Either break for spares or transplant into another car?

I haven't used my Legnum for 6 months due to an ABS fault that is stopping me getting an MOT, and I have an Evo 9 Wagon as my daily now. The VR4 is becoming quite rusty and needs a small plate on each rear inner arch at the sills, brake discs, the ABS fault fixed and the AYC pump replaced. There's also some gremlins in the dash as the speedo and rev counter are now working intermittently. There's lacquer peeling on the side trims and front wing/bumper/bonnet so it needs paintwork too. It runs and drives perfectly and always has during my 9 years of ownership - it's been the most reliable car I've ever owned.

With an MOT it'll do another year or two but i'm now thinking about either breaking the car or transplanting the engine and running gear into another shell as a project. I'm thinking Volvo Amazon Estate as I've been offered a fairly clean one at a sensible price and I have a soft spot for the Amazon Estate having had a few in the family in my youth. The engine bay in the Volvo is quite narrow but the inner 'tubs' that make the bay so narrow can be removed so I reckon it can be done with a bit of thought

What do you think? MOT it and get what I can for it, Break it for spares (rare 5sp manual) or transplant the relevant parts into a completely different car?

If not the Volvo, what other car would be a good 'sleeper' to build? I'm thinking keeping it as an estate car and have considered a Vauxhall Viva Estate as I know of a clean one going cheap. I want something old and retro but with the Legnum 4wd and engine.

Stop having the same thoughts as me!

I really want to transplant the full running gear into an old classic estate car too! If you beat me to it, I won't be happy! /pan

So much room in a Viva engine bay, sounds like a plan to me

Do it, do it, do it !!!!!!!!

i would say a MKII escort estate for the transplant but they would probably be a bit expensive to buy to do the conversion.

we used to have an old viva estate when i was growing up and i think it had a spit tailgate like a range rover i think.
it also had a engine starter button under the bonnet so if you were working on the car and wanted to turn it over you could without having to go back into the cabin of the car. you had to have the ignition on but it was a useful feature.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Davezj

i would say a MKII escort estate for the transplant but they would probably be a bit expensive to buy to do the conversion.

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You'll probably be looking at around £10-15k for one that's not going to need extensive work! They're silly money!

I was thinking something like a Granada or Cortina.

I'm browsing the net every day to see if there's anything catches my eye for the project. I'm trying to find something old skool that isn't rotten!

How about an d Volvo 240 estate. I know big engines have been done before In them but should be cheap enough.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Confused

... or Cortina.

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Cortina Mk III is even worse. Absolutely silly money! And her German version Taunus coupe even more :)

Hmmm....!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nissan-mic...EAAOSw5n5ZhPA0


Anyone got a shoehorn?:thinking:

That would be insane! Quite sure you're more than capable! Maybe mid engine it?

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Mid engine would involve a different transmission though. The plan would be to use all the Legnum running gear as it is to avoid huge costs and time. It's just a case of finding the right donor shell to get the desired 'sleeper' effect.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1978-Morri...cAAOSwNJ5Zg2KR

marina pickup if budget stretches? or a metro or an old transit van

Would only require a fwd gearbox from a Galant or FTO

Just to help you along are any of the doors decent? And I'm looking for a centre console and gear level surround for a project?

Yeah all the doors are good i think. Just the bonnet and the rear arches are starting to rust (that's visible anyway).

Looking at donor shell options and I think the biggest problem i'm going to have is I need a car with the front wheel arches quite far back (or a long nose) as the Legnum lump sits in front of the axle line

So... I decided to put the car in for an MOT today and it's failed surprise surprise! I thought I might get another year out of it. I don't have time to do a transplant project or the repairs now so I'm selling the car as spares or repairs. This is heartbreaking as this has been without doubt the best and most reliable car I have ever owned. In 9 years it's never let me down

It needs welding, front Xmember, seat belt mount, hole near the front subframe, 2 broken front springs, rear brake hoses, ABS light on & a few other minor things. The welding is the biggest part of the work.

It drives great, no noises, the engine is smooth and the gearbox is good. The brake discs are rusty with the car lying but I have a set of 4 new discs here for it. I fitted a new battery to it yesterday and it fired first time after 6 months.

I'm looking for offers bearing in mind the car is a 5sp manual and I have space to break it to maximise what I get for it. I could probably break it for upwards of £800. It currently has a set of Evo 7 rims on it which won't be for sale as I use them as dyno wheels for my race Evo. When I bought it there was a set of 17" alloys which would go with the car however they are in poor condition and need a refurb.

Good points:

Reliable, very
Nardi Torino Steering wheel and dash insert
Doors are all good
Tailgate good
SS exhaust and aftermarket downpipe with new flexi joints
New battery
4 new brake discs (not fitted)
Interior is very good condition
Turbo timer
5sp manual

Bad points:
MOT fail for rust mainly
Rear arches are rusty although mainly surface as they were folded round for wider rims
Paint peeling on OSF wing and door mouldings
Bonnet starting to rust along leading edge
AYC pump failed
ABS light on (FR sensor)
Speedo intermittent
Rev counter intermittent
Front bumper split
Rear bumper has a wee dent and paint scraped

I'm open to offers to drive away. It drives great but it isn't MOT'd so a trailer would be recommended unless you have trade plates. With a bit of welding and MOT items it would live another year or two

I would break it if there's enough interest in the main parts, interior, engine and box, body panels etc

The car is located just south of Aberdeen. Call or text me on 07774 718492. I have Whatsapp so can forward photos.

If no interest here then it will go on Ebay

Listed on ebay at mo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Legnum-VR...53.m1438.l2649

Thanks Peter, It's now back on Ebay to sell. No deals, no ending early. It's going to go to the highest bidder. Happy to answer any questions, text or call me on 07774 718492

It needs to go to a new home