Sep 2011 > (onwards...)
Ok, here we go again. This is my latest (long term) project. Another mk1 capri (you can read about the first restoration here).
14/5/2013
Front Valance finished
Today I’ve finished the front valance.
It took a lot to rebuild it, but I was determined as a replacement one is silly money.
I’ve probably used £30 of metal and welding wire but it’s still a lot cheaper than buying a new one.
It took a lot to rebuild it, but I was determined as a replacement one is silly money.
I’ve probably used £30 of metal and welding wire but it’s still a lot cheaper than buying a new one.
3/4/2013
More engine bay and NSF wing
More work done on the engine bay today. I’ve disc grinded off all of the old rotten support for the battery tray, leaving a bigger space for the new engine. I’ve also fitted the replacement NSF wing and finished some welding alongside the NSF A-Post inside the car. It’s now all structurally sound at least and everything remains square and in-line so that’s the main worry over.
8/1/2013
NSF wing
Today I’ve removed the Near-Side front wing. I had hoped to sell it once it was removed, but unfortunately it’s too far gone to be of use to anyone really. With this removed, I can see just what’s required to repair the A-Post and so far it doesn’t seem as bad as the other side was.
20/11/2012
More of the same
More welding of holes in the floor today. This time on the passenger side. The door was the biggest pain in the rear today. The lock had seized and the key I have didn’t fit. With the door removed the NSF A-Post is going to need some work, just like I’ve already done on the other side. (Groan)
13/11/2012
Patching holes
Been really busy making sure there are no holes in the chassis today – an ongoing job. Here’s a tip I’ve discovered. Put a high intensity spotlight underneath the car, then turn off the other lights in the workshop. Any holes in the chassis show up instantly. Unfortunately, underneath the clutch pedal looked like a colander. I had to remove all the rotten metal, cut a new section and weld it all back in. Pretty happy with how it went.
13/8/2012
Front (Continued)
More progress today – this time I’ve spent a few hours on the front valance again, and also on the engine bay.
26/7/2012
Cutting and welding
I’ve been cutting out more rust today, making replacement panels and welding these repair sections in. The first job was the hole in the driver’s floorpan. The second job was to cut all the rot out of the front valance, cut the rust out of the subframe then weld in a replacement part.
8/3/2012
Cleaning out the workshop
I’ve decided that I need more room (can’t move for parts and tools everywhere), so I’ve extended my workshop by another 10 foot and unmasked the back end of the car. I remember I need a new boot lid but think I can repair the rear valance, although it will need to be bent back into shape. At least i’ve managed to finally open the boot, and there’s a few assorted parts in there. New rear-light clusters and a very manky-looking centre console. I can at least move the car for better access now. I am also after some better wheels as the current ones are definitely past it.
8/3/2012
The roof
This is definitely going to take a while. I’ve pulled out the sunroof and very rotten fabric and aluminium runners which were supposedly holding everything together. I now have the long job of taking it all back to bare metal, then I’ve got to weld in a replacement steel section to make the roof a solid hardtop again.
7/3/2012
Sills, OSF wing and A-Post
Bits’n bobs and a bit of reassembling. Amongst other things, I’ve put the front wing where it’s supposed to be and riveted it into place. I also repaired the sill sections (my welding is improving) and just painted the top of the scuttle panel atop the A-Post. (when I put primer down, this red oxide primer should act as a guide coat so I can see if things aren’t 100% smooth).
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.
15/9/2011
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 as much rotten metal as possible, I won't use metal body panels or bonnet though. These will be figreglass (fibreglass bonnet, fibreglass front wings) to keep weight down. The front valance, (although it is in remarkably good condition compared the rest of the car) will need looking at too. According to the log-book, the engine was a 3 litre which is confusing as it's got 1.6 badges on the wings.
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