Following on from the 1.6L Montego Saloon Thread....

[MG Mal]

Sill repairs to the estate are almost complete.
Both sides needed quite a bit of work, but I guess that's what you get with no wax oil etc and a life on the south coast.



Plan is to clean up the full length of each sill and paint in a zinc rich primer then grey stone chip. all Masked off neatly.
it will then be the option of any prospective new owner to either paint as needed or go the whole hog and do the entire car to a high standard.

[MG Mal]

Well I have just got off the phone with garage.

The estate now has a full MOT.

let the tidying commence!

[Richard Moss]

Keep up the good work, Mal.

[MG Mal]

It's finding a willing new owner that's the hard part Richard.

[tractorman]

The photos take me back 25 years to the '85 Montego I had, and a neighbour's '85 estate (the same colour as this one). I had to weld the sills and rear wheel arches on both of them - and they were only five years old!!

[MG Mal]

Considering it's spent most of it's time on the south coast, it's survived quite well.

But it's had 7 owners over 44k miles!

[Richard Moss]

It's finding a willing new owner that's the hard part Richard.

What are you suggesting?

[MG Mal]

I'm suggesting that the majority of the "it must be saved brigade' won't open their wallets Richard.

The B plate saloon I rescued ended up going over seas, as those who initially wanted it for free from the PO, vanished when it was no longer free.

Even though it was ridiculously cheap at 300.00, the final owner actually paid extra to have it transported north and then to the docks, as he new it was worth it.

This one now stands me at around 420.00 not including transport x 2 /using a bumper and wing from existing spares / doing the head liner (had the material already) and general servicing /clean up.

I still have maybe another 1-200 or so to go sorting out the tidying side of things, but it's very unlikely that the "usual suspects" would pay even close to the total, as it's not "shiny" and will need final finishing.
(As there is no point me getting it's paintwork sorted as I will just be throwing money away.

The estates PO was going to restore it, but work and home got in the way, every one wanted it for the 200.00 asking, but no one was willing to cough up and go to Bridport for it.

My hope is to find a new owner willing to continue the work as a rolling restoration and to see it again sometime at a show or group meet looking it's best.

Mal.

[3xpendable]

Excellent post there Mal.

[Richard Moss]

Mal - know what you mean. We see it on the 800 forum all the time. "You mustn't break it" calls from some members but then no willingness to put hands in pockets. We have some really dedicated members who are doing their best to maintain and restore their cars and are doing great work, I just wish that I could save one or two cars myself.