 09:52:12 AM »

Great that you have at least got it in the dry Stuart and a good purchase in the long run I think.

Sandro · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2022, 01:16:52 PM »

Very nice to see it under cover!

mtulloch · « **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2022, 02:58:05 PM »

Quote from: HFStuart on February 27, 2022, 03:33:47 PM

Collected today -thank God the weather was better than last weekend. Still got the van stuck in the mud but farmers fields have handy tractors.

Now happily in its new bone dry concrete floored barn until such a time as I can get it home to restore it. The owner did mention that he might have to 'come to his senses' and let the others go too. If he does I'll let you know, I'm not sure if the Berlina is a sensible restoration but it's got to be worth a go.

That number is close to mine, guessing it came from the same garage.

News:

Author Topic: Gobsmacked - Two Barn finds! (Read 7303 times)