Red V6 Just needs a bit of polish..!

[JayCab]

I’m biased (obviously), but I do think it’s a shame when Cab’s are parted to restore Coupe’s and S2’s rather than restored themselves.

[RedV6]

I’m biased (obviously), but I do think it’s a shame when Cab’s are parted to restore Coupe’s and S2’s rather than restored themselves.

I agree, its a shame to strip a repairable car of interest. But in this case the Cab had had a very nasty bash in the rear passenger side at the door shut. So I will use what I can and then hopefully whats left will help keep another Cabriolet on the road ?

[John.]

Those early 1990s German cars really are the pinnacle. Bullet proof, safe, just enough technology (as in stand alone modules), they have character and are fun to drive.

Totally agree, Merc, BMW, VW, Audi all producing the best they could.

Are you in Western Isles ?

[RedV6]

Totally agree, Merc, BMW, VW, Audi all producing the best they could.

Are you in Western Isles ?

Yep. Just shows how good the steel and coatings were in those days. Even the Merc which has lived here for much of its life and its 240,000 miles has its original paint and virtually no corrosion.
Not many cars would have survived outside in a field up here for 10 years like the Coupe.
A bit like the Merc, I never set out to find a Coupe to replace our original. My son stumbled upon it and we just had to rescue it. Its going to be a keeper.

[RedV6]

So a bit more progress this week, everything underneath removed, engine out, then subframe and spare rear axle refitted with wooden rear and waste pipe front shocks installed so I could give the underside and arches a good blast with the pressure washer.
Next step is to stick it back on the lift, remove the subframe and axle so I can repair, re coat the underneath.

[RedV6]

Just realised I managed not to upload photos. A combination of me being useless with technology and my daughters hand me down phone, which she said was no good about 3 years ago.
Anyway here goes

[K Simmonds]

Don't worry, I'm a spaz with a smartphone as well, part due to getting to old to read it properly, I have to use a laptop to do anything online.

I like the solid suspension, great budget mod. In seriousness looks like you're making good progress, not may people would put that much effort into a FWD Coupe but as it was free and you've got the time and skill then why not. You'll end up with a very reliable car that you know inside out and will go on to give you many years of enjoyment.

[RedV6]

Thanks. Yea thats the plan, we have always missed our original, even though it was just a 16v. If we had had space at the time I would have stored it away as it was virtually brand new inside and out. I think we sold it for about £1600 around 1999.

[K Simmonds]

I can recall when these car were going for peanuts, around 2008/10 I picked up a fairly tidy, MOT'd 2.6 V6 for £350, the front bumper is worth double that now!

The V6 is much more refined to drive compared to the 2.0 16V, very smooth with loads of torque, the 2.8 AAH engine cars are boarding on fast, thought the 2.6 ABC motor's are still quick enough to be fun.

[RedV6]

Made some more progress. Car back on the lift and suspension removed again after the pressure washing. Cut back and repaired, treated etc the areas of surface rust and damage under coating. Amazingly it really wasn't too bad. Then masked everything up ready to respray the stone guard/coat tomorrow. Then onto rubbing down the engine bay after that.

[RedV6]

Underneath all coated with Boll gravel guard and first coat of paint over the top. A quite pleased how it's coming along now. Next step is to second coat and then give the engine bay a very light sand and paint. The main body paint is way above my skills so that will be in trusted to others. My intention is to reassemble the whole car so I can drive it and check everything. Then dismantle the interior, wings, glass etc for the respray, leaving the engine, suspension and running gear in the shell.

[John.]

That's lookin' grand !!

[Tractor Dave]

Looking dandy

[K Simmonds]

That is indeed looking great, tidy work.

[JayCab]

I can recall when these car were going for peanuts, around 2008/10 I picked up a fairly tidy, MOT'd 2.6 V6 for £350, the front bumper is worth double that now!

The V6 is much more refined to drive compared to the 2.0 16V, very smooth with loads of torque, the 2.8 AAH engine cars are boarding on fast, thought the 2.6 ABC motor's are still quick enough to be fun.

Subjectively, I'd say a 2.8AAH Automatic Cab feels about as fast as a 2.6ABC manual coupe in average driving under 3kRPM, but twice as smooth. Delivery is very different above 4kRPM. An AAH will behave a lot like an ABC if the vacuum system driving the inlet manifold switchover is not working. Maintenance is important!

Both are more cruisers than bruisers