Couldn't find the original thread for this (probably on page 5000+ by now), so I might as well bosh up a new one. Apologies for the old pics. Anyhow, a wagon was advertised and it was decided that it needed to be in the Hirst fleet, so it was duly collected via recovery truck.
This is it when it landed, don't let the brushed-on paint fool you, looks like the only bit it needs doing for MOT is a missing chunk on a rear arch, the rest is cosmetics - valance sides, one scabby door bottom and a little surface grot on the tailgate. The floors and sills look to be solid and the bodywork is very straight.
The good news is that replacement panels are available for these, so post-MOT I intend to order a few bits in (including sills to replace the solid, but ugly, patched ones) and get it sorted. Wouldn't say I'm a perfectionist or aiming for a concours restoration, but I like my motors to be tidy looking and it'll make sense when you see the plans for it.
As for mechanicals, the engine runs superb! It's the rare D5 1500 unit and I'm told it's fairly fast, which is a bonus. The starter motor needs replacing/refurbishing (not completely knackered, fires up every 10 or so goes, worn teeth?) and there's a bit of exhaust missing so it's quite loud at the moment, but it shouldn't take much to rectify. Looks like it's been looked after well, even having a full set of very recent looking tyres fitted!
So, other than getting a ticket on it, what are the plans?
THE PLANS
Well, I've had a think about it and the current plan of action is to get it MOTable and run it down for a test. If that goes well, I'll gradually attend to the cosmetics of it, then strip it down and prep it for a full respray in a different colour.
"Full respray?!" you say, well I've been thinking and in all honesty the paint isn't that bad on it, the top half is smart, but with the amount of painting required to tidy it properly I might as well do the entire thing in a different colour! Plus it's not the most attractive colour for the car at the moment I feel - I think it should be something a bit more bright and vibrant. So what's the most exciting colour I can think of.....?
I've always been a big fan of the commercial vehicle versions of normal cars which run around in Japan - nearly always white and super basic. I've decided this is to be my look! I'll be leaving the rubbing strips off and removing the black window surround sticker for the ultimate base-spec look. Not sure how I'll go about it, I've never done paint before and don't have anywhere to really do it, but I'm going to learn so I can at the very least get it prepped up and ready, so even if a mate does the actual spray work, I'll have picked up some skills. I'll also have a go at refurbishing the stock steelies to a shiny silver. Might try to source "Familia Van" badging and fender mirrors too, not sure at this time.
Another cheeky modification on the cards is a conversion from the final facelift spec with flush lights, to the inset ones of the middle facelift (top of the above pic). I've currently got a nosecone and a few other bits in the post to me, just need to get the headlamp units and a grille and I should be ready to go!
So this will leave me with a pretty much unmodified 323 in a bland colour, this isn't very Retro Rides at all is it?! Where can you find the slamming, candy paint, deep-dish wheels, etc? The answer is, you can't!
Not to say it won't happen at some point, but I'd just love an utterly bog stock business wagon and it's just so dainty and cute as it is, one of those cars where in the right colour and spec it just looks good to go!
So for now I'm just going to enjoy it, even if this means not fitting in here very well! Wonder if I'll be shunned, banned or perhaps burned (in a giant wicker car)?
This is it when it landed, don't let the brushed-on paint fool you, looks like the only bit it needs doing for MOT is a missing chunk on a rear arch, the rest is cosmetics - valance sides, one scabby door bottom and a little surface grot on the tailgate. The floors and sills look to be solid and the bodywork is very straight.
The good news is that replacement panels are available for these, so post-MOT I intend to order a few bits in (including sills to replace the solid, but ugly, patched ones) and get it sorted. Wouldn't say I'm a perfectionist or aiming for a concours restoration, but I like my motors to be tidy looking and it'll make sense when you see the plans for it.
As for mechanicals, the engine runs superb! It's the rare D5 1500 unit and I'm told it's fairly fast, which is a bonus. The starter motor needs replacing/refurbishing (not completely knackered, fires up every 10 or so goes, worn teeth?) and there's a bit of exhaust missing so it's quite loud at the moment, but it shouldn't take much to rectify. Looks like it's been looked after well, even having a full set of very recent looking tyres fitted!
So, other than getting a ticket on it, what are the plans?
THE PLANS
Well, I've had a think about it and the current plan of action is to get it MOTable and run it down for a test. If that goes well, I'll gradually attend to the cosmetics of it, then strip it down and prep it for a full respray in a different colour.
"Full respray?!" you say, well I've been thinking and in all honesty the paint isn't that bad on it, the top half is smart, but with the amount of painting required to tidy it properly I might as well do the entire thing in a different colour! Plus it's not the most attractive colour for the car at the moment I feel - I think it should be something a bit more bright and vibrant. So what's the most exciting colour I can think of.....?
I've always been a big fan of the commercial vehicle versions of normal cars which run around in Japan - nearly always white and super basic. I've decided this is to be my look! I'll be leaving the rubbing strips off and removing the black window surround sticker for the ultimate base-spec look. Not sure how I'll go about it, I've never done paint before and don't have anywhere to really do it, but I'm going to learn so I can at the very least get it prepped up and ready, so even if a mate does the actual spray work, I'll have picked up some skills. I'll also have a go at refurbishing the stock steelies to a shiny silver. Might try to source "Familia Van" badging and fender mirrors too, not sure at this time.
Another cheeky modification on the cards is a conversion from the final facelift spec with flush lights, to the inset ones of the middle facelift (top of the above pic). I've currently got a nosecone and a few other bits in the post to me, just need to get the headlamp units and a grille and I should be ready to go!
So this will leave me with a pretty much unmodified 323 in a bland colour, this isn't very Retro Rides at all is it?! Where can you find the slamming, candy paint, deep-dish wheels, etc? The answer is, you can't!
Not to say it won't happen at some point, but I'd just love an utterly bog stock business wagon and it's just so dainty and cute as it is, one of those cars where in the right colour and spec it just looks good to go!
So for now I'm just going to enjoy it, even if this means not fitting in here very well! Wonder if I'll be shunned, banned or perhaps burned (in a giant wicker car)?
