1979 Skoda Estelle Project

[RapidRapid]

Last week I was browsing the Skoda Owners Club page on Facebook and a photo of a Rapid caught my eye, I had a look through the comments, and there was an Estelle that had been bought as part of the package deal with the Rapid, but the new owner was unsure what to do with it. I posted a comment that I may be interested in the Estelle, and within a matter of minutes, i received a message and a friend request from the owner. A few messages later, and I had arranged to go and view the Estelle, with the option of buying either it on its own, or the Estelle plus the Rapid and all the spares as a job lot. 

 

I went over on Friday and viewed both cars, chatted with both the current, and previous owner, and then asked what price was wanted for the lot. Then came that dreaded answer "Make me an offer". I don't know about anyone else, but I hate that reply, but I made a low offer, and the response i was expecting was "I would like quite a bit more than that". In all honesty I knew I couldn't afford the whole package, so I made a stupidly low offer for the Estelle, bearing in mind that if I wanted it, and not the lot, it came without engine and wheels. I was surprised when the offer was accepted. Next came the problem of getting it home, my car has no towbar, and I don't have a trailer, so for an extra £50 he said he would deliver it from near Hull to Gainsborough. 

 

I can't wait until it's delivered, I need to clear a garage out ready for it. 

 

Anyway, on to a few photos I took whilst viewing it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm undecided on what to do with it yet, but it will return to road. 

[RobClubley]

This could be interesting

[@Lee]

Followed

[RapidRapid]

A small update.

 

The Estelle is being delivered to me on Sunday, so then the project can begin

[skodanorman]

Nice car. Have you decided what to do with it yet? Is it an LS?

[RapidRapid]

Hi Rob, yes it is a 120LS, registered 1-10-1979 so coming up to it's 34th birthday. Plans are to replace all rotten bodywork etc, and get it back on the road. 

[RapidRapid]

Well the Estelle was delivered first thing Sunday morning, and since then, in between rain showers and work, i've had a check over to see what i've taken on, and so far things are looking promising.

 

This is the O/S/F wing,

 

There is quite a lot of rust here, with a big hole, and a lot of bubbling along the top edge, as well as bubbling under the white section in front of the wheel arch. The wing will be removed soon to investigate what horrors hide behind it. 

 

The O/S sill is fairly solid apart from at the rear where there is a large hole.

 

It looks like there is quite a bit of corrosion to the inner sill as well, so the outer will be cut off to investigate, followed by repair and complete sill replacement. 

 

I've also removed the rather manky seats and carpets, and was surprised to find the floorpans are solid. 

[Leeboy]

Yes floor does look in good nick. Guess your P plates and tops of the inner wings might be a bit iffy given the poor state of the front wings. Looks good though and great that it's being saved!

[RapidRapid]

The front wings will be coming off soon to see what horror lurks behind. 

[MRJ]

Good luck, looks like an interesting project!

[J45ON]

Good luck, looks like an interesting project!

 

Er, you might want to check the date of the last post?

[MRJ]

Er, you might want to check the date of the last post?

 

Well aware of the date of the last post, but does that mean this project is no longer? and that the owner isnt on here anymore????

 

I was simply posting a comment on the project, thinking perhaps there would be an update at some point and that Id be interested to see it!

[J45ON]

I know, but after 18 months of inactivity, i tend to assume the thread's dead.

[RapidRapid]

The thread is not dead, the car is not dead. It has been tucked away in the garage whilst I acquire the parts for it, and work will be commencing over the winter months

[Kieranzxt]

Promise Kenton?!

[Euxtongeezer]

Yes floor does look in good nick. Guess your P plates and tops of the inner wings might be a bit iffy given the poor state of the front wings. Looks good though and great that it's being saved!

Hi, hope you don't mind me asking, but what spark plugs do you use ?  A couple of car parts websites say it uses NGK BP6HS plugs, but mine has BP7EFS ones fitted. The 7's are longer & protrude into the cylinder more. The 6's though have a bigger hexagonal nut & are tight against the engine block, so I can't get the spanner around to tighten. I haven't had the car long & am keen to get it right. It does seem to run ok on 7's, so far anyway. Cheers.