drabbers
Active Member
Hi all,
I have joined the forum to 'revitalise' my project which I have owned for 5 years.
My Rover is a 1971 3500 automatic - Zircon blue - Sandalwood leather - no power steering - early carbs - hooked choke & reserve knobs - square Rover lettering to the bootlid.
This was my late grandfathers car from 1976 through to 1989 and I remember many trips out in her. At the time she was immaculate - purchased from the original owner (chauffeur driven) with 25K on the clock. I recall how silent and swift it felt - slower when adjusted to run on 4 star. He sold the Rover at around 60K to buy a BMW - that never struck a cord with me - so when I inherited it I eventually sold it.
I stumbled across GAN - looking sad on eBay. It was in Wycombe only a 10 min drive from where my grand parents lived. Luckily owner Simon was a 'banger racer' with a heart....he bought the car from an elderly gent (who bought it from my grandfather) after he crashed the Rover and gave up driving. Simon repaired it and used as a daily driver until the brakes failed.It was then parked up outside for 5 years. My aunt who lives close to Wycombe saw the Rover travelling 'at speed' when owned by Simon. A deal was struck and the Rover transported to my garage.
I thought tlc and recomissioning would do the trick. Lots of 't cut' cleaning etc and it was starting to look quite good.
I serviced the engine and she runs really well - mileage is just under 74K.
Then started to prod and found rust had taken hold - so removed - outer sills - wings and found bad inner rear arch / D posts rot. The 'accident repair' was superficial and passenger (replacement) doors in poor condition.The front bumper iron had pushed the cross member inward - disguised with washers to wing and valance.
Small beer compared to some projects on this site I know.
Mark.
I have joined the forum to 'revitalise' my project which I have owned for 5 years.
My Rover is a 1971 3500 automatic - Zircon blue - Sandalwood leather - no power steering - early carbs - hooked choke & reserve knobs - square Rover lettering to the bootlid.
This was my late grandfathers car from 1976 through to 1989 and I remember many trips out in her. At the time she was immaculate - purchased from the original owner (chauffeur driven) with 25K on the clock. I recall how silent and swift it felt - slower when adjusted to run on 4 star. He sold the Rover at around 60K to buy a BMW - that never struck a cord with me - so when I inherited it I eventually sold it.
I stumbled across GAN - looking sad on eBay. It was in Wycombe only a 10 min drive from where my grand parents lived. Luckily owner Simon was a 'banger racer' with a heart....he bought the car from an elderly gent (who bought it from my grandfather) after he crashed the Rover and gave up driving. Simon repaired it and used as a daily driver until the brakes failed.It was then parked up outside for 5 years. My aunt who lives close to Wycombe saw the Rover travelling 'at speed' when owned by Simon. A deal was struck and the Rover transported to my garage.
I thought tlc and recomissioning would do the trick. Lots of 't cut' cleaning etc and it was starting to look quite good.
I serviced the engine and she runs really well - mileage is just under 74K.
Then started to prod and found rust had taken hold - so removed - outer sills - wings and found bad inner rear arch / D posts rot. The 'accident repair' was superficial and passenger (replacement) doors in poor condition.The front bumper iron had pushed the cross member inward - disguised with washers to wing and valance.
Small beer compared to some projects on this site I know.
Mark.
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