Marts

iTrader: (1)

I havent been on here for ages due to one reason or another, but now Im back, and unfortunately not in the best of minds or moods!

Im here again to ask for your advice on a major decision that I have got to make on my RS....

For people who have been reading my posts will know that I have worked hard on building my ERST up with a new engine, gearbox, everything to get rid of all those annoying CVH issues... In my eyes I had finally won the fight and was ready to get her on the rollers to set her up all properly and be able to enjoy her for what she should be enjoyed for.... but then I had it MOT tested!

2 Red sheets and 1 Advisory sheet Half of which is easy sorted like brake hose, CV boot etc... but again, she's rotting underneath. Sill damage eitherside, Rear chassis, Front chassis and under the seat fixing point.

I had welding carried out just over 2 years ago, but the rot has worked its way around those old welds.....

So now Im stuck in a rut and really dont know what to do. I dont earn a lot of money in my job, I have 3 young kids and a 3 bedroom house to contend with... but I have put my heart and soul into this car to get her sorted out over the last cople of years. And now it looks like it could have all been a waste of time because what i couldnt see was killing off what i could!

Only solution i can really see is to just bite the bullet and rip her to shreds and sell her bit by bit, but i really dont want to do that. I could re-shell her, but then have I actually got the money and time to do that??? I dont know.

The body work side of things on it now isnt the greatest tbh, but surface bubbles are easily sorted with treatment and new paint... but the engine and mechanical side of things are sounder than sound now. Grrrrr, This is doing in my head

What would you do in this situation, or what advice would you have for me if you have been in this situation before.... I could really do with your help.

The new spec, to which i have worked sooooo hard to get now is 1.8 ZVH with new head, piper P285T2 set up, Complete overhaul of the cooling system with new Alloy Rad, a new full FMIC set up, Hybrid T3, New Stage 1 gearbox with modified oilways and strengthened bits and pieces, New clutch....etc etc etc. All the engine side of things is just mint. All chromed up aswell.

If anyone does have some advice I would really appreciate it right now. If there is a rough price for what a re-shell would cost, that would be appreciated too.

Thanks guys

show n shine

personally i would re-sheell mate.

studabear

re shell, If you can't find a good shell perhaps a cabriolet as they don't seem to rot anywhere near as much

Mk1 Mex

iTrader: (1)

check out..
https://passionford.com/forum/ford-r...y-project.html

Might be right up your street.

studabear

Marts is this your daily drive or a toy?

RSTurboSI

iTrader: (1)

its all down to you.

Again you can collect shells cheap enough nowdays without having to rake in the moneys, You wont need much as most parts are on the shell you have now, then the parts you no longer need you can sell.

just as simple mate. takes some time but worth it in the long run.
even if it takes you 2 years, hell go for it

MunkeyboyRS

If its not you main car, tuck in away in a garage, and tuck some money to get a another shell.

muz

Thats why you should never "patch" a shell. It just comes back worse. I would re shell it if I were you and had no access to a welder.

Rob_DOHC

iTrader: (4)

Re shell it mate,

If your luck and find a good shell the right colour probably cost you under 500. Ie buying the shell and bits and pieces.

Swap all your good bits over and you have a mint car.

Nearer to a grand for a mint shell and a low cost respray......

Don't strip it and sell it, you would always regret it!

Rob,

xrmalin

Id repair what youve got youve not said how bad the rust is but whats to say if you do fork out for a new shell and swop everything over its not going to be rotten in another couple of years down the line

Marts

iTrader: (1)

It has been my daily run around, but due to it being nothing but trouble and having a lack of money, it's been off road more than on! I am getting it on a ramp in the next few days to see the damage for myself and get a possible quote on repair, but I'm not holding out on any good news.

I have been told of a mint rolling shell going for £400-£500 in my town. Everything is there except the engine. So I'm gonna enquire about that too.

I may also just jack the whole idea off and simply break her and just live with my RS memories rather than empty pockets every 6 months lol

if I do decide to sell up or break it, I'll let you guys know first obviously.

Antti O

This is one thing why i dont see old rs turbos as daily runner car.
I suggest you get some reasonable priced reliable dailydriver and put that rst in garage. Spare some money and do the reshelling when you have enough time and money to do it.

Marts

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Antti. I'll take your advice on board, just like all the rest in this thread

jonny s2

iTrader: (12)

if your propper short on cash dude,2 options scrap the shell and keep the bits untill funds allow for a reshell,or just break completely and sell the bits on,when you have family and a mortgage to look after that comes first

kidsRS

iTrader: (6)

My shell is coming up for sale as iv lost interest its a base mk3 shell non sunroof see my album series 1 generation 2 if interested buddy

Marts

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the point in the direction of a shell KidsRS, but I think Jonny has said it all really...
I havent got the space either for storing the bits, so the only option I have left is to just cut my losses and say goodbye to it. I think I may just try and sell as one instead of breaking... but i'll do some sums first, obviously. Would be quicker and easier if i was to just sell as a fully functional ERST and give the shell away as free!

I'll start another thread up and see what people reckon as a valuation (including my full spec) as this isnt the right place to talk money/sales etc.....

I am gutted tho......

Reply if you think Im a tool and should do something else....

botters

iTrader: (2)

nothing wrong with welding the shell so long as it is done properly mot plates just wont do rot has to be cut back to sound metal and sections flush welded in and treated on both sides then if done properly should last and last, why not do a college course in welding and repair it yourself i do all my own welding and taught myself by trial and error and nowadays i seem to be doing everyone elses cars!! remember no one will put as much time and effort into repairing your car properly as you will yourself

white2lsr

iTrader: (1)

With the greatest respect, how come you havnt noticed the rot earlyer if its as bad as you say?

mike s2 rst

if you could find a cheap daily runner then you could repair your shell as and when youve got time and cash!!then ur shell could b at the same level as ur engine.

Marts

iTrader: (1)

Because its been on the driveway while I have been out of funds since running in the engine.... I haven't had the car in the air to notice anything. Like I say too, I am yet to see the damage, but know I cant afford to repair it anymore.

Already got interest in it now, so we'll see what happens.