Skomatt

I get this all the time. Most people don't even know it is a Skoda until we start talking! Conversations usually start "ooh, love the colour, what is it?"

2014 Octavia Elegance estate 1.6 TDi in Cappuccino with black leather/alcantara, full size spare, full mats & mud flaps

Post or send me a picture of what yours looks likes and I'll try and help Matt

Another very busy weekend again. Thinks didn't all go to plan yesterday when some new parts didn't 'quite fit', but a much better day today has seen lots of progress. All bar one door are now latching and glazed, all brand new lights are fitted, new badges, front and rear screens and front bumper. It actually looks like a car now!! I'm really loving all the new badges, managed to get them all NOS and the chrome number plate lamp is also ace!! Still lots to do over the next few weeks but really getting close to the MOT....... As usual, the obligatory photos: Matt

Ok, time for another update after a very busy day. My reconditioned front brake calipers were fitted to the car whilst I had the front wheels off. Also managed to fully grease the new king pins and camber sleeve. The borrowed beetle wheels were also replaced by the original overhauled steel wheels all round all shod with brand new tyres. Then after this, we managed to get all the freshly painted wings back onto the car. Lots of new nuts, bolts and washers were used along with new wing gap and air ducting seals. The final job today was to fit and align the doors. Three of the doors were NOS and too a bit of aligning and tweaking, the original door (LHF) went back on without much grief. Not back again until next weekend when we plan to get it almost finished. Anyway, as always, some photos to keep you going..............

Ok - fit up didn't goes as planned today as the loose panels didn't get finished yesterday. These will now be finished this week and fit up rescheduled for next Saturday. So instead today, I took the opportunity to fit the engine back into the car along with the radiator, brake master cylinder (new metal pipes already laid), drilled out a broken rear bumper bolt (only broken bolt on the while of the car!!) and then went through my assortment of boxes and worked out what went where. Some pictures of course, the first of the engine I have painstakingly cleaned and thoroughly overhauled: And now some of it back in situ (after fitting a new clutch first): And lastly, another teasing picture of the new front end............. Will update again next Sunday hopefully :wave1 Matt

Well, along time since I posted and work has been continuing in earnest. The engine has been fully stripped to a bare crankcase, cleaned to within an inch of its life and rebuilt with lots of new parts including: Main bearing journal regrind (0.25mm as rear journal had a slight mark on it), big end journals polished (still spot on for size) New main bearings New big end bearings Cylinders deglazed and full set of new piston rings New timing chain and sprockets All new gaskets and seals Anything aluminium cleaned to a shine Anything steel, blasted and painted Not yet had it running but, visually, it looks superb. Not quite back together yet, still awaiting arrival of some gaskets that came wrong. Pictures of engine to follow too. However, to keep you all in suspense, the top coat of its respray went on this week. A few photos just to tease............... I love the colour and matched 100% to original factory colour code!! All being well, start the fit up on Sunday. Can't wait!!!

Ok, a good 3 weeks since my last post but plenty has been going on ish. Firstly, the Skoda was transported from where it had been welded to my mate's unit who is doing the spraying. It was the fastest it had travelled for some considerable time. Upon arrival, I then have to continue removing the old paint from the main body which was hindered by my new DA failing. However, 3 weeks later a replacement has finally arrived. In the meantime though, I have been using my mate's instead. First job was to get the front and rear screens out which was successfully completed without breaking either. However, front screen has some delamination issues, anyone please got a spare for sale? Next main job was to remove the bad respray and original paint from the roof and scuttle areas. Only managing to get up one day par weekend so far, I hit the roof last weekend: Today it hit the front and rear scuttle panels and then we did a mock up with the new panels to checked they fit ok. It was really great to see it looking like a car again. You'll also see where I've removed the paint from around the screens too: Really really pleased with how it is progressing. I'm away at Le TDF next weekend so won't be back up for a few weeks now but my mate says he will carry on between his other jobs and get it in primer soon. Update again soon and, if anyone does have a spare windscreen, please do get in touch! Matt

Well, a very busy week on the Skoda has just passed including two full days this weekend. Last Sunday saw the last of the welding finished off. Knowing I wanted to build the rear end back up, I went down again after work on Monday to Schutz in the rear suspension chassis channels (and any other bare metal area) having thoroughly cleaned and coated with rust treatment last thing on Sunday. After Schutzing (which I forgot to take some photo's off), I spent the rest of my evenings cleaning, treating and painting the trailing arms, half shaft tubes, rear springs and associated parts, Again, sorry there are no before photos as time was tight and I think we can all use our imagination what 40 year old metal suspension parts would look like before treatment. The good news is, here are some after photos complete with new damper and trailing arm bush: Yesterday saw me first remove the gearbox for cleaning and to replace the mountings. This was extremely dirty and took a fair bit of cleaning (all done by hand too!!) Once clean, new mountings were fitted along with a new selector gaiter and the gearbox was put back in the car. I then went to refit the half shafts and tubes only to find the NS outer threads to be well, missing. When originally stripping some months ago, the nut came off really easy and I never get it a second thought. I have started wearing glasses since then though too!!! Anyway, a few texts later I thought I had located a replacement only 5 miles away. Quick trip there this morning to collect only to find the replacement shaft is 30mm too long. As the car had to be mobile by the end of today, I had no option other than to forge forwards fitting the damaged shaft temporarily while I source another. The good news is that the nut did full tighten back up anyway so the wheel could go on. So started to refit the rear suspension, a few photo's along the way: The newly painted back plates where then fitted back on along with new wheel cylinders, brake shoes and handbrake cables. Forgot to clean and paint the drums but gave them a quick whiz over with the wire bruch for now, popped them back on and tightened up the nut temporarily. I then popped the wheels back on only to find 1 x wheel nut no longer wanting to play ball so another item for the shopping list. Anyway, for the first time in a long time, there a four wheels on my wagon and it now rests on them fully welded ready to be trailered to the paint shop later this week: So, if anyone has a 670mm long half shaft or a spare wheel nut, please do get in touch!! Engine to rebuild in my garage at home now and hopefully the respray starts in a few weeks time. I'll update as always soon. Matt

Hi all, another update and a major milestone achieved. Firstly, Rob, a DA is a dual action orbital sander. It's dual action is designed not to leave swirl marks in the panels. Secondly - THE WELDING IS FINISHED!! Yes, my friend and I hit the car for 6 hours yesterday and managed to start and complete the entirety of the rear end welding. This comprised of the inner rear wheel arches where they meet the sill (on both sides) and adjacent to the rear suspension spring turret. During the repair, we also discovered the home of a former habitant of the O/S/R inner sill, complete with the left overs of quite a few meals! As always, some pictures: The start of the R/H/R sill After a lot of cleaning out, we discovered these inside the sill This is all the old newspaper all shredded to make the nest Back to the welding R/H/R spring area. This is double skinned so we first removed a larger section of the outer skin to allow us to cut out the rotten inner section, shape and repair Now the L/H/R spring area Forgot to teak a photo of the inner cut out but you can just about see the new inner metal welded onto place The L/H/R sill area next I also stripped, inspected and measured the crankshaft this weekend. The great news is that there is no marking on the crank whatsoever and, after measuring, it still measures exactly the same as it left the factory. A full set of shell for both the big ends and main bearings will be going in. The liner bores are also perfect with no lipping and are, again, still the same size they left the factory. A new set of piston rings will also be fitted. Nothing again now until next weekend at the earliest when I will also hopefully have some photos of the engine repair.

Ok, as promised more photo's of my progress. Fitting in around Easter decorating, I've managed to get 4 full days on panel preparation ready for the respray. I'd managed to collect a fair few NOS panels, as well as a couple of 'off the shelf new', and decided that the only way forward was BARE METAL Not all new panels were needed as some were still really good. However, I'm only planning to do this once so have gone with new stuff where possible. Now armed with my trusty wire brush and newly purchased DA, I set about prepping. Lots of patience was needed but, as most panels were still in primer only with a bit of surface rust, they didn't take too long. One panel though almost broke me with its refusal to give up its old paint. All I can say is I'm glad I din't do that panel first else I may have given up!!! Now the pictures................................... The collection (having already attacked the bonnet outside and one door outer) Rear doors Front bonnet Inside bonnet Rear wings (after 10 mins on one) Primed bonnet Front panel Front wing Rear wing again Other side Inside a wing Rear door Primed rear door (this was needed due to mine having a big V in it!) Inside of door (not yet primed) Rear bonnet - the stubborn one! The bare metal collection Some mechanical progress has been made too as the engine is currently fully stripped down in my garage being 'scrubbed' and reconditioned. I'll take some photos of this shortly now it's nearly clean as I didn't want my camera anywhere near the engine whilst removing 40 years of crud!! I'm now out of action for a few weeks with a small operation. Hopefully by then, all panels will be in primer and can then make small repairs on the panels where needed. Then it's attack the body shell outer!! Matt

Hi all Sorry for being quiet about progress recently but been busy with work work. Anyway, progress is still being made and will upload some new rather exciting photos in the next few days.............................. Cheers Matt

Hi all Can anyone help with advice on putting the engine from my S110LS onto and engine stand? I have a typical Sealey engine stand and want to attach it to the stand so I can strip/rebuild the engine. However, there are only 4 bolts at the rear where it attaches the gearbox and this is where I would typically attach the stand to. But as two are only 8mm studs (which I have made an adapter to fit my stand) and the other two are 10mm, I'm concerned about their strength taking the full weight of the engine. Does anyone have any experience with this they can share please? Thanks Matt

Afternoon. Managed to find a bit of time to update the thread with the latest progress. Since last time, the front beam has been reassembled with new king pins, new lower castor components, new front wheel bearings, new brake discs, new steering column knuckle rubber and brand new strengthening panel and has been refitted to the car. The car is now also sporting a pair of front wheels (albeit VW Beetle whilst I am renovating the original) so I can tilt it in the opposite direction and start the rear end. The engine has also now been removed and is sitting in my garage at home awaiting an overhaul. As always though, a few photo's of the work completed: Update again soon when the rear end & engine are started Matt

Just a few more photo's to show the progress. The front end is now fully undersealed and awaiting the beam to be reassembled and be put back on. This will then let me tilt the car in the opposite direction and do the rear end welding and overhaul. I have also cleaned and coated the front half of the floor and it all looks lovely yet black....... As you will see from the photos, I have thoroughly wire brushed and treated the beam and fuel tank (which was actually like new!) and I have also done the same to the brand new front strengthener. I have also too the decision to coat these in 3M Schutz as their top coat to give them the best protection possible for longevity. Anyway, a few photos: Hopefully a bit more work on the car today but then away for 10 days so not much will happen for a couple of weeks. Matt

Hi Dave, thanks for the comments, glad you're enjoying it, I was hoping I wasn't boring anyone! I can't take all the credit myself I'm afraid. My mate is the main welding guru, I'm the mechanical expert and money pot. Matt

Long overdue update. Managed to spend a few more hours on the S110 and now have the front end totally welded up, sealed, seam sealed and coated in a corrosion inhibitor. Just waiting for it to get a bit warmer to give the front end a good dosing of 3M schutz and then I'm ready for the beam to go back on (once I finish overhauling it!) Here's some photo's of the work. The 'purple' does indeed dry black but will also be covered by the schutz. Firstly, the completion of the LH front sill area: And now the RH front area: Above the beam: When not working on the car directly, I've also been very busy overhauling the front beam. Got new kingpins, front wheel bearings, lower kingpin housings with new camber insert, front brake discs and all the rubber bushes to replace in the suspension arms. My wire brush has been doing overtime to clean everything up ready to paint before reassembly. I also cleaned up and replaced a leaking seal and gasket on the steering box. It's been refilled up hung up for a week with no drips whatsoever so couldn't resist giving that a clean too! And lastly, I finally got round to renewing the brake pipes on the front brake calipers that I had already overhauled: Will update again soon, I've also got quite a few questions on the correct reassembly procedure when fitting the top and bottom arms back on with their new bushes. Cheers Matt

You can buy thread repair kits and specific sump bung repair kits, which I have used on several vehicles. Another option is a helicoil, really simple easy repair.

Well, I've been quiet for a couple of weeks but only because of being busy assisting my welding Guru with the metalwork on the S110. I've taken lots of photos and will hopefully put them into some sort of order with the progress so far. I'm still awaiting the arrival of a new L/H outer sill to arrive (should be Monday!) so that side is not yet quite complete but progress is going well.... Lets start with the first cut................ Now the R/H front floor, sill and inner wheelarch area: Now the L/H front floor and inner sill area: This side will be completed once the the new sill arrives! Now the front inner wing tops: All have since been seam welded so, when the L/H/F sill is complete, then it's time to clean up, treat and Schutz the front end and then start at the rear where only the sill end repairs are needed. This will then conclude the welding!! Have now also acquired 3 x NOS doors, replacement wings, rear panel and front bonnet. Not all were really needed but I only plan to do this once. Have also had the Skoda Museum confirm colour code and my local supplier can mix in Max Meyer. Will update again soon............ Matt

Ok then. Finally had response from Skoda Museum in Czech Republic confirming the colour code and build date. Colour: 5187 – Turquoise Build date: 8th July 1974 Congrat's to all of you for suggesting this colour and for help with colour charts. Today's job is now to check with my local paint suppliers for availability! I did also manage to spend a few my hours on it on Monday and decided to remove the front panel and flat back a door to see how good/bad......... Front panel is not original but new when fitted and is in excellent condition. Will have this sand blasted or similar to remove the nasty cheap paint that it's coated in before it gets its new paint from me. Only used a 240 grade disc on a DA on the door to start with just to see how well adhered the respray is. I'm concerned cellulose is now on top of the original paint and I have seen a few nightmare resprays where new paint has reacted with that type of paint sitting beneath it. It's in amazing condition for nearly 40 years old. No obvious rust or previous damage. Just a small dent on front swage line and pinhole in bottom rear corner that hasn't even perforated yet. The other doors are of a similar condition too but do have corrosion in the corners of the lower edges about the size of a couple of 5p pieces. Watch this space on the way forward......... Also, the front beam has now been fully degreased and pressure washed and is ready for stripping/overhauling. Pictures of progress to come over the next few weeks. Catch you soon Matt

Well the time has finally arrived for to wave good buy to the Tin Worm with the start of the welding. Managed to transport it over to my mate's unit last Saturday where it now sits amongst other resto projects that I seem to be involved with too! Then today, I went down to strip the car down so grinding and welding can commence. First job was to remove front wings, front subframe and fuel tank: Fuel tank in excellent condition and the plan is to completely overhaul the front subframe back at home with all new bushes, new king pins, new discs, new wheel bearings and new steering linkages. All parts sat waiting in their packages to be fitted. Next job was front to remove front doors, front seats and carpets to make access easier and remove fire risk: Bar the hole in right hand front floor, the rest is in amazing condition. Rear wings next to come back off for rear sill end repair Then this is how I left it before I headed home: Anyway, that's all today. Welding starts in earnest in a fortnight with perhaps a few bits and bobs before then but hopefully front subframe rebuild starts this week in the evenings. Update again soon...............

Here's one of the inside of the door too where the paint is still original.

Thanks for these, they're a big help. Still can't work out which colour it is though, I'd welcome all your thoughts on it. The original colour is the shiny one under the crap respray!! It's deffo got a bit of green it it? I've also emailed the Skoda museum in Czech Republic with VIN but still awaiting a response. Cheers Matt

Evening all My S110 made its way to my welding friends unit yesterday and so it begins. However, I'm still trying to deliberate exactly what colour it is. Magic Rob has suggested Skoda Turquoise, 5187 but does anyone have a brochure with that in that they could scan/email. General thinking is my build date was early 1974 (very very late 73?) but registered in June time 1974. Any colour guides from that era would be great if you can help. Many thanks Matt

Afternoon Just popped in from outside for a spot of lunch. It's amazing what you can achieve in two hours.......................... From really 'manky' to rather spotless complete with all new seals and pistons to boot!! Just got to make the brake pipes when I get my pipe bender back off my mate. Quick sandwich then off to do the other side........................