Wow Rob! So much work. But you've come this far, so you might as well complete what must surly be one of, if not the, best Quattro in NZ. Just looking at those gorgeous wheels must give you goosebumps and remind you of how important this restoration is :)

 

Oh yes I'm not losing any enthusiasm for the car, or the wheels. I just got a bit down for a few days about the costs that I hadn't bargained for, meaning it's a much longer road than I had hoped.

Pretty sure it's going to cost triple what I originally hoped to spend.

:D in a weird way, your project reminds me of the 'Spittoon joke'. I'm guessing you know it

Haha yeah.

That's a fair bit of rust from one corner's suspension.

 

 

Front subframe is off.
I was kinda hoping the GT subframe might be the same as it's in a bit better condition, but as that was a a KV engine car with an auto, the gearbox mounts are different.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow Rob still loads to do and costs but you still have your sense of humour, it will be like new and I rekon if you ever want to sell it  you could recoup your costs and much more as values are rising, Im sending you some positive energy, hang on in there its still awesome!

I am now rethinking my metaphor.

 

"I see the spittoon joke and raise you a tiger by the tail"

Starting to clean up the subframe and remove the old bushes. Two just popped out. Two were rusted in and took some time. and "persuasion".

 

Lots more cleaning to do but it's actually in decent condition under all the gunk and oily mess.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I put in a couple of orders last night for gearbox mounts, wheel bearings, ball joints. Oh and a short shifter kit fell into my basket too.

 

That means I've reached the dubious milestone of $30k spent of my original, admittedly unrealistic, $10-12k budget.

Yikes!! Hope the baby Kiwis in your sanctuary aren't going hungry now

Reasons why I sold the Skoda... :D

You must have a very understanding wife...or one that doesn't read Brisky and is financially naive :D

You must have a very understanding wife...or one that doesn't read Brisky and is financially naive :D

 

Very understanding. She knows how much it has cost!

I  hope I can borrow it when I come across to live in your garden shed

I  hope I can borrow it when I come across to live in your garden shed

 

You'll probably have to help bolt some parts back on first.

I know which end of a combination spanner is the open end ;) I am really good at making tea and praising people for their hard work though.

A mate dropped these off. I don't want the car too low so I'll fit them and see how she sits. Hard to tell when they're not compressed but out of the car they don't look too much lower.

Good progress here - shame about the underneath though.

 

Seeing those brake pipes brings back bad memories - I hated bending them on my E30 (they sell prebent fuel lines, but not brake lines - go figure!).

 

When do you think it'll be done by? In time for the summer? (Or the UK summer anyway - I dunno what seasons are like in NZ - it seems constantly nice from what I can tell!)

Edited 16 January, 20179 yr by TriggerFish

Pre-made brake lines are available from a UK place but in pure copper, which isn't allowed here.

It's summer now here. It'll be a few more months I think before I finish.

I remember a story from my school chemistry teacher about making a copper exhaust system (for a very good condition Humber that had an apitite for mild steel exhausts IIRC) and months later having a shiny exhaust for a rust bucket! That and cunifer (an alloy) doesn't work harden like pure copper does.

 

As for the springs, they look shorter but higher poundage so probably won't lower much with full weight on wheels.

Wow - I remember when I had my Audi spell back in the 90's being able to rip those front struts off in about 20 mins, had that down to a fine art, lol.

 

If it's not too late to wade in, there is a company over here called buzzweld (they are on facebook) that do some fantastic primers, rust treatments and top coats (based around oil rig technology) that may be of benefit for your underside restoration, worth looking them up. Not sure on the postage cost to NZ though.....

I'd look at Bilt Hamber as well, for rust conversion and protection. I used their stuff extensively on my Eunos and have been highly impressed.

 

I believe this lot are the agent, for AUS and NZ: http://www.theruststore.com.au/

Edited 19 January, 20179 yr by Wardy

I visited that lovely quattro in Oamaru.

More pics
https://www.facebook.com/ProjectRustyquattro/posts/948044601962503

Pipe benders for the brake lines, rear ball joints, suspension dust covers. Need to order shocks soon.

Gearbox mounts and a short shifter kit

Ball joints

And I finally got the rear struts out. So many rusty parts to separate...

They had the right part number but...

Also the ball joints I bought - again supposedly right part number but the top shaft is 1mm smaller. Dammit.

On Thu Jan 19 2017 at 11:27, octyal said:

Wow - I remember when I had my Audi spell back in the 90's being able to rip those front struts off in about 20 mins, had that down to a fine art, lol.

 

If it's not too late to wade in, there is a company over here called buzzweld (they are on facebook) that do some fantastic primers, rust treatments and top coats (based around oil rig technology) that may be of benefit for your underside restoration, worth looking them up. Not sure on the postage cost to NZ though.....

 

Awesome stuff the buzzweld, I'm friends with the owner Craig. A lot of 4x4 mates swear by it and I'll be using it on my horsebox chassis/axles. 

They do have a fb page/group or search out Craig Jones either way he'll only recommend what you need and point you in the right directions. 

 

Keep up the good work dude it all be worth it.

I think these mounts were a bit worn.

Something's missing here. 
I was about to change the engine mount until I realised I can't find any of my 17mm sockets. Time to tidy the garage.

Edited 6 February, 20179 yr by RobClubley