2010 > (onwards...)
Ok, here we go again. This is my latest (long term) project. Another mk1 capri (you can read about the first restoration here).
3/12/2011
It’s still possible to pick up a bargain!
This other capri was on eBay recently. It had 5 bids and went for £310. It’s in a lot worse condition than mine was, but at least it came with an engine and gearbox. It’s not known if the engine was actually a runner though. I’ve also put up the original pictures so you can have a look, but the point is that it’s still perfectly possible to get a bargain mk1 capri if you are prepared to put the work in.
2/11/2011
OSF wing
Finally finished repairing the OSF A Post today. An epic task it would seem. It needed so much welding. I’ve also been test-fitting the OSF wing, making sure it all lines up and everything is square. I had to put the old door back on to check the lines and gaps were correct. I had forgotten how heavy the doors were. I’m definitely going to be looking for fibreglass ones to replace these.
5/10/2011 > 22/11/2011
More progress on the OSF A-Post
Been busy doing more work on the OSF A-Post today.
It’s just a case of cutting the rotten metal out and replacing with good steel. It’s time consuming work though. This is probably going to be a re-occuring theme for the forseeable future. I’m only doing a bit now and again so it doesn’t become a chore.
It’s just a case of cutting the rotten metal out and replacing with good steel. It’s time consuming work though. This is probably going to be a re-occuring theme for the forseeable future. I’m only doing a bit now and again so it doesn’t become a chore.
26/9/2011
Progress continues
Got a replacement Mighty Mig welder today as an early birthday present.
Brilliant little welder. It’s a no-gas welder which makes life a lot easier, it’s a wire-fed mig welder with variable wire feed speeds which is really handy. It’s also possible to turn the current right down making it ideal for car bodywork. I have been making progress with the rotten A-Posts.
Will put some progress shots up on this site as soon as I have more to show.
Brilliant little welder. It’s a no-gas welder which makes life a lot easier, it’s a wire-fed mig welder with variable wire feed speeds which is really handy. It’s also possible to turn the current right down making it ideal for car bodywork. I have been making progress with the rotten A-Posts.
Will put some progress shots up on this site as soon as I have more to show.
15/7/2011
Need more tools...
Having a welder that I can actually turn the current down on would be..... wonderful!
Plus I really need a load of clamps to hold metal in place that I am trying to weld. Car boot scavenging time.
Plus I really need a load of clamps to hold metal in place that I am trying to weld. Car boot scavenging time.
Why a Capri
It was the first car I ever drove. I was only about 5 years old, but my dad would do the pedals, I did the steering. It was on deserted common land at the time. It’s always something I will remember, driving that silver v8 mk1. I wish that we’d kept it now.You restored one before – Why get another one?
I always regretted selling my first one, so I had planned to get a replacement project for a long time. My financial situation back then meant that the original mk1 had to be sold. Amongst other things, I also needed to pay for my motorcycle test.This one is in pretty much the same condition as the first. There are some really crappy bits, and some relatively less crappy bits. It's all pretty bad though. I was told it had been standing outside in the rain for the last 11 years, so perhaps it's not surprising how bad the majority of the bodywork is. I am going to have to buy myself a new welder before I do anything – can't keep scrounging my Dad's one. My plan is to replace metal with metal, I won't use filler or fibreglass on the existing panels. I will probably save up for a fibreglass bonnet, fibreglass front wings and will do something with the front valance (although it is in remarkably good condition). According to the log-book, the engine was a 3 litre which is confusing as it's got 1.6 badges on the wings.
See more pictures