www.rostyles.fsnet.co.uk

FOR VAUXHALL FD SERIES, VIVA & FIRENZA

Last year in March 2002 I had purchased an FD Victor 2000SL (UBK 408K) Garnet Starmist in colour from a chap in Dover. This car had been advertised in the VX4/90 Drivers Club Magazine. I was then informed by the club editor, who knew that I was looking for an FD VX4/90, of one (not for sale) also in Dover, not even ¼ of a mile from where I purchased the Victor 1 week previously.

Well I thought I’d try my luck and went to see this car. This VX4/90 (TCL 816K) Garnet Starmist with Carmine Red Interior was on a drive just of a main road into Dover and was looking pretty sorry for itself. It had been sat there for the best part of 2 years before I came along. The owner had apparently bought the car to restore but had not got round to it. He also owned a Morris Minor which had just had an argument with a truck and would need to sell the VX4/90 to help fund repairs. How could I refuse this opportunity so close to home. Upon inspection the car appeared to be very solid with new front inner and outer wings fitted a few years back. Even the rear arches were in good nick. The interior however was tatty with its emulsioned headling and ripped front seats. The car had been repainted so thick at some point that I feel it had actually assisted in the cars preservation. For a year the car sat on my drive until the construction of my garage was complete. Aiming for completion in July 2004.

Follow the restoration progress of this car here. This page will be updated regularly.

TCL 816K Prior to restoration

The interior of the car is complete but very shabby

July 2003 – The car is all stripped to the bare shell

Next stage is all the welding and prep work.

September 2003

More welding than originally anticipated. 1 pair of sills. Patch work to inner sills. 1 near side outer wing. Replacement of poorly welded floor plate. Repair to lower front valence, this will have to be carefully fabricated. Both chassis rails at the front end, where they connect to lower cross members are to be fully reconstructed due to poor previous attempt. Many small holes and drillings to be plug welded. I am also in the process of rebuilding the original engine for this car. Chance of seeing Billing 2004 50%.