2 replies to this topic

[Senile Old Git]

We often read in this section about trying to buy a Sportspack at around £3,000, as dealers we see many of these pass through our hands, most showing advanced corrosion, this is why the specialist dealers are asking for around the £6K - £7K for an immaculate example.

It is rumoured these later cars were produced from cheaper steel sourced from Eastern Europe, whether that is true I cannot comment, all we know is these later cars rust quickly and extensively.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR - MECHANICALLY

Drive the car in a spirited fashion and change gear briskly from 1st to 2nd if it crunches you need to PM Guessworks, he will advise you on your options, engine removal from these MPI cars is easier than the earlier cars in my opinion.

Cooling fan, has an inclination to run all the time.

BODYWORK

Remember the front wings are cut differently in the headlight aperture to accept the levelling motors attached to the headlights and the front panel is different to facilitate the front mounted radiator.

FRONT ARCHES

Feel behind these where the studs from the arches mount through the wing, often the leading edge will crumble away in your hand

FRONT PANEL

Prod and poke below the headlights, these are a favourite rust spot

SCUTTLE

This is common for rusting through, also rock the top dash rail, we have seen this come away when removing the windscreen, also this windscreen is different to the earlier cars and 4 times more expensive, so do not break it during removal.

A PANELS / DOORS

Rust like there is no tomorrow so look closely and check the frame of the door too

REAR QUARTER

The seem that meets the sill is often covered will a rubber trim, remove this and see if the seam is still intact

REAR ARCHES

Feel around them, often you can put your fingers through


BOOT FLOOR / REAR VALANCE

Another area that can rot through, so push with your fingers the full width of the boot floor adjacent to where the boot hinges mount.

SILLS

Check along the full length and tap, it should sound metallic, if not ... well you have guessed it!


INTERIOR

Look at the dash to check for delaminating of the veneer, if the radio or any of the centre dials are inoperative or have condensation that tells you the scuttle is allowing water to seep in.


FLOOR

Take two 7/16" spanners and take the seats out, lift the one piece carpet to check for corrosion on the floor and especially the inner sills.

REAR COMPANION BINS

Take a phillips screwdriver and remove the plastic bins, when removed you can view the rear section of the inner sills.

[Teapot]

Thanks for this. Now I am sooooo wise after the event I am getting real nerves about Rocky's big inspections tomorrow and the week after but I will try to take pix of each area as it is exposed to illustrate what you are explaining above.

EDIT Pix in Rocky thread.

Edited by Teapot, 17 March 2010 - 09:39 AM.

[MiniBonkerz]

good post there and im glad to say i have not suffered any of the above on my mpi just a leaky door seal that has been replaced