21 years and counting

[ErikB]

Any progress made on N7 ?
I have spent way to much happy miles behind RMB, to forget that car !!
Give it the attention it deserves Rob !

[Rob Bell]

Hi Erik - I am much too fond of it to let it go! I still love driving it too - it goes so well! Plus, I really want to do another trip with you guys!

Currently slowly acquiring the bits I need for the restoration. Plus I really need to make a decision as to whether to fit the turbo in it: the current engine is just so eager and the torque spread so broad that it goes brilliantly even though it "only" has 136bhp...

[Dallas]

Well done Rob, that is quite impressive keeping the F from new, these cars are very easy to fall in love with aren't they?

My F turned 22 in February, and she is still very eager to perform. Just a simple turn of the key and she springs into life wanting to show-off (despite a noisy tensioner).

I've only owned her for 3 weeks, and out of all the F's and TF's I test-drove, she was the most responsive and alert, all the others I drove just felt tired and passed it... sad really.

[Rob Bell]

Glad you got a good-un! Mine certainly is, but certainly needs a cosmetic restoration (school-mum inflicted body damage) and a suspension re-fresh and I think the old girl will look and feel as good as she did 20 years ago!

[Kasper]

Glad you got a good-un! Mine certainly is, but certainly needs a cosmetic restoration (school-mum inflicted body damage) and a suspension re-fresh and I think the old girl will look and feel as good as she did 20 years ago!

For the cosmetic part i cannot say anything what a restauration will do for the car, but when it comes to re-freshening the suspension: do it! Every effort you put in this will rewarded!

[Rob Bell]

I have re-gassed Hydragas to fit - so I am looking forward to that wonderful ride/handling compromise to be fully restored Kasper!

[Kasper]

I have re-gassed Hydragas to fit - so I am looking forward to that wonderful ride/handling compromise to be fully restored Kasper!

The same as I did, and WOW what an experience! I do believe people saying the new systems are driving well, but I would not like the unique hydragas feeling to disappear from the streets or worse from my car.

[ErikB]

How is the project progressing Rob ?


Picture of 16(!) years ago

[Rob Bell]

Brilliant picture Erik! I'll have to take another from the same angle. Sadly, that Techspeed sticker is now extremely faded It also has a number of dents from careless mothers/fathers/guardians dropping off their little terrors off at school.

But a brill picture. That exhaust is a Trevor Taylor. Sold it to Kim in New Zealand! I wonder if it is still deafening sheep down there?

I still have that windbreak somewhere, but it is not on the car since I fitted the X-Power roll hoops.

Ah, memory lane!

[Green Squirrel]

Great story Rob - the Green Squirrel also has a collection dents and scratches - call it patina

[Rob Bell]

I had to change the boot lid from the original fitted on Project Shed - despite the scratches it was better than my original; the lacquer was peeling off!

Same problem with the near side wing. Oh, and the black paint around the windscreen is now mat grey. Tried T-cut and a lot of elbow grease: a bit better, but it needs new paint.

I am seriously considering this as "Project Leyland Turbo" (anyone who has kids and has seen Cars 2 will get this reference): I have (2) turbo engines and a custom turbo manifold. But I prevaricate because the original engine is still amazingly strong, always starts first turn, never let me down and it's only done 112k miles... Perhaps I'll wheel it out on its original subframe and keep it safe, and wheel in a new subframe and transmission?

Choices choices...