FTO AUSTRALIA

So, I'm currently deciding if I want to purchase a Project car that's been sitting in our shed for the last 6 months....

It was my Grandfather's but he passed away in November
He was the second owner I believe, and from memory they purchased it at only a few months old



1985 Rover SD1 Vanden Plas 3.5L V8

It's currently sitting in the shed slowly rotting away
We've had a few people interested in it, but no one actually buying it, the best offer so far is $500.....

The Cons:
Some rust, not sure how much though
Leaking Gear box, goes through about a L/Week
Hasn't been started in about 4 Months, as it now has a flat battery.

I'm considering purchasing it off of my Grandmother, but i'm not too sure what to do with it.
Whether to make it a rally car, and chuck a supra 5Spd Gearbox in it maybe...
Or to restore it to fully working daily original condition....

Thoughts?

I'd simply restore it and keep it in good order.
Don't know about in NZ, but they aren't s common car in Aus.
And even in the UK where they originated, their numbers are dwindling.

There are about 4 known in NZ now... not too sure how accurate that is though.
I'm also leaning toward the restore, and maybe a few performance upgrades etc....
Rimmer Bros have almost all replacement parts. When I last ordered from them, their postage and service was pretty good

Not too interested in doing the research, but if that model is using the carby fuel system, there are a tonne of manifolds you can buy from various cars.
Bolt a decent Holley on and instant power.
Gearbox I believe also transferable with other Leyland cars of the era.

It's a sure bet there's a club for these cars, so information would be out there.
Mostly UK based.

yup dual carby from memory.
My research shows that the strongest box that you can put on it is from the later model supra's, as I'd love a 5 or 6 speed manual in it to replace the barely working 3 speed in it :p

Nice, cheaper strong gearbox.

Rust from memory typically in the tailgate, bottom of the front wings, and around the wheel area.
C pillar bottoms and window channels.
This is going by memory of my fathers friend who owned a few, and still does.

Ignition, tail light and headlight wiring should be upgraded also as it was weak, the wires would melt.

Yea, currently the worst known rust is in the driver's footwell, I'm not too sure about the rest.
If I do go ahead with this, I shall just strip the interior right down, and find it all.
Repair what I can hopefully, then look into the wiring etc. I know some of it is stuffed already, so it'll be interesting to find out what else is on it's way out...

I don't mean to be rude, but imagine the money saved that u could put into the fto if u didn't restore this car

silverGPX wrote:I don't mean to be rude, but imagine the money saved that u could put into the fto if u didn't restore this car

Imagine the money saved if you didn't put money into the FTO.

Imagine the money saved if you never spent any money.

Oh wait, that's theft. Or starvation.

I would suggest on restoring it as well if you can afford to. I own three vintage motorbikes and have restored them back to brand new conditions. Each of these old vehicles have a character and feel when you ride/drive them which you can't really explain in words.

I love them, they're a really cool car - however - they have that legendary British reliability of the strike riddled 60's & 70's.

My neighbour had one for years & it spent more time in the shop than my mini did... and that is saying something

Bennoz wrote:they have that legendary British reliability of the strike riddled 60's & 70's.

Haha, so true.