Colt Galant 1600 GL Hardtop

[Pete M]

NO, NO NO....
You don't want one of those....
These are the tasty ones, the 2000 GTO coupes
Did you get any of these in UK?
I thought they were the coolest thing at the time...

[Kieran]

NO, NO NO....
You don't want one of those....
These are the tasty ones, the 2000 GTO coupes
Did you get any of these in UK?
I thought they were the coolest thing at the time...

We did. BUT.... Don't forget - the car I've bought is one of only 123 imported that year, so what are the chances of finding a GTO for sale?!?!

[Big Ian]

here's another Galant for you to save
(it might go cheap as it's spelt wrong ?)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...551140635&rd=1

[ritch_w]

here's another Galant for you to save
(it might go cheap as it's spelt wrong ?)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...551140635&rd=1

my old man had one of them!! great big motor - only prob is (and same as the Sigma) all the suspension etc is electronically controlled - so when it packs in its £Ks to fix

[Kieran]

Sat outside Red and Rally205's bodyshop in Rugby is a very, very old Galant!!

And it is in surprisingly good condition for it's age and the fact that it's a 70's Japmobile. Also, I spoke to Marcus, and the engine *ISN'T* siezed... it still turns over, though the head gasket is clearly shot.

I'll post some pictures when I get home - Curtesy of 'Red Digital Photo Services' inc.

Thanks again Jane & Marcus! I owe you one!

[Big Ian]

a bit of good new's then, about the engine

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROJECT MATE

[Kieran]

As promised, here's a few pictures. Taken by Red earlier today.

I know I'm thinking ahead here, but I think it helps to have a vision of what you want to achieve.... And I'm thinking that the yellow needs to make way for a nice deep gloss black, silver pinstriping in place of the black.... Should really make the chrome accents stand out lovely....

And maybe the best idea, if the current block is scrap, will be to bring the mechanicals up to date but keep with the far eastern theme.... Mmmm..... Can't you tell I've been digging out my old 'Classic Ford' mags to remind myself how the old-skool Mk1 'Scorts did it.... Nothing too wild, but something to allow this old-timer to party on with the rest of us.... Hmm..... Oh yes,I see great things ahead for this car....Oh yes.....

Anyway, lest I get totally absorbed in the visions forming in my head, here are the pictures for your perusal. Bear in mind that this car is older than me, and is a 70s Jap car.... I think it's incredibly well preserved, all things considered!

[Kieran]

And here are some more, showing the corrosion damage encountered so far. Pretty typical - I am worried about the amount of grot showing through around the windscreens - could be an 'Interesting' job with no pattern parts - I feel that subscription to 'Practical Classics' being re-visited! Thank god I saved their tutorials on fabricating repair sections when new parts aren't available!!

Note the tax disc - Expired in December 2004, so it's been used up untill fairly recently.

[Kieran]

And the last few... The Vynil roof, and only mild to moderately crusty wheel arches - Loads better than my old Escort!

[KiwiTT]

Are you sure this project is cheaper to run than a real VR-4. There is still Project VX as well.

[Kieran]

Are you sure this project is cheaper to run than a real VR-4. There is still Project VX as well.

Oh, for heaven's sake!!! You clearly don't get it yet!

And what the hell is all this about a 'Real' VR-4 and comparing the running costs?! There are other cars beyond the bl00dy VR-4 you know! There's no point trying to compare these two! That's like comparing the 240Z against the 300ZX Twin Turbo. They're from two totally different eras - Drawing comparrisons about which one is superior to the other is a petulant argument against both cars!!!

Hang on.... I think I need a different approach here - Let me put it this way!

I don't give a monkey's about the practicalities. Restoring *any* old car is impractical really, and unless you spend £££s, they'll never stack up against a modern car. The fun comes from keeping a car's 'blood line' intact. As an example, the old Datsun 240Zs were getting a lot of attention at Japfest. Ok, that was a more popular model in the 1st place, but how many of them are left?

[Big Ian]

don't like the look of what might be (or might not be)..under the roof covering? might make a nice looking convertable and like you said, round the window (frame) can be a job an a half to replace but not impossable, i'm sure any classic restorer can help with shaping new bodypart's for you.

but that said, it aint a basket case ive saw a lot worse still on the road ...!what am i saying "ive put worse on the road"
get it running and stick it in for an mot.....then take it from there
GOOD LUCK

[KiwiTT]

There are other cars beyond the bl00dy VR-4 you know!

Not many

I just thought your goal was to get a VR-4, not an archivist, hence my post.

If you goal is the preserve a little bit of history, than so be it. Enjoy. We need people like that as well.

[Kieran]

I just thought your goal was to get a VR-4, not an archivist, hence my post.

If you goal is the preserve a little bit of history, than so be it. Enjoy. We need people like that as well.

DOH.... Ah the joys of text-based communication!

I have many goals. One of themi IS to get a VR-4 (or turn Hordak into a VR-4 basher so that I can erase a few smug grins )

One of my other goals is to successfully restore a fairly innocuous old car, for enjoyment and also to show that the 'old-school' can still cut it in today's traffic-infested concrete jungles. I've failed on this goal once, but I already know that this one's different.

And, it also contributes towards another goal, which is giving Club VR-4 another area to branch out into. You see, the stories, skills and such that will come out of this little project will surely be of guidance for those of us who are sporting VR-4s in 10+ years time....

[KiwiTT]

this little project will surely be of guidance for those of us who are sporting VR-4s in 10+ years time....

Cool. I will refer to the restoration pages then. I for one will have my VR-4 then.

[Pete M]

I think you'll find those paint bubbles are the tip of the iceberg. Once you start getting the paint off, the metal will be paper thin and perforated for about a foot in every direction. There will be nothing to attach repair sections to, as all the box sections will crumble to red dust.
I've had a late '70s Galant myself in the past, saw the above, and we don't even have salt on our roads.

[Brunty]

Sat outside Red and Rally205's bodyshop in Rugby is a very, very old Galant!!

I was at the bodyshop today and saw your Galant - you've got quite a bit of work ahead of you! - but no doubt you'll have plenty of fun along the way. I'll look forward to the updates. Enjoy

[Kieran]

Well, I've already had a little victory with my new pap-pap

I popped into this place today (handily, it's about 5 mins away from KieranCorp towers! ) - Parts for older cars

I was looking for a head gasket for the little 4G32 that's lurking in the engine bay of the GL. Within about 5 minutes, Martin had located the car and had got a price for me.... £31 - For the complete head set!!! Cool!! It seems that this engine was used, with a 0.1mm bore difference, in the Hyundai Pony and the Hyundai Stellar, so bits are still available.

The set will be here Tues/Weds!!

[RED]

Better try and get the car up to you next weekend then so you can start tinkering

[Kieran]

Better try and get the car up to you next weekend then so you can start tinkering

Cool - Has Marcus had a nosey around the engine bay any more? is it just a busted head gasket, or?................