On Fri, 31 Jan 2003, at around 11:07:33 local time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >I'm off to look at a 78 Spitfire tomorrow, what problem areas should I look >out for....??
Dear Robert, Off the top of my head... Rust. Just about anywhere, but especially chassis, front bulkhead (behind wheel arches), front of bonnet, windscreen surround, sills, foot-wells, boot floor, rear wheel arches, and rear wings behind the wheel arches. Take a magnet with you to test for filler. Take a screwdriver too (for poking through rotten chassis members that have been covered in underseal). A rusty car is a money pit (ask me how I know...). A rust-free car is a miracle (or Californian). Try not to buy the former. Engine. Usual stuff - check for smoke from the exhaust and so on. Replacement engines are reasonably cheap to obtain and fit, but why court trouble? Gearbox. Test drive the car, and try racing changes between every gear (up and down). If they are all sweet, you are well ahead of the game. Check that the OD (if any) works. Replacement gearboxes range from cheap (no overdrive) to expensive (overdrive), and are a sod to fit (90% of the interior has to come out...). Hood. Erect it, and take it down. Should be reasonably easy to do, and it should fit tightly and snugly when erected. Check for cracks in the windows. Do all test drives with the hood up (makes unpleasant noises easier to hear). Seats. Check that the driver's seat-back is adjustable (any passengers can just damn' well cope!). Check that the foams are firm and supportive. Whilst it is easy enough to obtain replacement foams, refitting the seat covers requires endless patience and specialist tools. Interior Trim. Often worn out or "repaired" (by a blind orang-utan). Not too expensive to replace, but a pain, and a good negotiating point for you if in really poor condition. UJs. Listen for a ticking noise from the back on cornering. If you get one, you need new UJs. Cheap as chips, but a pain. Suspension. Check that the rear spring hasn't snapped in several places (wish someone had given me this advice before I bought my '77...). Electrics. Don't worry - they'll probably be shot, but they are easy to work on and fix. If anything doesn't work, make a big fuss about it, get the seller to knock off a hundred quid on that basis, and then fix it in fifteen minutes with the help of this list!) Extras. An overdrive (in working order) is worth paying a premium for, as is a factory hard-top. Good luck! Let us know how you get on. ATB -- Mike Ellie - 1963 White Herald 1200 Convertible GA125624 CV Connie - 1968 Conifer Herald 1200 Saloon GA237511 DL Carly - 1977 Inca Yellow Spitfire 1500 FH105671 /// [EMAIL PROTECTED] mailing list /// Send admin requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] /// or try http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool /// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive /// Send list postings to [EMAIL PROTECTED] /// Edit your replies! If they include this trailer, they will NOT be sent.
