Sadly here is my '86 1986 Opel Monza 3.0 GSE up for grabs. Grab a coffee..
It was featured on PH Shed of the Week and I couldn't help myself so off to Portsmouth I went after I bought it blind. You can find the original thread here. It drove home nicely, didn't overheat and I was quite pleased for what I paid (£900, down from a grand as the MOT was clearly bent after I got it up on the ramps). This was in May 2008. The digital dash had a spac attack and so I rebuilt it, reflowing all the joints and it works as it should (they all do that).
It needed an exhaust and I managed to find one at 1986 prices - Grays in Hanwell sorted it for £70, brand new. Took it for the MOT and it failed on N/S front sill/inner arch and some rust on the rear arch (N/S again). After poking around it was clear that the sill was rotten so I searched hard and managed to find an enthusiast based in Scotland that had 'the last genuine pair of long sill sections known to man'. These were flown from Scotland to Heathrow and I had to pick them up by hand as they would not courier them due to the length (!?)
I entrusted the repair work to a 'mate' that owned a "Chip-to-be-gone" business at Heathrow, who promised to paint the car in return for a lot of work that I did for him. He had the car for 18 months and during that time I spent out £800 on welding.. the more digging the more rot was found. The NS inner wing was completely rebuilt out of nothing, the hinge points refabricated and the sill and rear arch was also cut out and replaced with new steel. The welder made the arch and panels himself and did a good job. Now all that remained was for the car to get fresh paint and we were back in business. Sadly, this is where it all went wrong. After 18 months of waiting I was told I could pick up the car but, "It was a bit rough around the edges" and "could do with a flat and pollsh". Not being funny but Stevie Wonder could have done better with an artex roller and an underseal gun - seriously it is the worst paint job I have ever seen
The old paint has been painted over, not even keyed up. You can get a blade under it and it lifts off. During the "restoration" they also managed to lose the rear shelf and there was a lot of dust on the inside (not overspray though). The N/S front indicator is also smashed, and the trim for the sides would not go back on because they snapped off all the clips. I bought new ones and these need fitting but I think its all there.
So, I've lost ALL faith in the car and now I've lost my storage too (it's been inside a shipping container for a few years). It is not a basket case, it should have no rust now but it needs a repaint and some TLC. I've spent a lot on it, it owes me £2350 and has had new struts and springs, brakes, thermostat housing (they rot from inside out) and a new set of GSE stickers etc. Very depressing but I have 5 cars and a bike and can only get 3 on my drive. It would suit a SBC (with a T56 etc) or the original 3.0 12v is good with no smoke and the mileage is around 100k which is nothing for the lazy 6 pot.
I would like it to go to someone that can finish it, either as original (Recaro interior was mint with original radio/cassette and speakers - even got Spandau Ballet tapes in the slots!). I will dig out some pictures but really you need to come and see it for what it is. Looking for £800.
Call Simon on 0773 773 9429 anytime. Car is near J4 M4 and viewing is by appointment as its in a mates yard.
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The above pictures are what it looked like before work was done!
All the rot was cut out and fresh steel welded in..
.. and there you have it. It is solid, there's no rot underneath it just needs decent paint (top coat). I've got the V5 and some MOT's and a receipt. These are hard to find rot free but it was not meant to be with me so its up for grabs. Drop me a line and I will see if I can get some updated pictures of it.
It was featured on PH Shed of the Week and I couldn't help myself so off to Portsmouth I went after I bought it blind. You can find the original thread here. It drove home nicely, didn't overheat and I was quite pleased for what I paid (£900, down from a grand as the MOT was clearly bent after I got it up on the ramps). This was in May 2008. The digital dash had a spac attack and so I rebuilt it, reflowing all the joints and it works as it should (they all do that).
It needed an exhaust and I managed to find one at 1986 prices - Grays in Hanwell sorted it for £70, brand new. Took it for the MOT and it failed on N/S front sill/inner arch and some rust on the rear arch (N/S again). After poking around it was clear that the sill was rotten so I searched hard and managed to find an enthusiast based in Scotland that had 'the last genuine pair of long sill sections known to man'. These were flown from Scotland to Heathrow and I had to pick them up by hand as they would not courier them due to the length (!?)
I entrusted the repair work to a 'mate' that owned a "Chip-to-be-gone" business at Heathrow, who promised to paint the car in return for a lot of work that I did for him. He had the car for 18 months and during that time I spent out £800 on welding.. the more digging the more rot was found. The NS inner wing was completely rebuilt out of nothing, the hinge points refabricated and the sill and rear arch was also cut out and replaced with new steel. The welder made the arch and panels himself and did a good job. Now all that remained was for the car to get fresh paint and we were back in business. Sadly, this is where it all went wrong. After 18 months of waiting I was told I could pick up the car but, "It was a bit rough around the edges" and "could do with a flat and pollsh". Not being funny but Stevie Wonder could have done better with an artex roller and an underseal gun - seriously it is the worst paint job I have ever seen
The old paint has been painted over, not even keyed up. You can get a blade under it and it lifts off. During the "restoration" they also managed to lose the rear shelf and there was a lot of dust on the inside (not overspray though). The N/S front indicator is also smashed, and the trim for the sides would not go back on because they snapped off all the clips. I bought new ones and these need fitting but I think its all there. So, I've lost ALL faith in the car and now I've lost my storage too (it's been inside a shipping container for a few years). It is not a basket case, it should have no rust now but it needs a repaint and some TLC. I've spent a lot on it, it owes me £2350 and has had new struts and springs, brakes, thermostat housing (they rot from inside out) and a new set of GSE stickers etc. Very depressing but I have 5 cars and a bike and can only get 3 on my drive. It would suit a SBC (with a T56 etc) or the original 3.0 12v is good with no smoke and the mileage is around 100k which is nothing for the lazy 6 pot.
I would like it to go to someone that can finish it, either as original (Recaro interior was mint with original radio/cassette and speakers - even got Spandau Ballet tapes in the slots!). I will dig out some pictures but really you need to come and see it for what it is. Looking for £800.
Call Simon on 0773 773 9429 anytime. Car is near J4 M4 and viewing is by appointment as its in a mates yard.
The above pictures are what it looked like before work was done!
All the rot was cut out and fresh steel welded in..
.. and there you have it. It is solid, there's no rot underneath it just needs decent paint (top coat). I've got the V5 and some MOT's and a receipt. These are hard to find rot free but it was not meant to be with me so its up for grabs. Drop me a line and I will see if I can get some updated pictures of it.
