Page 1 of 6

1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: August 14th, 2013, 10:43 pm
by PumaPhil
Hi,

I recently acquired my 124 from an auction site after a bid sale fell through for some reason. I bought it unseen but it was taxed, UK registered and had a new MoT (but was certainly NOT road legal which I am currently in a legal dispute from the auction company over) and was a runner. It had a new hood, new respray but a tatty interior. But most important of all, being a Californian import it has absolutely no rust save for a little in the footwell due to a leaky heater matrix.

Having bought it in April I was keen to get some use out of it during the summer months so I concentrated on the cosmetics first which involved getting the interior, wheels, brakes (unsafe despite MoT!) and suspension sorted. I also fitted a new carb' as the original's auto-choke was bypassed and it wasn't running particularly well. I also had the radiator refurbished as it had a lot of silt in it; in fact the heater selector valve was totally blocked solid with calcium and I'm not sure the previous owner used any antifreeze! This is probably why the selector cable to the heater was broken. I looked around everywhere trying to get a replacement which were very difficult to get hold of and expensive. In the end I went to a local piano repair shop and got a piece of piano wire which was a near perfect substitute and all for just a couple of pounds!

I've been hankering after a 124 for a few years after seeing some whilst living in Germany, so when this one popped up I couldn't resist. But when I started looking for spares and advice the name 'Guy Croft' kept cropping up. I wondered where in the world this chap lived and amazingly I found that he lives just 20 minutes up the road from me. I know many of you will be envious of a newbie to this forum like me, because I have already had a couple of tours around his workshop - in a word 'fascinating!' I even met Ian and his 'Lotus Lada' which is a beautifully finished car and I was even treated to a blast up the road in this beast! In case you are wondering, over the winter I am going to get GC to rebuild my engine so then it will be pretty much sorted!

Phil

The photos below are of my progress to date:
Before any mods, note the old wheels and high US spec' springs, side repeater light missing.
Before any mods, note the old wheels and high US spec' springs, side repeater light missing.
IMG_1040.JPG (121.51 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
The interior as it arrived, faded seats, torn door top, split dash top, tatty centre console and worn carpets.
The interior as it arrived, faded seats, torn door top, split dash top, tatty centre console and worn carpets.
IMG_1041.JPG (160.31 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
As it arrived.
As it arrived.
IMG_1042.JPG (182.09 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Old carpet stripped, small amounts of rust in passenger footwell caused by blocked heater matrix.
Old carpet stripped, small amounts of rust in passenger footwell caused by blocked heater matrix.
IMG_1115.JPG (136.56 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Original dash with dull instruments, dull wood and split top, but work started on the floor.
Original dash with dull instruments, dull wood and split top, but work started on the floor.
IMG_1119.JPG (138.08 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Faded instruments.
Faded instruments.
IMG_1120.JPG (104.21 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Rust killer and underseal added where needed.
Rust killer and underseal added where needed.
IMG_1116.JPG (148.81 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Sound deadening added.
Sound deadening added.
IMG_1131.JPG (187.2 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Carpet cut to shape and fitted, note new centre console.
Carpet cut to shape and fitted, note new centre console.
IMG_1148.JPG (148.07 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
New radio fitted. Speakers added under dash and mounted on MDF tube I made then cut at an angle and covered in vinyl. Tweeters still to be added later to lower edge of dash.
New radio fitted. Speakers added under dash and mounted on MDF tube I made then cut at an angle and covered in vinyl. Tweeters still to be added later to lower edge of dash.
IMG_1169.JPG (160.48 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
One of the front brakes after I'd refurbished them.
One of the front brakes after I'd refurbished them.
IMG_1184.JPG (137.68 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Instruments cleaned, edges resprayed, new clock, wood sanded and re-lacquered.
Instruments cleaned, edges resprayed, new clock, wood sanded and re-lacquered.
IMG_1212.JPG (164.04 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Cromodoro CD68 fitted with replica Arbath centre cap.
Cromodoro CD68 fitted with replica Arbath centre cap.
IMG_1435.JPG (167.74 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
The new look given by 'Euro height' springs (and shocks) plus the new wheels.
The new look given by 'Euro height' springs (and shocks) plus the new wheels.
IMG_1398.JPG (198.07 KiB) Viewed 46090 times
Outside the RAF College, Cranwell. I plan to 'pull in' the bumpers as I've decided against fitting the old style ones or removing them altogether.
Outside the RAF College, Cranwell. I plan to 'pull in' the bumpers as I've decided against fitting the old style ones or removing them altogether.
IMG_1432.JPG (142.57 KiB) Viewed 46090 times

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: October 20th, 2013, 12:35 pm
by PumaPhil
Spraying Vinyl Dye on the seats was a complete waste of time and money as it always remained slightly sticky to the point that I had to cover the seats with towels or risk becoming attached to the seats!

So I went to my local upholsterers and he did an excellent job using a quality cinnamon colour vinyl with chocolate piping. Unfortunately the autumn sun doesn't make the best image but I think they look great when seen for real. I'm very happy with the results...
Seats1.JPG
Seats1.JPG (102.97 KiB) Viewed 45895 times
Seats2.JPG
Seats2.JPG (122.76 KiB) Viewed 45895 times

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: October 20th, 2013, 1:37 pm
by Guy Croft
things coming together for Phil's new (2 liter) engine...

GC

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: October 21st, 2013, 8:04 pm
by PumaPhil
It's looking awesome Guy! You in work this Saturday? I need to see it in the flesh again, mind you thinking about the finished product is not helping me sleep!

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: October 22nd, 2013, 10:13 am
by Guy Croft
yup

G

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: October 22nd, 2013, 3:33 pm
by Guy Croft
selective-honing guides to a good used (overhauled) set of 42.mm/36mm valves and some threading for Helicoils in plug holes...


GC

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: October 23rd, 2013, 9:01 am
by andy wright
Morning,
Lovely car and the work you have done on it has improved it no end. Once you have the GC engine the car will be an absolute winner.
Andy

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: April 6th, 2014, 9:52 am
by PumaPhil
Looking good after previously it was black and grubby.

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: April 6th, 2014, 10:07 am
by PumaPhil
Work done to engine bay and brakes. The brakes are from a modern Fiat 100 1.4 yet the only ones which fit the adaptor bracket Allison's Automotive are US spec' ones.

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: April 6th, 2014, 10:38 am
by PumaPhil
IMG_1980.jpg
IMG_1980.jpg (474.15 KiB) Viewed 45796 times
More pictures of work Guy did recently to the 2.0L engine.
Apologies that some pictures are not in the correct order.

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: April 6th, 2014, 2:47 pm
by PumaPhil
And a couple mores pics...

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: May 25th, 2014, 10:41 am
by PumaPhil
More Pics...
Red plasticine used to check valve clearances
Red plasticine used to check valve clearances
IMG_2418.JPG (611.26 KiB) Viewed 46504 times

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: May 25th, 2014, 11:35 am
by PumaPhil
Underside will be sprayed with black stone-chip paint and waxoyl in a week or so which will finish off the underside nicely. I can then get it on the road!
In the winter I plan to drop the rear axle, paint it and refurb the diff' as there is a bit of play. I will also put in polymer bushes in the rear links to match the work I did to the front suspension.

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: May 25th, 2014, 5:47 pm
by Will01
Absolutely fantastic. Looks great and is going to sound great & drive very nicely with that new engine

Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK

Posted: May 31st, 2014, 9:20 pm
by PumaPhil
Thanks Will01, I'll certainly report how it goes, I can't wait to hear how it sounds myself! I'm hoping it doesn't sound too booming but more in keeping with character of the car. But it seems that Lance from OJZ engineering knows his stuff, and he agreed that 2 silencers would suit it best.