Kevin MacBride
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« on: 25 July, 2009, 10:25:02 PM » |
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When I first got my B20, I was surprised when a man I met said to me..'I remember one of them breaking down outside our garage back in the 60's, had a leg out of bed'
Anyway I searched high and low and managed to find it, it lay in a small garage at the rear of an old house in Dublin. I met the owner, who was a bit suspect at first, but when he saw my car, assumed I wasn't a gold digger, and let me see the car. A blue 3rd series, covered in dust and grime, with no engine. However there was an engine, wrapped in greasepaper, sitting on a pallet, in front of the car. I gave the car a quick look over, but at the time, was more interested in 'doing up' my own.
10 odd years later, and the mans son contacted me, wondering if I'd be interested in restoring the car, as the owner was getting on a bit, and he'd like to see his dad enjoy the car once more.
We picked up the car today, 2 owners, 27,000 miles and apart from a tatty interior and a slight bit of rust on the os doorskin, the car is in amazing condition. The paint has cracked (it was resprayed from its original white at some stage). The best part was the engine. When I mentioned the story about the conrod, the owner said 'Oh yes, thats true, luckily for me I managed to buy a NEW engine at the time, I still have the old one'
I'll post a few photos as soon as I can. The owner had attempted a restoration years ago, but it never happened. He'd removed a lot of bits from the car, but everything is there.
And no, its not for sale...
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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rogerelias
Rebel Poster
Posts: 955
MY 1600HF IN HEARTBEAT GARAGE
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« Reply #1 on: 26 July, 2009, 12:19:42 PM » |
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What a nice story, look forward to the pics.  |
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FULVIA 1600HF LUSSO
1958 VELOCETTE MAC
Triumph Bonneville t120v 1972
1968 MGC ROADSTER
1958 Series 2 Appia berlina
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Tim Ray
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« Reply #2 on: 27 July, 2009, 10:10:40 AM » |
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Hello Kevin
Certainly a great story.How about sending it to Jack,together with some pics as Roger suggests,so everybody reading VL can enjoy it as well.
Kind Regards
Tim
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DavidLaver
Permanent resident
Posts: 4387
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« Reply #3 on: 27 July, 2009, 10:06:57 PM » |
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Its the stuff of dreams - upto the point where there's a new engine in a crate which you'd never EVEN dream of...
David
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David Laver, Lewisham.
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Kevin MacBride
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« Reply #4 on: 27 July, 2009, 11:47:27 PM » |
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First light of day...
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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Kevin MacBride
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Posts: 451
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« Reply #5 on: 28 July, 2009, 10:53:57 AM » |
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And some more...
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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fay66
Permanent resident
Posts: 6232
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« Reply #6 on: 28 July, 2009, 11:01:44 AM » |
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Kevin, What a magnificent find, just like all your christmas's have come at once  Best of Luck although that seems to have arrived already Brian 8227  |
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Own 1966 Fulvia 2C Berlina since 1997, back on road 11-1999.Known as "Fay"
2006 Renault Megane 1 5 Dci Sports Tourer
Dedra Technical Adviser
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Kevin MacBride
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Posts: 451
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« Reply #7 on: 28 July, 2009, 11:06:15 AM » |
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A few more...I've since managed to locate the original owners son, he's going to try and find some photos of the car from way back. His father was a racer in the 40/50's and raced the cars to have of the day, C and D types, Ferraris etc. Obviously a man of taste if he chose an Aurelia as his daily driver.
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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Kevin MacBride
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Posts: 451
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« Reply #8 on: 28 July, 2009, 11:14:37 AM » |
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...
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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Jai Sharma
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Posts: 475
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« Reply #9 on: 28 July, 2009, 11:26:11 AM » |
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Wow! I think you could also send pictures into Classic & Sportscar or similar - ideal for the lost and found section.
Superb!
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Kevin MacBride
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« Reply #10 on: 10 January, 2010, 01:01:41 AM » |
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Metalwork finished, ready for paint.
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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GG
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Posts: 567
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« Reply #11 on: 10 January, 2010, 04:29:56 PM » |
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Do you have any pictures of that "new engine"? It would be interesting to see details, finishes, and which series motor it was.
Thanks,
Geoff
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Appia C10, Flavia 2000 coupe, Fulvia Fanalone
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Sliding Pillar
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Posts: 1724
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« Reply #12 on: 10 January, 2010, 07:49:44 PM » |
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What colour are you going to paint it? You should really do it in the original beige, like Geoff's car.
Here's a pic of a 2nd series in beige.
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1955 Aurelia
1961 Lamborghini
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Kevin MacBride
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« Reply #13 on: 11 January, 2010, 10:13:36 AM » |
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After a bit of arm twisting, we convinced the owner to use the original colour. (He wanted it black). The idea is to refurbish as much as we can so as not to 'over restore' the car.
The engine is a 3rd series, I dont know how he managed this, but the old block which I have, has the same serial number as the new engine. Maybe it was something they did back.
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« Last Edit: 11 January, 2010, 10:16:05 AM by Kevin MacBride »
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan
Fiat Multipla
Fiat Cinquecento
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GG
Megaposter
Posts: 567
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« Reply #14 on: 11 January, 2010, 11:32:57 AM » |
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After a bit of arm twisting, we convinced the owner to use the original colour. (He wanted it black). The idea is to refurbish as much as we can so as not to 'over restore' the car.
The engine is a 3rd series, I dont know how he managed this, but the old block which I have, has the same serial number as the new engine. Maybe it was something they did back.
You've got to love that. Do yo think both engines were stored 46 years ago? If so, they were having fun with those numbering stamps back then too! |
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Appia C10, Flavia 2000 coupe, Fulvia Fanalone
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