Fast Marina Magazine

So the trip to Holyhead was completed and KD transport did the honours, delivering my first marina to the port.
Just like that mail order bride my mate got from Korea, the photos were a little on the good side, and the reality slightly less so!



forum member Balmy had seen this car before, and was quick to point out it was "scruffy all round". Well, he was right - to say the least. it's rather tatty.

The vinyl roof ( not in any photos) is absolutely Donald Ducked - it looks like someone took a huge cheese grater to it.
Localised rust here and there - under the rear windows, edge of the rear beneath the boot lid, front valance, wheel arches ( rear) etc.
Rear seat Donald ducked on the top of the back of it - torn to shreds.
Rattle can paint repairs here and there.
Engine runs on for a little after you shut it off ( timing?)
windscreen silconed (to stop a leak no doubt).


On the plus side, the car drove the 90 odd miles home and never missed a beat and was very endearing to drive. i am hooked!

So my question is this:
Do i run it round for the summer and then shift it on and wait for a nice one?
OR
Run it as a rolling restoration?

If option B, the vinyl roof is a major and immediate eyesore, so do I restore it ( if so, how?)? Alternatively, could I remove the dried and horrendously and extensively torn vinyl and paint the roof the same colour as the body or paint it, say, gloss black?

There are 5 new tyres on it, on the plus side.

Where would the colour code be? if at all...

Thanks in advance!

Mick
cavan
ireland

So like mine it runs great but it looks like cr*p

Sounds like you've got a nice project, good luck with her!

The paint code is BLVC144 Jade Green metallic.
Best thing you can do is really have a good look all round, poke around under the carpets and rear spring hangers and get the engine tuned up properly. The old B series really need 97 octane fuel for good performance, they don't like 95 at all...
As for the vinyl roof, if it's really that bad, strip it off (nice warm day and use hammerite thinners to clean the glue off) and then give it several coats of Hammerite (used to be Finnegans) No1 anti-rust paint in dark brown. i did this on my old Special, and if you allow paintbrush marks to stay in the paint, it really looks the biz after a while. Just needs regular attention with boot polish to keep up the appearance!
Good luck, keep the old bus going as there aren't too many Specials left now.

Ah, i like the car, so I'll soldier on.
There are myriad croaks groans squeaks and moans as I drive along, so i'll see what turns out to be a problem!

White spirit will remove the glue and is cheaper than Hammerite thinners! Then just wipe over with beter thinners when all the glue has gone. White spirit is less harsh on the existing paint if there is any :shock:

I also have seen the glue removed with a piece of leather, ruff side against the glue and rub it off as this gets the worst off and still leaves your fingers intact with no blisters Then finish with thinners.
Paul.

Marinanut have you got pics of teh car with this hammerite on the roof? My mechanic just said the same thing to me.

Mikmik,

So you have finally got it.

I must say it sounds like it has had a hard couple of years. When I saw it the vinyl roof was ok-just needed a good clean/treatment.

The seats had covers on but I remember the back seat was a little split but nothing major. Makes you wonder who the hell has had it!!!! Like I said, I came very close to buying it as I thought it was a good, solid base that was scruffy, but clean up able.

The rattle can repairs etc must have been done recently as I am pretty sure it was all original paint and the engine runningon.....hmmm, mine still does that sometimes! :roll:

I hope you do decide to keep it and improve it as it makes me sad to think its been neglected. Feel like its my fault for not buying it 3 years ago ( worked out exactly how long ago it was! ).

I'll certainly try anyway balmy.

Those sticker-like thingys on the wings, are they standard?

mikmik wrote:Marinanut have you got pics of teh car with this hammerite on the roof? My mechanic just said the same thing to me.

Yes, but not sure where at the mo.....

balmy wrote: Feel like its my fault for not buying it 3 years ago ( worked out exactly how long ago it was! ).

yes, it IS your fault and therefore you owe me the money for a new interior, roof and respray!!

Sounds like you've got a bit of a challenge on your hands there Mick. There used to be some treatments years ago to try and bring old vinyl roofs back to life but it sounds like yours has pegged it.. I was in Hollyhead last Saturday going on holiday with the family, when were you there? Would've been good to see the old special. Good luck with getting her sorted.

No, I was just in Holyhead on Monday 63.
The roof has to go. Its unsaveable. what IS there is dry and brittle.
I have a feeling both screens have to come out to remove it. I have seen a replacement front screen rubber on eBay for 40 quid, but the rear is 65 quid, and I don't see one for the coupe anyway, only the saloon.

mikmik wrote:No, I was just in Holyhead on Monday 63.
The roof has to go. Its unsaveable. what IS there is dry and brittle.
I have a feeling both screens have to come out to remove it. I have seen a replacement front screen rubber on eBay for 40 quid, but the rear is 65 quid, and I don't see one for the coupe anyway, only the saloon.

You can just get the roof off without pulling the screens, I did it on my GT, but make sure its a nice, warm day and seal the gaps round the rubbers a.s.a.p - it's just a case of being careful and cutting the main bulk of the roof away from the window seals first, then gently peel the old vinyl out from under the rubber.

mikmik wrote:No, I was just in Holyhead on Monday 63.
The roof has to go. Its unsaveable. what IS there is dry and brittle.
I have a feeling both screens have to come out to remove it. I have seen a replacement front screen rubber on eBay for 40 quid, but the rear is 65 quid, and I don't see one for the coupe anyway, only the saloon.

You can just get the roof off without pulling the screens, I did it on my GT, but make sure its a nice, warm day and seal the gaps round the rubbers a.s.a.p - it's just a case of being careful and cutting the main bulk of the roof away from the window seals first, then gently peel the old vinyl out from under the rubber.

mikmik wrote:No, I was just in Holyhead on Monday 63.
The roof has to go. Its unsaveable. what IS there is dry and brittle.
I have a feeling both screens have to come out to remove it. I have seen a replacement front screen rubber on eBay for 40 quid, but the rear is 65 quid, and I don't see one for the coupe anyway, only the saloon.

You can just get the roof off without pulling the screens, I did it on my GT, but make sure its a nice, warm day and seal the gaps round the rubbers a.s.a.p - it's just a case of being careful and cutting the main bulk of the roof away from the window seals first, then gently peel the old vinyl out from under the rubber.