Ive been on this forum for a while now and have decided to post the project on my sons Firenza project. Joe had been saving up for around a year for a classic car, His first choice was a Magnum, Firenza, Viva Coupe but after a while this was dismissed as they seemed to be made from Unobtanium. He then started looking at Chevettes and Mk1 Fiestas and the story seeemed to be the same.
We decided that it would be good to get a basket case and restore it as a learning experience (for both of us) and also because it was being funded by pocket money with me contributing too.I had finished my V8 Magnum the year before and fancied another project.
Just before Christmas the Firenza below cropped up on the forum and was nearly sold several times before we decided in a panic that we were going to buy if. I phoned Matt up and bought it over the phone without seeing it.
A couple of weeks later we turned up at Matts house with a hired trailer, dug the Firenza and loads of parts out of his garage. Matt was great and owns his own car restoration business mainly restoring VWs but will take on anything. (Matt Gill Restorations 07919091057)
Joe is very impressed!
Smug Git!
I had realised over the years that even though I was still capable of rolling aouund under cars, it had some how lost its appeal. Luckily when I had my garage built a few years ago I made sure it was tall enough for loft storage.
I was surprised, when looking on eBay at the price of 2 Post lifts and realised that if I cut a hole on the loft floor there would be just enough space for the roof of a car to protrude into. I took the plunge and got my credit card out....
You can see the Firenza has the early style square vent and genuine 1972 rust proofing.
Luckily the car came with several panels which had been cut off scrap cars. This saved so much time and produced a better result than I could ever achieve. Ultimate Recycling.
Someone had done a lot of high quality restoration to the floorpan previously. All this needs is surface derusting and seam sealing. Unfortunately they started at the front of the car and lost interest just before the rear axle.
Onto the other side with no panels to help me
Plates over rust...
The rear arch repairs are sound and have not been put over rust to I have decided to leave these.
This doesn't look right.
I decided to start again
This is were it all became a guessing game. Having nothing to compare it with (the Magnum isnt standard) I decided to make it up.
The aim is to get the car done by Billing 2016,
I will update as I go. thanks Chris