What have I done?!

[markymarc]

I have a 1980 air-cooled 126 in my garage being mildly customised.............I sold my 2003 seicento and bought a water-cooled 126 off e-bay to use as my daily driver!!
Am I MAD??

[dajwid]

Wow! another 126 in Essex

No certainly not mad at all, you will love the car, you will love the reaction it gets, fun to drive, easy to work on. Looks very nice.

Have a good read of the old posts on the forum and you should find the answers to anything you need to know, if not ask

Don't ever, ever, ever, ask the 'what is better and aircooled or a Bis' question though

Welcome.

[markymarc]

I wont ask, but luckily i have one of each so no-one can pick on me!!

[RSPSTEVE]

Nice one Marc, nearly 6k now clocked up on mine as long as you look after it and maintain it properly it should be fine .

Steve

[Kent126]

Ha ha you git! I was watching that one! Really fancied it too! How much did you get it for in the end? I offered him £800 cash and he turned it down!

Tom

[markymarc]

I asked what he wanted when I went and looked at it before it ended, and he wanted to let it run as he hates it when people take things off he has been watching.

I got her for just over £800 and am very happy but after not being driven since 1997 shes in need of a good service!!
Spent a day and a half cleaning, dusting, polishing, back to blacking, and just tidying her up really.

Been smiling to work every day so far!!  Going to get the interior recovered, pretty up the engine, powder-coat the wheels black next year, possibly lower, tint the windows, maybe some graphics as I work in the sign industry?!

Regards
marc

[kitten75]

Looks like mine (although yours is shinier!) - is it 1990?

What do you mean back to blacking - is that some alternative Amy Winehouse song?? Seriously though, what is it as my black trims are a bit faded looking and would be nice to tart them up a bit..

cheers

Mhairi

[Darrell]

Back to black is stuff you buy in a bottle normally to make the black trim black-er

Amy Winehouse might be a good way to advertise it We could start an advertising agency with the knowledge on here [-/

As for your rims, there are companies that specialise in restoring rims. It looks like your rims are originally off a Cinquecento so maybe one answer would be to look for another set, in the mean time yours could be tarted-up.

I've been thinking along the lines of a winter set of wheels and a summer set. Big investment but keeping one set of rims in good condition over winter is driving my madder than I already am!

[Kent126]

Cool! Interesting though, as the previous owner said on the phone that he has 'rescued it' from being modified by some chavs! lol Anyway keep us posted with pics of the project as it develops! I would be interested as a new owner myself to see what other new owners are doing to their new acquisitions!

Kind Regards,
Tom

[markymarc]

The Back to Black I used was "Mer bumper gel" or Autoglym do a bumper care gel aswell.
Really made a differance to my lil baby!!
Parts turning up every day..........need to stop spending.........currently looking into different door mirrors,  loving every journey to work so far!!

marc

[dajwid]

Where are you in Essex, I'm nr Stansted Airport, another Nr Maldon, One in Sawbridgworth,....

[markymarc]

I work in Colchester but live in Mistley near Manningtree, have to meet up some time?

marc

[markymarc]

Bin playing today and fitted my 1980 black vinyl interior from my air-cooled 126 into my water cooled daily hack, new trims for the front wings (they were missing) new door rubbers as mine were perished.

Next week - ice install.
Quick question guys.......will my battery be up to running an amp & sub?

Before and after pictures

marc

[Darrell]

The BIS has a good altenator so cannot see why not.

As for the seats, I'd try run with headrests on a daily driver.

All you need is some plank driving into the back of you, and you neck going wonky

[ciaoflyer]

Nice!  As other say if you maintain your Bis it won't give you too much trouble!  Kepp an eye on the engine temp and everything should be fine!  I have had hassle free Bis running for years now apart from the odd alternator falling off, dipstick popping out, bulbs blowing, choke cable breaking, fuel pump sopped working............  Love it and I use it everyday!