480 Celebration: Free as a restoration project

[doingitsideways]

Originally Posted by 360beast

That requires about 1/10 the amount of rust repairs as my 360 so that would be a quick restoration.

Hopefully it doesn't get broken.

Worth noting though, that the rear arches have been "fixed" before. The previous owner (before me) had them done. Not his fault, but by no means a proper job.

What you can see there is filler. Lots and lots of filler.
Chances are the rot extends a fair way up the panel now

[dcw]

It is as Steve says, unfortunately.

I am sure you are right 360Beast that for someone that's all an easy restoration, but it depends I think on time, resources and the ultimate aim. Hence I have given the car one last chance to find that person!

Those photos were some took at the start, originally intended to be part of my own "history of work" so they're not comprehensive. For example, I deliberately didn't go pushing around those holes in the boot at that stage - I was trying to get the thing dry - but a lot of it is very weak/thin.

As I said, when the rain stops - when! - I'll take some more.

Looking at the car this morning out the window, though, I notice the cracking away is rapidly increasing around that right arch, for example....

David

[classicswede]

No one else going to take this?
If nobody does soon I might end up the owner of a 480..

[tannachyallen]

I used to have an 480ES for a while. Went like s**t of a stick! I had a 3" hole in the floor under the rear seats because of the dreaded leaking rear lights; at least the water could get out . It was great fun. I put some meaty Vredestein winter tyres on it and it was brilliant in snow. Unfortunately a rather large red deer totaled it one night.............

Dave A

[dcw]

Originally Posted by classicswede

No one else going to take this?
If nobody does soon I might end up the owner of a 480..

I'm on holiday at present, back home Sunday. If you are serious please contact me because after this weekend I start pulling her to bits...

Weather and time hasn't allowed me to take more photos but I will try on return...

David

[classicswede]

Let me know when you are back and will sort something

Cheers
Dai

[dcw]

Apologies for long time no comment on here...came back off holiday and straight away again with work; only just getting the chance to catch up.

I have had a look at the 480 again and lumps are actually starting to just come away - the RHS rear arch for example. It is clear that it is a lot of filler on what is now some very rotten bodywork. And just unscrewing the rear foglight this afternoon (wanted to raid the bulb) was making rusty chunks drop down from behind the bumper in an alarming fashion...

On this basis, and on the basis that there seem to be quite a few 480 owners at present after parts to keep their cars running, I have decided that it should be the end of the line for Nipper. It will hopefully be well used keeping other 480s on the road, and that's the spirit it was given to me in.

Sorry Classicswede, whom I know was perhaps interested, and anyone else who was watching this, but complete car no longer on offer.

I'll post separately about parts in due course.

David

[classicswede]

Better for parts to be saved then just thrown in the crusher

[migrator]

"Unfortunately a rather large red deer totaled it one night............."

There are easier ways to get venison ....

[dcw]

Originally Posted by migrator

"Unfortunately a rather large red deer totaled it one night............."

There are easier ways to get venison ....

Now there's a thought! If only I wasn't an honest lawyer..... (and if that doesn't invite the flak I don't know what will)