Club126UK

Fiat 126 Chat => Your Restorations => Topic started by: stephenc on June 14, 2017, 12:50:29 AM

Title: Project Shoestring- the mystery early 126 from France
Post by: stephenc on June 14, 2017, 12:50:29 AM
Hi fellow 126ers.

So here is my thread about my 126 that arrived last Saturday.

Here's a walk-round of it:

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/038_1.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/040_1.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/042_1.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/046_1.jpg)

The engine cover handle isn't missing- I took it off because it is broken (it might be repairable).

And yes, the RH rear light is a LH one fitted upside down!


On to the interior now- it is rather dusty/mouldy from years off the road, but is in really good condition.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/003_2.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/005_1.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/028_1.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/001_2.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/014_2.jpg)

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/016_2.jpg)


That's 41759 miles- no wonder the interior shows so little wear under the grime.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/Monsoult_013.jpg)


I was pleased to find the arch on this side is essentially rust-free.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/029.jpg)


Looks like that was the last year this little Fiat saw french roads.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/033_1.jpg)


As there was no paperwork with the car, this is one of the few clues as to its age- it's a later first series as there are no vents in the door shuts.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/027_1.jpg)



Time for a look at some bad points...

Looks like there isn't much left of the bottom of that A-post...

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/017_2.jpg)


That's an awful lot of filler there...

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/023_2.jpg)


...and there!

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/024_2.jpg)


Hmm, that's actually a rust hole there...and quite a gouge in the steel by the intake vent...whatever it was that fell against the car has also bent the drip rail as well. That wheelarch looks a bit suspicious too!

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/026_1.jpg)


Now that's an interesting repair...

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/022_2.jpg)


...it's french Meccano, n'est pas?!

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/021_1.jpg)


Looks like it's game over for that seatbelt holder then...surprisingly, it's a Klippan 'Made in GB'.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/030.jpg)


Further bit of accident damage- battery has slightly crumpled that panel.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/032_1.jpg)


That centre electrode is well past its sell-by date...

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/035_1.jpg)



I've started cleaning the interior so have taken the seats out to give them a good clean and will take the carpet out for a vac and shampoo.

I found the horn button in the oddments tray by the gearstick- just missing one of the springs, but that's easy to sort out.

I noticed that the roof has a small hole in it, so I will see if a bicycle puncture repair patch will fix that

As funds are limited, this coming month will see me getting the essentials to service the engine and make a start on the brakes with new shoes, cylinders and pipes.

I will also be squirting Plusgas on all the nuts and bolts I might need to remove too.
Title: Re: Project Shoestring- the mystery early 126 from France
Post by: michaelodonnell500 on June 14, 2017, 10:31:27 AM
That's Nice. (pun intended!)
You might be lucky with the engine, I've started a few that have looked worse than that! If the contact adhesive for the roof repair doesn't work I might be able to post you a free tube of out of date windscreen adhesive and a small patch of black vinyl. It should keep the water out for a while.
Title: Re: Project Shoestring- the mystery early 126 from France
Post by: stephenc on June 14, 2017, 10:43:57 AM
That's Nice. (pun intended!)
You might be lucky with the engine, I've started a few that have looked worse than that! If the contact adhesive for the roof repair doesn't work I might be able to post you a free tube of out of date windscreen adhesive and a small patch of black vinyl. It should keep the water out for a while.

Hi

The engine turns, so that is hopefully a good sign.

I'll let you know if the roof repair works, or not- thanks for the offer.  :)
Title: Re: Project Shoestring- the mystery early 126 from France
Post by: stephenc on June 14, 2017, 12:44:05 PM
As I found the horn button was not missing, I cleaned it and then cracked open a tiny tin of metallic silver model aircraft paint and re-did the FIAT logo on the horn button.

(http://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx322/MrSteve/003_4.jpg)

So that's 1 job ticked off...!