Tax exempt Early 145 for sale in Dorset

[WPR678B]

It is with a heavy heart that I am offering for sale my beloved 145.
She is a 1970 model with the very rare split rear windows and has all the other features of such an early model such as non recessed outer door handles, one piece silver grille etc. She has her original B20 engine and is currently running a single SU HIF6 carb that was a brand new old stock item when I fitted it.
She is about to turn 70,000 miles which I have no reason to believe isn't genuine, but have no documentation to authenticate it either.

When I first got her I started a thread on here but the forum has since been updated so sadly all of the pictures are gone.

Anyway, she is pretty much in standard form with the exception of an IPD front anti roll bar (I have the rear but have not fitted it) and I have also fitted the overdrive switch, light etc ready for the conversion to a M41 gearbox with D-type overdrive that I have, but again have not fitted. The gearbox with rebuilt overdrive and correct original crossmember are included in the sale. I have a variety of propshafts too, but unsure if any are the correct length for the job!

She is currently MOT'ed until Feb 2014, but if and when a sale is agreed a new MOT will be put on. Tax is until the end of Jan 2014 and is FREE!
She is structually solid with only a few local repairs carried out to a high standard by myself about 3 years ago. There is no filler in this car except on the rear tailgate from a very old repair.

Bodywise she has a few small issues which were on the "to do" list but circumstances have changed that for me. I have sourced all the required parts to get her back to her full glory which bodywise include a replacement bonnet, original drivers side front wing (New Old Stock pattern fitted at the moment) and a replacement tailgate (the worst panel on the car). I had intended to give her a full respray including the engine bay while doing the overdrive conversion.

Interior wise I have a replacement set of door cards and a pair of front seats that are not as bad as the one's currently fitted, but still not perfect. She has a recent set of factory carpets fitted from a very low mileage 144 and an original centre console with clock. The clock fitted is not working, but I have another that does!
I have also fitted rear seatbelts as my 3 sons are often in the car too, the outer one's being New Old Stock Volvo items in matching blue, but the centre is a 240 lap belt in black.

Mechanically the brakes were all overhauled back when I re-commisioned her in 2010 and are still in good order now (calipers rebuilt, new flexi hoses pads etc).
She had all 4 wheels blasted and power coated and a new set of 4 matching 165 x 15 tyres fitted, all of which still have plenty of life as I have covered less than 8000 miles with them.

Included in the sale is all the parts I have built up for her to include all new suspension joints and shocks for the front, 4 new wheel bearings, a set of Superflex polyurethane bushes for the rear (I fitted new rubber ones in 2011 but have never been happy with them!) which cost me nearly £200 alone, the rear IPD anti roll bar to match the front that I ended up getting from the USA at great expense! My intention was to rebuild the front suspesion with all new parts (not that she needs it, but then its done!) but again, not got around to it.
I also have all the parts that I have saved from a 144 I stripped earlier this year to include all 4 doors, complete dashboard, front and rear axles (in very poor condition) extra bumpers, grille etc etc etc.......

Pricewise I am looking for £3500 for the car and all the parts which is strong money, but its a very rare chance to get a very original and very strong car with all the parts you need, including some pretty rare one's.
I waited for years to buy an early 145 and I haven't seen another split rear window model for sale since, let alone such a solid one.
I am only going to post this here for a few days in the hope she will find the right home, but she will be advertised elsewhere shortly if no interest in shown.
Thank you for reading.

[Billy Smalls]

Lovely car – mine’s identical except it’s an automatic saloon – same greeny blue interior too – that hates the sun….and mine’s far rustier!!
Very best of luck with the sale – well worth it, they are the business

[222s]

I really like this car (having seen it in the metal on several occasions) & wish I was in a position to buy it!!! Good luck with the sale

[WPR678B]

Thanks for your kind comments. I will be sad to see her go if she does sell.
I can't keep them all even though I wish I could!

[WPR678B]

Is there any interest on here?
She will be advertised elsewhere shortly as I need to make room on the driveway!