1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Hi,
I recently acquired my 124 from an auction site after a bid sale fell through for some reason. I bought it unseen but it was taxed, UK registered and had a new MoT (but was certainly NOT road legal which I am currently in a legal dispute from the auction company over) and was a runner. It had a new hood, new respray but a tatty interior. But most important of all, being a Californian import it has absolutely no rust save for a little in the footwell due to a leaky heater matrix.
Having bought it in April I was keen to get some use out of it during the summer months so I concentrated on the cosmetics first which involved getting the interior, wheels, brakes (unsafe despite MoT!) and suspension sorted. I also fitted a new carb' as the original's auto-choke was bypassed and it wasn't running particularly well. I also had the radiator refurbished as it had a lot of silt in it; in fact the heater selector valve was totally blocked solid with calcium and I'm not sure the previous owner used any antifreeze! This is probably why the selector cable to the heater was broken. I looked around everywhere trying to get a replacement which were very difficult to get hold of and expensive. In the end I went to a local piano repair shop and got a piece of piano wire which was a near perfect substitute and all for just a couple of pounds!
I've been hankering after a 124 for a few years after seeing some whilst living in Germany, so when this one popped up I couldn't resist. But when I started looking for spares and advice the name 'Guy Croft' kept cropping up. I wondered where in the world this chap lived and amazingly I found that he lives just 20 minutes up the road from me. I know many of you will be envious of a newbie to this forum like me, because I have already had a couple of tours around his workshop - in a word 'fascinating!' I even met Ian and his 'Lotus Lada' which is a beautifully finished car and I was even treated to a blast up the road in this beast! In case you are wondering, over the winter I am going to get GC to rebuild my engine so then it will be pretty much sorted!
Phil
The photos below are of my progress to date:
I recently acquired my 124 from an auction site after a bid sale fell through for some reason. I bought it unseen but it was taxed, UK registered and had a new MoT (but was certainly NOT road legal which I am currently in a legal dispute from the auction company over) and was a runner. It had a new hood, new respray but a tatty interior. But most important of all, being a Californian import it has absolutely no rust save for a little in the footwell due to a leaky heater matrix.
Having bought it in April I was keen to get some use out of it during the summer months so I concentrated on the cosmetics first which involved getting the interior, wheels, brakes (unsafe despite MoT!) and suspension sorted. I also fitted a new carb' as the original's auto-choke was bypassed and it wasn't running particularly well. I also had the radiator refurbished as it had a lot of silt in it; in fact the heater selector valve was totally blocked solid with calcium and I'm not sure the previous owner used any antifreeze! This is probably why the selector cable to the heater was broken. I looked around everywhere trying to get a replacement which were very difficult to get hold of and expensive. In the end I went to a local piano repair shop and got a piece of piano wire which was a near perfect substitute and all for just a couple of pounds!
I've been hankering after a 124 for a few years after seeing some whilst living in Germany, so when this one popped up I couldn't resist. But when I started looking for spares and advice the name 'Guy Croft' kept cropping up. I wondered where in the world this chap lived and amazingly I found that he lives just 20 minutes up the road from me. I know many of you will be envious of a newbie to this forum like me, because I have already had a couple of tours around his workshop - in a word 'fascinating!' I even met Ian and his 'Lotus Lada' which is a beautifully finished car and I was even treated to a blast up the road in this beast! In case you are wondering, over the winter I am going to get GC to rebuild my engine so then it will be pretty much sorted!
Phil
The photos below are of my progress to date:
- Attachments
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- Seats resprayed with vinyl dye. Looks fantastic but never dried properly and despite the claims, dye comes off on clothing! Being reupholstered this winter.
- IMG_1154.jpg (94.96 KiB) Viewed 54142 times
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- Finished interior; steering wheel spokes repainted, new leather gearshift gaiter, tweeters visible on each side of lower dash.
- IMG_1195.JPG (161.9 KiB) Viewed 54142 times
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- Not much done here save for fitting a Weber 32/36 DGV and filter as the original carb had no working choke.
- IMG_1501.JPG (176.07 KiB) Viewed 54142 times
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Spraying Vinyl Dye on the seats was a complete waste of time and money as it always remained slightly sticky to the point that I had to cover the seats with towels or risk becoming attached to the seats!
So I went to my local upholsterers and he did an excellent job using a quality cinnamon colour vinyl with chocolate piping. Unfortunately the autumn sun doesn't make the best image but I think they look great when seen for real. I'm very happy with the results...
So I went to my local upholsterers and he did an excellent job using a quality cinnamon colour vinyl with chocolate piping. Unfortunately the autumn sun doesn't make the best image but I think they look great when seen for real. I'm very happy with the results...
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
things coming together for Phil's new (2 liter) engine...
GC
GC
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- part-complete head with partial gasflow, race guides and seats..
- IMG_8903.JPG (113.7 KiB) Viewed 53945 times
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- block bored and faced, deburred and ready for painting
- PG.JPG (147.42 KiB) Viewed 53945 times
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- scrupulously cleaned many times over..
- PG (1).JPG (125.64 KiB) Viewed 53945 times
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- plugged and painted, Phil's at right, at left same thing for Andy Patten's full race 2 liter 8v unit..
- PG_paintedblock.JPG (730.59 KiB) Viewed 53945 times
Guy Croft, owner
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
It's looking awesome Guy! You in work this Saturday? I need to see it in the flesh again, mind you thinking about the finished product is not helping me sleep!
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
-
- Site Admin
- Posts: 5039
- Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
- Location: Bedford, UK
- Contact:
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- Site Admin
- Posts: 5039
- Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
- Location: Bedford, UK
- Contact:
Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
selective-honing guides to a good used (overhauled) set of 42.mm/36mm valves and some threading for Helicoils in plug holes...
GC
GC
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- PG_guides in and Helicoils (5).JPG (647.85 KiB) Viewed 53914 times
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- PG_guides in and Helicoils (4).JPG (643.43 KiB) Viewed 53914 times
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- PG_guides in and Helicoils (2).JPG (613.55 KiB) Viewed 53914 times
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- plug sealing faces polished-up...
- PG_guides in and Helicoils (1).JPG (135.26 KiB) Viewed 53914 times
Guy Croft, owner
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- Posts: 38
- Joined: September 6th, 2010, 4:43 pm
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Morning,
Lovely car and the work you have done on it has improved it no end. Once you have the GC engine the car will be an absolute winner.
Andy
Lovely car and the work you have done on it has improved it no end. Once you have the GC engine the car will be an absolute winner.
Andy
GC_20
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Looking good after previously it was black and grubby.
- Attachments
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- Engine bay after respray
- IMG_2193.JPG (604.7 KiB) Viewed 53849 times
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Work done to engine bay and brakes. The brakes are from a modern Fiat 100 1.4 yet the only ones which fit the adaptor bracket Allison's Automotive are US spec' ones.
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- Lower edge repaired which was previously distorted inside.
- IMG_2255.JPG (432.71 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
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- Oil cooler in position.
- IMG_2272.JPG (379.02 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
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- Modern Fiat 500 1.4 brakes with an adaptor bracket from Allison's Automotive.
- IMG_2371.JPG (358.5 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
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- IMG_2375.JPG (356.22 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
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- New alloy radiator in position. Provides approx 30% better cooling due to alloy construction and flutes on cooling fins.
- IMG_2215.JPG (352.54 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Apologies that some pictures are not in the correct order.
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- IMG_2381.JPG (124.59 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
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- IMG_2382.JPG (266.05 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
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- And one showing the 3 angle cut on the valve seat.
- IMG_1857.JPG (318.81 KiB) Viewed 53848 times
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
And a couple mores pics...
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- IMG_2417.JPG (279.01 KiB) Viewed 54608 times
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- Lovely race spec' rods and pistons.
- IMG_2438.JPG (133.45 KiB) Viewed 54608 times
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
-
- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
More Pics...
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- Preparing to bench run
- IMG_2510.JPG (207.02 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Making a bracket for the alternator as on the 1800 it's on left so now this 2.0 has it on right.
- IMG_2538.JPG (134.25 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Neat job by GC moving alternator
- IMG_2545.JPG (140.76 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- GC prepping engine for a run
- IMG_2541.JPG (260 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Looking good
- IMG_2557.jpg (364 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- IMG_2558.jpg (479.73 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- All engines with much higher compression and all virtually identical readings
- IMG_2533.JPG (110.08 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- It runs very sweetly! (the engine not GC!)
- IMG_2550.JPG (227.44 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Prepping to crate up to take to Wellingore Garage
- IMG_2591.JPG (172.58 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- In place - looking great!
- IMG_2688.JPG (347.71 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- The single TC Weber should be plenty powerful enough, plus easier to set up and better MPG than twin 40s
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- Just needs an exhaust now...
- IMG_2689.JPG (353.75 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Look at the magic that Lance from OJZ Engineering has created!
- PG 2 liter Spider (2).JPG (233.49 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Check out the quality of the welds. The added length should greatly improve throttle response apparently.
- IMG_2729.JPG (330.04 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Just a few jobs to do and it'll be on the road!
- PG 2 liter Spider (6).JPG (246.64 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- '4 into 1' with nicely constructed sleeves and no bolted joints.
- IMG_2732.JPG (312.34 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Slightly different routing as this pipe is too big to go through the normal gap and would have hit the steering linkage. Note the beautifully resolved support.
- IMG_2728.JPG (328.64 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Centre box neatly fits under heat shield.
- IMG_2726.JPG (294.33 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
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- Looking at the back box. I wanted 2 silencers as I didn't want it to sound like a race car, after all it's a beautiful sports/GT car and would have been out of keeping.
- IMG_2727.JPG (309.35 KiB) Viewed 54557 times
Last edited by PumaPhil on May 25th, 2014, 11:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Underside will be sprayed with black stone-chip paint and waxoyl in a week or so which will finish off the underside nicely. I can then get it on the road!
In the winter I plan to drop the rear axle, paint it and refurb the diff' as there is a bit of play. I will also put in polymer bushes in the rear links to match the work I did to the front suspension.
In the winter I plan to drop the rear axle, paint it and refurb the diff' as there is a bit of play. I will also put in polymer bushes in the rear links to match the work I did to the front suspension.
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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- Posts: 590
- Joined: November 26th, 2012, 3:50 pm
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Absolutely fantastic. Looks great and is going to sound great & drive very nicely with that new engine
GC_21
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- Posts: 71
- Joined: April 22nd, 2013, 5:18 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire, UK
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Re: 1977 124 Spider CS1 - Lincolnshire UK
Thanks Will01, I'll certainly report how it goes, I can't wait to hear how it sounds myself! I'm hoping it doesn't sound too booming but more in keeping with character of the car. But it seems that Lance from OJZ engineering knows his stuff, and he agreed that 2 silencers would suit it best.
Last edited by PumaPhil on June 15th, 2014, 12:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
GC-05
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
'If you think experts are expensive, you should try amateurs!'
A redline run my GC's engine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80nEhsJbH2w
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