Rescue Car: R3

[WillC9303]

Examples for Will
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38389354@N07/8653591365
viewtopic.php?t=35609

Thanks - I think I can see the difference now. Arctic does look a slightly lighter shade than Petrol. I'm sure they would've looked a lot different on a brightly lit Volvo showroom floor, but in the pictures it is very deceiving.

[MisterH]

Examples for Will
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38389354@N07/8653591365
viewtopic.php?t=35609

Thanks - I think I can see the difference now. Arctic does look a slightly lighter shade than Petrol. I'm sure they would've looked a lot different on a brightly lit Volvo showroom floor, but in the pictures it is very deceiving.

One day soon I hope we can get my car and R3 together, I am certainly very keen to have a look around it

[nigel poustie]

I’ve only just read this today and I’m a bit upset at the way folk have jumped on Norman.
I know Norman wouldn’t give up easily and without good reason.
He certainly wouldn’t look at making a fast buck out of selling the parts, he has given me lots of parts completely free from his supplies.
I just felt I had to write something in his defence!

[dcwalker]

Long time no update on this thread - the demands of other cars (why do I own a fleet of these things??) and life generally as well as winter has been causing work on Felicity to be both slow and piecemeal. However, over the last few weeks I have been sorting the various things that she failed her previous MOT on and generally getting her back into decent shape. And now she's running really nicely too.

The good news is that she is now the proud owner of a shiny new MOT - completely clean, no advisories...

As things stand there remain (to my knowledge) four things still to sort out:

- the wiring to the bonnet switch (identifying problems in the lighting circuits, both internal and external, solved a number of issues but I still need to replace some wiring to the bonnet switch). In the meantime Felicity's lights are permanently up (which I think always gives a 480 a slightly surprised expression )
- the bent clutch pedal needs replacing
- ideally a new set of tyres as the existing ones, although perfectly legal and MOT-fit, are clearly very old...

All three of these tasks are in hand (thanks Jeff )

The final one is looking into repairs to the OS rear wing. This car is wonderfully solid, including the rear arches, but at some point the rear quarter has been wrapped around a wall or gatepost. Damage is minor but there has then been a poor bit of paintwork done. Overall its something that can easily be lived with, but if it were properly sorted this car would be an absolutely fantastic example of an early model.

Weather permitting I'll get her clean again in the morning and then post some better photos - those below were taken on a sunny afternoon towards the end of January.

After that - who knows? I'm tempted to keep her but equally I have too many cars at present; if I decide to sell she will, of course, be offered to this community first. So watch this space!





David

[jifflemon]

Absolutely superb news. I’ll try and pack the spares box this weekend-I think I may have a few minutes spare….

[MisterH]

Alas, my favourite of all the rescues is looking absolutely fabulous. I am so glad you have been able to work some magic on this one David, Petrol Blue looking resplendent

[dcwalker]

Sooo...today was an important one for Felicity, as she has moved on to a loving new home.

It was great meeting Colm (GLTease) this afternoon at Leeds Bradford Airport when he flew in from Belfast. He seemed really pleased with Felicity and has good things planned to carry on the good work done to date - new exhaust (original has started to blow) and get the bodywork sorted (as in the slightly crumpled rear wing and the faded patches on the roof....

Sad to see her go - as we drove out I must admit I didn't look back - but very happy that she's found herself a loving new owner.

So I shall now hand over this thread to Colm and wish him and Felicity all the best

David

[gltease]

David, thanks it was great meeting you both yesterday , has the chocolate been eaten ?

It was a nice feeling rolling off the ferry in Belfast this afternoon after a superb drive around 350 miles in total..

R3/Felicity will be left in for a new stainless exhaust very soon, no fart pipes though it will be a like for like replacement, after which the rear wing and roof will get seen to.. In between that and over the course of the next few months will be service items and any cosmetic work if required. And as with any 35 year old car the audio system will get some attention not sure what form that's going to take but it will be subtle.

Thanks again..
C

[dcwalker]

the chocolate is partially still in existence!

Pleased you had a good run; hopefully Felicity (or whatever you might go on to call her) has been fully woken up now following my recent use of her and your journey home. She's a willing little work-horse, isn't she?

Do keep this thread going - I won't be the only one keen to follow her further adventures and return to ever better condition...

Above all, enjoy driving her!

David

[jifflemon]

It was a nice feeling rolling off the ferry in Belfast this afternoon after a superb drive around 350 miles in total..

R3/Felicity will be left in for a new stainless exhaust very soon, no fart pipes though it will be a like for like replacement, after which the rear wing and roof will get seen to.. In between that and over the course of the next few months will be service items and any cosmetic work if required. And as with any 35 year old car the audio system will get some attention not sure what form that's going to take but it will be subtle.

Thanks again..
C

So pleased the car has gone to a good home! Please do keep us updated with the progress.

[gltease]

Hi All, R3 Goes for a new custom exhaust on Tuesday in the meantime couple small jobs

Door pocket replaced.
Steering column cover fitted, and looking much more presentable now
And thanks to dcwalker for arranging the digi clock and the aforementioned steering column cover.

Other work in progress currently is a refurb of the rear lights got a full set from Keith Cooper and an old set of lights from a chap breaking
a 480 on Facebook, so I can at least drive R3 and work at my own pace on the lights waiting on the chrome paint for the inside of the lights atm.

[Oscar WS]

Great to see R3 has her new owner and home. It’s also good to see the parts from my ‘87 ES (the clock, column cover and dimmer), by arrangement with David, have made it safely to you and been brought back to life. Good luck with the rest of your refurb, Colm.

[gltease]

Great to see R3 has her new owner and home. It’s also good to see the parts from my ‘87 ES (the clock, column cover and dimmer), by arrangement with David, have made it safely to you and been brought back to life. Good luck with the rest of your refurb, Colm.

Many thanks for getting the parts to me, that cover would have been quite the treasure hunt other wise..
Looking forward to getting out in R3 this summer.

[Oscar WS]

You’re most welcome, Colm. If there happen to be any other bits of similar vintage you need just give me a PM and I’ll take a look. Good 480ing!

[gltease]

Hi All,

R3 Got a new exhaust today, full stainless.. Sounds great, just right for a 480, the work done underneath is very tidy.
And it's performing well too..

[dcwalker]

Great work Colm, so good to see R3 in good hands with the steady push towards perfection continuing!

[gltease]

One freshly refurbished rear light, using Keith's new lenses


Second one underway just after a fresh coat of chrome paint


Re-chroming was done with this paint, this stuff is great.

[gltease]

Hi Guys R3 got more tidying up done recently as a reminder here's a before.

And here is the after, rear quarter, drivers door, C pillar and roof all painted.
Also as you can see lights with new lenses fitted too.

Paint work was done by a very good paint shop in Northern Ireland, rear lenses came from Keith Cooper and the refurb was done by myself along with a fresh set of Jeff's seals via DCwalker (thanks)

Next up will be some cleaning underneath with underseal.
The engine has had new oil, filter, oil cap, plugs, fuel pressure regulator, engine coolant sensor, alternator, battery, front number plate holder, earthing has had some tweaks too.
And today just back from a road trip to County Clare Ireland, covering over 600 miles without issue..

[dragonflyjewels]

Wonderful progress ! Great to see a rescue car getting so much love after so much neglect. She is looking fabulous

[jamescarruthers]

Fantastic, you must be very pleased!