Since this time, my car has hit a "difficult age". Since it hit 30, bit by bit by bit everything has gone t*ts up, broken, perished, cracked, etc. Consequently, my "to do list" that was supposed to be cosmetic, hasn't been touched. As every time I take it in for something, they find something else. Then I take it somewhere else, they find another thing.. then they fix it, then something else breaks. It’s not been run much because of it.
I bought it with new cambelt, new water pump, MOT, minimal rust. No dash cracks...It's just then everything else has gone wrong.
And now......
yep, the head's cracked.
Here’s it’s last MOT:
22 March 2017 - pass
PASS
Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Rear Outer Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)
Brake servo corroded but not excessively weakened (3.6.A.2b)
Central Rear Inner Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Previously”¦
FAIL
Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)
Brake pedal fouling on other parts of the vehicle Wiring (3.3.A.4)
Battery insecure (1.9.1)
Offside Front Lower Electrical wiring inadequately supported Under Brake paddle (1.9.2a)
Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)
Offside Front Lower Seat belt insecurely fixed to the seat (5.2.1a)
Statutory seat belt missing Cant check due to rear seats loaded with things ! (5.1.1)
Nearside Front Lower Anti-roll bar linkage rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)
Advisory notice item(s)
Offside Rear Outer Brake hose slightly chafed (3.6.B.4d)
Brake servo corroded but not excessively weakened (3.6.A.2b)
Central Rear Inner Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Test date 25 February 2017 FAIL Test Reason(s) for failure
Nearside Front Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)
Offside Front Power steering component(s) leaking from a failed seal (2.3.3b)
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)
Advisory notice item(s)
oil light flickers on and off on dash?
In my ownership it’s had:
All of the above, new PS rack, new rubber boot, new fuel injectors. Bought a new head, had it tested/reconditioned.
Little jobs I did: new gas shocks, new badges, new air filter, oil change.
Jobs to do:
Get new cylinder head on. Sort the broken cab roof. Sort the paint (dull, white spots, swirls) fix seat bolster. Get some style 5 alloys.
To contextualise, I am a woman whose only experience of doing anything with cars has been with this car. My passion for 1980s cars far outweighs any mechanical ability. I’m learning on this car. The Previous owner had it 20 years, spent a lot of its time being imported in and out of Spain, so it’s at least been kept quite dry.
This is a nice car (well it could be) with some lovely optional extras. I want it to be everything it can be! So here’s it’s progress, but I will need to ask advice as everyone I know is useless with cars ”¦. First questions coming up..



