'Biagio' - Italian for 'Stutterer, or Little Stutter'So the time has finally come, where most of the DIY in the house has been completed, and I have the time and money to start my restoration of my 126 sunroof model from 1974. This is the only 126 car I have, and I have had to resist urges to buy other working models after selling my old white 1984 one last year. But I have decided to put all my time and hard earned cash into this one, which I know will be the right decision when it has been finished.
This car has been sat in my garden for the last 10 months since buying it, and previous to that it was sat on Ladislavs driveway for approx 2 years (am I right, Ladislav?)
I am told the car is almost complete so will need to go through the boxes and see what if anything is missing.
Brief history of the car;
Built in 1974 at the Italian factory (proven with dating certificate from Fiat UK) and has an original factory fitted sunroof. I believe only a small handful of these are now left, can anyone can confirm or deny?
It was rescued years ago by a gentleman from SE London who saved the shell from an automechanics college where they used to practice welding on cars. It was rebuilt using a donor car which the gentlemans sister had at the time. I still have some original paperwork from the donor car including the VIN plates. It was allegedly completely restored, although the paint work looks like it has been handpainted with a brush in places and not a great job has been done either.
Some of the welding is crap, and will need to be amended along with the new welding that needs to be done.
It would appear that there is electrical wiring for an electric starter motor, a rev counter has been wired in and some other bits. All of which will be removed.
Gentleman came over from the local bodyshop to inspect it and has given me some advice as welding and spraying is not something which I really want to attempt myself.
Im currently just getting ideas of cost, and various ways of acheiving the end goal (and trying to avoid getting further 'tellings off'!!!)
On first inspection it would appear most of the issues can be repaired in situ, with just both rear arches needing replacing. Both sills and the front will however probably be replaced as I have the spare panels anyway.
The hard bit about the whole project will be getting started as I dont have a huge plethora of mechanical knowledge, but just enough to 'get by'.
There are about 94 photo's here in an album, most taken by ladislav, some by myself of its current condition. I wil update this thread as and when work takes place with pictures where possible.
http://photobucket.com/1974fiat126I am hoping to have the car finished for Slovakia 2013, although I realise that this could be a tall order with work etc.
The aim is for a total resotration from ground up, with some slight engine modifcations for power, and some decent suspension, brakes etc (due to having a heavy right foot, and an agressive driving style!
)
But I do want to keep it looking as original looking as I can, as I think it would be a shame to spoil it and i'm aiming to keep the dark blue paint from the factory.
Anyway, enough babble for now. See you all at retro rides (in my rover!
)
Watch this space!
Tom
Kent126