aguirola
Well-Known Member
OK, I won't bore you with too many posts, and hope will not likewise with my long story, but I think an update is necessary on my new Coupe, 3.0 CS, '73, Euro, non AC (here, you need AC). I absolutely love the car, always wished for one, very expensive to import due to high taxes, and even more difficult finding a really excellent example.
I was very lucky, as my friend wanted to part with his, possibly one of the lowest mileage cars in the world.
As on my background, I have been restoring cars for quite a long time here in El Salvador, and have assembled a very capable crew that aid me in the restoration endeavour, thus almost nothing is an obstacle.
We have started, unwittingly because of the web, a parts reproduction service in 'special' sheetmetal parts, and fiberglass for anything that we have a sample of.
Many years ago, I found an abandoned CSi here, that was transformed into a sorts of a race car, batmobile CSL style, and all the repro fiberglass parts that I bought in the USA was ... trash, nothing fit.
Now I have molds to remake all the various spoilers and wings. They now fit perfectly...
We reproduce parts that are otherwise too expensive to make in the USA, possibly not feasible for CS, I really ignore it as practically everything is available, only time will tell.
It is not a profitable concern in the true sense of the word, but at least it pays for my guys salaries, and they are very satisfied with the work they perform. Boredom is never an issue. Always a challenge.
Back to the CS, most of the suspension bushings, wheel bearings, guibos, boots, steering and brake disposables, have been replaced in order to restore reliability in a car that has only 16K Km., but is approaching the age of 40! As well as all fluids, that were old from age, not use.
Amazingly, the only rust for a car that has not seen much rain, is under the H2O reservoir for the wipers, a spot in the trunk and on the frame under the battery tray. This specific one, I am not happy about, as it probably has seeped into the inner fender, although from the underside no rust is visible.
We removed all carpeting and seats, and a thorough cleaning to remove stale odors.
Poked around gently with a pick under the floor felt, and it all feels OK and zero water marks.
The rust issues will get repaired when the drive-train comes out for a very mild r&r on the seals, an engine repaint to black, header refinish, and possibly a transmission swap for a 5 speed. Still confused on this one.
I own an '85 Hartge 535 and absolutely love the short ratio box, but ignore if one would be suitable for the Coupe.
The horn does not work, as well as the high beams that went on yesterday, and will not turn off. The wipers don't work either, and the turn signal stalk is on the right and the manual (USA version) says left (?).
The window motors are in crawl mode, so more cleaning in that dept. will have to happen when the door cards will be removed to check the door interiors, limiting straps, cleaning, etc.
Please feel free to suggest and comment all you wish, and it will be most appreciated, as my experiences with the idiosyncrasies of the CS are nil.
I am very pleased to have found this site, as an extremely helpful source...and some very knowledgeable Coupe lovers.
Regards, Alberto
I was very lucky, as my friend wanted to part with his, possibly one of the lowest mileage cars in the world.
As on my background, I have been restoring cars for quite a long time here in El Salvador, and have assembled a very capable crew that aid me in the restoration endeavour, thus almost nothing is an obstacle.
We have started, unwittingly because of the web, a parts reproduction service in 'special' sheetmetal parts, and fiberglass for anything that we have a sample of.
Many years ago, I found an abandoned CSi here, that was transformed into a sorts of a race car, batmobile CSL style, and all the repro fiberglass parts that I bought in the USA was ... trash, nothing fit.
Now I have molds to remake all the various spoilers and wings. They now fit perfectly...
We reproduce parts that are otherwise too expensive to make in the USA, possibly not feasible for CS, I really ignore it as practically everything is available, only time will tell.
It is not a profitable concern in the true sense of the word, but at least it pays for my guys salaries, and they are very satisfied with the work they perform. Boredom is never an issue. Always a challenge.
Back to the CS, most of the suspension bushings, wheel bearings, guibos, boots, steering and brake disposables, have been replaced in order to restore reliability in a car that has only 16K Km., but is approaching the age of 40! As well as all fluids, that were old from age, not use.
Amazingly, the only rust for a car that has not seen much rain, is under the H2O reservoir for the wipers, a spot in the trunk and on the frame under the battery tray. This specific one, I am not happy about, as it probably has seeped into the inner fender, although from the underside no rust is visible.
We removed all carpeting and seats, and a thorough cleaning to remove stale odors.
Poked around gently with a pick under the floor felt, and it all feels OK and zero water marks.
The rust issues will get repaired when the drive-train comes out for a very mild r&r on the seals, an engine repaint to black, header refinish, and possibly a transmission swap for a 5 speed. Still confused on this one.
I own an '85 Hartge 535 and absolutely love the short ratio box, but ignore if one would be suitable for the Coupe.
The horn does not work, as well as the high beams that went on yesterday, and will not turn off. The wipers don't work either, and the turn signal stalk is on the right and the manual (USA version) says left (?).
The window motors are in crawl mode, so more cleaning in that dept. will have to happen when the door cards will be removed to check the door interiors, limiting straps, cleaning, etc.
Please feel free to suggest and comment all you wish, and it will be most appreciated, as my experiences with the idiosyncrasies of the CS are nil.
I am very pleased to have found this site, as an extremely helpful source...and some very knowledgeable Coupe lovers.
Regards, Alberto
