Red V6 Just needs a bit of polish..!

[John.]

Possibly not. I almost enjoy the challenge of the work and the satisfaction of creating a fully a working machine, from something we dragged out of a field, than driving around in the finished car! Plus we had an almost Identical red one all those years ago.
I could just go an buy a mint one which I agree would probably be more sensible but then I'd have some spare time and I would end up buying something else.
Cheers Paul

Totally understand .

[RedV6]

I'd be asking myself the work to benifit question ?!, but I'm not you !

Great job you're doing

Possibly not. I almost enjoy the challenge of the work and the satisfaction of creating a fully a working machine, from something we dragged out of a field, than driving around in the finished car! Plus we had an almost Identical red one all those years ago.
I could just go an buy a mint one which I agree would probably be more sensible but then I'd have some spare time and I would end up buying something else.
Cheers Paul

[RedV6]

Thanks Dave, handy information. I expect the scary bit will be trying to undo the pipes! AC doesn't work on the Cab but it does still have gas pressure, the ac and recirc buttons light up and the condenser fans operate as and when they should so I am sure I can get it working.
Thanks again for the info. Paul

[Tractor Dave]

Yes. Coupe dash is the same ac/non ac afaik. Just a smaller glovebox. Cabriolet dash is different. It has extra tubes in it to strengthen and reduce scuttle shake. On the S2 the drier is inside right inner wing and gets all the mud and salt on it and pipes to and from.

[John.]

............ Plus it has air con, which the Coupe doesn't. Not sure how much I will need to swap over but I suspect a lot!

I'd be asking myself the work to benifit question ?!, but I'm not you !

Great job you're doing

[RedV6]

Thanks Dave. Interesting stuff. I will take a load of pics and post them.
The pipes all seem to be in the engine bay. From the compressor they go forward under the radiator, then one to the dryer (underneath the right headlight) the other to the right of the condenser. Then round the engine bay (engine side of the right inner wing). Then back hight up on the firewall almost above the engine and inside directly in front of the glove box.
Regarding the glovebox is the dash the same and the box just smaller?

[Tractor Dave]

Looking good. I did my Nothelle engine bay with rattle can and it came out surprisingly well.
Quite a lot to swap for air con. The dash will need to come out to swap the airbox and the glovebox is smaller. Are the aircon pipes in the offside arch ok? They rot out and are nla.
On the S2 the actual sump extension and front stub mount are different on aircon cars.

[RedV6]

Not too much to report other than I have now finished "rattle can'in" the inner wings with some colour match paint. The left one came out really well and the right one, passable but still a huge improvement on how it was. I didn't do the firewall as it was in good shape overall and I was trying to avoid removing the wiring harnesses, so I just gave it a good clean.
Next step is to remove the engine from the scrap (damaged and rusty) Cabriolet. My plan there is to use its engine and gearbox as it has a great service history and it starts, runs, and drives very nicely. Plus it has air con, which the Coupe doesn't. Not sure how much I will need to swap over but I suspect a lot!

[RedV6]

Been a bit distracted lately with the kids flat and other life stuff but have now finished the second coat on the underneath. Am just waiting for some colour match for the engine bay which is all prepped. So today I managed to carry out a bit of loose reassembling, it feels good to put a few bits on!

[K Simmonds]

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

Yep, agreed. My AAH C4 Avant is lovely and easy to drive, super smooth and refined with heaps of low down torque, fortunately the previous owner properly overhauled the complete vacuum system so it will pick it's feet up if required despite being a heavy car. I've had a couple of ABC Coupe's which sadly got broken back when they could be be acquired very cheaply and really enjoyed cruising about in them while they still had MOT. I'd say the 2.8 C4 is as about as quick in a straight line a 2.6 Coupe due to the weight difference but as you say they're not really designed for being driven flat out, that's what 7A's and S2's are for.

[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

[K Simmonds]

That is indeed looking great, tidy work.

[Tractor Dave]

Looking dandy

[John.]

That's lookin' grand !!

[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.