Given the extremely generous price, and the fact it was clearly an honest, no nonsense deal, I have purchased Chris H's Elite
I didn't need, wasn't even sure if I wanted it, but at that price (£200!) and being fairly local I'd have been daft not to take it. I'd been after a set of 17 inch wheels for my 2.2 and originally I was intending to buy it purely to have those, and then break/scrap/sell on
I will post up some pics tomorrow, but having seen, and since now driven the car, there is just no way I'm breaking it. It would be criminal, because it really is a beautiful example, of which some TLC from an enthusiast will see it back to full glory as an almost pristine facelift Elite
So firstly - thanks to Chris for the sale, a very genuine chap and a deal I'm chuffed with.
The work that needs doing, is:
First and foremost - MOT, so It's mobile if needsbe.
- Rear OS wheelarch has rust bubbling through at the very lower part. This is the worst of the two, and the lip inside the wheelarch you can easily peel away if you want to due to rust. The rear NS one is not that bad, but still needs attention.
- The gearbox needs looking at. If you accellerate from just rolling, to around 35mph, let go of the gas, it seems to hold it in gear far too long, before the revs then drop with a good old clunk. To be honest under normal driving conditions the average driver wouldn't notice it very often, but I've driven loads of V6 Omegas, and I know it's not right. I'm yet undecided on cause, but I'll investigate at the start, eg check fluid, check for any remains of thrust washer, then move on to soleniod operation etc. No biggie at all.
- Possible - but not yet looked at / confirmed coolant issue. The only real reason I say this is because there is absolutely no pressure in the system after any sort of driving, even an enthusiastic run. I'm wondering if maybe the cap isn't sealing, or if there is a small leak somewhere, as it should be holding pressure. So this'll need looking at. The temp is OK, it creeps up below the 100 but the fans soon bring it back to the 95 as they should. But the top hose etc can be squeezed right up, as if there's no pressure.
-Tyres on the front wearing on inside edge. The usual. Probably 'Bones and WIM. The Bones are Gen GM and only a year or two old, having covered 60k. I might look at Poly bushes.
- Bumper on rear has a nice split! Replacement purchased, just needs painting and fitting, can do that at leisure.
- Couple of v small isues, .Eg an eleccy window switch.
It might sound like a lot, but, you have to consider firstly the very sensible price of the car, and secondly, the fact that as an enthusiast, it's nearly all work I can competently do, so will cost me no more than my time and a few parts.
There is no rush to get this all done - it's not my daily driver so I can tinker at my leisure.
I will give it a proper going over when it's dry and daylight and report further.
My plan is to do a few bits here and there, and not rush it, so I keep motivated, until it's back to it's former glory. I'll decide it's fate then, although it may turn out to be a 2.2 replacement in the summer.
On the plus side. The engine, (3.0) is absolutely sound, it pulls like an absolute train. The interior (creamy leather) is almost immaculate, it's not been smoked in or abused, and it's just a lovely, lovely car.
Really pleased, thanks again to Chris, I'm looking forward to playing, it's my first real project in three years
Thread will be updated with progress.
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Topic: New Elite Project (Read 4702 times)